Depreciation hits the running back market

[Atlas]

Depreciation hits the running back market


By Adam Schefter
Special to NFL.com


Running back Edgerrin James can't get the lucrative long-term deal that he wants from the Colts.

Running back Shaun Alexander can't get the lucrative long-term deal that he wants from the Seahawks.

And neither the Colts nor the Seahawks can get what they want in any trade talks they've had for James or Alexander.

Other teams have refused to surrender so much as a third-round pick for James, a running back that compiled over 1,500 combined yards two years ago and over 2,000 yards last year. The Seahawks can't even get a fourth-round pick for Alexander, who has rushed for at least 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in each of the past four seasons.

Two great backs and no significant offers to, or for, them.

Part of the reason is the younger, cheaper help that's available. The Dolphins drafted Ronnie Brown, the Bears Cedric Benson, the Buccaneers "Cadillac" Williams and the Cardinals J.J. Arrington.


Shaun Alexander fell two yards shy of becoming the NFL rushing champion in 2004.
And while the supply of top running backs is great, the demand for them isn't. This is why James and Alexander are struggling to cash in, and the Colts and Seahawks can't cash out.

Before the real-estate bubble bursts, the one for franchise running backs did.

A little more than a year ago, the Redskins traded Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round pick to the Broncos for running back Clinton Portis, whom Washington promptly paid $17 million worth of signing and option bonuses. Now teams can't get a Pro Bowl corner, no less a second-round pick, in return for any running back. And running backs can't get $17 million worth of bonuses from any team.

Franchise running backs are being dropped for a loss.

[Atlas]

This article really shows how Denver really did rape the Redskins on this deal.

I think Denver's success at running the ball has caused teams to reflect on how much they pay RBs. Teams are asking themselves "if Denver can draft a stud RB every year why can't we go get one cheap?"

[orange crusher]

It makes the Portis/Bailey trade even better since nobody can seem to get squat for their running backs now.

[SoCalBronco]

This article really shows how Denver really did rape the Redskins on this deal.

I think Denver's success at running the ball has caused teams to reflect on how much they pay RBs. Teams are asking themselves "if Denver can draft a stud RB every year why can't we go get one cheap?"

Yep. Not only did we rape the Redskins but also its insane to see the media blasting our trade for Ekuban and Myers since, up till now with Henry, we were the only team that could get something for our disgruntled back, who was previously just a FB and by the end of the season wasnt as effective anymore. We got a DE who had 8 sacks last year and serviceable DT, while no one else could even get squat for their backs. Indianapolis went so low as to say they would accept a 2nd rounder for Edge, thats crap value for them in return for a back of his caliber and still no one bit.

Yet we got criticized for getting something done.

[-Slap-]

You know, Shanahan used to kill people at the trade desk with regularity. Once we won a couple Super Bowls people began to notice that Mike was turning over bums like Jaime Brown and Jeff Lewis and getting day one drafts picks for them. Suddenly people were afraid to deal with Mike and we couldn't put together any trades. The recent drought of playoff wins have convinced people that Mike isn't so scary anymore. Consequently, Mike is bending them over the table again.

[Bronco Yoda]

everyone is waiting for our cast-offs and scraps.

[SoCalBronco]

You know, Shanahan used to kill people at the trade desk with regularity. Once we won a couple Super Bowls people began to notice that Mike was turning over bums like Jaime Brown and Jeff Lewis and getting day one drafts picks for them. Suddenly people were afraid to deal with Mike and we couldn't put together any trades. The recent drought of playoff wins have convinced people that Mike isn't so scary anymore. Consequently, Mike is bending them over the table again.

great observation there slappy, ive never thought of it that way. Hopefully they keep underestimating him since its been noted by Med and Wabbit that we arent done trading yet.

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

You know, Shanahan used to kill people at the trade desk with regularity. Once we won a couple Super Bowls people began to notice that Mike was turning over bums like Jaime Brown and Jeff Lewis and getting day one drafts picks for them. Suddenly people were afraid to deal with Mike and we couldn't put together any trades. The recent drought of playoff wins have convinced people that Mike isn't so scary anymore. Consequently, Mike is bending them over the table again.
Rep!!!

[Bronco Yoda]

Even though the talking heads constantly trumpet our running 'system'... obviously other organizations believe it's more like our ability to identify and cultivate quality runners as well.

I'm sure glad no one has managed to steal turner away from us yet.

*** knock on wood ***

[Paladin]

Yoda, you got it. I have been convinced for some time that the string of RBs that the Broncos pump out is due to two major parts: the blocking scheme and the work of Bobby Turner. You all know the zone blocking scheme and the "one cut, down hill" scheme the Bronocs use. Yet the RB has to have the vision to see the hole and the speed to get there, and the speed to exploit the hole. Once he gets to the "second level" he should be going full out and picking up 7-8 or more yards. Obviously it doesn't always happen that way, but we have seen enough of it to know that it happens a good percentage of the time the RB carries the ball. Droughns added a bit of power to the run, and he was able to do pretty well with it, and I suspect Bell will have a great career in Denver doing the same thing.

But it seems to me that Bobby Turner "picks" and trains those guys with that flair for seeing the hole and hitting it. I think he makes the scheme work.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Atlas stole my thunder.

Yet another way that Shanahan has effected the NFL. Who needs a high dollar, soon-to-be-injured back when they can install a system and get a guy to produce?

[bilrob]

Yoda, you got it. I have been convinced for some time that the string of RBs that the Broncos pump out is due to two major parts: the blocking scheme and the work of Bobby Turner. You all know the zone blocking scheme and the "one cut, down hill" scheme the Bronocs use. Yet the RB has to have the vision to see the hole and the speed to get there, and the speed to exploit the hole. Once he gets to the "second level" he should be going full out and picking up 7-8 or more yards. Obviously it doesn't always happen that way, but we have seen enough of it to know that it happens a good percentage of the time the RB carries the ball. Droughns added a bit of power to the run, and he was able to do pretty well with it, and I suspect Bell will have a great career in Denver doing the same thing.

But it seems to me that Bobby Turner "picks" and trains those guys with that flair for seeing the hole and hitting it. I think he makes the scheme work.

I think you have nailed the principal reasons for succesful RBs in Denver. Considering the above, why do some of us question acquiring Ron Dayne this off season. Do you suppose Turner might have had a say in the pick up of Dayne? Does Dayne fit in Denvers running Scheme? It will be interesting to see what developes in camp. I believe Bell is #1, but, I question both Anderson and Q as subs. For situations, yes, but Dayne may be just the answer as a true backup. Clarette is a project to be developed. I like him, not this year.