Top NFC East Running Backs

[Giantmetfan07]

I only put Derrick Ward in because he's a completely different RB than jacobs, and some of my friends think he's better than "Mr. Earth"

I voted for Brian Westbrook, only because he's got the Elusiveness and the ability to get downfield and catch the ball for a big gain. He's such an all around player.

My second would be Jacobs. He's got great speed for a 265 lb man, and he's pure strength. Try tackling him when hes movin full speed after breaking the LOS. just watch attempts to bring him down on most 5 yard plays, he gets contact at 2 yards, but just steamrolls the defenders, and drags him for another 3 or 4 yards. Dont tell me thats not skill, any big man can run people over, but he uses it to his advantage, to tire out the defense, and set up Ward's carries.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Here would be my list.

1. Westbrook
2. Jacobs
3. Postis
4. Barber/Ward. Their both very similar. Great speed, and the ability to catch the ball and run people over.
6. Ladell Betts
7. Correll Buckhalter
8. Felix Jones
9. Ahmad Bradshaw
10. Idk....

 

[dez]

We sure do have some good RB's lol

Last year I wouldve said Marion Barber, up until this year, teams couldnt find a way to tackle him.

Westbrook has always been underrated IMO, but he cant stay healthy.

Jacobs is a damn good back, 260+lbs and feet as nimble as a ballerina.

But Portis has played the best this season, so Im going with him.

1. Portis
2. Barber
3. Jacobs
4. Westbrook
5. Ward

 

[MapleLeaf]

Westbrook is a top 5 RB in the NFL, and the top RB in the NFC East

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I agree, he's so elusive, but he's also got that forgotten touch of catching the ball, which you just dont see from many RB's any more.

 

[A.E]

Watch the Eagles play with Westbrook...and then watch them play without him. Andy Reid has to change his team's offensive gameplan when Westbrook isn't on the field & typically the Eagles don't produce as well offensively.

Defenses have to literally scheme for Westbrook. If Westbrook is on the field, there are a number of different places he can line-up and a number of different things he can do.

No other back in the league is more versatile.

Westbrook
Portis
Barber
Jacobs

 

[.GR]

B. Westbrook
C. Portis
M. Barber
B. Jacobs

 

[VC15]

1. Westbrook
2. Jacobs
3. Portis
4. Barber
5. Ward

 

[Hoffa]

We sure do have some good RB's lol

Last year I wouldve said Marion Barber, up until this year, teams couldnt find a way to tackle him.

Westbrook has always been underrated IMO, but he cant stay healthy.

Jacobs is a damn good back, 260+lbs and feet as nimble as a ballerina.

But Portis has played the best this season, so Im going with him.

1. Portis
2. Barber
3. Jacobs
4. Westbrook
5. Ward

Yes, I totally agree with you. You will see once Romo comes back, Barber will be able to run again.

 

[Grandy28]

How can you guys not put Westbrook as the number 1?

1.Westbrook
2.Portis(5 straight 120 yard games)
3.Jacobs
4.Barber

 

[dez]

I dont have him as number one b/c of his inability to stay healthy, every year he has some kind of injury.

He's a great back, but I dont think he's the best right now.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

For Real, Romo has nothing to do with Barbers ability to run the ball. He's been running fine this year, only game he didnt was today, and thats because the Giants have a top run defense.

 

[Lake Louise]

Definately Westbrook is the best, and the rest go as follows:
2.Portis
3.Jacobs/Ward
4.Barber
5.Jones

 

[Hoffa]

For Real, Romo has nothing to do with Barbers ability to run the ball. He's been running fine this year, only game he didnt was today, and thats because the Giants have a top run defense.

Yes it does. Romo is a dangerous quarterback so defense needs to keep and eye on him at all times, and guess will it be a throw because if it's a throw it's probably going to be completed then they have to guess will it be a run with Barber see what I mean. But with Johnson or Bollinger they defense doesn't have to keep their eyes on them all the time because they know Johnson nor Bollinger can make those good throws that kill teams.

So all the focus shifts to Barber and the defense just keeps an eye on him, and watches his every move. Now you have to understand when Romo plays against the Giants Barber does good against the Giants remember that Playoffs game and regular season games Barber was a maniac he ran like crazy against you guys. That supports what I was saying, when you have a dangerous quarterback the defense needs to focus more on the quarterback then they do with other guys.


Barbers stats against Giants:

2005* = 11 att | 30 yards | 2.7 yard avg. | 11 long 0 TD's
2005* = 2 att | 8 yards | 4.0 yard avg. | 6 long 0 TD's

2006** = 6 att | 29 yards | 4.8 yard avg. | 22 long 0 TD's
2006** = 12 att | 79 yards | 6.3 yard avg. | 25 long 2 TD's

2007 = 11 att | 65 yards | 5.9 yard avg. | 19 long 1 TD's
2007 = 12 att | 34 yards | 2.8 yard avg. | 6 long 0 TD's
2007*** = 27 att | 129 yards | 4.8 yard avg. | 36 long 1 TD's

2008 = 19 att | 54 yards | 2.8 yard avg. | 21 long 0 TD's

* = Rookie year
** = Romo Cowboys quarterback
*** = Playoffs game

As you can see Marion Barbers career against you guys, it's pretty good he has avg. a lot of yards on you guys which shows that my theory is correct when you have a dangerous quarterback the defense will focus a lot more on him then the running back, but when you don't have a dangerous quarterback the focus shifts more on the running back.

 

[vikesfan]

Portis number one, a close second would we Westbrook

 

[A.E]

Westbrook is hurt at least once a season because of the freaking number of times he has the ball. Westbrook doesn't have a Brandon Jacobs or a Jerome Bettis to shoulder the load & take on those tough carries. Westbrook does it all, he gets hit a lot, and it's an occupational hazard that results. Philly is still one of the only teams left in the NFL that doesn't use much more than 1 guy in the backfield.

No "Earth, Wind, and Fire" bullsh*t for the Eagles.

Barber is a phenomenal back who went from not getting enough carries to playing in a one dimensional offense. Does Romo make a difference in his numbers...yes. Dallas' passing game was thriving under Romo...diving under Johnson/Bollinger.

No passing game means opposing defenses stack the box and shut the run down all day long. Nobody knows this better than Vikings' fans. Welcome to our world Dallas fans.

But Romo or no Romo...Barber is still nowhere near #1 on this list.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

As you can see Marion Barbers career against you guys, it's pretty good he has avg. a lot of yards on you guys which shows that my theory is correct when you have a dangerous quarterback the defense will focus a lot more on him then the running back, but when you don't have a dangerous quarterback the focus shifts more on the running back.

Ya, but, thats what you need in a top running back. If your QB is down, you need the RB to step it up and help out the struggling passing game. Take the load, help out your team. If you cant do that, then idk why he would be a top RB. The QB taking the defense off the run doesnt mean the RB is any more skilled, it means the team is more skilled. This is a question on one position, not the entire team.

 

[Hoffa]

Westbrook is hurt at least once a season because of the freaking number of times he has the ball. Westbrook doesn't have a Brandon Jacobs or a Jerome Bettis to shoulder the load & take on those tough carries. Westbrook does it all, he gets hit a lot, and it's an occupational hazard that results. Philly is still one of the only teams left in the NFL that doesn't use much more than 1 guy in the backfield.

No "Earth, Wind, and Fire" bullsh*t for the Eagles.

Barber is a phenomenal back who went from not getting enough carries to playing in a one dimensional offense. Does Romo make a difference in his numbers...yes. Dallas' passing game was thriving under Romo...diving under Johnson/Bollinger.

No passing game means opposing defenses stack the box and shut the run down all day long. Nobody knows this better than Vikings' fans. Welcome to our world Dallas fans.

But Romo or no Romo...Barber is still nowhere near #1 on this list.

I'm not arguing that. That Barber is number one on this list, I'm arguing that he is top 3 on this list.