The Running Back Conundrum: Who Do You Take And Why
Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 12:04AM Joe Simmons 
When we discuss the running back position, two names come to mind. Immediately everyone jumps on the Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson bandwagon. It makes perfect sense because both of these guys are the quintessential runners in the game. One is pure speed and the other is a combination of speed and power. So if you had to choose any runner in the game, who do you choose as your franchise running back in 2011?
I am going to argue that I wouldn’t take either of these two. If I had to choose who my runner would be for next season, I take Arian Foster. He is the perfect runner in a league today. He can run, catch, and block. He’s big enough for the goal line and fast enough to play on third down.
If it turns out that someone has already taken Foster, then I am in a conundrum. Johnson and Peterson look very inviting at this point. I have to weigh my options though because both of these guys need volume carries to be effective. Yeah both guys average a lot of yards per carry but it’s because they bore you with the 3 yard runs until finally that homerun 70 yard touchdown occurs on carry 18 or 20.
But I am looking for bang for my buck so I will pass on both of these guys again and I will take Peyton Hillis. The man is a freight train and has the ability to run in space. Who would have thought that he would be the best runner out of the big three in Arkansas from the 2009 draft.
But wait, I can’t get either of these guys because I am picking 7th in my draft. So who do I choose? Obviously these guys will all be chosen in the top 5 or 6 picks. So where do I turn for value for my franchise. Well when you look at the rest of the backs available, you get a lot of the same.
Ray Rice – doesn’t get the ball on the goal line.
Maurice Jones Drew – has to carry his team so he will not be available at the end of games.
Felix Jones and Darren McFadden – can’t stay healthy. They may have been each others worst enemy in college because they shared so much playing time they kept each other healthy. Now they are featured backs and can’t carry the load all year.
Jamal Charles – will never be what he can be with Thomas Jones on the roster.
Steven Jackson and Frank Gore – neither can stay healthy long enough to be beneficial.
Michael Turner and DeAngelo Williams – both are here one year and gone the next.
Choose your running back carefully when constructing your team, I know I will.
Stay Breezy ~ I'm Out!
Reader Comments (2)
I take exception to this, Crazy Joe.
I understand why you would take Arian Foster, but he's only done it for one year. Peterson and CJ have proven they can get it done. Foster does it again, and then I can see it. Then again, this is your list, not mine...hahahahahaha
I'm a Darren McFadden Stanley, and with that, I'll say the man had a pretty good year last year, stayed relatively healthy, and looks like he's turned the corner. I won't say he's an elite back or anything, but I do think the man is on the verge of being consistently productive.
Kenny I agree. I just like Fosters style. He reminds me of Eric Dickerson. I am not saying he's better, but for my money he is more consistent. Knowing what you can get from your back every night is more important to me.
Also I love McFadden. I think he has future. The injuries can't last forever. Sooner or later he will break through. Last year showed us that when healthy, there aren't many better.