First and Ten: NFL’s Top Secondary Runners
by The New Era Staff
Each week the New Era staff will break down a top ten list. This week Matt Miller, Dave Gardner, and Luke Chandler look at the NFL’s top secondary running backs.
The NFL’s transition over the past decade to backs by committee style of running game has opened up fans eyes to the diversity of backs in the league. No longer just the traditional “thunder and lightning” type duos of years past, running back committees are diverse. They allow a team to run multiple plays out of base formations. If you have one running back on the field who can run or catch the ball, it can be difficult for defensive coordinators to track them. Now, teams will often deplore two all purpose backs on the field at once, making things even more difficult.
The traditional third down back is becoming a valuable weapon, both as a decoy and an offensive threat. A back needs to be able to not only run and catch, but block also. All of the backs listed here are used in multiple ways, even lining up as fullbacks or slot receivers. Outside of Betts, Graham, Taylor, and Watson; the other backs on this list have three years or less experience in the NFL. Some have yet to tap their potential, such as Bush, Norwood, and Young. All in all though, these players are vital cogs to their team’s offensive dominance. With that in mind, David Gardner, Matt Miller and Luke Chandler sit down to discuss the top secondary runners in the NFL.
NES Running Back Ranking in parentheses
1. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars (22)
DG: There is no doubt that Jones-Drew, despite his small frame, is the complete package. Remember his block on Shawne Merriman? He is also a tremendous runner, although he definitely has the advantage of spelling one of the best running backs in the league. He has soft hands out of the back field, and I think everyone would agree that this cannonball is the best third-down back in the league. His production slipped last year only because Taylor was hot, and the Jaguars kept feeding him the rock.
MM: Jones-Drew will only be considered a back-up for another season at best. He’s a complete back, despite his lack of height. Next season we’ll be ranking him among the best starting backs in the NFL. Guaranteed.
LC: Jones-Drew’s production as a runner, receiver, and return man are second to none. His explosiveness and loose hips make him the perfect compliment Fred Taylor’s bruising running style. Make no mistake though, he’s not a finesse runner. His powerful lower body gives him the ability to stay fresh late in games.
2. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints (23)
DG: Reggie Bush is a draft-day horror story at this point in his career, and the only hero is the Texans franchise. They passes on Bush at the top of the draft to select blossoming defensive end Mario Williams. He has struggled mightily as a ball carrier, waiting too long for holes to open up and generally, having trouble adjusting to the speed of the game. The startling thing is that he barely improved as a runner in his second year, and he even dipped in production as a receiver. This grade for me, is all on potential. He could be great. He isn’t.
MM: While his production has been limited by a transition to the NFL and then an injury, Bush remains among the most talented athletes in the NFL. Should be move primarily to a third-down role, Bush could exploit slower defenders and use his incredible open field ability to make plays. His ability as a return man was legendary during his career at USC, but Bush has yet to show the same talent at the pro level.
LC: 2007 was a lost season for Bush due to injury. His upside as a multi purpose threat gives a dangerous flow to the Saints offense. More than any other back on this list, his presence as a decoy opens up opportunities for his teammates. He still needs work on being more patient, and not forcing the matter when he has the ball. If Bush could learn to slow the game down, he would be an even bigger asset to the Saints.
3. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay (31)
DG: Earnest Graham was the product of a few things last year: an up-and-coming Tampa offensive line (which will get a lot of press this year), familiarity with the playbook and his own talent. Graham, who has been a Buc for his entire career, knows the ins and outs of Jon Gruden’s playbook, so stepping into a starter’s role for him was easy. He is a reliable receiver and a willing blocker (he had primarily been a special teams player until last season), but he is best suited as a starter — possibly in a tandem — but not a backup.
MM: When given the chance in 2007, Graham showed the league that he can be a featured back. He may be relegated to back-up status in ‘08 if Cadillac Williams returns healthy, but Graham will be a key part of the Tampa Bay back field.
LC: Graham has built himself up from practice squad player to legit starter. He’s not a breakaway threat, but a sturdy performer. His blocking ability is second to none on this list, and his all around game help make Gruden’s offense click.
4. Ladell Betts, Washington (33)
DG: Betts gets a wrap as a dominant running back because of his brilliant 2006 campaign. However, he has never impressed me outside of that year. He’s been inconsistent at best, struggling to find a running rhythm in most games. Perhaps he needs the ball more to be better; but if he were so good, wouldn’t the coaches put him in the game more often? He’s not a great blocker, and he’s an average receiver.
MM: Another back who could be a starter in another city, Betts has been a proven and consistent runner over the past few seasons. Playing behind Clinton Portis, Betts sees the field more than most back-ups.
LC: While his 2006 breakout season showed his ability as bell-cow back, the promise of increased touches for him in 2007 never came through. He only logged double digit carries twice in 2007, and it was a head scratcher. Betts has ability as a short yardage back, yet was rarely used in that role this season. He may not be a great fit for Jim Zorn’s version of the West Coast Offense.
5. Chester Taylor, Minnesota (35)
DG: Chester Taylor proved his worth as a third-down back for four seasons, including an outstanding 2004 in which he ran for 714 yards on 160 carries (4.5 ypc). A lot of hype surrounds Adrian Peterson, deservedly so, but the Vikings didn’t draft him out of need — he was simply a good value. Taylor had rushed for 1,200 yards in his first season as a starter. Even last year, he ran for 844 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry (Peterson averaged 5.6), and scoring seven touchdowns. This player should be on a different list, because he’s a starter.
MM: My first disagreement with the list. Taylor is injury prone, and despite a lot of hype, he has never produced for longer than a game or two in a row. Put Taylor on a team with an average offensive line and you would see what he is: an average running back.
LC: Taylor is a pure backup, but he’s never been given an extended look as the feature back, outside of the 2006 season. Physically he wore down towards the end of the season, but it was his first as a primary ball carrier. His work in Baltimore, behind a bad offensive line, showed that he can run the ball, just not as much as he was in 2006.
6. Kenny Watson, Cincinnati (40)
DG: Watson, a career backup who had struggled with injuries early on, filled in nicely for Rudi Johnson in Cincinnati. He has always made the most of his time on the field, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns last season. However, backup running backs on team’s with good passing offenses can often surprise defenses for a year. I think the game tape will catch up with Watson, and I don’t think he’ll be nearly as successful this season.
MM: Does one season make someone worthwhile? I think not. Watson was able to run on defenses backpedaling to stop the Cincinnati passing game. Should be face a defense preparing for him, he’d be stopped behind the line of scrimmage. Watson is like the quarterback who does great until teams see him on film.
LC: A career backup up until Rudi Johnson’s injury problems this past season, Watson showed good durability for a player who had not been the primary ball carrier since college. Watson’s ability as an outlet receiver and blocker got very little notice up until 2007, but his running ability this year showed he could be more than just a third down back. While not the fastest runner, Watson has good vision and patience.
7. Selvin Young, Denver (41)
DG: Another in the long list of Shanahan’s surprisingly successful running backs. After the Travis Henry experiment failed miserably last season, he picked up the slack, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He was mostly kept out of the end zone, though, scoring only once all season. He’s not a great receiver, he’s an even worse blocker and it’s hard to grade any runner’s talent in Shanahan’s offense. Young will likely be the starter this year, but he should make sure to avoid the mistakes of previous Denver running backs, and stay there. The young line and quarterback will help him be quite productive.
MM: Young has already been more successful in Denver than he was as a Longhorn. Young has overcome fumbling problems, an attempt to bulk up and questions about his speed to become a legit back. My only qualm is that Young enters the season as a starter now, not a back-up.
LC: Young has such amazing speed and breakaway ability that it’s scary. His running style and body are reminiscent to Clinton Portis when he was in Denver. His quick feet and slashing style are dangerous behind Denver’s line, so long as he can learn to trust his blockers.
8. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants (43)
DG: Bradshaw’s history of legal troubles caught up with him again this offseason, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll have a chance to ascend this list. Don’t discredit the effect of bruiser Brandon Jacobs or the powerful New York offensive line on Bradshaw’s numbers. He really only showed up to one game in the regular season, at Buffalo in week 16. His claim to fame at this point is leading all rushers in the Super Bowl, but with 45 yards, he hardly pulled a Timmy Smith. I buy into Bradshaw’s speed and agility; I just don’t buy into his hands or his consistency.
MM: Here’s someone I am not sold on, at all. He looked good down the stretch, but we can thank Chris Snee and co. for that. Should he be on the list? Probably, but Bradshaw must show more consistency and more ability to operate in the open field.
LC: My hype of Bradshaw started in the preseason. He’s the most dangerous runner in the Giants backfield, and will be their feature back by 2009 at the latest. His running style and skill set are nearly the same as retired Giants star Tiki Barber. It was no shock that the Giants were using him the same way that they used Barber.
9. Kolby Smith, Kansas City (44)
DG: Looking at Smith’s numbers from last season wouldn’t inspire anyone to take him in the first round of this year’s fantasy draft, but any running back would have struggled in Kansas City last season. The offensive line was shaky, and defenses could put, well, nearly the whole defense in the box. He was durable and reliable, and he should improve in his sophomore season.
MM: Anyone who ran as well as Smith did behind the Chiefs horrible offensive line deserves more credit than this. Smith was the Chiefs offense with Larry Johnson out of the line-up, and could very well be their long-term solution at the position. One thing to watch is the addition of Jamaal Charles to the team. He could take Smith’s playing time.
LC: The one player on this list that fails to inspire me is Smith. He isn’t going to run away from many defenders and doesn’t avoid contact well. Smith did play behind the league’s worst run blocking line, but he wasn’t just a victim of bad blocking.
10. Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons (53)
DG: Jerious Norwood will have more chances to see the field this season, as Michael Turner has never carried the load full time in the NFL. He will need a good back to spell him, and he has one in Norwood. His numbers — albeit in limited appearances — are mind-boggling. His rushing numbers are nearly identical in his two season, and he has averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He also improved as a pass-catcher this season. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey will put Norwood on the field as often as he can, so expect a huge boost in his numbers this season. I think he’ll be regarded as a top-3 third-down back by the time the 2008 season has concluded.
MM: Expect to see Norwood used more as a return man and even a slot receiver in 2008. He still has value as a runner, but the addition of Michael Turner could move him down the depth chart. He’s an exciting young player, but he must first master the playbook.
LC: Based more on potential, Norwood represents a potential homerrun threat every time he touches the ball. His touches had been limited his first two seasons due to trouble picking up the blitz in pass protection, but he was improved by season’s end. His career average of 6.2 yards per carry is only tipping the iceberg of what Norwood can do. He also improved as a receiver last season, and is expected to be used more in that role. His ability to make yards after the catch will be a huge asset to Atlanta’s offense.