Ranking the AFC East's backfield Trio's

[dolphann4life]

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/15275/does-buffalo-have-the-best-three-rbs

Ranking the AFC East's backfield trios

July, 22, 2010 Jul 22

8:49

AM ET

• Email
  
• Print
  
• Comments52
  

By Tim Graham

An interesting cyberdebate unfolded beneath an item I wrote Wednesday about Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey's ground-game tendencies.

The piece was inspired by a column written by ESPN fantasy analyst Matthew Berry, who noted Gailey has an undeniable history of designating one workhorse running back during his stops as a head coach and offensive coordinator over the past 22 years.

Some writers scoffed, insisting Gailey's trend wouldn't apply in Buffalo because they have three capable backs in Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson and rookie C.J. Spiller.

In the process, reader migarvin21 boldly declared the Bills have the NFL's best trio of backfield mates.

As is the hallmark of a spirited debate, some immediately shot down migarvin21's opinion, while others offered support.

When I expressed skepticism, readers Bills451 and Jpicc8049 dared me to name a team with three better backs.

As I responded in the comments section, I would take the Baltimore Ravens' (Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, Le'Ron McClain) and the Dallas Cowboys' (Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice) trios over the Bills. Other readers mentioned the Washington Redskins (Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker).

But it's tough to compare trio for trio because most good teams don't rely on a third running back.

I'd also take the one-two punches of the Carolina Panthers (DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart) and New York Giants (Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs) over the Bills' threesome. Some fans would prefer Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson by himself to sprinkling touches among Jackson, Lynch and Spiller.

Motivated by the discussion, I put together my AFC East preseason backfield rankings for 2010. The order is determined not by the offensive lines or the coordinator's playbook. This is purely on the talent of the top three backs for the upcoming season.

1. Miami Dolphins: Yes, Ronnie Brown always seems to be hurt, and Ricky Williams is 33 years old. But they are the best tandem in the division. Brown's versatility and explosiveness is what turned the Wildcat into a fad. In a recent Sporting News column, an NFL scout rated Brown the fourth-best back and said if it weren't for injuries he'd be the league's most complete. The Dolphins also have a true fullback in Lousaka Polite, who is automatic in short-yardage situations.

2. Buffalo Bills: The Bills are too unproven to be in the conversation for best NFL trio -- for now. We can justify the argument if we base it on how well they could be. But neither Jackson nor Lynch has established himself as go-to back. Jackson topped 100 yards two times last year. Aside from trampling the Indianapolis Colts' junior varsity in the season finale, Jackson rushed for more than 70 yards twice against a team with a winning record. Lynch looked like a monster his first two seasons then plummeted out of favor last year. Spiller doesn't have an NFL touch.

3. New York Jets: They boasted the NFL's best attack last year, averaging 172.2 yards a game. But leading rusher Thomas Jones is gone. Sophomore Shonn Greene looked like the real deal in the playoffs but needs to show he can be the workhorse for a full season. LaDainian Tomlinson is a surefire Hall of Famer, but he's 31 and looked ragged last year with the San Diego Chargers. Fullback Tony Richardson will be 39 by the end of the season.

4. New England Patriots: They're a grab bag. They have the perpetually uninspiring Laurence Maroney and three veterans -- Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris -- who are 33 or older. They're good enough to get by, as evidenced by the fact the Patriots finished 12th in rushing last year, but none of the backs is good enough to be dominant. Maroney was the leading rusher with 194 carries for 757 yards, a 3.9-yard average. Faulk was next with 335 yards.

I do agree the Fins have the top stable of RB's, but would certainly have the Jets #2.

[neckdemon]

i can't make a prediction here. if ronnie is healthy and ricky isnt old this year then the dolphins maybe the best in the backfield. if greene continues hoe he went in the play-offs and tomlinson i sveen a slight uprgrade to TJ (which i think he will be) the jets will be best. the bills are the wildcard here. if spiller is as dynammic as he has been predicted to be they could be up there as well. let's see what happens.

[dbatesman]

Considering the relative value of offensive lines and running backs, this is a non-starter, but even if you're inclined to play along, the total number of above-average professional seasons accumulated by Graham's putative top-six backs stands at 1.5.

[stoicsentry]

No disagreement. This list is accurate. We will still lead the division in rushing though, but not because of our backs but because of the unit as a whole.

[Vudu]

LT is washed up and Shonn Greene can barely stay healthy 2 weeks in a row. The majority of our success will be based on how well Sanchize does.

[RutgersJetFan]

Too many questions for us. Greene's health and the T-Rich/Connor situation for starters. To be honest though, it's dumb not to account for the lines in any of this.

[Garb]

If the Bills a had decent o-line, that rb trio would be formidable.

[Falcon63]

If Greene is healthy, we are EASILY the best running team in the AFCE. Ronnie has even more injury concerns than Greene, and Ricky is up there in age.

[Garb]

If Greene is healthy, we are EASILY the best running team in the AFCE. Ronnie has even more injury concerns than Greene, and Ricky is up there in age.

without taking the line in consideration (which, I agree, is stupid) Buffalo would win this contest. Miami second. Jets third. Pats dead last. I agree with ESPN..... HOLY EFF! I'm gonna go wash my mouth out with soap, rinse my eyes out with soap, exfoliate my fingers 'till they bleed and bang my head against the wall a couple of times..I can't beleive I just said that, thought that, typed that and saw what I wrote..."I agree with ESPN?" wtf? smh.

[khesanh]

No disagreement. This list is accurate. We will still lead the division in rushing though, but not because of our backs but because of the unit as a whole.

I think the X factor is Joe McKnight I think this kid is a very good runner once he gets acclimated to the game it will be hell to cover this kid and he has the speed to make defenses change packages I would love to see the patriots slow ass backer core try and cover this kid out of the backfield. They would have to bring up a safety or sub for a CB and at that point you run the ball. Leon excelled at coming out of the backfield and lighting their fire this kid can do the same

[flgreen]

without taking the line in consideration (which, I agree, is stupid) Buffalo would win this contest. Miami second. Jets third. Pats dead last. I agree with ESPN..... HOLY EFF! I'm gonna go wash my mouth out with soap, rinse my eyes out with soap, exfoliate my fingers 'till they bleed and bang my head against the wall a couple of times..I can't beleive I just said that, thought that, typed that and saw what I wrote..."I agree with ESPN?" wtf? smh.[/QUOte

Will this be on You Tube?

[Bx Jet Fan]

If the Bills a had decent o-line, that rb trio would be formidable.

This. Obviously I don't want to lose to the Bills, but I gotta say I am looking forward to seeing what Spiller can do.

[Bruce Banner]

When Marshawn Lynch is your third best Running Back you are doing pretty good at that position.

Greene being injury prone does bother me. In my mind its guaranteed that McKnight will get some playing time and I could even see the 4th string RB getting serious playing time. You have Greene and an old LT up front, both those guys could easily come up lame at the same time.

[jason423]

I think its pretty hard to rate the backs in the East because its just loaded with question marks. Williams is old as dirt and Ronnie Brown will be good for about 8 games before he goes down with a season ending injury. Shonn Greene looks like he could be an injury concern while LT could be washed up. The Pats have the talented, but always disappointing, Maroney and the over the hill gang behind him. Lynch kind of stinks and doesn't even want to be in Buffalo while Jackson is probably a good third down player and that's about it. I guess Spiller could be good.

Really when you look at a group like this its the offensive lines that make all the difference in the world. My guess is it should go Jets-Dolphins-Bills-Pats in terms of overall production from the position.

[rillo]

Sounds about right to me, RB on this team are VERY suspect to me. I totally forgot about the Bills drafting Spiller.

[Jetfan13]

LT is washed up and Shonn Greene can barely stay healthy 2 weeks in a row. The majority of our success will be based on how well Sanchize does.

The we are fu@ked

[Jetfan13]

No-one knows how Brown is going to perform after his latest injury. If healthy, I agree, but that is a big if. He most certainly isn't going to start week #1 at full strength and will probably get re-injured before getting back to full form.

[#27TheDominator]

This. Obviously I don't want to lose to the Bills, but I gotta say I am looking forward to seeing what Spiller can do.

This ranking doesn't give much credit for draft picks. No mention of the Jets two at all, which is odd when you consider they are ranking out Richardson and Tomlinson (and Williams) for being old.