[CBFF] Scouts Position Rankings: RB

[Phil DeNomme]

I seriously see no drop in the bears rushing this year.  If anything it will
go up with Tom Tom the dancing Bear gone.

-----Original Message-----
From: cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com
[mailto:cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com] On Behalf Of Jerry Madsen
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 1:51 PM
To: CBFF
Subject: [CBFF] Scouts Position Rankings: RB

RB rankings

Scouts Inc.
Insider

5. Minnesota Vikings
When Brad Childress went to Minnesota last season, you could see there
would be a major emphasis on running. The Vikings' offensive line
underachieved a little last season, but with a year to gel, it should
be one of the best units in the NFL in 2007. With barely tested
Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, the Vikings once again will focus on
the ground game behind starting RB Chester Taylor. Taylor joined
Minnesota as an unrestricted free agent after the 2005 season and in
his first season as a starter showed he could carry the load as the
No. 1 runner. This season he will get some help in that area from
rookie first-round pick Adrian Peterson, who dropped right into the
Vikings' lap on draft day. These two have a chance to be one of the
top duos in the NFL in 2007. Taylor is exceptional out of the
backfield catching the ball and Peterson is an excellent inside runner
who can get the tough yards. Throw in Mewelde Moore, Ciatrick Fason
and Artose Pinner, who played well late in the season, and the Vikings
have the deepest running back unit in the NFL.

20. Detroit Lions
The Lions finished the 2006 regular season with the worst rushing
offense in the NFL. While some of that has to fall on the running back
unit, it's also a product of the offensive line and playing from
behind every week. In terms of talent, the Lions have some players to
work with. Starting RB Kevin Jones is coming off a foot injury, but
has made great strides in rehab and should be ready to go in training
camp. Jones rushed for only 689 yards last season but made some
contributions in the passing game. The team added some big-play
ability by trading for Tatum Bell. Bell is a straight-line speed guy
who has been injury prone, but he is a threat to score any time he
touches the football. The team also added T.J. Duckett and should get
more contributions this year from 2006 third-round pick Brian Calhoun.
The Lions have a good stable of RBs. Now, they need to be more
committed to running the football.

24. Chicago Bears
Chicago finished the 2006 season ranked 15th in rush yards per game,
but that could drop in 2007. The team traded veteran Thomas Jones to
the Jets. Jones was not only a solid player, but an excellent team
leader. The No. 1 running back job now belongs to Cedric Benson.
Benson never has been the full-time guy and will need to start earning
the respect of his teammates this offseason. Jones was very well
respected on this team and Benson's attitude has not always set well
with his teammates. Benson has the talent to be an elite runner, but
time will tell if he can become that. The depth is pretty good behind
Benson. Backup Adrian Peterson is a versatile veteran who knows the
offense. The team will also look to get rookie third-round pick
Garrett Wolfe involved in the offense.

32. Green Bay Packers
Aside from whether QB Brett Favre would retire, the biggest offseason
question for the Packers was at running back. After a full offseason,
they enter training camp with the same questions at running back.
Ahman Green left for Houston via free agency. Green's backups --
Vernand Morency and Noah Herron -- saw significant time last season,
but neither shows the burst or run instincts to be counted on as a
full-time starter. The team did add two running backs in the draft.
Brandon Jackson was added in the second round and DeShawn Wynn in the
seventh. Look for Jackson to be given every opportunity to win the job
in the preseason. The Packers likely will be a running
back-by-committee team that rides the hot hand from week to week.

_______________________________________________
Check out the CBFF Blog:
blog.chicagobearsfanforum.com
CBFF Homepage:
www.chicagobearsfanforum.com