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1. LaDainian Tomlinson Tomlinson remains the best all-around RB in the NFL. He can run, he can catch, hes fast enough to outrun defenders, and hes basically a threat every time he touches the ball. Hes deceptively elusive, and hes had years where he basically carried the Chargers offense. Drew Brees should thank LT for his new mega-contract with the Saints, as Tomlinson made Brees ability to pile up stats that much easier. Hell do the same thing for Phillip Rivers as he takes over at QB for the Chargers. 2. Shaun Alexander Alexander is the reigning NFL MVP, and theres good reason for that. Hes big, strong, fast and versatile. Hes continually chewing up 4 or 5 yards per carry, and hes got enough speed to break a long run. Alexander also seems to have an innate ability to score touchdowns. Hes the prototypical West Coast Offense RB, as he has great receiving skills and will block. He had a somewhat unfair reputation in recent years of being soft, but he put that to rest in 2005. 3. Tiki Barber Barber was the Giants offense in many games last year, and many felt he shouldve been the MVP over Alexander. Barber ran for nearly 1,900 yards last year and he caught more than 50 balls out of the backfield. Numbers guys feel that Barber is too small to be durable, but like Alexander, he put that rap to bed in 2005 when he logged over 350 carries. Barber has helped young QB Eli Manning mature by taking a huge amount of pressure off of him with his running skills. Giants fans bought their football tickets for the sole purpose of seeing Barber in many games last year. 4. Larry Johnson Many wonder if Im crazy ranking LJ this low, as he tops many fantasy football rankings. However, this is reality, and Johnson has not done it long enough yet to outrank those above him in these rankings. He had an incredible second half of 2005, and hes looking to continue that trend this season. However, hes not a great receiver and hes working with a new coach and a revamped offensive line that lost at least one future Hall of Fame-worthy player in LT Willie Roaf. 2006 will help define Johnsons true skills. 5. Steven Jackson Jackson is somewhat overlooked, but watch out for him this season. He rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and only got 250 carries. This year, Marshall Faulk is not playing, and the coaching change in St. Louis will most likely benefit Jackson. The Rams will be running more than they did under Mike Martz, but the Martz regime did force Jackson to develop his pass-catching skills. Jackson is a load, runs behind a good offensive line, and will be a RB that gives opposing coaches fits in 2006. 6. Honorable Mention There are three RBs who would be ranked in the Top 5, although each of them has a but next to their qualifications. Edgerrin James would be ranked, but he now plays behind a questionable offensive line in Arizona. Cadillac Williams would be there, but he needs to show he can play a full season, as his reputation for being injury prone was not dispelled last year. Kevin Jones would be there as well, but he hasnt had an opportunity to become the new Marshall Faulk in Mike Martzs offense. He could be there next year. Regardless, each of these three is still worth the price of football tickets, and each will be successful if healthy. |
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