Who will win the rushing title this year?
 

I think LT will tear it up again this season. The line is more or less the same, and he has the arrival of a more competent QB to help ease the load off. I also would like to see Deuce, or Priest take it.

Jamal Lewis is in an ideal situation to repeat, the passing game of the Ravens got very little help in the off-season. But with the legal issues hanging overhead, I'm hesitiant to pick him.

I think Ahman Green has a good chance of winning that title this year. The Packers receivers have improved very rapidly over the past few years and with Brett Farve's thumb being in much better condition teams will have to respect the passing game, which will leave holes abound for Ahman.

I think Corey Dillon has a chance if he wants to, coach Charlie Weis is going to do a great game plan to use him constantly.

I think it's the Priests to lose. Unless he gets hurt, he shouldn't have a problem. LT is going to give it a run.

From what I've read, LT has done some extensive training and conditioning in the off-season. While I'm sure most NFL players do, this article talked about how his trainer examined him, and said, "I bet you make most of your cuts to the left, don't you?"
He said, "yeah, how'd you know?"
"Because your left hip is alot more developed than your right."

So they made him more of a complete package; and he got some actual coaching at being a running back. While this might change his natural ability and instincts, which had carried him (and quite well, too) throughout college and the first couple of years, he clearly was working hard to improve something that was already great. Is it a coincidence that this happened the summer before he got a new contract from the notoriously stingy Chargers? Maybe, maybe not. I'd put my money on Lt winning it though.

I agree with BigGov, Jamal Lewis is in the right situation to repeat, assuming his legal woes don't take him off the field.
LT's more competent QB may prompt trying out said quarterback and testing his skills further than handing off the ball. LT will probably rack up heaps of all-purpose yards, he just won't take the rushing title.
Expect Priest to lead in TD's, again. No records, though. 27 is an insane number.
Ahman Green is the only real threat to Lewis, I think, especially with Favre fading and BG relying more on the run. (Say what you want. He's a great quarterback, I'm not doubting it, but he's getting old and more fragile.)

I believe that LT is one of the best conditioned and in shape running backs in the NFL. I almost hardly see him get tired, and with additional coaching at his position, he'll go crazy.

Jamal Lewis I would not put my money on, it's extremely hard to win two consecutive rushing titles, and his knee is pretty suspect.

Jamal is currently scheduled, if im not mistaken, to miss a couple of games...

so that being said, id say LT or priest


or travis minor!!!! go dolphins!!!

You heard it here everyone, Chris Brown of the Titans!!

If he doesn't win it then he will be in the top 3.

Jamal is in a great situation because the passing game IS improved, at least to the point where teams won't be able to stack the box as much. Of course, the two games he may miss (Billick says he will, but that could easily change) does put a damper in it.

I don't know who to pick. LT is a great back, but will probably get a lot of receiving yards in the place of rushing yards. Priest Holmes might, but only if some receivers in KC step up.

I think I'll just pull a name out of my ass: Kevin Jones. He is in a situation where there is a passing game, and he has almost no competition. He could easily rush for 1700+ yards in Detroit.

Let the flaming begin, but remember, I only pulled it from my ass :D

If you're going to pull a Jones sleeper out of your ass, it may as well be Julius in Dallas. In Detroit, Joey Harrington and Charles Rogers could surprise some folks and let Detroit focus on the passing game. Julius doesn't have anything but carries coming to him in Dallas. And the defense there will at least make sure the offense is on the field. A lot more than the Detroit offense, anyway.

After seeing the way he ran tonight, I'd have to go with Priest Holmes. Thier line is as solid as it was last season, and the guy can flat out run. He has incredible field vision, just seems to find space.

I think to pull a sleeper would defenitely be Tatum Bell. He was hardly used back in Ok. St. but he made the most outta what we could, and we already know Denver has a knack for producing rushing monsters. He's big, strong and blazing fast.

Ahman Green (big and fast) spelled by Najeh Davenport (bigger and meaner) behind a great O-line. Watch the Pack pound other teams mercilessly, only to unleash Brett in the 4rth quarter.

I'll go with Clinton Portis as a dark horse, in his third season.

He rushed for over 3000 yards total in his first two. He might wind up being the anchor of the new Redskins offense.

Thomas Jones (Bears).

You heard it here first! :D

--jaded

And last...

Hey I agree with you. That's why both Julius and Tatum are sleeping on my fantasy bench. :thumbsup:

The reason I don't have Tatum Bell on a fantasy team is the same reason he won't lead the NFL in rushing. Running back by committee. Garrison Hearst, Tatum Bell, Quentin Griffin, and this little 1,000 yard rusher by the name of Mike Anderson. He just won't get the carries.

Same with Julius Jones.

Thomas Jones will not break the 1,500 yard mark. The Bears are just too terrible, and he is not Barry Sanders.

Chris Brown might break the 1,500 yard mark, but I wouldn't even bet $5 on it.

Well, I didnt expect him to lead the NFL in rushing, but I'd expect him to get the majority of the carries. Quentin Griffin is too small and doesn't have nearly the speed of Tatum, Garrison is old and Mike Anderson is the starting fullback.

Julius Jones is defenitely going to get the starting job, no one is competeing with him and the way Bill Parcells runs his offense, expect alot of carries.

I agree completely. Thomas Jones was a bust, and I don't see him accomplishing anything more.

Chris Brown...? Hey stranger things have happened

Griffin is small, but he is far from slow. He doesn't have the moves of Barry Sanders, but he can sneak through holes very well. Anderson will still get carries, and Garrison will get a few hundred yards. The Broncos have been saying they'll get their rushing yards, but they never say with who for good reason.

Julius Jones has competition from this little known Pro Bowler named Eddie George. In fact, looking at the Cowboys current depth chart, Jones is THIRD string. http://www.dallascowboys.com/team.cfm

Yes, Jones is worthless, the Bears will be lucky to claw out 5 wins this season.

Chris Brown, I can't put down. I have him on my fantasy team and I was very content with him.

A true dark horse though is Brian Westbrook. The Eagles finished second in rushing last year with their running back by committee with the three backs all having over 450 yards. Westbrook was the best of the bunch with just over 600. Put on the spot he could choke, fall into the ignored pile, or shine. If he shines in the Eagles rush heavy offense, he could pile up some insane stats.

This just in....Rudi Johnson wins the rushing title for 2004!

Rudi! Rudi! Rudi!

Man, Eddie George is starting over Julius Jones? Not to knock George or antyhing, but in the last two seasons hes had an average YPC of 3.3...you gotta wonder how much gas hes got in the tank.

Westbrook was a rising star, a very talented player who excelled at catching passes returning punts and running the ball.

Got to agree as a Bengal homer. RUDI RUDI RUDI

i say barry sanders comes out of retirement and dominates all, as he used to do ( a fan can dream can't he :) )

LT definitely has a good shot, but I don't see it happening.

I'd put my money on either Stephen Davis or Clinton Portis.

Update on those Broncos speculations...Mike Anderson out for the season with a groin injury. Bell's carries just went way up.

why is everyone on Tatum Bell's nuts? Does everyone know QGriff has spent time in the system already, Anderson is done for the year, Bell has a broken hand which playing or not, I am sure limits him in some aspects of his game. And everyone who says Qriff is too small etc etc etc. Well maybe he ain't no Barry but believe it or not, small guys CAN play RB in the NFL.

Griff has good vision, maybe not the speed or Bell but he has decent speed and will allow his lanes to develop in front of him plus not to mention the "hiding" behind them hogs up front until it is time to burst out.

Bell may be the shit but I just do not know why Griff is not getting any props and Bell is...

Oh an edit to add this.

Duece "Coupe" Mcallister will win the rushing title.

LaDainian Tomlinson will rush for 1,945 yards this year. He will win the rushing title.

Priest Holmes will get his touchdowns, but not the yards.

LT -
I went to Charger mini camp a few months ago, afterwards the team signed autographs, my nephew got about 20 autographs except LT he signed one autograph, in front of the press. Barring injuries he could get 2000 yards this year.

Haha I read a funny quote in The Province newspaper here in Vancouver

"It will be pretty hard for Jamal Lewis to win the rushing title in that corrections uniform"

Ahman Green. You heard it here...like...for the fifth time.

Go Pack Go!

This is easy guys. The edge is back and will be your rushing leader come seasons end. I mean dam he put up 146 yards on the best d in the nfl.

since no one has mentioned him and he is also on my fantasy team i am going with edgerrin james. he is two years removed form his knee injury and poised to win the crown.

uh, I think the guy right behind you just did. Albeit in something akin to eubonics. :)

Ricky Williams....


run, Ricky, run.... as far away from Miami as you can you Pothead!

As a serious answer: Clinton Portis, if he stays healty or Priest Holmes... and my darkhorse is Quintin Griffin

It could be anyones title, I say Portis has a chance of taking the gold because the redskins are going to use him to death.

If anyone can beat out Ahman, it's Quenntin Griffith. He looks like a fifth grader out there, but he could be the next Emmit Smith type player.

The depth of running backs in the NFL is sure in good shape when you can count on at least 6 guys to have 1500+ yards

Ahman's going to take it, I think, but QG is my sleeper pick, too. I'd be saying Shaun Alexander here were it not for the injury.