2010 NFL Free Agents - Running Back

Maybe not as deep as the receiver pool, but there is a lot of quality all the same in the 2010 running back free agent class. There are many quality players here to help out teams in need of a good running second back. There are even some notable game changers.

Ronnie Brown (Miami Dolphins) here is one of the most intriguing free agent of the season. Brown is an unrestricted free agent, so that means he is free game. When this guy is on the field he has proven to be a game changer and maybe even one of the best back in the league. The only problem is that he isn’t always on the field. Two season ending injuries are going to hurt browns chances to get paid. And it is going to give Miami pause to resign him. I would love this guy on my team, but not for more than 4 or 5 million with his injury history. This could be a steal for with some money and in need of a back. I could see Arizona or Kansas City taking as a potential home

Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) Don’t look for Thomas to hit the market. This guy will get signed soon! He is too good and too young and too versatile for New Orleans to let him get away. And the presents of a good back allows them to keep bush in a spot roll which works well for them. There probably wont be a lot of offers made anyway with his lack of experience. I know it’s going to be hard for them to afford, but with the cap gone its going to happen even though they have not historically been big money spenders. Sorry guys!

Darren Sproles (San Diego Chargers) in my opinion this guy is the best value at this position this year. He is a speed, agility and power back all in one, and after a down year for him (due to the Chargers run game, not Sproles) he is going to have a moderate tag. Look for San Diego to try and retain him, maybe even tag the guy. But if they don’t, he is going to have a starting job and a 7 million dollar a year contract from someone. He might even anyway if scouting reports are any indication someone will give up some picks for this guy.

Le’Ron McClain (Baltimore Ravens) NOT GOING ANYWHERE! This guy maybe the most exciting fullback since Mike Allstot. There is no way the Ravens let him go. Especially with the production Ray Rice has with him on the field. But this may free up McGhee for a cut.

Willie Parker (Pittsburgh Steelers) Willie is in more than a slump. He has been less than productive since his knee injury a couple of years ago. He still has the wheels, but doesn’t seem to have the burst. Pittsburg has already made the change to Mendenhall as a starter and they don’t like to pay guys who aren’t producing. Parker should be in another jersey next year. Look for him to end up behind a power back somewhere like the Jets or Giants, maybe even the Redskins.

LenDale White (Tennessee Titans) can we say complimentary back only. Look for one of those teams that lost one of the above mentioned backs to take a look at white. He is a fantastic compliment to any system, but when you got Chris Johnson, you don’t need a Cadillac backing up; you just need something that runs. You can get that with a 6^th round pick for no money so why resign the guy unless its really cheap. And I don’t look for White to want to sit.

Kevin Faulk (New England Patriots) the best nobody in the league for the last several decade. The guy just goes out and gets it done in every situation. He doesn’t turn the ball over, can do it all, and is a leader. I would look for a team like Minnesota, who has a great back but can’t afford to lose the running game due to injury if Farve retiers, to look for another back like this to replace Taylor. The other scenario is that maybe someone is planning on drafting early and needs some insurance and veteran guidance. This guy is a hall of fame backup if they had those.

Say it isnt so Bill!!!

Here the media is all a twitter with how Bill Polian said the Colt’s Offensive line failed in the Superbowl. Let me first say that Bill Polian knows so much more about football than anyone who would write or read this blog that my opinion, or anyone else’s is of little consequence in the world of any NFL pro-scout, much less one of Bill Polian’s stature. That said, I really honestly believe that the Colts O-line was not the first place to look for the Superbowl loss. The game was ridiculously close, if not for the really bad route by Reggie Wayne and a Oh-My-God-Where-Did-This-Come-From interception (see my previous article on this specific issue) by Tracy Porter we would probably have ended up watching the first overtime in Superbowl history, but I digress.
I look at the statistics and at the gameplay equally. Statistically, Peyton Manning did not get sacked; he did not even get hit often. The Saints decided to battle Peyton from a coverage standpoint which is surprising considering he usually leads his team effortlessly downfield when all he has to do is recognize the coverage, Favre would have given his game check to have seen as little pass-rush attention as Manning did, so that is a win for the Offensive Line. Next up run blocking: during the regular season the colts averaged a bottom dwelling 3.5 yards per attempt, in the Superbowl that average rose to 5.2 yards per carry, one carry of which included a goal to go touchdown run by Joseph Addai. Another win by the Offensive line by just about any standard. I understand Polian being a smidge frustrated, but of all the places to dish out the blame, the Colts Offensive line was not the place.