1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia, 5105 217, 4.60 (1) — NFL Comparison: Cadillac Williams(TB)
Strengths: Will make people miss…hardly ever goes down on the first hit…best spin move in college football…shows great ability as north-south runner…catches ball out of backfield well…very productive…has a nose for the endzone…lethal once he gets into open field…has power to run over defensive backs…moves laterally very well…not a fumbler…has ability to break off the big run…not a burner, but has above average speed…great instincts, great competitor, great vision
Weaknesses: Smaller than NFL teams would like…durability is a concern…could be faster…scouts are concerned that he may be caught from behind too often…has a tendency to move laterally too much when trying to make a big play
2. Chris Wells, Ohio St, 6010 235, 4.59 (1) — NFL Comparison: Ronnie Brown(MIA)
Strengths: Has great size…big runner who can move the chains between the tackles…is a workhorse who can take over a game…carries a load…toughh to bring down with just one guy…great speed for his size…has shown ability to break off big runs…not asked to block a lot, but has shown willingness and ability to do so…has quickness to get to the outside
Weaknesses: Injuries are a big concern…questions about his work ethic…speed is good for size but hes not a burner…concerns about his dedication to stay in shape, think LenDale White…has not shown much as a receiver
3. LeSean McCoy, Pitt, 5103 198, ??? (2) — NFL Comparison: Brian Westbrook(PHI)
Strengths: Tough, physical runner for his size…very productive…has great vision…elite burst through the hole…shows ability to stop and start without losing speed…very dangerous in the open field…makes defenders miss…great receiver who runs crisp routes…gets stronger and better as game goes on
Weaknesses: Not great speed…very quick through the hole, but can be caught from behind…carries ball away from his body which makes it easy to strip…bounces to the outside too quickly…needs to work harder to gain yards inside…lacks discipline to stick with a play
4. Donald Brown, UConn, 5102 210, 4.51 (2) — NFL Comparison: Marshawn Lynch(BUF)
Strengths: Workhorse back who carried entire UConn offense last year…has a nose for the endzone…is a proven back who can carry an NFL load…no injury concerns…good speed…can pick up the tough yardage inside…has prototypical NFL style…great vision and burst through the hole
Weaknesses: Lacks great measurables…has good speed but won’t wow anyone…not as big as he could be…physical running style does not match size…could wear down…concerns about how much tread is on his tires…could be quicker
5. Andre Brown, NC St, 6001 224, 4.49 (2-3)
Brown is one the fastest risers on my board. He looked very good at the Senior Bowl where he caught the ball well and showed good vision. Then he showed up at the combine and ran a 4.49. His size is just an added bonus. Outside shot at the second round.
6. Rashad Jennings, Liberty, 6010 231, 4.52 (2-3)
Another guy who has seen his stock rise since the Senior Bowl. Jennings has great size and is a real pounder inside with good enough quickness to bounce outside. A Pitt transfer worked for the Ravens.
7. Shonn Greene, Iowa, 5104 227, 4.63 (3)
This guy is starting to look like Ron Dayne to me. Not a good comparison for him. Still, he was very productive and consistent in one year as the starter, and he could end up being a steal now that he’s likely a third round guy.
8. Javon Ringer, Michigan St, 5081 205, 4.60 (3)
Ringer is basically just another Ray Rice to me. What I mean, is that he is a productive back, who is versatile enough to contribute in the passing game, but will need a bigger back to complement him. I don’t think he’s an every down guy.
9. Ian Johnson, Boise St, 5112 212, 4.46 (3-4)
Really helped himself at the combine. He had the “hard worker, but marginally athletic tag” for a while, but really erased that in Indy. He was very productive when he started and there is no real character risk here.
10. Cedric Peerman, Virginia, 5094 216, 4.45 (4)
Peerman had a great combine as well, and is rumored to be a favorite of some scouts as a mid round guy. I’m concerned about his tiny hands that will likely mean lots of fumbles at the hands of NFL linebackers.
11. James Davis, Clemson, 5110 218, 4.61 (4)
Davis has looked pretty awful all offseason. He hasn’t shown much lateral quickness at all, and he is not big enough to pound the ball inside on a regular basis. Still, he could be successful in a one-cut offense. Can’t argue with his experience.
12. Glenn Coffee, Alabama, 6001 209, 4.58 (4-5)
I think Coffee could be a solid NFL back. He looks a little stiff to me, and sometimes lacks the ability to move laterally, but he was effective as a pounder for Alabama. But that might have had something to do with his awesome O line.
13. Kory Sheets, Purdue, 5111 208, 4.47 (5)
14. Devin Moore, Wyoming, 5090 191, 4.44 (5)
15. Mike Goodson, Texas A&M, 5107 208, 4.54 (5-6)
16. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon, 5087 209, 4.61 (6)
17. Javarris Williams, Tenn St, 5094 223, 4.52 (6)
18. Arian Foster, Tennessee, 6006 215, ??? (6-7)
19. Marlon Lucky, Nebraska, 5113 216, 4.59 (6-7)
20. Bernard Scott, Ab Christ., 5102 200, 4.56 (7)
21. Aaron Brown, TCU, 6005 196, ??? (7)
22. Gartrell Johnson, Colorado St, 5102 219, 4.69 (7)
23. Marcus Thigpen, Indiana, 5080 185, ??? (7-FA)
24. Keegan Herring, Arizona St, 5100 193, ??? (7-FA)
25. PJ Hill, Wisconsin, 5102 218, 4.63 (FA)
Draft Zoo
[...] sure to check out the highlight videos on the updated Running Backs [...]
Glad to see the East Coast media bias is alive and doing well…
Two updates form Shonn Greene’s pro day (29 teams in attendance), Shonn tipped the scales at a trim but rippling 225 lbs, lowered his 40 time to anywhere between 4.5 to 4.58 depending on the team clocking him. He also improved his 225 lb Bench Press reps to 23.
You should also remember Shonn’s 100 yd per game rushing streak was unstopped by two Nationally Ranked top 10 defenses late in the year who absolutely knew they had to stop Shonn Green to win…but couldn’t (PSU, Game Cocks). All with an O-Line that the NFL does not think owned a lineman that will go higher than the 5th or 6th round, maybe (Iowa’s best this year, Brugerman, Olsen).
Admittedly, I’m a huge Hawkeye fan, but I’m an ex-player and know the difference between 40 speed and Football speed (did you ever play Division I football?). Shonn is easily the best all around running back I’ve ever seen at Iowa. (Although, Timmy Dwight and then Ronnie Harmon were the most impressive all around Football players I’ve seen at Iowa, Shonn is a better true running back the Ronnie, Tavian Banks or Nick Bell).
With the 40 time objection neutralized I hope, the three remaining things that the East Coast media has transparently used to deflate Shonn’s value are :
1 Is he a one season wonder?
2 Can he catch the ball?
3 Does he have character issues?
Shonn’s per carry stats have always been the best on the team. But with sturdy and reliable Albert Young ahead of him, it seemed wise to Red Shirt. We shall see.
Regarding his receiving skills …Iowa’s Offense has never featured the I back as a pass receiver, but I can’t remember him dropping a pass. I’m sure if Ricky Stanzy would have thrown 3 passes his way against the Game Cocks his receiving skills would not be in question. It’s kinda sad that our offensive scheme probably cost him a 1st Round pick.
The attacks on Shonn’s character due to his Academic situation is the most ironic and most unkind cut of all. Can’t read a play book? In a league where every team has several players without College Degrees, (attended but did not complete or shine) and several teams with High School drop outs as well. I wonder if the 29 teams attending Shonn’s Pro Day had any serious questions in this regard after the Combine interviews.
What about the character and humility that it takes to admit you made a mistake and publicly apologize for letting your teammates and your school down and then, losing it all. But, rather than walk away (like the vast majority of kids in this situation) Shonn had the character it takes to recommit himself to returning to the team, take on any job he could to pay his own way while improving his grades.
This is a kid who has a tremendous work ethic, who highly values his family, clearly an outstanding competitor with a drive to succeed, who has not been in trouble with the Law, who takes responsibility for his mistakes, and in the face of adversity, recommits his efforts and overcomes! Again, how is he character risk?
Shonn Vs. your selections…
1. No argument against Knowshawn although Shonn’s one season stats are better and now his 40 time is faster too…
2. As far as Wells is concerned…against the same BIG 10 defenses, Green proved more durable and a better back (more TDs, Yards Per Game/Carrie, less fumbles). Even Ringer had a better season than Wells.
3. As far as McCoy is concerned, maybe slightly faster, not as big or strong. Greene proved more durable and a better back (more TDs, Yards Per Game/Carrie, less fumbles).Head to head last Fall, Shonn Greene looked like the better back.
4. Donald Brown maybe the only guy that I think is possibly hands down (season, career) a better college back. I don’t think he did it against the same competition week-in and week-out that Shonn did his single season, but Donald clearly has a better resume and overall body of work. Only question is will his size be able to take an NFL pounding…Hey may be my #1/#2 RB in the 2009 draft.
5/6 – Brown and Jennings. Dude, have you no shame? This is where your lack of real-life football experience shines through, way over emphasizing size and 40 times in your rankings (and succumbing most to your East Coast bias). How can you possibly compare either of these guys accomplishments (or lack there in) with Shonn let alone, rank them ahead of him. I’d put Ringer ahead of both of these jokers too.
The top 4 all have their plusses and minuses and in many ways, you could toss a blanket over all of the
My rank…
1 – Knowshawn (overall career and translatable NFL skills – but not that fast)
2 – Brown (overall college career)
3 – Greene (best RB in 2008 season and translatable NFL skills – power and evasiveness, toughness, vision, quickness, ball security and CHARACTER!)
4 – Wells (close 3rd, Faster than Shonn but maybe not as durable)
5 – McCoy (a close 4th)