12D3 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 It seems to me that this year has a really high amount of possible breakout candidates. This is likely due to the shift toward the split RB duties most teams use now. In the past, a backup was usually far less talented than the starter and fully deserved the position. Every now and then you would see someone get the opportunity and have a great year. Looking at the list of the RB backups or RB2s, there seem to be a lot of names that I would not be surprised if they were huge impact players by seasons end. James Starks Ben Tate Montario Hardesty Delonte Carter Demarco Murray Isaac Redman Kendall Hunter Taiwan Jones Stevan Ridley Jamie Harper In some of these cases the players came into the league as highly touted talents who got injured and were relegated to backup status. In other cases they are just talented RBs who happen to have a well known/productive starter in front of them. But should an injury occur (or even in some cases just poor performance) it seems like all of these players have a chance to do really well based on what we have seen from them. James Starks - Grant coming off injury and shaky preseason, Starks in better shape and might take a good amount of carries when with Grant healthy Ben Tate - Foster banged up already, Ward not the talent that Tate is and he should see good time if Foster goes down Montario Hardesty - Hillis had heavy workload last season and may breakdown at some point, Hardesty was already a big talent last year before injury and is the current #2 on depth chart Delonte Carter - Addai a big injury risk, Carter is already challenging for the #2 spot since Brown isn't a very solid RB Demarco Murray - Great talent, if Felix can't keep a high level all season could get some good time Isaac Redman - Mendenhall is just an injury waiting to happen after the heavy load last season (350 curse), could flourish in the Steelers system Kendall Hunter - Gore is an injury risk and already having issues with the new coach, Would split with Dixon but could emerge as a solid option if Gore goes down Taiwan Jones - Showed some nice skills in the preseason, could end up being a better option than Bush if McFadden is hurt during the season Stevan Ridley - BJGE is doing well but if the opportunity comes up Ridley has more raw talent than NE's other RBs. Jamie Harper - Johnson looks like hes got his contract nearly sorted out, should there be any other issues Harper showed he has some potential and could break out. Several of these players are getting drafted late, so they may not be available during the year if their time comes. What RB backups are you targeting as a possible late round steal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUMbotron Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Yes. Draft WRs early. RBs are plentiful in rounds 3-6. It's a new era imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qdaddyo Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Yes. Draft WRs early. RBs are plentiful in rounds 3-6. It's a new era imo. Even with the 2nd pick in the draft? Or are you just discussing late 1st, early 2nd rounds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelman Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 larry johnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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