1. Ladanian Tomlinson(Chargers) - The real reason why San Diego hasn?t hit rock bottom for the 4th year in a row. Tomlinson is the most feared back in today?s football. He can kill you on the ground or through the air and with a small resemblance of the great Barry Sanders he?s already a high prospect for the HOF. Pro Bowl 2. Shaun Alexander(Seahawks) - Even though he complained and whined about not getting to be the rushing leader of 2004 doesn?t mean he isn?t an elite back in this league. Rumors of him not being happy in Seattle may effect him in the long run, but til he physically can?t run anymore, he?s still #2 on my list. Pro Bowl 3. Corey Dillon(Patriots) - After helping the Patriots win there 3rd Super Bowl in 2004, Corey Dillon?s roll as a huge asset to the team has boosted. His years in Cincy were bad for him, but that didn?t show by his numbers. He always has and always will be an elite back in this league. Pro Bowl, possibly his 2nd ring as well. 4. Tiki Barber(Giants) - I can?t believe how much little respect Tiki gets after carrying that offense in 2004. He?s one of the most versatile backs to ever play the game. Though his receptions went down from 2003, he made up for it on the ground. Now that the Giants offense is starting to rebuild, I expect Tiki to continue to show his potential into 2005. Pro Bowl 5. Priest Holmes(Chiefs) - A little injury in 2004 slowed him down a bit, but with a line like Kansas City?s, I don?t see him showing any sign of decline. He?s one person you don?t want to get in the redzone. If he can smell the touchdown, he?ll get it in no problem. We?ll have to see how his injury effects his play in 2005. Pro Bowl 6. Deuce McAllister(Saints) - Defenses hate having to play a healthy Deuce. With his big upper body frame busting through the line and his quickness to get out in the open field only brings headaches to defensive coordinators. His minor set back in 2004 held him back from his 3rd year in Hawaii, but with a new offensive line and OC he should be back in the hunt. Pro Bowl 7. Jamal Lewis(Ravens) - His little experience in jail had to be a life changing situation and with a more balanced offense coming into 2005, expect Lewis to reclaim his throne as rushing leader. The only concern is his mental strength to move on with his life. Expect another big season for this kid. 8. Clinton Portis(Redskins) - This youngster is a threat behind a good offensive line, which he proved in Denver, but with the Redskins not having the elite line like the Broncs he struggled a bit in 2004. He?s considered to be an elite back, but with a 3.7 rushing average, that?s not to elite. 9 Curtis Martin(Jets) - This HOFer is the best thing to happen to the Jets since Namath, considering the doubt he got last year from 70% of analyst, he?s the best thing that happened to all RB?s in 2004. I won?t doubt his ability this year, I know he has another 1,200+ year in him. Just not another 1,600+, but I could be wrong. 10. Willis McGahee(Bills) - With Henry out the way it?s time for this back to show his stuff. His injury has yet to show any sign that he won?t be an elite back and with the Bills on the move to take over the AFC east, I?m sure he?ll continue to show his skills. McGahee was feared in college and will be feared come the 1st week in August. Runner ups: E. James, R. Johnson and D. Davis
Portis is 2nd best back in league. He was in the worst offense in the league, with a bad run-blocking line, that doesnt fit his style, and still managed to get 1300 yards. I think it is pretty impressive
Eh...where's Ahman Green? He's better than McGahee, Barber, Portis and McAllister. He'd be better than Dillon, too, if Dillon weren't playing for the Patriots.
Fumble alot Green does. granted Barber 2 years ago fumbled alot, but (correct me if I am wrong) I think last year he only fumbled once. Deuce is better than Green, but Willis isn't. (He will be soon)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack)</div><div class='quotemain'>Eh...where's Ahman Green? He's better than McGahee, Barber, Portis and McAllister. He'd be better than Dillon, too, if Dillon weren't playing for the Patriots.</div> A. Green is an outstanding back, but he has a fumbling problem. And if Deuce had the line the Pack had last year, he would destroy defenses.
What about Jamal Lewis, when he won the title he fumbled 8 times, Amahn only fumbled 7, He doesn't deserve to be on that list.
I looked into this with the intention to jump FP over his statement....I reviewed the career stats for both backs and I found an iteresting conclusion....over there careers: Jamal Lewis has fumbled once for ever 56.2 times hes touched the ball Ahman Green has fumbled once for every 58.7 times hes touched the ball the reality is that Lewis is more fumble prone than Green....
see i think it should be curtis martin first and dillon second. that's how they ended the season last year and i think it will hold true this year as well. they are two of the best running backs that the NFL has had in a long time. but that's my opintion.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TOMW74)</div><div class='quotemain'>see i think it should be curtis martin first and dillon second. that's how they ended the season last year and i think it will hold true this year as well. they are two of the best running backs that the NFL has had in a long time. but that's my opintion.</div> Interesting how "the best 2 backs the NFL has had in a long time" were both patriots at one point. Regardless, martin is an all time great, and dillon has had a solid career(but is not top 10 form his own era)
there are guys who say horrible players are the best because they are on the team that they like and I don't see you calling out those guys. you are right though curtis martin was a patriot and i wished for a long time that the pats didn't get rid of him. but that doesn't change the fact that he is a great back. i think dillon when his carrer is over he will be looked at as one of the best back as well. he got a raw deal with his old team. if he was on a good team his whole career i think he would be looked at as a better back. i thought he was a great back before he came to new england. i was very happy when the pats signed him. and i love that they extended his contract already.
Willis will be a top 5 back this year. Watch and see - this guy's got vision, speed, power, and the MEANEST stiff arm I've ever seen - Ray Lewis would agree with me on the straight arm - after all Willis did put him on his ass last season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TOMW74)</div><div class='quotemain'>there are guys who say horrible players are the best because they are on the team that they like and I don't see you calling out those guys</div> Are you new??? or just blind???....are you saying that you dont see BF1 calling the other guys out when they pimp the home team players? do you ever read anything other than the NE forum?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TOMW74)</div><div class='quotemain'>there are guys who say horrible players are the best because they are on the team that they like and I don't see you calling out those guys. you are right though curtis martin was a patriot and i wished for a long time that the pats didn't get rid of him. but that doesn't change the fact that he is a great back. i think dillon when his carrer is over he will be looked at as one of the best back as well. he got a raw deal with his old team. if he was on a good team his whole career i think he would be looked at as a better back. i thought he was a great back before he came to new england. i was very happy when the pats signed him. and i love that they extended his contract already.</div> Dillon? One of the best backs ever? Granted, he's very good, but he is not top 5...
maybe not top five all time, but last year he was number 2 and missed a game. i think this year he will have another great year and be in the top five stats wise any how.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TOMW74)</div><div class='quotemain'>maybe not top five all time, but last year he was number 2</div> #2 in what?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TOMW74)</div><div class='quotemain'>maybe not top five all time, but last year he was number 2</div> #2 in what?</div> #2 in best patriot backs for a single season.
1. LT best all around back in the league no doubt. 2. Shaun Alexander good for 1500 yards a year. 3. Priest Holmes A injury won't slow him down that much. He is still Priest and will get 15 or more TD's this year. 4. Edge Would of probably had the rushing title if he didn't sit against Denver. When Healthy a top 5 back. 5. Corey Dillion Great back and proved it this past season with the champs. 6. Amahn Green All around great back. Best back in the NFC no doubt about it. Was banged up all year long and still put up amazing numbers. 7. Jamal Lewis Now that he has solved his problems he can finally focus on football and when he does he will climb up the list in a flash. 8. Curtis Martin Always good for a 1000. Will again this year. 9. the Deuce When Healthy is one of the best backs in the NFC. Will climb the list this season. Assuming he stays healthy. 10. Rudi Johnson Great back and probably will rush for around 1400 yards this year. Rudi is a nice back but might get knocked off the list if Portis gets back to his oldself and a man name Willis is emerging.
