Preseason games are like the St Louis v. Detroit game of last year – it just doesn’t matter who wins. For the most part, the preseason is meaningless, so don’t shy away from Roddy White just because he only had 1 catch for 22 yards. However, when it comes to runningback battles, the preseason can be one of our best and only indicators as to how the carries may eventually be split. It’s only been 1 week, but we’ll keep compiling tallies each week to see which RB has the most talent in his committee, so that you can draft him. So let’s dive into the numbers.
Washington: Clinton Portis vs. Larry Johnson vs. Willie Parker vs. Ryan Torain vs. Keiland Williams
I’m going to go out on a limb right now and say Keiland Williams will be a waiver wire stud that will win you some matchups. You don’t need to draft him but keep him in the back of your mind. LJ didn’t get to play but will have his audition next week. Portis managed 22 yards on 6 carries (3.7 ypc), Torain managed 62 yards on 17 carries (3.6), and Williams pulled off the best yards per carry with 11 carries for 51 yards (4.6 ypc), and 2 TDs. Willie Parker will likely be cut from the team soon. Portis and LJ may have a few good games left in them, but I think they’re getting too old to stay healthy and be efficient. Ryan Torain is injury-prone. Shanahan has a history of creating solid RBs and from what I’ve seen, Williams is someone you might pickup and start at some point in the season. The rookie from LSU is currently listed as the FIFTH string RB, but mark my words on him.
Oakland: Darren McFadden vs. Michael Bush
McFadden sat out against Chicago with a tight hamstring, giving Bush the opportunity to rack up 31 yards on 7 carries (4.4 ypc), and an 8 yard catch. It’s becoming trendy for experts to pick the less sexy guy, Bush, but I still like McFadden’s potential explosiveness more than Bush. I believe these guys are getting close to equal in value, so I’m taking whichever one falls further on draft day – typically McFadden.
Buffalo: C.J. Spiller vs. Fred Jackson vs. Marshawn Lynch
Lynch had no carries and 1 catch, and by all accounts, he’s not really in this battle anymore. Spiller carried the ball 4 times for 16 yards (4.0 ypc), while Fred Jackson carried the ball twice for 11 yards (5.5 ypc). Jackson looked good, but broke a bone in his hand and will likely miss at least week 1. At this point, I would rather own Spiller but I think Jackson won’t go away, so if he slips too far in drafts, I will gladly snatch Jackson.
Kansas City: Jamaal Charles vs. Thomas Jones
The game confirmed what most expect out of this backfield as Charles is just too good to sit. Charles had 4 carries for 37 yards (9.3 ypc), while Jones managed just 2 yards on 2 carries (1.0 ypc). There’s no doubt that Jones will steal carries, but Coach Haley will have to give the vast majority of carries to Charles.
Tampa Bay: Derrick Ward vs. Cadillac Williams
Williams showed he’s still got it with 21 yards on 4 carries (5.3 ypc), while last year’s bust Ward got 20 yards on 12 carries (1.7 ypc). Ward had 1 awesome season behind the Giant’s awesome offensive line. I imagine last year’s split will continue as Williams is clearly the better back. I’m not thrilled about either one because Williams is especially injury-prone, they eat into each other’s carries, and how many times do you really think Tampa will be running to protect their lead?
8 comments:
I like the analysis, but Cadillac Williams is the MAN! How can you diss him?
Nice call on Marshawn. I think he's gonna sit on a bench a lot this season...and it works because he already looks like a butt.
what is your outlook on that houston backfield, is slaton still a threat or will foster pick up where he left off?
FOSTER!
Michael Bush is the man!
@Oaktown, I like Foster a lot. Houston will continue to have a high-powered offense. I actually think he's not rising enough based on Tate's injury. Slaton will likely be a 3rd down back, with as much production as Chester Taylor last year. I'd take Foster as early as the 4th, but you can probably get him in 6th or 7th.
How can you trust Arian Foster after his virtually non-existent year last season? And when he was given the rock, he was inconsistent.
Kubiak has always been too hard to read in my mind. I remember a couple years ago after Dominick Davis went down the trend began: it was a new rb every 3 weeks.
this was a good article - great breakdowns of the battles.
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