Marshall Faulk's Top 5 RB's...No Portis?!

[Skins4Eva]

On NFL Total Access last night they, I mean Marshall Faulk presented his top five running backs I the league and the lists was as follows:

1. Adrian Peterson
2. DeAngelo Williams
3. Michael Turner
4. LaDanian Tomlinson
5. Maurice Jones-Drew/Brian Westbrook (tied for 5th)

I can hardly disagree with Adrian Peterson but, seriously, no Portis anywhere on the list?! That is just plain ridiculous. Allow me to 'critique' Faulk's list and then present my own. I agree with Adrian Peterson. DeAngelo Williams isn't even the best RB on his own team, Michael Turner has been a number 2 most of his career until last season in which he did have an outstanding year, but to say he is now among the elite is a bit premature. LaDanian Tomlinson, IMO, should always be in this discussion despite his nagging injuries of late. Maurice Jones-Drew and Westbrook are close although I think defensive coordinators fear scheming against Westbrook far more than Jones-Drew. What would be your guys list of the Top 5 RB's in the NFL?....This is my attempt to break the monotony of all of the Campbell sucks, Vinny sucks, Zorn sucks, and Snyder sucks threads LMAO.

[MTK]

Jones-Drew? Really?

If CP isn't top 5 he's right there. Def top 10.

[Skins4Eva]

Forgot my list:

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Clinton Portis
3. LaDanian Tomlinson
4. Frank Gore
5. Michael Westbrook

[Paintrain]

^^Pretty sure you meant Brian Westbrook not Michael Westbroke.

Yeah, Faulk's list is flawed but I wasn't surprised that Portis wasn't on it. To expect anything from the national media regarding our players other than negativity is naive right now.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Skins4Eva

Forgot my list:

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Clinton Portis
3. LaDanian Tomlinson
4. Frank Gore
5. Michael Westbrook

Michael Westbrook?!

If the Skins had taken my draft advice Adrian Peterson would be on our team.

[freddyg12]

CP isn't top 5 by running ability, but let's first establish the criteria. If you want an all around back he's likely one of the top 5. Westbrook as well, he does a lot for his team. Peterson has had issues w/pass protection & they don't use him on 3rd downs unless he's running the ball.

I think Steven Jackson is often overlooked, and I hate to say it but Marion the barbarian is solid in about every phase of the game, just lacks breakaway speed.

Running back has become a tough position to rate IMO, there are so many guys in the nfl racking up yards that any given week somebody random looks like a hall of famer. I think it's safe to say that this is a position that most teams have no trouble finding talent in the mid rounds of the draft. Kind of funny, when I grew up rb's were among the highest paid, most celebrated players. They still have the name recognition, but free agency has reduced their per capita value.

[BleedBurgundy]

Off the top of my head:

1. Adrian Peterson
2. LaDanian Tomlinson
3. Steven Jackson
4. Brandon Jacobs
5. Chris Johnson (second only to A.D. in terms of exciting to watch)

rest of the top 10 in no particular order:

Portis, Westbrook, Turner, Ronnie Brown and Barber.

This dude is my favorite back in the league.

[firstdown]

OK, first get over this media out to get the skins because thats getting old. This is one man's opinion so what is the big deal. I bet if we did a thread here on the top 5 RB's fans here would not include CP on the top five list. All I give a crap about is that come game day CP comes out and plays his best ball and helps the team win. I don't cars if he has 20 yards and 2 TD's or 140 yards with no TD's as long as what he brings to the field on that day helps us win.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Skins4Eva

On NFL Total Access last night they, I mean Marshall Faulk presented his top five running backs I the league and the lists was as follows:

1. Adrian Peterson
2. DeAngelo Williams
3. Michael Turner
4. LaDanian Tomlinson
5. Maurice Jones-Drew/Brian Westbrook (tied for 5th)

I can hardly disagree with Adrian Peterson but, seriously, no Portis anywhere on the list?! That is just plain ridiculous. Allow me to 'critique' Faulk's list and then present my own. I agree with Adrian Peterson. DeAngelo Williams isn't even the best RB on his own team, Michael Turner has been a number 2 most of his career until last season in which he did have an outstanding year, but to say he is now among the elite is a bit premature. LaDanian Tomlinson, IMO, should always be in this discussion despite his nagging injuries of late. Maurice Jones-Drew and Westbrook are close although I think defensive coordinators fear scheming against Westbrook far more than Jones-Drew. What would be your guys list of the Top 5 RB's in the NFL?....This is my attempt to break the monotony of all of the Campbell sucks, Vinny sucks, Zorn sucks, and Snyder sucks threads LMAO.

The reason CP isn't top 5 cause Faulk said he's not a threat out of the back field. IMO the best back in the NFL ( when he's healthy) is Steven Jackson and he didn't make Marshall's top 5.

[irish]

CP isnt a top 5 back anymore but I do think he comes in from about 7 to 10th.

[jdlea]

1. Peterson
2. Portis
3. Jackson
4. Tomlinson
5. Marion Barber

Rookies who could make the list soon: Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Jonathan Stewart, and Steve Slaton*

*I included 4 rookies because I think that Portis, Tomlinson and Jackson are/will soon be past the point of being "really productive."

I think Addai is probably slighted on this list as well, but he had a down year last year and he just didn't make the cut. Also, I think that Marion Barber could easily be removed for any number of other backs, but I like the way the runs, so he made my list.

Also, I feel that Peterson isn't in first place going away. He's poor in pass protections AND he had 9 fumbles last season. The same sort of case can be made against Portis for fading in the 2nd half last year, but whatever, this is my list.

[saden1]

LT and Portis are on HoF track but they're no longer as snappy as the young guys. That said I would take Portis and LT over these young home run hitters.

[Skinny Tee]

Originally Posted by irish

CP isnt a top 5 back anymore but I do think he comes in from about 7 to 10th.

Yeah...with our line he's definitely not a top 5 back.

With a top 10 line though he's a top 5 back.

[Lotus]

As much as I love CP, he hasn't had a run of 40+ yards in a long time. He is not the breakaway back that he used to be and perhaps this keeps him from the top five.

However, CP otherwise is a complete back, unlike Adrian Peterson. I've always thought that Peterson was overrated. He is exciting and productive when running the ball, to be sure. But he is a poor blocker, not a great pass-catcher, and he fumbles too frequently. Further, although he has been fairly durable over the last couple of years, I will not be surprised if he suffers another big injury.

[53Fan]

I'm certainly not CP's biggest fan, but he gives 100% on the field and as far as blocking, there's no RB I'd rather have back there. As Tee pointed out, behind a good o-line he would be top 5 IMO.