Are Running Backs important?

I know they are, but I found it very interesting that the top 6 RB's in the league didn't make it to the playoffs, and only 1 made it that was in the top 10 (Barber). What's up with this?

Ricky Williams MIA 1853 383 4.8 16 63
LaDainian Tomlinson SD 1683 372 4.5 14 76
Priest Holmes KC 1615 313 5.2 21 56
Clinton Portis DEN 1508 273 5.5 15 59
Travis Henry BUF 1438 325 4.4 13 34
Deuce McAllister NO 1388 325 4.3 13 62
Tiki Barber NYG 1387 304 4.6 11 70
Jamal Lewis BAL 1327 308 4.3 6 75
Fred Taylor JAC 1314 287 4.6 8 63
Corey Dillon CIN 1311 314 4.2 7 67

 

They are the top 6 backs because they all come from unbalanced attacks. Balanced attacks get you to the playoffs.

 

amen

 

I agree totally. Alot of emphasis is put on individual stats, but they never add up to squat.

 

also, several of those teams couldn't stop anybody on defense...KC averaged the most points in the league but that didn't help them, Buffalo couldn't stop anybody, NO couldn't stop anybody, and I won't even bother to talk about Jax and Cinci. But I'd still take just about any of those top 10 here.

 

Buffalo ended up @11 on O and 15 on D. I think they must've really had it bad on ST's or lost a bunch of close ones. (except when they played NE )

 

It was also kind of a freaky year.

The teams that are left, I think these are the four best teams. Each has a good defense and a four QBs who had great years.

With all the talk of parity, each of these 4 has won at least 9 of the last 11 or something.

 

Defensively they had talent but no impact. There were a number of steady players, but no one that stepped up and just took it away. And coaching wasn't good, which is why Williams did the smart thing and is retooling. New coaches for the linemen and apparently a new DC.

If they get LeBeau, that should make things more interesting. They should get more speed at LB as well, and do something positive at safety.

 

Actually PantherMills, I think you make an outstanding point, especially when taken in context with draft decisions.

The four starting RB's left in the playoffs:

Charlie Garner
Michael Pittman
Duce Staley
Eddie George

While all of the above are solid, none of them got their respective teams into the playoffs, and none (cept MAYBE George) will ever see the Hall of Fame. On the other hand the remaining QB's:

Brad Johnson
Steve McNair
Rich Gannon
Donovan McNabb

All excellent QB's who are a major reason their teams are where they are today. The morale of this story: TRADE UP AND GET YOUR QB FOR THE FUTURE. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE.

 

>> Brad Johnson, Steve McNair, Rich Gannon, Donovan McNabb. The morale of this story: TRADE UP AND GET YOUR QB FOR THE FUTURE. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE.

Your list doesn't really support your morale. Not sure, but don't think Brad and Rich were acquired through the draft. And didn't they kinda suck for their first several years in the league.

But agree with your point that we need a QB by hook or crook. Trouble is we need so much talent on the offensive side of the ball that I can't see us giving away 4 high picks (potential starters) to trade up. Would you say trade Morgan, Rucker, Witherspoon and Wesley for a Palmer or a Leftwich? A trade like that would set us back not forward unless the QB was the next Elway. Neither Palmer or Leftwich impress me that much.

I'm seeing mocks where Grossman, Boller, Simms and Ragone are all gone by the time we pick in the second round. Think Simms will fall based on the Senior bowl. Fell asleep and didn't see much of the game yesterday so didn't see Ragone. Simms throwing motion is awfully slow. Boller seemed to have good zip but i only saw him make a couple of passes and neither were exactly on target. Not that familiar with Grossman. I think most are projecting Boller to go in the first now, so why not reach and take him if you like him and keep our other draft picks for along the line and TE and FB? Pick up Kordell to start this year and hope for the best?