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Superlative Breakdown: Running Back

  • i appreciate the reply. not a slight to whomever put together this list, its just Mizzell almost seems to get lost among talk of top backs because he gets put out in the slot at all the Natl' events he attends, yet still turns heads playing a position that is not his own. Folks down in Tidewater know he's more than just a slot guy though, and even at 175#'s is as powerful a TB as we've seen come out of 757 in a number of yrs.

    HburgCavsFan

  • heatheatheat said...

    This is a great feature...now we are getting into a break down of the athletes based on traits of the position. I know you guys are probably annoyed with me concerning Tyren Jones...LOL, but you really only "considered" Tyren to be elite in the category of vision? I mean with this write up you are now talking about traits that these RB's exhibit now and not so much as JC puts it, "where they project when time for the NFL draft". Can you honestly look at film on Tyren and having seen him play in person which I think you did at the Corky Kell and tell me that he does not fit your superlative list in ALL of these categories.

    Just struck me as curious that you only mentioned Tyren under vision, not elite in any category, and not also considered in any other category. "Feet in the hole"...I look at your characterization of this trait and you really think there is another back better than Tyren or that Jones is not to be also considered as elite. Power & Lean? Burst & Acceleration? Same thing.

    It would be a great feature if you guys did like one of the other services and did a scouting analysis on each of your top rated athletes. I would really love to see your break down on Tyren in these categories. Love what you guys do and thanks in advance for your response.

    Btw, Body Type: at his official visit this weekend Tyren's measurables were 5'9 1/2" 210+ lbs.

    EDIT: I stand corrected...I notice Jones listed under several categories ...although still think he is the elite one in several categories but that is barbershop argument argue

    I think the "body-type" of the most effective NFL RBs is something that should examined in more detail in terms of projecting forward as NFL "probable"success is the basis of the rankings.

    Example: Altee Tenpenny vs Tyren Jones

    I'm not sure why most analysts think Tenpenny's physical stature is better suited for the NFL. I my opinion, the thicker, higher BMI RBs are more durable and less injury proned than the leaner, mesomorph body-types with Adrian Peterson being more the exception than the norm. Reggie Bush and Darren McFadden are mesomorph body-types that haven't faired as well in the NFL as they did in college. Even with his success, Peterson has been injury prone in college and the NFL.

    Higher BMI RBs that I consider to be "endomorph/mesomorph" hybrids seem to be more durable long-term. Guys like Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Thurman Thomas, Barry Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson, Thomas Jones, Tiki Barber, Frank Gore, Michael Turner, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Doug Martin fit this mold. Notice that the last 3 RBs to be drafted in the 1st Round fit this mold.

    I may very well be wrong but I actually would predict that a Tyren Jones body-type is better suited for long-term NFL success based on historical analysis of the more durable RBs.

    "Skinny Ankles/Joints" is good for WRs and DBs but "very skinny ankles" at RB to me is more of a sprinter, mesomorph build and those guys overall are not as durable as their "endomorph/mesomorph" counterparts.

    Jabrill Peppers...More I watch, the more I'm convinced he is the best player in the 2014 class. Barring injury, he will do special things.

    BamaBornDukie

  • Gerry, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on how D. Henry fits into these categories. He is the all-time career rushing yards leader, listed as a 5-star, but is not mentioned at all in this article. I'm sure you guys are basing your 5 star rating on his versatility and ability to play at multiple positions. If you were basing it on his running it would seem that he would have to at least be at a high level in a few of these categories. I guess this could also only be for players listed as running backs and not athletes?

    rwhite4ua

  • It amazes me how anyone could rank or discuss RBs for the 2013 class and leave out the all-time leading rusher at the prep level. D. Henry is a running back I don't care if all the talking heads classify him as an athlete, he will be toting the rock for Bama next year. As a previous poster mentioned when he and Taylor went against each other...Henry was literally head and shoulders above Taylor, both physically and talent wise. Taylor was tackled multiple time behind the LOS for a loss by 175lbs players. Henry went for over 400 and 5 or 6 TDs in that game. Henry's performance at the All star game against exceptional talent proved he can excel at the next level as a RB.

    As far as ARK flipping Tenpenny, they have a better chance of getting TJ Yeldon to transfer and sit-out a year...ain't happening.

    BamaFan_58 ●

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