Running Backs - 08.10.09

	August 10, 2009 Running Backs DAVID SABINO

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SI PLAYER RANKINGS FOR 2009 with 2008 stats	RUSHING YDS. PER GAME	100-YD. GAMES	RECEPTIONS	RECEIVING YDS. PER GAME	TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS	BYE WEEK
1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings	110.0	10	21	7.8	10	9
2. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers	94.7	8	22	7.6	20	4
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars	51.5	2	62	35.3	14	7
4. Steve Slaton, Texans	80.1	4	50	23.6	10	10
5. Michael Turner, Falcons	106.2	8	6	2.6	17	4
6. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers	69.4	2	52	26.6	12	5
7. Steven Jackson, Rams	86.8	4	40	31.6	8	9
8. Matt Forte, Bears	77.4	3	63	29.8	12	5
9. Brian Westbrook, Eagles	66.9	3	54	28.7	14	4
10. Clinton Portis, Redskins	92.9	6	28	13.6	9	8
11. Brandon Jacobs, Giants	83.8	4	6	2.8	15	10
12. Frank Gore, 49ers	74.0	3	43	26.6	8	6
13. Ryan Grant, Packers	75.2	4	18	7.3	5	5
14. Joseph Addai, Colts	45.3	1	25	17.2	7	6
15. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins	57.3	3	33	15.9	10	6
16. Chris Johnson, Titans	81.9	4	43	17.3	10	7
17. Marion Barber, Cowboys	59.0	3	52	27.8	9	6
18. Thomas Jones, Jets	82.0	5	36	12.9	15	9
19. Marshawn Lynch, Bills	69.1	3	47	20.0	9	9
20. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers	52.3	2	8	2.9	10	4
21. Felix Jones, Cowboys	44.3	0	2	1.7	3	6
22. Kevin Smith, Lions	61.0	2	39	17.9	8	7
23. Julius Jones, Seahawks	46.5	2	14	4.4	2	7
24. Jamal Lewis, Browns	62.6	0	23	11.1	4	9
25. Derrick Ward, Buccaneers	64.1	2	41	24.0	2	8
26. Willie Parker, Steelers	71.9	4	3	1.2	5	8
27. LenDale White, Titans	48.3	2	5	1.0	15	7
28. Pierre Thomas, Saints	41.7	1	31	18.9	12	5
29. Ray Rice, Ravens	34.9	1	33	21.0	0	7
30. Chris Wells, Cardinals*	119.7	8	8	4.7	8	4
31. Reggie Bush, Saints	40.4	0	52	44.0	6	5
32. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos*	107.7	7	33	30.2	18	7
33. Darren McFadden, Raiders	38.4	1	29	21.9	4	9
34. Cedric Benson, Bengals	62.3	3	20	15.4	2	8
35. Larry Johnson, Chiefs	72.8	3	12	6.2	5	8
36. T.J. Duckett, Seahawks	10.8	0	0	0	8	7
37. Justin Fargas, Raiders	60.9	1	10	3.7	1	9
38. Earnest Graham, Buccaneers	56.3	2	23	17.4	4	8
39. Leon Washington, Jets	28.0	0	47	22.2	8	9
40. Fred Jackson, Bills	35.7	1	37	19.8	3	9
41. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs	22.3	1	27	17.0	1	8
42. Donald Brown, Colts*	160.2	11	21	9.6	18	6
43. Jerious Norwood, Falcons	30.6	0	36	21.1	6	4
44. Willis McGahee, Ravens	51.6	3	24	13.3	7	7
45. Glen Coffee, 49ers*	98.8	5	16	8.4	11	6
46. Shonn Greene, Jets*	142.3	13	8	3.8	20	9
47. Darren Sproles, Chargers	20.6	1	29	21.4	6	9
48. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers	14.5	0	2	4.3	0	8
49. Ricky Williams, Dolphins	41.2	1	29	13.7	5	6
50. Tim Hightower, Cardinals	24.9	0	34	14.8	10	4
51. Fred Taylor, Patriots	42.8	1	16	7.5	1	8
52. LeSean McCoy, Eagles*	114.5	6	32	23.5	21	4
53. James Davis, Browns*	57.8	2	14	9.5	11	9
54. Chester Taylor, Vikings	24.9	0	45	24.9	6	9
55. Andre Brown, Giants*	59.0	1	29	23.8	9	10
56. Maurice Morris, Lions	44.2	2	19	10.5	2	7
57. Tashard Choice, Cowboys	29.5	0	21	11.6	2	6
58. Kenneth Darby, Rams	14.0	0	19	18.3	0	9
59. Laurence Maroney, Patriots	31.0	0	0	0	0	8
60. Kevin Faulk, Patriots	33.8	0	58	32.4	6	8
61. Jerome Harrison, Browns	16.4	0	12	7.7	2	9
62. LaMont Jordan, Broncos	45.4	0	0	0	4	7
63. Sammy Morris, Patriots	55.9	2	17	12.4	7	8
64. Le'Ron McClain, Ravens	56.4	1	19	7.7	11	7

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

*Rookie (college statistics)

Talking Points

• If you get the top pick in your draft, don't overthink it. Take Adrian Peterson. Please.

• Don't let the presence of Jonathan Stewart in the Panthers' backfield keep you from using a high pick on DeAngelo Williams. Carolina will run the ball enough to keep both backs busy.

BUYER BEWARE

• Why isn't Michael Turner, who performed so well last year, rated even higher than No. 5? Look at the Falcons' schedule: Eagles, Giants, Jets, Pats, Redskins.... He'll be seeing a lot of tough run defenses.

• Matt Forte has actually been going No. 1 in some mock drafts, but I see his workload going down with Jay Cutler behind center in Chicago and a healthy Kevin Jones as his relief option.

• I'm not as high on second-year man Chris Johnson as most people, who expect he'll take over the Titans' backfield. LenDale White will still get plenty of work.

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