April 6th, 2009 8:47pm PST
[The Evening Edition]
Monday Morning Huddle
[The Evening Edition]
Monday Morning Huddle
Talkin Sum (fantasy) Football
2009 Running Backs
When you look at the running back position for 2009, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of interest peaked in this year's NFL draft. There are only a couple of names that are expected to even be considered as first-round selections; Knowshon Moreno (Georgia), Chris Wells (Ohio State), and Donald Brown (Connecticut). Players like LeSean McCoy (Univ. of Pitt) and Rashad Jennings (Liberty) could also tease the first round or early second round of this year's draft.
With this year's draft appearing thin at running back, fantasy owners will remain stead with last year's performers. Leading the way will undoubtedly be the Vikings all-pro running back Adrian Peterson. With LaDanian Tomlinson falling from NFL supremacy at the running back position "All-Day" figures to be the unanimous number one running back selected in all fantasy drafts. Peterson led the NFL in rushing this past season and has led all running backs in rushing yards the past two seasons with 3,101-yards combined. Besides the knack for the big run with nine plays of 40-yards or more over the past two seasons, Peterson has a nose for the end-zone with 23 touchdowns in his first two seasons.
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Once you get past the first pick, this is where the congestion starts. Last year was a bit of an enigma with some backs coming out of nowhere and others seeming to disappear into the abyss. When you start looking at the top five running back and in particular numbers two-through-five there's not much separation between each.
My projected number two running back at this moment heading into the 2009 season is Carolina's running back DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers figure to return much of the same talent and look to do much of the same as they did in 2008. Enter Mr. Williams who carried the ball some 270 times, ran for over 1,500-yards, and scored 20 touchdowns in 2008.
After a stunning season as the Falcons featured running back, Michael Turner will not have to worry about splitting too many carries in 2009. Clearly the team's number option on the ground, Turner figures to get plenty of touches in 2009 bettering his chances of repeating his 1,700-yards rushing and 17 touchdown 2008 season.
Rounding out my early top five that many will argue, but I like two running backs that if healthy in 2009 could have big seasons; Marion Barber (Cowboys) and Steven Jackson (Rams). Despite the loss of Terrell Owens, Tony Romo still has tight end Jason Witten, wide receiver Roy Williams, and an array of secondary options that should keep the field stretched. Last season Barber broke out of the gates on fire, but his in-season injuries took their tolls and definitely impacted his performance down the stretch. With some help in the backfield, the Cowboys main priority will be to keep Barber at full-strength and running hard, for fantasy owners this will transcend into more fantasy production.
The same could be said with Steven in St. Louis. The Rams are making changes on offense and figure to give the o-line a tweak a two in the offseason and through the draft. With Holt gone, the team is bringing in more speed on the outside with the recent signing of wide receiver Laurent Robinson (good size and speed). Add rookie standout receiver Donnie Avery and a possibly improved line and Jackson figures to be back in "Action" for 2009.
My projected number two running back at this moment heading into the 2009 season is Carolina's running back DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers figure to return much of the same talent and look to do much of the same as they did in 2008. Enter Mr. Williams who carried the ball some 270 times, ran for over 1,500-yards, and scored 20 touchdowns in 2008.
After a stunning season as the Falcons featured running back, Michael Turner will not have to worry about splitting too many carries in 2009. Clearly the team's number option on the ground, Turner figures to get plenty of touches in 2009 bettering his chances of repeating his 1,700-yards rushing and 17 touchdown 2008 season.
Rounding out my early top five that many will argue, but I like two running backs that if healthy in 2009 could have big seasons; Marion Barber (Cowboys) and Steven Jackson (Rams). Despite the loss of Terrell Owens, Tony Romo still has tight end Jason Witten, wide receiver Roy Williams, and an array of secondary options that should keep the field stretched. Last season Barber broke out of the gates on fire, but his in-season injuries took their tolls and definitely impacted his performance down the stretch. With some help in the backfield, the Cowboys main priority will be to keep Barber at full-strength and running hard, for fantasy owners this will transcend into more fantasy production.
The same could be said with Steven in St. Louis. The Rams are making changes on offense and figure to give the o-line a tweak a two in the offseason and through the draft. With Holt gone, the team is bringing in more speed on the outside with the recent signing of wide receiver Laurent Robinson (good size and speed). Add rookie standout receiver Donnie Avery and a possibly improved line and Jackson figures to be back in "Action" for 2009.
(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
There's still much to look at and debate as the draft approaches and teams continue to improve with free-agent signings and trades. For the moment, these are my top five, but we'll see what happens as the NFL offseason continues.
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
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