Browse > Home / Archive: 15. June 2005

The Silly Season — RB Ratings

June 15, 2005

Want one big reason why PFW rates the Cowboys to only move from 6-10 to 7-9 this season? Check out their ratings of running backs. The magazine grades players on a five point scale, with grades in the 4.0 to 5.0 range being “blue chip” players, who, in their words are “Pro Bowl quality players who consistently make big plays.” Grades in the 3.0 to 3.99 range are for red chip players, defined as, “impact players who produce like starters but fall short in at least one area.” Here is PFW’s top 20:

  • 1. LaDainian Tomlinson 4.65
  • 2. Clinton Portis 4.4
  • 3. Jamal Lewis 4.2
  • 4. Priest Holmes 4.2
  • 5. Ahman Green 4.12
  • 6. Curtis Martin 4.1
  • 7. Corey Dillon 3.95
  • 8. Edgerrin James 3.85
  • 9. Deuce McAllister 3.85
  • 10. Tiki Barber 3.8
  • 11. Shaun Alexander 3.8
  • 12. Fred Taylor 3.77
  • 13. Willis McGahee 3.7
  • 14. Brian Westbrook 3.7
  • 15. Marshall Faulk 3.6
  • 16. Travis Henry 3.5
  • 17. Domanick Davis 3.4
  • 18. Rudi Johnson 3.4

  • 19. Julius Jones 3.3

  • 20. Duce Staley 3.0

    • Jones’ scouting report lacks any major deficiency. In the magazine’s words,

    Limited much of last season by injury before he found the field and looked like the top rookie runner in the NFL. Changes direction with ease and has vastly superior instincts to his brother, Thomas. Has outstanding field vision and make-you-miss ability. Powerful legs to break tackles, good burst and balance. Doesn’t have ideal size but stood up to a pounding down the stretch last season with 22 or more carries in each of the final seven games.

    And those were productive carries too; Jones averaged 27 of them for 115 yards per game, a 4.3 yard average per carry.

    This rating seems way too low for a guy who showed so much raw ability. But to be fair, Jones only played in eight games. What’s more, PFW shows restraint in rating rookies. Ben Roethlisberger, despite his stellar season, was only rated 17th among quarterbacks, behind David Carr and ahead of Kerry Collins.

    Based on skill, and taking into account that Dallas will use Jones a bit less per game this season, where would you rate him entering the season? I’d place him ninth, behind McAllister, but ahead of Martin, who I think will slip back to earth after his monster ‘04 at the age of 31. If he stays healthy and his o-line stays intact (read: Marco Rivera’s back holds together), Jones is top-five material. He’s seen the league now. He knows the speed of the game and has proven his hands are good. (This was the primary concern about his game last year.) His coach has complemented his improved knowledge of the game, so the Julius Jones of ‘05 should look that much more polished than last year’s model.

    Written by Rafael Vela · Filed Under News | 56 Comments 

    DISCLAIMER: This site and its contents are for informational and amusement purposes only. This site is NOT officially sponsored by, nor endorsed by the Dallas Cowboys football organization, its players, coaches, staff, or the National Football League. Nothing written anywhere within this site is intended to be perceived as the site being so sponsored or endorsed. All original work, articles and comment posted by Rafael Vela, Raul Villaronga or invited guest bloggers, however, are protected by applicable copyright laws. Comments written by posters visiting the site are voluntarily submitted to stimulate discussion and debate without the expectation of copyright protection on the part of those visiting posters. It is not the responsibility of this site or its authors to enforce the copyright protection of such comments posted by visitors to this site. The authors cannot assume any liability for actions taken in reliance on these articles...that would be just silly and Don Meredith (who also does not officially sponsor nor endorse this site, but we love him anyway) well, he would just laugh at you. Thank you.