Which NFL running back do you think will have the best season with his new team?

Question

A) Willis McGahee - Ravens

B) Travis Henry - Broncos

C) Thomas Jones - Jets

D) Dominic Rhodes - Raiders

E) Jamal Lewis - Browns

F) Ahman Green - Texans

G) Tatum Bell - Lions

Mike J: uhhhhh........... McGahee isnt on the Jets, dude...... , so, uhh....... You may wanna reconsider your answer...
*sheeesh*

Answer 1

Willis McGahee, the Ravens and Billick have always tried to have a strong running game for lack of a good Quarterback. In picking McNair they got a very good QB who uses the running game to his advantage (play action pass and very mobile) so he fits well with what the organization is trying to accomplish a ball control offense with a QB that's not worried about stats and will make the 3rd down conversions and keep drives alive. So, having a strong (lots of attempts) running game and giving Willis the ball to become a Jamal Lewis of 3 years ago.

Answer 2

The most important thing for a running back's success is his offensive line. So here's how'd I'd rank the o-lines (for run blocking):
1. Broncos
2. Ravens
3. Jets
4. Browns
5. Texans
6. Lions
7. Raiders

The skill of the backs of course is still important. Here's how I'd rank the backs based on them all starting behind the same line:
1. Willis McGahee
2. Thomas Jones
3. Travis Henry
4. Dominic Rhodes
5. Ahman Green
6. Tatum Bell
7 Jamal Lewis (He's really beginning to show his age)

Now the question is can the skill of the back improve their standing based upon the o-line. Here's my resulting rankings based upon the combination of the o-line and the back:
1. Willis McGahee - Ravens (best combination of line and back)
2. Travis Henry - Broncos (second best combination of line and back and coaching could put him over McGahee)
3. Thomas Jones - Jets (An excellent back who showed in Chicago he could handle the workload, which the Jets will expect of him)
4. Ahman Green - Texans (Serious question marks here, but has shown that he has the ability to be great. One of the top guys in gaining yards in his first 5 years, could be back on top or could be injured again).
5. Dominic Rhodes - Raiders (New coach, new philosophy, new back. Could there be any one with more question marks? Has potential to be one of the top of this list, or to fall completely off it.)
6. Jamal Lewis - Browns (Young team still working on overcoming the expansion issues it started with. Adding an old guy is probably not the answer, but since they'll probably selecting Peterson in the draft, gives you 2 guys with injury history and a chance of getting a solid combined season)
7. Tatum Bell - Lions (Looked good in Denver, but who doesn't. Could work well in the Lions system though, catching a lot of short passes where he may be able to get some good yards on making a guy or two miss. However, do you want to put faith in a guy Shanahan was so willing to let go?)


Go Bears!

Answer 3

i want to say willis mcgahee because he is definitely the best of this bunch and the ravens always commit to the run. however, look at the broncos track record with running backs. they turn people who no one has ever heard of into great fantasy backs almost every year. they always have a great offensive line and always have a good running back no matter what. so if travis henry can return to the form he had when he was at buffalo a few years he could have a huge year at Denver. the only problem is Shannahan likes to switch backs at the first hint of a struggle. so that could be an issue.

i think mcgahee and henry have the best chance. my vote goes in for mcgahee, considering henry's drop off the last few years, and shannahan's track record of using a bunch of backs.

Thomas Jones would be my next choice. he could be the feature back the jets have been needing

if Lamont Jordan (who is awesome) cant have a good year at Oakland, then Dominic Rhodes sure as hell wont. They need to revamp that whole offense before predicting a good rusher. So sorry for the raiders fan, but i dont care what rhodes had in the post season last year. Lamont Jordan is astronomically better than rhodes. where did jordan end up anyway??

Answer 4

In order:
1. Willis McGahee
2. Thomas Jones
3. Travis Henry
4. Ahman Green
5. Jamal Lewis
6. Dominic Rhodes
7. Tatum Bell

Answer 5

Definately look for Thomas Jones of the New York Jets to turn some heads this season. The Jets are coming off there rebuilding season under a revamped team and coaching staff. With a team returnin all their players on both offense and defense and key additions through the free agancy and draft the will enter the 2007-08 season with a understanding of confidence and team unity. The line should be better in tune with rookies D'brick and Managold in their second seasons look for them to be much more comfortable and both have another stellar year. With Thomas taking the full load and fellow back Washington relieving him on third down there will be a continuence of fresh legs late into the game against a tired defense. And with a good running game their chances of passing open up greatly allowing the defense to watch of pass and furthure open up the running game. Don't forget the Jets had the best recieving duo in Coles and Cotchery statistically in the NFL which will need to be taking notice by the opossing Defenses. Look for the Jets to be a sleeper this year and turn alot of heads...

Answer 6

Travis Henry. Good back + Denver = 1500 yd rushing season. I had a team of scientists come up with this equation so don't question it.

Thomas Jones should also have a good season. I always thought he was underappreciated in Chicago and I think with the Jets he'll get most of the carries.

Tatum Bell will have the worst. He is a mediocre back going to a bad team. Do the math.

Answer 7

Probably A or B, becuase McGahee and Henry btoh transfered to feams that are commited to running the ball due to a lack of a strong passing game. However, Jamal Lewis is in a similar situation, but he might be too far past his peak to have a great season.

Answer 8

i think it will be henry, he's a very good back and it seems like anyone can run for big yardage in that offense, so i like his chances...mcgahee is a very close second, i think he will be a big improvement over jamal lewis in baltimore...thomas jones will also have a good year for the jets, he gives them a true number one option at the running back position

as for the rest of them, i don't see any of them being particularly good, and of them i only see lewis rushing for 1,000 yards, because i still think he can be an effective downhill runner in the league...green is committing career suicide by going to houston to play behind that atrocious offensive line, rhodes will end up splitting time with lamont jordan and justin fargas, and tatum bell is going to back up kevin jones

Answer 9

D) Dominic Rhodes - Raiders.

He ran for 306yds last post season. Infront of Thomas Jones and Joseph Addai. Plus he had a great game against the Bears Defense in the SB.

Answer 10

Out of this list, probably McGahee. Travis Henry would be a good second choice, but most likely, he'll be in a time share situation in Denver.

Also, someone not on your list to keep an eye on is Michael Turner. While he isn't on a new team yet, it looks like he will be soon. Assuming he lands with the Titans (which it looks like he probably will), he would easily be my #1 choice on this list.