Comments on: Low demand for veteran running backs

By: hineswardcriesafterfumbling

hineswardcriesafterfumbling — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:38:37 +0000

scottdragosnai says:
Mar 18, 2012 8:28 PM
Out of who is left who does everyone feel is the best?
I’d take Tolbert slightly over Benson
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I’d take Booby Miles over Benson. With that said, I think the Bengals need to make a big move at RB. Leonard is a 3rd down specialist, Scott is a homeless man’s Chris Johnson and is like 28, Cedric Peerman is not an NFL running back.

I’m more interested in Aaron Brown from the Lions than Peerman or Scott. Sign Bush and draft an RB in the first 3 rounds. Leonard is the only existing RB I would care about losing.

By: deddmunnie

deddmunnie — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:54:33 +0000

Somewhere Clinton Portis is crying behind his Elton John glasses.

By: piemasteruk

piemasteruk — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:44:41 +0000

Fundamentally speaking, RBs are like kickers. While they perform an important job and they can win or lose games for your team single-handedly, there simply isn’t enough difference between a good one and an average one. Sure, there are some RBs that are obviously better than others, but more often than not the eye-popping numbers they put up come primarily from a combination of the scheme, the passing game removing safeties from the box, or the five fat guys up front whose names nobody can remember making holes. This is why teams that have great running backs often seem to be ‘lucky’ enough to have good second-string or change of pace backs too.

So from there it is a basic issue of supply and demand. Just like with kickers, nobody is going to pay a slightly-above-average running back top dollar when there a dozen guys who can do a similar job (although maybe not *quite* as well), currently sitting at home waiting for a call. That’s something you just can’t say about positions like Quarterback, Left Tackle or Cornerback where the big bucks are really made.

By: damadgreek

damadgreek — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:29:30 +0000

i love the burner…dont get me wrong. I think he is a strong runner who at the time of his signing had some breakaway speed to him.

I would suggest bush is close in comparison. He is a strong volume runner who also pass protects and catches fairly well.

at the time of turner’s signing, he had been a back up to a hall of fame running back with a good line. There were risks in the falcons signin him.

I think it goes more to the point that things may have shifted in the nfl—everyone thinks they can find a rb and i haven’t decided if theyre right or not.

By: icdogg

icdogg — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:20:39 +0000

Veteran running backs are far more often than not bad free agency pickups.

By: nardointhenati

nardointhenati — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:11:38 +0000

Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard, and Cedric Pearman have already been in the system for a year, they’re already under contract, and you have any “type” of back you want. Scott is the burner/slasher guy, Leonard is the H-back/Fullback guy, and Pearman is the jack of all trades but master of none guy.

By: nardointhenati

nardointhenati — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:07:07 +0000

The Bengals arent going to go after any of these RB’s. Coach Gruden has already said he’s going with a RBBC.

By: makeshersquirt

makeshersquirt — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:06:25 +0000

Well if Denver doesn’t get Manning, they might be willing to sign all of those guys.

They’ll run their wheels right off.

By: fm31970

fm31970 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:52:05 +0000

Nice Million Dollar Backfield reference.

By: rubicon202

rubicon202 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:45:47 +0000

I mean all the names mentioned are solid backs however, they are not game changers. Whoever wrote this article makes it seem as if the position is fading away? C’mon man…

By: mullman7675

mullman7675 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:38:15 +0000

Bush could come back to the Raiders…. Maybe

By: meytonpanning

meytonpanning — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:35:15 +0000

Am I the only one who isn’t surprised?

2012: Year of the tight end/when we realized how replaceable running backs in the NFL really are.

Look for a few of these guys to get signed AFTER the draft.

By: peytonsneck18

peytonsneck18 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:31:00 +0000

I want BUSH in Indy! !!!!!!

By: firemarshal1

firemarshal1 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:14:12 +0000

What about Michael Bush to the Bengals? Do a 3 year deal for 10 million, 6 mil guarantee, with reasonable incentives like 1,000 yards or more extra 1 mil, 1,400 yards Another extra 1 mil. That’s 5 million per year. Oh, leading rusher an extra 3 million per yr. sign the deal. Everybody is happy.

By: ramofsteel

ramofsteel — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:02:11 +0000

Bush- Overrated
Tolbert- Pay for a goalline back?
Green-Ellis- Is he even that great a RB?
Smith- Knee
Benson- Seriously?!
Forsett- Who?

By: myvickinabox14

myvickinabox14 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:39:26 +0000

Bush was great. I had him on my bench and when McFadden went down, he was great. I would like to see Philly get one of those big guys for cheap. Just goes to show that the owners are smarter than the players. They new this was gonna happen before they signed the new CBA. Just shortening good players careers.

By: tittsburghfeelers

tittsburghfeelers — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:33:56 +0000

its a passing league. RBs arent as valuable as they used to be. why risk a big contract on a worn down veteran when you can draft young fresh legs on the cheap then ship him out when his rookie contract expires.

By: watermelon1

watermelon1 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:33:32 +0000

This is exactly why the Ravens should NOT pay Rice. Would be smarter to trade to some desperate team for a package of high picks… And replenish all their holes.

By: andyreidsskinnyjeans

andyreidsskinnyjeans — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:30:34 +0000

Tolbert should sign with the eagles to back up McCoy.

By: mrslay1

mrslay1 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:20:47 +0000

The Cleveland Clowns got exactly what they paid for in Hillis!

By: psychoraider904

psychoraider904 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:20:18 +0000

You’re welcome to come back to Oakland Mr. Bush. McFadden can’t seem to make it through a whole season.

By: stew48

stew48 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:17:48 +0000

Do yoy or juicebox remember or know of John Henry Johnson. I saw him play, but I am old.

By: dougydougdoug

dougydougdoug — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:07:22 +0000

damadgreek:

While maybe not quite as elite as LT in his prime, or AP (before he destroyed his knee) you have to put the “Burner” way ahead of the guys listed in this article. They all have their strong points, but it would be difficult for anyone to argue that Turner wasn’t a cornerstone of the Falcon’s improved play in the past number of seasons.

But I don’t think you could say that about any of these other guys. They’re all really solid number-two guys, or maybe third-down specialists. But every-down? Not these chaps.

By: dta1978

dta1978 — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:03:30 +0000

No it goes to show the days of over spending on players that are not superstars are over. the linebackers have got very little action as well because none of these players are superstars they can all be replaced for a smaller contract, either through the draft or latter with veterans loking for a job when they realize they can’t get the big money they want.

By: bennprince

bennprince — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:59:29 +0000

These are all 2nd/3rd tier talents. The top backs (Arian Foster, AD, MJD, etc.) will always demand top dollar.

By: juiceboxsupply

juiceboxsupply — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:48:17 +0000

I will use your, John Henry Johnson, reference with great frequency. I will pretend that I made it up. Go Bills

By: damadgreek

damadgreek — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:46:15 +0000

I don’t get it. Michael Turner sure seemed worth it for the falcons

By: robertunsoberirish

robertunsoberirish — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:45:15 +0000

Denver will more than likely pick up Tolbert or Bush in the upcoming week. (if they can pull their collective noses out of Manning’s ass that is!)

By: sportsmeccabi

sportsmeccabi — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:44:59 +0000

Cleveland needs a running back. Why haven’t they called any of these guys?

By: vincentbojackson

vincentbojackson — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:40:36 +0000

mrslay1 says:

Hillis was the steal of the FA running backs. I still can;t believe the Steelers or the Pats didn’t take him.

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The Steelers and Pats didn’t get where they are by wasting money on one-hit wonders that can’t stay healthy and were accused of quitting on their team.