Analysing the 2006 NFL Draft, part 3
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by user False Prophet
So I have covered the QB's, and the draft day decisions. After a long break in this column, I am back with another installment. This time, the topic is running backs.
So there were a few big names comming out, and a few that should have been big names now that we've seen them play.
First up is DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers. Williams has shown glimpses of being a great running back in the NFL, but that is about it. All I have seen and heard is people talking about what he could be, not what he is. All I see in him is a Runningback that will be a franchise guy, but will not be a memorable one.
Next is everyone's favorite player to overhype, Reggie Bush. He is the most inconsistant of all the rookie running backs in the league this year. He will rush for 10 yards, 20 yards, then try and run east and west in the backfield and lose 15. I like what he can do, but if I was a coach, and I could take him, I think I'd pass.
Third is my boy, Laurence Maroney. He has not been getting the touches he should be, but if you look at his averages, he is one helluva back. He can run outside or inside. He can catch the ball and block for blitzes. This kid gives it his all, and the only thing I see seperating him from greatness is will he be able to hold up once he starts getting 20+ carries a game. I think he was one of the best backs avalible in the draft.
Fourth is Maurice Jones-Drew. I have reached the conclusion that he is the best rookie RB this year. He can return kicks and punts, he can catch and block, and he can run. Boy can he run. This kid can get 120 yrds, a Rush TD, 3 catches and a reception TD, and then return a punt for a Touchdown. He can give you everything you need in a consistant back, and then he will go out and return punts for touchdowns on top of everything else he does.
Fifth is Jerious Norwood. This guy is a relative unkown to me. The small bits I have seen of him, he looks like a decent back, but I don't see him doing anything spectacular. I don't have much to say about him because I don't know a lot about him.
Six, is Mike Bell out of Denver. Bell has proven he is a reliable back and got a good amount of carries this season dispite spliting the load with Tatum Bell. I like him as a future starter a lot, and think that he will be a great addition to a now younger Denver Offense.
The final positive guy to talk about it Joseph Addai. He is a great back, and is in about the same rankings as Maroney, but he just needs to test time to see if he will be a good NFL Running back.
Now to the more negative results. The first negative to talk about is Lendale White. I thought this guy was supposed to be a pounder, but I don't see him getting any pound the ball situation carries for Tennesse. If he can show up to play like he did in the rose bowl, he could be a good back. If he stays how he is as just a bench warmer, he is just a waste to have on a roster.
The other negative I have is for Brian Calhoun. The lesson we learn from watching him is that it really is good to stay in school. This junior should have stayed and would be a good pick this year, but instead he comes out and stinks it up for the detroit lions.
I am not ranking them on performance this year. The rankings reflect my subjective analysis of them as a runningback. Stats have something to do with it, but not all of it. My rankings for the runningbacks are as follows:
- Maurice Jones-Drew
- Laurence Maroney
- Reggie Bush
- Joseph Addai
- Mike Bell
- DeAngelo Williams
- Jerious Norwood
- Lendale White
- Brian Calhoun
Up next, Oline and more on Wide Recievers.
