NFL NUGGETS : Running backs will make 2008 Draft memorable
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2008
Everyone remembers the 1983 NFL Draft. That's the quarterback draft. In 1983, Stanford's John Elway (No. 1 overall, Denver ), Miami's Jim Kelly (No. 14 overall, Buffalo ) and Pittsburgh's Dan Marino (No. 27 overall, Miami ) all came out of college and each would eventually wind up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Twenty-five years from now, I think fans will look back on the 2008 NFL Draft as the running back draft.
One quick look at the NFL statistics tells the story. The stat sheets are littered with rookie running backs, most of them highly touted coming out of college.
So far, the two most impressive rookie backs have been Chicago's Matt Forte (Tulane ) and Dallas' Felix Jones (Arkansas ).
I remember after this past draft day, many "experts"crying," How on earth could the Cowboys pass on an every-down back like Rashard Mendenhall for a third-down back like Felix Jones ? Waaaaah !"
Well, there's two good reasons. No. 1, Dallas already has an every-down back, some guy you may have heard of named Marion Barber III. No. 2, Jones is just flat-out a better football player than Mendenhall. Duh.
If the draft was held again today, do you think Jerry Jones would still pick Felix Jones ? I'd bet my last doughnut he would. He probably wouldn't be available that late in the first round. Well, while Felix was averaging an incredible 8. 2 yards per carry going into Sunday's action, Mendenhall has toted the ball just 10 times for 28 yards behind Steelers' starter Willie Parker. With Parker hurt, we'll get to see just what Mendenhall is made of tonight against the Baltimore defense, which hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 21 straight games. Good luck, rookie. Arkansas' Darren McFadden, the first running back selected in the draft, had an coming-out game against Kansas City (21 carries, 164 yards ), but has been slowed badly by turf toe so far this season. It looks like the Houston Texans have found their answer at running back in the form of West Virginia's Steve Slaton, who's looking more and more like a thirdround steal. At the NFL Combine, only one running back bested McFadden's 40 time. East Carolina's Chris Johnson ran a ridiculous 4. 24, tied for the fastest ever at the combine. He's already putting his quicksilver heels to good use for the Tennessee Titans. And I haven't even mentioned how well Carolina's Jonathan Stewart, Baltimore's Ray Rice and Detroit's Kevin Smith are playing. Yes, the rookie running backs are making this NFL season one to remember.
• • • Researching that 1983 Draft was a real trip down memory lane. Tons of talented players came out that year, and not just at the quarterback position.
Five players were drafted off the Arkansas Razorbacks' 1982 squad that finished 9-2-1 and ranked ninth in the AP poll.
Don Coryell's San Diego Chargers were especially enamored with Lou Holtz's Hogs, drafting linebacker Billy Ray Smith (No. 5 overall ) and running back Gary Anderson (No. 20 overall ) in the first round and defensive back Danny Walters in the fourth round (No. 95 overall ).
Arkansas' consensus All-American offensive guard Steve Korte was taken by the New Orleans Saints in the second round while running back Jessie Clark was drafted in the seventh round by Green Bay.
There were a lot of fantastic players at the top of the 1983 Draft, like running back Eric Dickerson and offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, but I was amazed at all the late-round steals of that draft.
Richard Dent and Mark Clayton in the eighth round ? Jesse Sapolu in the 11 th round ? Are you kidding me ?
Wow, what a great draft.
Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
