The RB Position in Today's NFL

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Huddle

If you have a Barry Sanders, a Jim Brown, or an Earl Campbell...you have a great running back. Alexander is a very good running back but not in that category.

The knock on clinton Portis when he came here was that he was a "system back" at Denver. All RBs are system backs in my opinion.

Alexander has done exceptionally well for five seasons, and is coming off his best year. But the question is: How likely is it that he will be worth the money he will be paid during the term of the contract?

First of all he's not going to play out that contract. Promise you that. Either it will get restructered, he get's cut/traded or retires before the eight year deal is up.

I think today's running backs can be called system backs more so than your Earl Campbells, your Barry Sanders or your Jim Browns....backs from another era.

Is he worth the money....well, how do you measure a contract worth $62 million. In part, I think you have to consider the fact that they keep him off the market. But if they can put together a Super Bowl win and he averages somewhere in the ballpark of what he's been doing over the past five seasons, then I would guess Seattle think they've gotten their money's worth.

[Huddle]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

First of all he's not going to play out that contract. Promise you that. Either it will get restructered, he get's cut/traded or retires before the eight year deal is up.

I think today's running backs can be called system backs more so than your Earl Campbells, your Barry Sanders or your Jim Browns....backs from another era.

Is he worth the money....well, how do you measure a contract worth $62 million. In part, I think you have to consider the fact that they keep him off the market. But if they can put together a Super Bowl win and he averages somewhere in the ballpark of what he's been doing over the past five seasons, then I would guess Seattle think they've gotten their money's worth.

Of course, he won't play out the eight years. It's the cap hit for the next few seasons that will hurt in this kind of deal.

I'm not sure why you think that "backs from another era" are more likely to be system backs. The great RBs could do things that other RBs couldn't. They achieved results that were unexpected given the support they had.

My first post talked about a strategy for the RB position that holds the probability of a better outcome. The question to be asked: How likely is it that Alexander will continue to perfrom at the level he has over the past five seasons ---especially if his big contract prohibits the team from re-signing an offensive lineman, Hutchinson for example?

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Huddle

Of course, he won't play out the eight years. It's the cap hit for the next few seasons that will hurt in this kind of deal.

I'm not sure why you think that "backs from another era" are more likely to be system backs. The great RBs could do things that other RBs couldn't. They achieved results that were unexpected given the support they had.

My first post talked about a strategy for the RB position that holds the probability of a better outcome. The question to be asked: How likely is it that Alexander will continue to perfrom at the level he has over the past five seasons ---especially if his big contract prohibits the team from re-signing an offensive lineman, Hutchinson for example?

Okay, I think you have my quote twisted just a little....I was saying the backs from the other era aren't system backs like the ones of today.

I think the probability of Alexander continuing at this pace is unlikely, however.

[That Guy]

8$mill a year for a running back is crazy. he has the best LT and LG in the nfl and a top 5 FB... AND a top 5ish QB to boot. I think his contract is a huge mistake, but they have the cap room.

I think mike anderson wouldn't have had the same production cause he's a slower back. holmes or edge could have though, and probably portis too (portis is much better at running behind blockers now than he was two years ago).

[Huddle]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Okay, I think you have my quote twisted just a little....I was saying the backs from the other era aren't system backs like the ones of today.

Sorry, about that. I did mis-read it.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by That Guy

(portis is much better at running behind blockers now than he was two years ago).

I think Portis will put up 1500 this year on fewer carries as he get's better at this.

[Huddle]

Originally Posted by That Guy

8$mill a year for a running back is crazy. he has the best LT and LG in the nfl and a top 5 FB... AND a top 5ish QB to boot. I think his contract is a huge mistake, but they have the cap room.

Yes, they have the cap room but I can't believe they can't find better ways to use it. Can you?

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Huddle

Sorry, about that. I did mis-read it.

no worries, dude

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by Huddle

Yes, they have the cap room but I can't believe they can't find better ways to use it. Can you?

I agree. With their losses (most likely) on defense, their D as a whole will suffer and even though they might have a good offense, they're losing part of what made them great. AND if they get an offer for Hutchinson don't they have to match the salary another team would pay him?

[Huddle]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I think Portis will put up 1500 this year on fewer carries as he get's better at this.

If Al Saunders is as unpredictable in his play calling as advertised, Portis will put up 1,500 on less carries even if he doesn't improve in following his blockers.

[MTK]

People love to hate on Alexander and I admit I'm not a huge fan of his, but when you look at the numbers the guy puts up you can't deny he's a big time player. Like him or not the guy produces.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Huddle

Yes, they have the cap room but I can't believe they can't find better ways to use it. Can you?

sure.

Isaac Bruce
Ty Law

[PWNED]

Exactly. Law would have been a PERFECT fit with that cash.

[Huddle]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

People love to hate on Alexander and I admit I'm not a huge fan of his, but when you look at the numbers the guy puts up you can't deny he's a big time player. Like him or not the guy produces.

No disagreement here. I think he deserved the MVP.

But, the RB position isn't worth that kind of money. For the reasons stated in Post One, this is perhaps the one position on your roster that you allows you to gain some cap room by selecting from the draft.

[PWNED]

you dont think that steve smith deserved the mvp? he was a one man wrecking crew with not much of a supporting cast