When we examine and attempt to predict the impact of this year's
free agent running backs, it is important to pause and see what
common thread has connected the success of former rushers in their
year of transition.
In 1999 Dick Vermeil acquired, via trade, a pass catching running
back from the Indianapolis Colts who many felt lacked the drive
to be one of the league's premiere rushers. Surrounded by a talented
supporting cast and an offensive system that utilized his talent
as a receiver, newcomer Marshall Faulk led both the St. Louis
Rams and many a fantasy owner to their respective league championships
with an incredible 2,400 totals yards from scrimmage, along with
12 touchdowns.
In 2000, Mike Holmgren of the Green Bay Packers saw much of the
same potential in a raw and underused Seahawks reserve running
back. That fall, the Packer faithful stopped pining for former
success stories Edgar Bennett and Dorsey Levens, and accepted
newcomer Ahman Green with open arms as he made the Lambeau Leap
13 times while accumulating 1,775 total yards from scrimmage.
While playing with the New Orleans Saints, Ricky Williams felt
that he was unappreciated by both the fans and club management.
Conflict with the coaching staff over his role with the offense
led to a trade to the Dolphins in 2002. Here in Miami, Williams
appreciated the role of a workhorse running back, and fantasy
owners most certainly appreciated the 17 touchdowns and 1,800
yards from scrimmage that season.
During 2002 Davis went virtually unused by Steve Spurrier and
the Redskins, angering both fantasy owners and the Washington
faithful who knew exactly how much talent was being put to waste.
Quickly signed by Carolina prior to last season, Davis once again
flourished in an offense that emphasized the use of a strong,
punishing running back. Disappointment flowed in the streets of
Washington D.C. as their fans watched the former Redskin rush
for over 1,400 yards and 8 touchdowns, while leading the Carolina
Panthers to a NFC Championship.
Each of these four, whether already established as a dominant
runner or rich with potential, were able to find a new team and
coaching staff that recognized their individual talents and utilized
them to the best of their ability. Within this year's group of
free agent running backs we can easily spot a big name or two,
as well as some sure fire second-stringers. Which of the lesser
known names will emerge from obscurity and flourish in their new
surroundings? Without further delay, here are the free agent acquisitions
at running back over the past offseason:
Clinton Portis From DEN To WAS
Two straight seasons with over 1,500 yards rushing. A career rushing
average of 5.5 yards per carry. What is their not to love about
this guy? Well, his durability last season did become an issue,
significantly limiting his playing time in weeks Two and Three
while also sidelining him for three other games during the year.
Don't expect Portis' burden to be lessened by Joe Gibbs and the
Redskins in light of the back's hobbled season. At 205 pounds,
injury may be an inevitability that fantasy owners will face when
selecting this player in the first round. It's a chance you must
be willing to take, because this player is an electrifying athlete
who can easily reach the end zone from anywhere on the field.
Playing under a new coaching staff that will maximize his talents
alongside a solid receiver corps and veteran quarterback will
aid Portis in rewarding fantasy owners who select him in the first
round.
Corey Dillon From CIN To NE
Brought onto the World Champion Patriots team to solidify the
starting running back position, Corey Dillon must take full advantage
of this opportunity. He currently ranks 6th among active running
backs for career carries (E. Smith, Bettis, Martin, Faulk and
George), and both his rushing and receiving averages have fallen
over the past three years. A groin injury last year limited him
to just 11 games, opening the door for a younger and more explosive
Rudi Johnson to win over the hearts of the fans and the minds
of the coaching staff. Dillon's bellyaching did not help things
a bit, demanding a trade midway through the year only to rescind
after he realized that the league deadline had passed.
It will be interesting to see if Dillon's ego is tamed by a new
environment where the focus on teamwork has produced two recent
Super Bowl titles. Last season Kevin Faulk and Antowain Smith
pretty much split the carries on offense. This year Faulk will
return to the role of occasional third-down back, providing Dillon
the opportunity to carry the ball 300+ times if he can handle
it. View Dillon as an excellent value in the mid-to-late second
round, and let's just hope that his transition to New England's
harmonious clubhouse is a smooth one.
Thomas Jones From TB To CHI
Considered a major bust just two years ago after being selected
by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2000 draft,
Thomas Jones was able to parlay a very good seven game stretch
last season into a second opportunity to start in the NFL. Former
Rams defensive coordinator Lovie Smith now heads up the Bears
coaching staff, and he has hired former Chiefs QB coach Terry
Shea to run the offense. Shea will install the same system that
has been so successful in both St. Louis and Kansas City, and
has said that newcomer Thomas Jones will be used in much the same
way as All-Pro rushers Marshall Faulk and Priest Holmes have been
on their respective teams. Jones has been deemed a much better
fit for Shea's offense than incumbent Anthony Thomas, thanks to
his pass catching ability that was showcased in the Buccaneer's
West Coast Offense last season. Anthony Thomas is considered a
more bruising back, and will still see a fair amount of playing
time in short yardage and goal line situations. Nevertheless,
Thomas Jones will be "the man" in the Bears revamped
offense, and should be considered a good draft selection in rounds
4-5 as the third rusher on your fantasy team.
Charlie Garner From OAK To TB
Before being limited to just nine starts last season, Garner actually
played all 16 games over the previous four years. That type of
durability is not something regularly found in a 5'9, 190 pound
rusher. He is also an excellent fit for Jon Gruden's West Coast
Offense, averaging 70 receptions over the past three seasons in
Oakland. Many may argue that at the age of 32, Garner will not
be able to lead the Buccaneers back to the Super Bowl. He will
not be asked to do so, seeing as the Bucs have at least three
other running backs that they are confident in placing on the
field. Fullback Mike Alstott has fully recovered from last season's
neck injury and can be expected to receive a majority of carries
near the goal. The team also signed a talented scatback in Jamel
White from Cleveland, and can expect Michael Pittman to return
(barring future legal rulings).
While a stockpile of talent at running back will benefit the Buccaneer
offense, it will be viewed as a headache by many fantasy owners.
You hate to see your starter move his team all the way down the
field, only to be replaced inside the five by a big, bruising
touchdown hog. Zach Crockett ate up Garner's scoring opportunities
over the past two seasons in Oakland, and Mike Alstott can be
expected to do the same in Tampa. Go after Charlie Garner once
you've acquired two talented running backs that you know are the
focus of their offense. He is a good value as the third rusher
on your team, but too much talent in the Tampa Bay backfield means
you should not try to rely on Garner as a weekly starter.
Duce Staley From PHI To PIT
You would think that moving from one RBBC (Running Back By Committee)
in Philadelphia to another in Pittsburgh would frustrate a free
agent rusher, but age has brought both injuries and wisdom to
Duce Staley. Known as a hard-nosed running back who sought out
contact on the field, Staley's time as the featured back in Philadelphia
was consistently marred with nagging injuries. Not until last
year's three-man platoon did we see a renewed spring in Duce's
step, resulting in a career best 4.8 ypc average.
At this point in his career Staley just doesn't seem fit to handle
300+ carries per season. That is why both he and Jerome Bettis
will benefit from sharing the ball in Pittsburgh's offense. Duce's
versatility as both a pass catcher and strong rusher will keep
him on the field often than not, with Bettis most likely substituting
in goal line situations. Much like the situation in Tampa Bay,
it would not be wise for any fantasy owner to rely on either Pittsburgh
Steeler as a weekly stud running back, but Staley makes for good
value in the fourth or fifth round as the third rusher on your
team.
Garrison Hearst From SF To DEN
If there has been one team in the NFL over the past ten years
that fantasy owners have targeted regardless of who filled the
running back position, it has been Mike Shanahan's Denver Broncos.
This season's RB corps in the Mile High City is more intriguing
than any in recent memory. Undersized Quentin Griffin showed flashes
of brilliance last year, and youngster Tatum Bell hopes to carry
on the legacy of 1,000 yard rookie rushers in Denver. Throw reliable
veteran Garrison Hearst into the mix and you would think that
all the ingredients were there for a great NFL soap opera.
What separates the Broncos bulge at running back from other teams
in the league is Shanahan's determination in the past to choose
one horse and ride him all season. As of mid July, Garrison Hearst
must be favored by fantasy owners as the top RB in Denver. Reports
out of minicamp say that he is picking up the offense well, and
Hearst is known as a very good blocker, something younger backs
like Griffin and Bell often struggle with. If you do choose Garrison
Hearst on draft day, try very hard to secure rookie Tatum Bell
in the later rounds. College scouts were very high on him landing
in Denver's backfield, and many feel that he's the most talented
of the Bronco bunch.
The Best of the Rest Aaron Stecker (From TB To NO):
Only seeing limited playing time as a Tampa Bay reserve over the
past four years, he was targeted by the Saints early in free agency
in order to backup starter Deuce McAllister. If you choose Deuce
in the first round, Stecker is a good insurance option to pick
up in later rounds.
Jamel White (From CLE To TB):
The first of two running backs signed by the Bucs in this year's
free agency period (Charlie Garner being the second), Jamel White
is a very good change of pace back who struggled in Cleveland
when asked to carry the entire load. While he may develop into
the "Next Charlie Garner" in the backfield of Jon Gruden's
West Coast Offense, for now the original Garner and Mike Alstott
are better options on draft day.
Amos Zereoue (From PIT To OAK):
Last season he was handed the starting position for Pittsburgh
in training camp and went on to disappoint both his coaching staff
and many fantasy owners around the country. The best pass catching
running back in Oakland, he will more than likely play second
fiddle to Tyrone Wheatley.
Troy Hambrick (From DAL To OAK):
Much like famous Amos, Hambrick was entrusted with the Dallas
Cowboys running game last season and failed to fill the shoes
of Emmitt Smith. God only knows why the Raiders signed him this
offseason, seeing as Hambrick's recent weight gain has barely
allowed him to fit into his own shoes. May see limited
time as the third rusher behind both Wheatley and Zereoue.
