Sports Illustrated NFL Backfield Rankings
 

[url=http://nfl.si.com/2013/08/28/best-nfl-backfields-adrian-peterson-ray-rice/?sct=nfl_t1t_a1]Ray Rice-Bernard Pierce duo headlines list of NFL's best backfields | Audibles - SI.com[/url]

[B][SIZE="3"][U]Tier 1[/U][/SIZE][/B]
1. Baltimore Ravens (Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce; FB Vonta Leach)
2. Houston Texans (Arian Foster, Ben Tate; FB Greg Jones)
3. Minnesota Vikings (Adrian Peterson, Toby Gerhart; FB Jerome Felton)
4. Seattle Seahawks (Marshawn Lynch, Christine Michael, Robert Turbin; FB Michael Robinson)
5. San Francisco 49ers (Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James; FB Bruce Miller)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Doug Martin, Brian Leonard; FB Erik Lorig)

[B][U][SIZE="3"]Tier 2[/SIZE][/U][/B]
7. New England Patriots (Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, LeGarrette Blount)
8. Atlanta Falcons (Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (LeSean McCoy, Bryce Brown)
10. Buffalo Bills (C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson)
11. Chicago Bears (Matt Forte, Michael Bush)

[B][U][SIZE="3"]Tier 3[/SIZE][/U][/B]
12. New Orleans Saints (Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles)
13. Tennessee Titans (Chris Johnson, Shonn Greene; FB Craig Stevens)
14. Kansas City Chiefs (Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis)
15. New York Giants (David Wilson, Andre Brown; FB Henry Hynoski)
16. Detroit Lions (Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Mikel Leshoure)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Giovani Bernard)
18. Cleveland Browns (Trent Richardson, Brandon Jackson)
[B]19. Washington Redskins (Alfred Morris, Roy Helu; FB Darrel Young)[/B]
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (Maurice Jones-Drew, Justin Forsett, Denard Robinson)


Not sure How I feel about this... I really do think we should be higher. I really think D. Young is one of the best FB's in the league. I wish they would of added a bit more explanation to the rankings.. Seem's a little bit disrespectful to the #1 rushing attack in the NFL last year.

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Wow NO love for anything we did last year. Makes you wonder what kind drugs those guys are on. We were the best rushing team in football last year. That's all I care about.

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I understand Alfred Morris isn't respected and is viewed as having success primarily b/c of RG3. Helu is coming off an injury and both guys need a season together to prove to others. Yeah, it's a low rank. DYoung is underrated too.

What shocked me was the giants, bengals, and browns ranked better. Heck even the Bucs.
Whatever, start this season already. I just watched rg3's will to win and I'm ready to run thru a brick wall right now.

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Jeez. I guess they didn't see the final team rushing stats for the year. Laughable. These effing talking heads. Lets just get the season started already.

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I guess it like goes in.......inverse order?

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I mean that's a joke right?

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yeah we had the best rushing attack and morris had 1600 yards..... makes sense

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Joe Redskin talked to the author about it and some of his thinking. JR want to fill them in?

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I like flying way under the radar and then surprise all the doubters. Who cares what this clown thinks, we know what we got.

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Did Cris Carter write this?!?

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[quote=SFREDSKIN;1021072]I like flying way under the radar and then surprise all the doubters. Who cares what this clown thinks, we know what we got.[/quote]

I think we are top 10 on this list, best case #6. But #20? No. Thats an awful ranking.

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this is either a troll or a joke.

has to be. #1 in rushing, #5 overall offense, but #19 in backfield talent? (#2-5 are ranked ahead of us)

seems strange, no?

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Bizarre ranking and article as it pertains to the best rushing attack in 2012. You can almost argue it'll be even better because we didn't have a healthy helu last season.

Whatever. Wins are what matter and this franchise appears to have cracked that code. To hell with the media.

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[quote=SmootSmack;1021070]Joe Redskin talked to the author about it and some of his thinking. JR want to fill them in?[/quote]

Actually, that was someone else. I never got his response to my initial comment. Then saw yours. Had to go back to his feed to see conversation. Not sure how I got left out of the loop.

Essentially, he did not consider Morris w/out Shanahan & RGIII to be a top 10 back. Thought even more ranked higher than Helu. As Smootsmack pointed out, he simply didn't credit Helu for his 2011 efforts and really didn't seem to value Young very much. Admitted that he may have ranked TB high with Leonard as a back up.

[QUOTE=JoeRedskin;1021083]Actually, that was someone else. I never got his response to my initial comment. Then saw yours. Had to go back to his feed to see conversation. Not sure how I got left out of the loop.

Essentially, he did not consider Morris w/out Shanahan & RGIII to be a top 10 back. Thought even more ranked higher than Helu. As Smootsmack pointed out, he simply didn't credit Helu for his 2011 efforts and really didn't seem to value Young very much. Admitted that he may have ranked TB high with Leonard as a back up.[/QUOTE]
It seems like the Skins offense gives all doubters excuses. If you want to doubt Griffin, he only succeeded because of Morris and the scheme. If you want to doubt Morris, well then he only succeeded because of Griffin and the scheme. If you want to doubt the scheme, well then it only worked because two good rookies were running it but this year it will be figured out.

I can't wait to see the Skins demonstrate that it all works because all three elements are just that damn good.

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^^ Agreed. Of the three (Griffin, Morris, scheme), however, I think the that Morris gets the least credit or is the most undervalued. Griffin may be seen to benefit from the scheme but even the doubters acknowledge he is a unique talent. Plus, there is this perception that Shanny's scheme produces 1000 yard at the drop of a hat. While true to some extent, the Terrell Davis likely would have succeeded in any offense - not just Shanny's.

Morris is a 1200 yard back in any system. He led the league in yards after contact and in runs of 10 yards or more. Yet, he is constantly overlooked b/c he is in a Shanahan offense and has a stellar QB threat. On top of that, his personality is such that he simply does not seek this kind of attention.

The more I watch him and read up on analysis by folks who break down tape, the more I am convinced that he is a truly special back - vision, quickness, power and instinct. He is the real deal and far, far better than the talking heads (or anyone outside of Washington) realize. He is in the league of an Arian Foster and certainly better than Gore or Ridley (no disrespect to them, they are good backs - Morris is just better).

Really, other than AP, I would argue AlMo is as good or better than any other back in the league - in any system - but has the good fortune of being in a system perfectly suited for him.

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[quote=That Guy;1021075]this is either a troll or a joke.

has to be. #1 in rushing, #5 overall offense, but #19 in backfield talent? (#2-5 are ranked ahead of us)

seems strange, no?[/quote]

nail on the head. Scheme, potential and subjective opinion...f*ck facts. These rankings articles are one big f*cking joke.

Most on this board have enough knowledge to come up with a list that makes more sense than this one. Or is sports illustrated trying to compete with bleacher report and their mindless list articles written by no talent "journalist?" It seems anybody can be one of those these days.

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Any rankings need to start with production.

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It's all good. No one from SI will be on the field against Philly...but Alfmo will be. :silly:

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[quote=Lotus;1021102]It's all good. No one from SI will be on the field against Philly...but [B]Alfmo will be[/B]. :silly:[/quote]
You mean....the 2nd ranked running back in 2012?
The one on the worst running attack in the NFL?
......got it

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[quote=JoeRedskin;1021083]Actually, that was someone else. I never got his response to my initial comment. Then saw yours. Had to go back to his feed to see conversation. Not sure how I got left out of the loop.

Essentially, he did not consider Morris w/out Shanahan & RGIII to be a top 10 back. Thought even more ranked higher than Helu. As Smootsmack pointed out, he simply didn't credit Helu for his 2011 efforts and really didn't seem to value Young very much. Admitted that he may have ranked TB high with Leonard as a back up.[/quote]

The guy is clueless if he can't see what Morris brings to the table regardless of the scheme or QB. Vision, quickness, toughness, effort, etc. Again, he's clueless.

Plus Young is one of the better FB's in the league.

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[url=http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/55470/alfred-morris-better-than-2012]Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris better than 2012 - ESPN[/url]

Not sure if this has been posted, but a good article by Keim on Alfred.

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The Lions and Bengals are ranked ahead of us.

This list is automatically invalid now.

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[quote=JoeRedskin;1021085]^^ Agreed. Of the three (Griffin, Morris, scheme), however, I think the that Morris gets the least credit or is the most undervalued. Griffin may be seen to benefit from the scheme but even the doubters acknowledge he is a unique talent. Plus, there is this perception that Shanny's scheme produces 1000 yard at the drop of a hat. While true to some extent, the Terrell Davis likely would have succeeded in any offense - not just Shanny's.

Morris is a 1200 yard back in any system. He led the league in yards after contact and in runs of 10 yards or more. [B]Yet, he is constantly overlooked b/c he is in a Shanahan offense and has a stellar QB threat.[/B] On top of that, his personality is such that he simply does not seek this kind of attention.

The more I watch him and read up on analysis by folks who break down tape, the more I am convinced that he is a truly special back - vision, quickness, power and instinct. He is the real deal and far, far better than the talking heads (or anyone outside of Washington) realize. He is in the league of an Arian Foster and certainly better than Gore or Ridley (no disrespect to them, they are good backs - Morris is just better).

Really, other than AP, I would argue AlMo is as good or better than any other back in the league - in any system - but has the good fortune of being in a system perfectly suited for him.[/quote]

When Kirk Cousin played against the Browns (yes it was just one game a small sample size) Morris had 87 yards and 2 TDs. And Kirk had a big day passing, over 300 yards and 2 TDs himself. Also, every fantasy source you read says grab Roy Helu while you can, BUT this clown ranks the Skins #19. Yeah that makes a lot of sense! Whatever, the talking heads are all picking the Cowboys to win the division AGAIN as well. I guess if you keep picking them every year, you will be right eventually?

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[quote=scowan;1021119]When Kirk Cousin played against the Browns (yes it was just one game a small sample size) Morris had 87 yards and 2 TDs. And Kirk had a big day passing, over 300 yards and 2 TDs himself. Also, every fantasy source you read says grab Roy Helu while you can, BUT this clown ranks the Skins #19. Yeah that makes a lot of sense! [B]Whatever, the talking heads are all picking the Cowboys to win the division AGAIN as well[/B]. I guess if you keep picking them every year, you will be right eventually?[/quote]

Well, per Steven Jones, they do have that "special sauce" down there. No not drugs, in fact I don't think anyone even has a clue on what he meant.

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The "secret sauce" comment cracked me up.

<cue sarcastic voice> "Ohhhhhhh, you have the '[I]secret[/I] sauce' for winning championships. Silly us, we were relying on coaching, playmakers and defense."

Also, don't they test for secret sauce under the new CBA??

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Just saw that Alfmo signed with Tide. I am actually glad for him. Unlike Griffin, he may never see that huge payday, just due to the nature of the RB position. Anything he can get to put towards a new car ;) is outstanding.

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[quote=JoeRedskin;1021126]The "secret sauce" comment cracked me up.

<cue sarcastic voice> "Ohhhhhhh, you have the '[I]secret[/I] sauce' for winning championships. Silly us, we were relying on coaching, playmakers and defense."

Also, don't they test for secret sauce under the new CBA??[/quote]

Its a habanara sauce that actually injures your players and makes them throw "picks". Miles Austin and Tony Romo eat a lot of it.

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Sportsillustrated QB rankings:

30. Radiers
31. Jacksonville
32. Washington Redskins 1. RG3 2. KC 3. RG1
"RG3- Scheme inflated numbers, dont like his haircut, injured knee, problems with the coaching staff, works too hard. KC-Looks more like peter pan than a QB, too positive and professional, cornball QB, bad draft choice aftering drafting RG3 same draft. RG1-shoulda lost his job to P-Dub in the preaseason, too fat, washed up, showed he couldnt lead TD drive after TD drive in the preaseason because that was just luck."

Re: Sports Illustrated NFL Backfield Rankings
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;1021122]Well, per Steven Jones, they do have that "special sauce" down there. No not drugs, in fact I don't think anyone even has a clue on what he meant.[/quote]

I saw that, too, and chuckled heartily. What a ridiculous and pointless thing to say. That "special sauce" should lead them to another mediocre finish this year.
They have problems in the backfield, on the OL, on the DL, and in the secondary, problems which no "special sauce" can fix.

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He looked at all the starters and ranked them, and then the backups and ranked them. And, as mentioned, imagined if Morris wasn't in Shanahan's system. I actually don't totally mind him underestimating Morris. But I think he's really undervaluing Helu, who had a pretty strong season back in 2011. For that matter he's even undervaluing Royster. And I'm not a fan of him ranking guys who haven't taken a snap (like Christine Michael) above Helu.

But whatever it's his opinion.

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this list is a joke we all do realize that right. Mo and his thunderous 1600 well earnt yards aren't enough to crack the top 10 I guess lol. Helu is super slept on. We he got his chance a couple back he looked very good at times as rookie despite running behind an OL that was playing NOwhere close to how we play now.

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Morris gets no respect. I don't care what system he's in. 1,600 yards is 1,600 yards. Also didn't he lead in league in yards after contact?

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[quote=Chico23231;1021131]Sportsillustrated QB rankings:

30. Radiers
31. Jacksonville
32. Washington Redskins 1. RG3 2. KC 3. RG1
"RG3- Scheme inflated numbers, dont like his haircut, injured knee, problems with the coaching staff, works too hard. KC-Looks more like peter pan than a QB, too positive and professional, cornball QB, bad draft choice aftering drafting RG3 same draft. RG1-shoulda lost his job to P-Dub in the preaseason, too fat, washed up, showed he couldnt lead TD drive after TD drive in the preaseason because that was just luck."[/quote]

I like this. :lol:

Honestly, this list is beyond stupid. How can you rank the top rushing attack, a 1,600 yard running back, and a top-tier fullback, as one of the worst backfields in the NFL? But hey, whatever. These rankings don't reflect the talent of our backfield, they're just someone's obtuse view of reality.

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Its a list designed to get alot of attention. Hopefully it motivates our middle of the pack offense:)

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alfmo finished #3 in the rookie of the year vote, so he has to have some talent, right?

whatever, i'm done. I completely disagree with the ranking though.