A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

I was just watching E60 Ray Rice and they were talking about how 5 Running back were taken in front of Rice. Went back to look at who they were and saw what might end up being one of the best classes ever for a single position.

Among the players from that class we see Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Jammal Charles, and Peyton Hillis. Not to mention Ray Rice.

Even guys like Torain, Hightower, Felix Jones, Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, and Tasard Choice came from this class.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

So instead of picking Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas we could of picked Matt Forte AND Ray Rice:doh:

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

So, ultimately it is Darren McFadden>Peyton Hillis>Felix Jones. In the 2009 offseason, it would have been Felix Jones=Peyton Hillis>Darren McFadden. In the 2010 offseason, it would have been McFadden>Jones>Hillis. Sometimes, you just gotta wait before jumping to conclusions.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=WaldSkins;852327]So instead of picking Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas we could of picked Matt Forte AND Ray Rice:doh:[/quote]

But we had Clinton Portis.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;852333]But we had Clinton Portis.[/quote]

I am a huge Clinton Portis fan, but Forte or Rice or Charles could of got Betts of the team that much sooner.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;852333]But we had Clinton Portis.[/quote]

:doh:

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Chico23231;852340]:doh:[/quote]

That would have been the fan reaction if we actually did draft a RB then. I'm just sayin'. ;)

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

And actually, we could have had Chris Johnson in the first round. So, "draft for need"-niks, what is your answer to drafting a starting caliber RB onto your roster? Let me answer for you. None, even with Clinton Portis making a few million, you take the successful player and leave the unsuccessful ones in the dust.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

you can get good running backs late. If the draft threads that year I was all for ray rice, after watching him in college (i don't root for any NCAA team, so, no homer) I knew he's be a solid NFL back. I didn't think that much of mcfadden though (especially after reggie bush was very eh), but I'm never a fan of spending 1st rounders on RBs or LBs (I'd prefer LT's and DE's - orakpo and kerrigan count as DEs for drafting purposes).

good running backs aren't hard to find, but good durable ones can be...

adrian peterson or barry sanders are the type of RB i'd take with a top 5 pick.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

You guys know our GM was Vinnie Cerrato right?

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=steveo395;852384]You guys know our GM was Vinnie Cerrato right?[/quote]

Well in all fairness to Vinny he did bring in Forte for a predraft visit. Then again who would have expected him to screw up 2 of 3 second round picks?

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;852298]I was just watching E60 Ray Rice and they were talking about how 5 Running back were taken in front of Rice. Went back to look at who they were and saw what might end up being one of the best classes ever for a single position.

Among the players from that class we see Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Jammal Charles, and Peyton Hillis. Not to mention Ray Rice.

Even guys like Torain, Hightower, Felix Jones, Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, and Tasard Choice came from this class.[/quote]

So what you are saying is we should draft Devin Thomas?

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

Drafting RBs is a trade off IMO. It's common now for people to say that you shouldn't draft one in the 1st or 2nd round cause there are always late rounders that can start. And that RBs don't have a long shelf life.

While both are true, the upside of a RB in round 1 is that if he's really talented he should be able to contribute as a starter immediately. Compare that to QBs, WRs & DE/OLBs, they take 3 years to become productive & have a much higher bust rate. At the end of that productive 3rd year they may be entering a contract year.

So RB is still a pretty safe pick & a good return on draft pick/salary investment.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

Pay Matt Forte!!!!

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;852452]Pay Matt Forte!!!![/quote]

Seriously, WTF are they thinking?

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Mattyk;852464]Seriously, WTF are they thinking?[/quote]

Andrew Brandt on Sirius with Ross Tucker laid out the Bears thinking, and points out that if the players didn't want this to keep happening then they should have pitched harder for changes at CBA ratification time:

Bottomline, if the Bears franchise tag Forte for the next two years, the Guaranteed money still is less than what Forte is asking for as a guaranteed long term contract. Further, if they go the franchise tag route, and something happens to Forte next year, they don't have to pay the next year at a guaranteed rate.

Is it a cheapskate way, yes, but especially for a RB, it gives them 2 more solid years of him under their contract rights, without committing long term resources to him.

I am surprised that the players union didn't wring some concessions on FT out of the owners, at least limiting it to a 1 year use, or some sort of step down system, ie 1 FT, then 1 Transition tag, then RFA.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Mattyk;852464]Seriously, WTF are they thinking?[/quote]
It's so rare that rbs last in this league. I wouldnt want to give an 80 million dollar contract to a RB, its just too risky, and the return investment rarely is equal to the contract.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;852452]Pay Matt Forte!!!![/quote]

Forte is on track to have a Marshall Faulk like season. Something like 1,400 rushing yards and a 1,000 receiving yards. PAY THE MAN!

[url=http://www.csnchicago.com/10/21/11/Forte-on-pace-for-amazing-accomplishment/landing.html?blockID=581098]Forte on pace for amazing accomplishment[/url]

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

Forte deserves the raise but he plays for the cheap ass Bears. I see this dragging out. But pretty bad that the guy is make 600k. At the very least they should've torn up that contract and given him a few million in good faith.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;852345]That would have been the fan reaction if we actually did draft a RB then. I'm just sayin'. ;)[/quote]

well maybe some, not here for sure

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=skinster;852477]It's so rare that rbs last in this league. I wouldnt want to give an 80 million dollar contract to a RB, its just too risky, and the return investment rarely is equal to the contract.[/quote]

Agreed, and RBs, unfortunately for them, are a bargain on their rookie deals. The new CBA didn't help them, as that's one position that can make an impact immediately. If re-signing a RB it makes sense if they're about 25 or under & they sign for 4-5 years max.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Chico23231;852483]well maybe some, not here for sure[/quote]

We're only a small segment of the thousands or millions of Redskins fans throughout the nation. I doubt most are hardcore analysts like folks here and on other message boards.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;852493]We're only a small segment of the thousands or millions of Redskins fans throughout the nation. I doubt most are hardcore analysts like folks here and on other message boards.[/quote]

regardless, like you said we didnt need a RB we had Tortis. Hell we didnt need betts or rock, just him on the roster was fine.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=skinster;852477]It's so rare that rbs last in this league. I wouldnt want to give an 80 million dollar contract to a RB, its just too risky, and the return investment rarely is equal to the contract.[/quote]

You don't have to pay him $80M, just pay him fair market value. He's way underpaid right now. He's 25, now is the time to lock him up for a few years.

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[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;852393]So what you are saying is we should draft Devin Thomas?[/quote]

Yes and played him at RB. Ironically enough he was better as a runner then as a receiver.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Chico23231;852494]regardless, like you said we didnt need a RB we had Tortis. Hell we didnt need betts or rock, just him on the roster was fine.[/quote]

If you didn't get the message of the blatant sarcasm behind my initial post of "But we had Clinton Portis", you are helpless. Nor does your second statement make any sense since I never implied it., The rationale I am mocking that most fans operate under "starters are filled, thus depth can be filled by anyone", NOT "we got a starter, depth is unnecessary". Just like [I]I[/I] was the one who posted a thread about the WaPo article about Snyder hunting for Shanahan,[I] I[/I] was one of the critics of Clinton Portis on this board.

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They are being cheap IMO, what hAPPENS if he gets hurt this week and they use that as an excuse not too.. I mean cmon

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;852531]They are being cheap IMO, what hAPPENS if he gets hurt this week and they use that as an excuse not too.. I mean cmon[/quote]

Exactly. There's managing the cap and then theres the Bears.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;852538]Exactly. There's managing the cap and then theres the Bears.[/quote]

And they wonder why Bears players openly grumble against management.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

So it sounds like Forte will be demanding a trade and sitting out next season.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

I'm surprised everyone here wants him to get a long term deal after seeing portis make 8mill/year for 3 years past the point where he was any good.

long term deals on running backs tend to be risky with huge money. forte deserves more money, but i kinda see where the bears are going.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=That Guy;852573]I'm surprised everyone here wants him to get a long term deal after seeing portis make 8mill/year for 3 years past the point where he was any good.

long term deals on running backs tend to be risky with huge money. forte deserves more money, but i kinda see where the bears are going.[/quote]

And for a more contemporary example see Chris Johnson.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=That Guy;852573]I'm surprised everyone here wants him to get a long term deal after seeing portis make 8mill/year for 3 years past the point where he was any good.

long term deals on running backs tend to be risky with huge money. forte deserves more money, but i kinda see where the bears are going.[/quote]Without Forte, the Bears are a horrible offense that needs to begin the rebuilding process ASAP. I think the Titans pretty much overrated Johnson right from the start (the 2008 draft). Forte is one of the best receivers in the league, regardless of position. Any receiving value in Chris Johnson comes from a couple screens he made big gains on in 2009.

So while it's easy now to say that Chris Johnson got badly overpaid based on being two years removed from a big season, I don't see why it necessarily means Forte shouldn't get paid. There's always risk in paying a running back, and oftentimes it doesn't work out in the teams favor, but some guys are more replaceable than others. And Forte is one of the best in the league.