Balco
Footballguy
Pre All Star Game/Combine Rankings:
1. Reggie Bush, USC (6'0 200): The #1 prospect in the draft, he has it all. Truly a threat to take it all the way every time he touches the ball (8.9 yards per carry), is the closest running back to Gale Sayers to come out of the college ranks. He is going to create a ton of mismatches in the passing game, as he has Faulk like receiving skills (12 yards a catch). His cutback ability and vision are oustanding, watch his hips in the Championship game to see how quickly he makes his moves.
2. Lendale White, USC (6'2 235): A punsihing back who got overshadowed by Bush at USC. When USC looked to grind it out, White was the man for the job. Also a very good one cut runner, he hits the hole hard sees an opening and makes his cut, there is no wasted motion. He can carry the ball 25 times a game and will just wear defenses out in the NFL. Wasn't asked to catch the ball much at USC, but when he did, he showed he had solid hands.
3. Joseph Addai, LSU (6'0 210): You are not going to find a more polished back in the draft, Addai can jump into the late first round/early 2nd mix with good all star games/combine. He can block, catch, and run equally well, and is going to be a better pro than a collegian. He has the skills to be an every down back. Stuck in a running back by committee, he did well when called upon.
4. Deangelo Williams, Memphis (5'10 205): No running back will generate more discussion leading up to the draft. His detractors will say he played in a very weak conferance and pile up meaningless stats against swiss cheese defenses. His proponents will say that a guy name Ladanian Tomlinson also carved up defenses in a weak conferance. Well, I am somewhere in between. Williams has great vision and a nice burst, and his moves are amazing, he really sets up his blocks in the open field. However, alot of his yards were on options, and outside plays, and although he has a rep as a great inside runner, I don't see that in the games I have watched. When I see him run, I see a Kevin Faulk type player, not a bad thing, but not worth of a top 15 pick.
5. Laurance Mauroney, Minnesota (5'11, 205): This guy reminds me alot of Lamont Jordan, he isn't the biggest guy, but he has alot of muscle in his lower body which helps him break tackles. He knows how to find the hole, but won't make people miss with his moves. He sees the hole, hits the hole and starts running downhill. He can carry the load in the NFL, although he will be taken out in passing situations.
1. Reggie Bush, USC (6'0 200): The #1 prospect in the draft, he has it all. Truly a threat to take it all the way every time he touches the ball (8.9 yards per carry), is the closest running back to Gale Sayers to come out of the college ranks. He is going to create a ton of mismatches in the passing game, as he has Faulk like receiving skills (12 yards a catch). His cutback ability and vision are oustanding, watch his hips in the Championship game to see how quickly he makes his moves.
2. Lendale White, USC (6'2 235): A punsihing back who got overshadowed by Bush at USC. When USC looked to grind it out, White was the man for the job. Also a very good one cut runner, he hits the hole hard sees an opening and makes his cut, there is no wasted motion. He can carry the ball 25 times a game and will just wear defenses out in the NFL. Wasn't asked to catch the ball much at USC, but when he did, he showed he had solid hands.
3. Joseph Addai, LSU (6'0 210): You are not going to find a more polished back in the draft, Addai can jump into the late first round/early 2nd mix with good all star games/combine. He can block, catch, and run equally well, and is going to be a better pro than a collegian. He has the skills to be an every down back. Stuck in a running back by committee, he did well when called upon.
4. Deangelo Williams, Memphis (5'10 205): No running back will generate more discussion leading up to the draft. His detractors will say he played in a very weak conferance and pile up meaningless stats against swiss cheese defenses. His proponents will say that a guy name Ladanian Tomlinson also carved up defenses in a weak conferance. Well, I am somewhere in between. Williams has great vision and a nice burst, and his moves are amazing, he really sets up his blocks in the open field. However, alot of his yards were on options, and outside plays, and although he has a rep as a great inside runner, I don't see that in the games I have watched. When I see him run, I see a Kevin Faulk type player, not a bad thing, but not worth of a top 15 pick.
5. Laurance Mauroney, Minnesota (5'11, 205): This guy reminds me alot of Lamont Jordan, he isn't the biggest guy, but he has alot of muscle in his lower body which helps him break tackles. He knows how to find the hole, but won't make people miss with his moves. He sees the hole, hits the hole and starts running downhill. He can carry the load in the NFL, although he will be taken out in passing situations.