What’s become of that marquee position known as running back?
It wasn’t so long ago that having a premier back was a requisite for being a championship contender. Now?
The Colts let free agent Edgerrin James, a former No. 4-overall pick, walk. His replacements – Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes – combined to lead Indianapolis to the Super Bowl and further devalue backs.
Now, teams are looking for two backs who can carry the load. But that could change after the 2008 draft. College football is poised to send a slew of quality backs to the NFL.
Darren McFadden, the runner-up for last year’s Heisman Trophy, tops a list that includes Ray Rice of Rutgers, James Davis of Clemson, Steve Slaton of West Virginia, Ian Johnson of Boise State, Mike Hart of Michigan, Yvenson Bernard of Oregon State and P.J. Hill of Wisconsin.
Frankly, it was difficult to find two receivers we thought worthy of preseason All-America honors, but California’s DeSean Jackson and Michigan’s Mario Manningham got the spots. McFadden narrowly beat out the competition at RB.
It may be too soon to predict a change in pro offenses, but consider this: In the five drafts from 1992-96, there were 17 running backs and 17 wide receivers taken in the first round.
Now consider the last five drafts: With most teams running West Coast and/or multiple-receiver sets, there have been 22 wide receivers and just 13 backs taken in the first round from 2003-07.
Backs to the future? Maybe.
SCOUTING THE NATION
The toughest calls on our preseason All-America and Top 25 teams were as follows:
Including Texas A&M and Hawaii but omitting Miami and Penn State from our Top 25. The ‘Canes apparently have decided the ACC isn’t strong enough for their liking, so they added a game at Oklahoma and one at home vs. Texas A&M as non-league games.
Penn State, despite its resurgence, signed its first two JuCo players (both offensive linemen) since 1985, a sign that recruiting isn’t what it used to be.
On our All-Underpublicized Team, Marshall’s John Legursky just edged Bowling Green’s Kory Lichtensteiger. Since they’re offensive linemen, they don’t care about recognition.
The most important position on our squad is the specialist, the maniac who runs downfield with absolutely no regard for dental work in search of the punt or kick returner.
Boise State’s Ia Falo, all 5-7, 167 pounds of him, already has gotten some national recognition, so that left the two players battling for the epitome of the All-Underpublicized team.
Colorado’s R.J. Brown edged Virginia Tech’s Cody Grimm, the son of former Redskins star Russ Grimm. Grimm, at 5-11, 206, was the early leader based on size, but Brown (6-1, 225) missed one game last season after suffering a concussion on special teams. That has to count for something. Plus, he was voted a team captain.
STUB HUB
Miami at Oklahoma
Sept. 8 – Who are the bad guys? Better yet, who are the good guys?
TCU at Texas
Sept. 8 – Big XII upset redux: The Horned Frogs went to Norman two years ago and silenced the Sooners.
Southern Miss at Boise State
Sept. 27 – Bring Your Own Playbook: Jeff Bower’s D vs. Chris Petersen’s O.
Louisville at West Virginia
Nov. 8. – Over/under on total offense is 1,198 yards; last season they combined for 1,008.
UCLA at USC
Dec. 1 – Revenge, the Pac 10 title, a shot at the national championship game, the battle for L.A. and Song Girls.
PLUTO DEMOTED BUT 5 NEW STARS NAMED
Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
Butch Davis, the master recruiter, immediately scores for the Tar Heels.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Was supposed to be Jimmy Clausen’s favorite target at Notre Dame, but ran a different route.
Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia
Deion Sanders tried to legally adopt him (honest), but Rich Rodriguez simply showed a DVD of his offense.
Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Javon Kearse was known as The Freak; this guy’s moniker? SuperFreak.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
Chose Sooners over USC two years ago; ran for 327 yards in three spring scrimmages.
WINNERS-SLEEPERS
ACC
Virginia Tech – playing for the 32 victims.
Virginia – playing for Al Groh’s job.
BIG EAST
West Virginia – playing for a shot at the national title.
South Florida – playing to become Florida’s fourth power.
BIG TEN
Michigan – playing not to lose.
Iowa – playing a soft league sked.
BIG XII
Oklahoma – playing for redemption.
Texas A&M – playing for Dennis Franchione’s job.
CONFERENCE USA
Southern Miss – playing for respect.
Tulsa – playing for a new coach.
MOUNTAIN WEST
TCU – playing for a BCS bowl berth.
Colorado State – playing for what might be Sonny Lubick’s last season.
MAC
Western Michigan – playing to become the league’s new power.
Ball State – playing for the next hotshot coach.
SEC
Florida – playing with more talent than last year.
South Carolina – playing a monster SEC road sked.
WAC
Hawaii – playing for Colt Brennan’s Heisman campaign.
Fresno State – playing to reclaim the Valley.