Darren McFadden, Matt Forte, the year of the rookie running back
NFL Football at its best. NFL Football at its craziest.
Darren McFadden makes the NFL Football magically float in the air
It is a crazy rookie running back year. Every team seems to have one. It was like they were on sale at Wal-Mart and everyone ran out and bought one.
Next year the Government will have to bail us out as rookie after rookie is sure to go bust, because this is the biggest bubble since the Tulip Bulb craze!
The prize rookie is Darren McFadden, but the problem with Darren is the team he plays for or maybe the owner he plays for and that would be the Oakland Raiders and Al Davis. That team is a mess. Oakland is so messed up that they already had a 1,000 yard rusher. Now wouldn’t you think that a team with an excessive amount of needs would have looked elsewhere for help?
McFadden was the rookie every owner had to have because of his playmaking ability in college. He was able to display those skills in Week 2 when he ran for 164 yards and a touchdown at Kansas City, but a toe injury slowed him down in Week 3 at Buffalo. We’ll see if he can pick it back up this week against San Diego, but McFadden will finish among the top rookie running backs. Just don’t expect him to be the best of this group. He will continue to lose carries to Justin Fargas when he’s healthy and Michael Bush.
A very pleasant surprise has been Matt Forte of the Bears. My Lions cut Kevin Jones, because he was coming back from a severe foot injury, then, surprise, the Chicago Bears signed him. Kevin’s foot is getting better and better. So later in the season Kevin may get a few of Matt’s carries.
Forte has been the best surprise of the rookie running back class, and he’s among the running back leaders in rushing yards and total yards. He also is tied with Brandon Lloyd for most catches for the Bears, showing he’s the team’s best weapon.
With Kyle Orton at quarterback the Bears have relied on a controlled offense and mighty defense. This plays right into the hands of Matt Forte.
Speaking of my Lions, they have rookie Kevin Smith and he has looked good both running and catching the ball. The Lions have signed Rudi Johnson and he may end up cutting into Kevin Smith’s carries.
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 985 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 13 catches, 97 receiving yards
Preseason rank: No. 24
Stats through Week 3/Ranking: 29 carries, 102 rushing yards, one touchdown, eight catches, 53 yards/No. 39
CBSSports does not have much good to say about Kevin, but it appears they based all of their comments on the game against the 49ers. Kevin did not play in the second half as Rudi was hot and Kevin only ended up with 14 yards. Keep in mind the Lions are struggling to put in an ‘establish the run’ offense this year with a bad offensive line. Not a good formula for success.
Another back worth mentioning is Chris Johnson of Tennessee. He is losing touchdown opportunities to my Fantasy Football running back LenDale White. Chris can run and already has 276 yards. Jamey Eisenberg of CBSSports.com compares his style to Reggie Bush. Say what you want about Reggie, you still want him on your team.
There are other backs so you will have to read to article to find out who they are.
It looks like 2008 is shaping up to be the year of the rookie running back!
Who is your team’s rookie running back sensation?
Photo source Newscom
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POSTED IN: Chicago Bears, Darren McFadden, Detroit Lions, NFL Football, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans
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