FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

July 13th, 2009 9:37pm PST

Ground Game Alive Up North

The NFC North Bodes Well in 2009....
It really could be too early to many any assertions as to which division bodes the best backfields in the game today, but what the NFC North may lack in flash, it makes up with talent.

In the Windy City the Bears may just have one of the leagues most versatile backs in 2nd year running back Matt Forte. Last season as a rookie, Forte led all running backs with 63 receptions and finished with over 1,200-yards on the ground. He will be one of this season’s top running backs selected in fantasy drafts and will have even more value in PPR leagues.

The Packers have a very gifted runner in Ryan Grant who despite being slowed a bit last season with injury finished the year with over 1,200-yards. In his last 26 games played, Grant has rushed for 2,132-yards and scored 13 total touchdowns, including nine games with over 100-yards rushing.

The Lions most likely will be bringing up the rear of this division, but could very well be carrying some highly underrated talent. Running back Kevin Smith is not going to set any NFL records in 2009, but last season as a rookie Smith started the teams final eight games and rushed for 671-yards, while scoring four touchdowns. He also added 39 receptions in his rookie season. Not content with the rookie’s performance the team added running back Maurice Morris to add some competition in the back field.

While both Chicago and Green Bay can boast some serious talent in the backfield, the class of this division is undoubtedly the Viking’s own Adrian Peterson. In his first two seasons “All-Day” has rushed for over 3,000-yards, scored 22 rushing touchdowns, and averaged more than 5-yards a tote. Probably the more impressive statistic is only 24 games started, but hardly a concern for fantasy owners. Last season the Viking’s starter played in all 16 games and started 15.

Once again, many may argue this is not the best the leaugue has to offer, but what it lacks in showmanship it has in more than enough in “gets the job down.”

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