Running Backs

Is it just us or is the talent pool at the running back position about as shallow as Paris Hilton? The number of backs that will be sharing carries is on the rise. That’s bad news for fantasy... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

As TSF starts a new Fantasy Football edition to it's blog, here's our rankings on running backs. Our first projections were on the quarterbacks. 1. LaDainian TomlinsonLT led the league in rushing yards once again. He should be an even bigger part of the offense as Norv Turner has indicated. He's a threat everywhere, he'll run all over you and catch on you too. LT should be the top pick in ever

We’ve done the Big Dog RBs, Second Tier RBs, and Third Tier RBs, now it’s time to look at the next wave of RBs.  We’re getting into #2 RBs if you have stacked your team elsewhere and/or your bench RBs. LenDale White - LenDale silenced his critics last year by running for 1110 yards and 7 [...]

Just one day to the TJI relaunch...let's make sure we have everything we need... New look...check. New features...check. New staff members...check. New widgets...what's a widget? Check back... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

The loss of Michael Turner and the release of Lorenzo Neal drove the Chargers to reinforce their backfield. To generate a smooth transition, the Bolts second and third draft selections provide a dynamite combo that should fill the void. Additionally, the Bolts snagged four undrafted players who prepare to combat for roster spots.

Scout.com's Ed Thompson points out six running back selections over the last ten years that had terrible consequences for their clubs when compared to the very next running back off the board. Take a look at where six very talented backs would have been playing if there hadn't been a one-pick misfire.

The 2008 NFL draft is less than a week away. From a fantasy perspective, the draft produces very few fantasy starters in the first year. However, its important to become familiar with the top players not only for this year's gems, but for future stars as well.Last year's draft produced a first year RB stud in Adrian Peterson. Here are the top 5 potential running back picks in the 2007 draft.Darren McFadden - ArkansasRashard Mendenhall - IllinoisJonathan Stewart - OregonFelix Jones - ArkansasJamaal Charles -Texas

With LaDainian Tomlinson approaching 30 and Michael Turner flying the coup for the Falcons, the Bolts are in the market for a top-notch running back. A.J. Smith should have a couple enticing options if he chooses to fill the need in round one. However, his options may improve if he moves down. Team expert Michael Lombardo fills in the details.

The 2008 NFL Scouting Combine is in full swing and up until today there weren't a lot of fireworks to report. A little disclaimer here, all 40 times are courtesy of the NFL Network and are unofficial, I counted maybe 15 people down on the field with stopwatches and another 40 or so in the stands, so you will see a lot of different quoted times come out. The official electronic times will be released next week. The receivers ran this morning and California WR DeSean Jackson measured in at only 5' 9" 167 pounds, but he ran a 4.31 forty yard dash. One of my sleepers prospects from Appalachian State, WR Dexter Jackson was actually the fastest receiver running a 4.27 forty. The other prospect that I have to mention without delay is small school quarterback Josh Johnson from San Diego, during t

Heading into Week 4 of the season we have some spicy issues to feast upon; the first being the raucous puss-fest being hosted by some of the leagues top running backs. A majority of the early fantasy picks continue to disappoint and leave us to wonder why we didn’t draft Marion Barber in the top 3. Taken number 1 in nearly 100% of all fantasy drafts, Ladainian Tomlinson (and the Chargers) continues to spiral away from his expectations. Pre-ranked at Number 2, Steven Jackson had his first 100 yard game on Sunday… just before he tore his junk muscle. He’ll likely be out for at least two weeks. Which brings us to Number 3, Larry Johnson. The name just pisses me off. Not only is he averaging fewer than 50 rush yards a game with ZERO touchdowns, the former NFL touches leader was auto drafted for me while I sat in a craphole coffee shop waiting for my POS computer to load java. I wanted Joseph Addai, who crept up to number 4 in the preseason rankings after my draft was com

If you are an ESPN Insider, you can read Eric Karabell's article outlining 8 tiers of fantasy football running backs. Many of the groupings make a lot of sense.......but here are some surprises.Tier 1 consists of two running backs, LT and Steven Jackson.Willie Parker is now a clear cut tier 2 running back.Ronnie Brown leads of the tier 4 running backs.Marion Barber and Julius Jones are both considered tier 5 running backs.Some former tier 1 and 2 backs are now tier 5 - Ahman Green, Clinton Portis, Jamal Lewis, Fred Taylor.The highly touted Maurice Jones-Drew is a tier 4 back.

FF Today has updated a great running back rankings page that denotes RB's who pose a potential fantasy football risk. The list is as follows:Larry JohnsonClinton PortisWarrick DunnKevin JonesI think it is safe to assume that LJ will eventually be removed from this list because he has signed a long term deal with the KC Chiefs had has reported to camp.I agree that Portis, Dunn, and Jones are risks due to injuries. This also makes their backups potentially very valuable..........although still risky.Portis is expected to share more carries this year with Ladell Betts and Warrick Dunn will continue to lose ground to the explosive Jerious Norwood.Kevin Jones is sharing a backfield with ex-Broncos speedster Tatum Bell and the big back T.J. Duckett.If I were to bet on a backup with the highest upside, I would look at Falcons RB Jerious Norwood.....although the absence of Michael Vick may have a huge overall effect on the Falcons offense.Ladell Betts had a good season last year and is probab

I am a fantasy player who likes to avoid risk. Especially in the early rounds. This year there are a lot of fantasy football running backs who are either unproven or are playing for a new team. Some of these player will have great seasons, but others will be busts. Here are the top 5 running backs that I'm afraid to pick in my 2007 fantasy football draft.Jamal Lewis, Cle, RBThomas Jones, NYJ, RBBrandon Jacobs, NYG RBWillis McGahee, Bal, RBAhman Green, Hou, RB

It’s been a while since I posted here in this Small School NFL Draft Blog. I have been busy working on my NFL Draft Web site and my NFL Draft Blog, but the 2007 football season is almost upon us and I will have to step up my game. We can’t ignore the small school prospects now can we? I will be covering a new position each week or two, starting with the running backs. On a side note, Division 1AA is now officially called the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), but I am going to keep referring to it as the 1AA.Calvin Dawson, 5’ 10” 207 lbs, Louisiana MonroeYes the Sun Belt Conference is still Division 1, but Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) is still considered a small school program, at least in my eyes. However running back Calvin Dawson should be considered a big time talent. Last year ULM had a prospect invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Safety Kevin Payne, and he was subsequently drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft in the 5th round by the Chicago Bears. This year they have Dawson, as

Replacing record setting back Dwayne Wright was supposed to be one of the biggest storylines of spring 2007. However, the Bulldog rushing attack looked solid throughout spring -- thanks in part to great offensive line play. Sophomores Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding played last season as true freshmen. Each was expected to battle to replace Wright this spring. Miller emerged as the starter after Harding went down the first week of spring with an injury. Harding did return the last week of spring but it was little to late...read more at BarkBoard.com.©Copyright 2006, The Fresno State Football Blog/barkboard.com and Scout.com. All rights reserved.

It's not every day that I talk about sophomore running backs leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft, but there are two players that should make quite an impact on the 2008 NFL Draft, Both players should be top ten picks in the 2008 NFL Draft, so if your team needs a running back, be patient, help is on the way.1. Darren McFadden, Arkansas:Right now I would draft McFadden over Oklahoma's heralded running back Adrian Peterson, he has better hands and is more durable. McFadden has been nothing short of spectacular the last two years with the Razorbacks, as a freshman he re-wrote the record books by rushing for 1,113 yards and 11 TDs and this year as a soph he finished second in the Heisman voting and rushed for 1,620 yards and 14 Tds with a 5.9 yards per carry average. Big and fast with great hands, in high school he ran the 100 meters in 10.8 seconds. He looks to be an NFL franchise running back, a durable workhorse. Darren is very shifty and strong, he rarely goes down upon frst contact. He

The top Running back in the upcoming draft is Adrian Peterson. Peterson has all of the skills to become a great NFL back but his injuries may make some teams shy away. He is the only Running Back in the draft that can realistically be considered with the first overall pick but there are some other decent options if we decide to trade some picks or players around.Cal's Marshawn Lynch is projected to be a mid first round pick, with a likely landing spot in Green Bay at pick 16. He also has all the skills needed to succeed in the NFL but the only way we would land him is by trading down or somehow acquiring another first round pick. It is unprobable that he will end up wearing the silver and black but you never can tell what Al Davis has up his sleeve.The other Running Backs with first round potential are Kenny Irons and Michael Bush. One of these two guys could be a likely choice if we are able to trade up into the back half of the first round. Auburn has produced some decent NFL

Fresno State RB Anthony HardingWhen most people think of Fresno State they think of a school that generally produces NFL type QB's because of the pro style offense that is used. From Trent Dilfer to Billy Volek to David Carr the Bulldogs have produced three QB's who have made a name for themselves in the NFL in a span of just ten seasons (Although Carr is still doing his best to get on track for a pathetic Texans franchise). What most people don't realize is that Fresno State's number one strength may be the running game. Quick, name the last time Fresno State did not have a 1,000 yard rusher during the course of a season? Most Fresno State fans know in order to answer this question you have to travel back to the pre David Carr years. Fresno State has produced one great Running Back after another en route to where they stand today: With three RB's who can break away on any given play. During 2006 Fresno State may have enjoyed their single greatest rushing season in team history.