Tuesday, May 8, 2001

A fantasy perspective

Rating the running backs who may have to share playing time

By Jeff Reynolds, Contributing writer

A surefire starter can be found in Indianapolis, St. Louis and Tennessee, among other locales. But there are teams around the league blessed with two decent backs — a fantasy owner’s nightmare.

Understanding that training camp and June 1 cuts could reshape this roll call, this guide is one owner’s opinion of where the two- and three-back runners rank. (The clear-cut featured backs like Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James are not included in these rankings.)

1. Ricky Williams, Saints — If he had played 16 games in 2000, he would have rushed for just under 1,300 yards. He only played in 10 games and rushed just five times in Week Two, but he still landed his first 1,000-yard season in the bayou. Add 44 receptions for 409 yards, and Williams could enter statistical warfare with the upper-echelon backs. Enter Deuce McAllister, and Williams could see a decline in touches.
2. Michael Bennett, Vikings — He may be a poor man’s Robert Smith, but Bennett will be fine once he feels his way around the Vikings’ offense. For now, he’ll settle for being a centerpiece on one of the league’s top scoring teams.
3. Terrell Davis, Broncos —MVP melted into ACL in 1999, and Denver hoped TD would be ready for 2000. He wasn't. He came back, sat out, came back again and then sat out with nagging injuries, all of which pointed back to Davis’ knee. Most consider his injury an 18-month project. If it is, Davis is worth the risk. He had just 282 yards and two scores in five games last season. Mike Anderson was awesome filling in for Davis and Olandis Gary, who had a great year in ’99. Both are bidding for playing time.
4. Warrick Dunn, Buccaneers — Came into his own, but it took an injury to Mike Alstott for Tony Dungy to trust Dunn with every-down chores. Dunn mopped up in his starring role, but the mighty mite has durability questions. Keep him healthy, he’s a star. Career rushing highs (1,133 yards, 4.6 yards a carry, eight TDs) in 2000.
5. Charlie Garner, Raiders — Couldn’t find a supporter in Philly and wore down late in San Francisco last season. But Garner’s versatility equaled numbers worthy of an early-round pick (10 TDs), though he’s likely to split time with Tyrone Wheatley as the No. 1 in another West Coast scheme.
6. Tiki Barber, Giants — Is among the best all-around backs in the league and will be used accordingly. Gets touches in running and passing game (led team in rushing and second in receptions) but may give way to Ron Dayne in goal-line situations.
7. Tyrone Wheatley, Raiders — Back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and double-digit touchdowns in 2000 say Wheatley is a steal as a mid-rounder. Used to being shortchanged on carries in committee backfields, he’ll still produce.
8. Deuce McAllister, Saints — Good spare tire if injuries flatten Williams. Can be a change-of-pace guy but won’t score as often as Ricky. May take time adjusting to reserve and spot-starting duty.
9. Mike Alstott, Buccaneers — Proven banger, compulsive fumbler. Injuries slowed him up in several games in 2000 and allowed Dungy a chance to see Dunn as a 20-25 carry back. Over the final 10 weeks of the season, Alstott never carried the ball more than 10 times. His stock rises if Dunn is injured or proves to be a reduced version of himself early in the season.
10. Ricky Watters, Seahawks — Does it all and may have to do more to help develop an offense with a virtual rookie at the controls. Watters would be an easy-money bet to get 1,500 all-purpose yards and 10 TDs, but the competition, namely Shaun Alexander, is cutting into his total touches. Don’t worry about injuries; Watters has started 113 consecutive games. Had 1,855 total yards a year ago and has an improved line to run behind. Despite the big numbers, had just nine TDs, a number that should go up.
11. Mike Anderson, Broncos — 1,500 yards and 15 TDs in relief is nothing to scoff at, but Anderson wasn’t convincing enough to unseat former MVP Davis. If Anderson is again a starter, he’s in the top five.
12. Anthony Thomas, Bears — Is a workhorse, but the RB position in Chicago will be decided in training camp. James Allen was adequate but never spectacular as the No. 1, and Thomas has the tools to start immediately and the punch to take the ball in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
13. Duce Staley, Eagles — Opened with 200 yards rushing against Dallas in 2000 before being stricken by the injury bug. Staley is inconsistent and of the same mold as Dunn. Can he be an every-down guy for 16 games? I say no, but Correll Buckhalter has the frame and ability to become Andy Reid’s top runner in Philly.
14. Shaun Alexander, Seahawks — Alexander never rushed for more than 74 yards in a game last season, and it’s not likely he’ll beat that this time around with Watters ahead of him.
15. Ron Dayne, Giants — Was overweight and timid in his first pro season. Averaged 3.5 yards a carry and isn’t going to be a 300-carry back.
16. Kevan Barlow, 49ers — Good find for 49ers; some NFL pundits have called Barlow the best back of the 2001 draft. He’s going to get the touches in the West Coast offense.
17. James Allen, Bears — Double-edged sword. Rushed for 1,020 yards and catches the football; only two TDs. Allen lacks breakaway speed but won’t be entirely forgotten if Thomas takes the starting job.
18. Sammy Morris, Antowain Smith, Travis Henry, Bills — Your guess is as good as mine, but somebody has to emerge as the focal point in Gregg Williams’ offense in Buffalo. Smith could be axed on June 1.
19. Thomas Jones, Cardinals — Arizona bought into the late-bloomer out of Virginia. After a disappointing season in the desert, the Cardinals hope he again blossoms in Year Two. If not, Michael Pittman takes this spot.
20. Errict Rhett, Browns — On the downside of his career, Rhett isn’t the same player he was even two years ago. Expect him to be little more than a stabilizer on a Cleveland team with few developed weapons.
21. Michael Pittman, Cardinals — Rushed for 719 yards, four TDs after taking over for Jones. Also caught 73 passes (579 yards, two TDs).
22. Correll Buckhalter, Eagles — Staley wasn’t 100 percent at the Eagles’ first minicamp, but the club expects him to be a go for training camp. Buckhalter has plenty of potential and can catch the ball out of the backfield.
23. Travis Prentice, Browns — If I were the coach, he’d be the starter, unless James Jackson makes the jump easily. Prentice scored in bunches two years ago, but that was college football. Hasn’t shown the same toughness at this level, but he’ll get another crack under Butch Davis.
24. Shawn Bryson, Bills — Another option in overcrowded lineup in Buffalo.
25. J.R Redmond, Patriots — Showed flashes of ability. Very brief flashes.
26. Kevin Faulk, Patriots — See above.
27. James Jackson, Browns — May be the most talented RB in Cleveland. Catches the ball, can get outside but won’t sparkle between the tackles. Could have advantage over Rhett and Prentice playing for Davis.
28. Olandis Gary, Broncos — Coming back from same injury that bothered Davis, history says he won’t be much help in the Broncos’ backfield.
29. Doug Chapman, Vikings — Second-year back from Marshall is former third-round pick but has never recorded a regular-season rush or reception. He won’t do it this year unless Bennett is a bust.
30. Paul Smith, 49ers — Another product of the 2000 draft (UTEP), Smith played only in mop-up duty last season, averaging four yards a carry on 18 attempts. He’s first in line if Barlow goes down.

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2000 - 2001 Season