A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class

Dirtbag59 · 10-25-2011, 07:17 PM

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.

WaldSkins · 10-25-2011, 09:08 PM

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

SirClintonPortis · 10-25-2011, 09:15 PM

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.

SirClintonPortis · 10-25-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaldSkins

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

But we had Clinton Portis.

WaldSkins · 10-25-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirClintonPortis

But we had Clinton Portis.

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

Chico23231 · 10-25-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirClintonPortis

But we had Clinton Portis.

SirClintonPortis · 10-25-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chico23231

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

SirClintonPortis · 10-25-2011, 09:56 PM

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.

That Guy · 10-25-2011, 11:24 PM

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.

steveo395 · 10-26-2011, 12:08 AM

You guys know our GM was Vinnie Cerrato right?

Dirtbag59 · 10-26-2011, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveo395

You guys know our GM was Vinnie Cerrato right?

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?

EARTHQUAKE2689 · 10-26-2011, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

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.

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

freddyg12 · 10-26-2011, 12:20 PM

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.

skinsfaninok · 10-26-2011, 12:23 PM

Pay Matt Forte!!!!

MTK · 10-26-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

Pay Matt Forte!!!!

Seriously, WTF are they thinking?

10-25-2011, 07:17 PM	#1
Dirtbag59 Naega jeil jal naga Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Atlanta, Georgia From: Silver Spring, Maryland Age: 38 Posts: 14,750	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. __________________ "It's nice to be important, but its more important to be nice." - Scooter "I feel like Dirtbag has been slowly and methodically trolling the board for a month or so now." - FRPLG Last edited by Dirtbag59; 10-25-2011 at 09:42 PM.

10-25-2011, 09:08 PM	#2
WaldSkins Playmaker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Harrisburg, PA Age: 40 Posts: 2,726	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 __________________ "I would change that around, Jesus isn't Cutler. I guarantee you Jesus couldnt thread the ball like Jay does."-Monksdown

10-25-2011, 09:15 PM	#3
SirClintonPortis Pro Bowl Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6,052	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. __________________ Analysis using datasets (aka stats) is an attempt at reverse-engineering a player's "goodness". Virtuosity remembered, douchebaggery forgotten. The ideal character profile shoved down modern Western men and women's throats is Don Juan. Last edited by SirClintonPortis; 10-25-2011 at 09:17 PM.

10-25-2011, 09:56 PM	#8
SirClintonPortis Pro Bowl Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6,052	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. __________________ Analysis using datasets (aka stats) is an attempt at reverse-engineering a player's "goodness". Virtuosity remembered, douchebaggery forgotten. The ideal character profile shoved down modern Western men and women's throats is Don Juan.

10-25-2011, 11:24 PM	#9
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 41 Posts: 17,511	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. Last edited by That Guy; 10-25-2011 at 11:25 PM.

10-26-2011, 12:08 AM	#10
steveo395 The Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,674	Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class You guys know our GM was Vinnie Cerrato right? __________________

10-26-2011, 12:20 PM	#13
freddyg12 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,540	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.

10-26-2011, 12:23 PM	#14
skinsfaninok Warpath Hall of Fame Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UNITED STATES Age: 37 Posts: 35,999	Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class Pay Matt Forte!!!! __________________ “Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, and high achievers don’t like mediocre people.” ― Nick Saban

A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class

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