Top NFC West RB (1 Viewer)

[Dancing Bear]

I'm curious and I'm looking for some insights here ...

St. Louis and San Francisco have essentially the same schedules [if you flop PHI and WAS, and ATL and NOR].

St. Louis has not done anything to make me believe that they now magically will have a passing game, and I see Jackson getting 8 man fronts from week 1.

San Francisco had the 13th best passing attack in the NFL last year and they have made it better. That and the return of Moran should help the 49er rushing attack return towards 2006 form.

I'm puzzled by all of the Steven Jackson love as he is projected to out perform Gore by nearly everyone at Footballguys.com ... [only 4 staffers have Gore higher than Jackson out of 17]

Last year Jackson had 1/3 of his rushing yards and 5 out of his 7 TD's in just 2 games ...

I just don't see it even if Jackson were to stay healthy for all 16 games [which he has not proven he can do ...] I don't see him outperforming Gore.

 

[evilempire]

I'm curious and I'm looking for some insights here ...St. Louis and San Francisco have essentially the same schedules [if you flop PHI and WAS, and ATL and NOR].St. Louis has not done anything to make me believe that they now magically will have a passing game, and I see Jackson getting 8 man fronts from week 1.San Francisco had the 13th best passing attack in the NFL last year and they have made it better. That and the return of Moran should help the 49er rushing attack return towards 2006 form.I'm puzzled by all of the Steven Jackson love as he is projected to out perform Gore by nearly everyone at Footballguys.com ... [only 4 staffers have Gore higher than Jackson out of 17]Last year Jackson had 1/3 of his rushing yards and 5 out of his 7 TD's in just 2 games ...I just don't see it even if Jackson were to stay healthy for all 16 games [which he has not proven he can do ...] I don't see him outperforming Gore.

For one thing, Jackson simply has more talent ... and I actually like Gore quite a bit. The Rams will be better up front than people think, so the crucial issue will be whether or not Bulger can stay healthy. He has a dynamic young guy in Donnie Avery to throw to, and they just picked up Ron Curry ... I know, not great, but there guys a lot worse than him currently starting in the NFL. Spagnuolo has already come out and said the offense is going to run through Jackson, so the opportunity is going to be there.SF has some QB issues ... neither Hill nor Alex Smith really scare anybody. Not sure Crabtree is going to have the instant impact being forecast as WRs usually have a pretty steep learning curve. I do like Gore a lot, though, and he'll be used much better in this system than he was by Martz. When guys are pretty close in my rankings, I give the edge to the better player. And in this case that's SJax.

 

[shredhead]

Other: Beanie Wells

 

[Lott's Fingertip]

Jackson was the #3 fantasy back in ppg in a situation that pretty much can not get worse. 8 man fronts? Just like last year. No passing game? Just like last year.

His worst game, outside of week nine when he came back early from injury and only played part of a game before reaggravating, he still put up 7.4 fantasy points. He put up over 100 yards from scrimmage in 8 out of 11 healthy games, and got 90 yards in one of the other games.

I like Gore as well, but Jackson is the more explosive RB, imo. Both have injury histories.

Not trying to predict injuries, I'd give Jackson about a 60:40 edge as to who finishes higher in the rankings.

 

[•TheRealMcCoy]

Other: Beanie Wells

Thats too funny!!

 

[Dancing Bear]

They both have a 55% chance of having 100 or more total yards in a game throughout their careers.

With regards to breaking big plays ...

Jackson has a 7.0% chance of breaking away for a 10 yard rushing play.

Gore has a 7.5% chance of breaking away for a 10 yard rushing play.

Jackson has a 2.8% chance of breaking away for a 20 yard rushing play.

Gore has a 3.5% chance of breaking away for a 20 yard rushing play.

 

[switz]

For one thing, Jackson simply has more talent ...

Gore was one of the best running backs I ever saw, prior to the knee injury. Jackson is very good, naturally talented, among the elite... but not as good as Gore. Gore is amazing, just happens to be even less healthy than Jackson, as incredible as that sounds.I wouldn't count on either being in the top-10 at EOS, but if I had to pick one it's Gore.

 

[Lott's Fingertip]

For one thing, Jackson simply has more talent ...

Gore was one of the best running backs I ever saw, prior to the knee injury. Jackson is very good, naturally talented, among the elite... but not as good as Gore. Gore is amazing, just happens to be even less healthy than Jackson, as incredible as that sounds.I wouldn't count on either being in the top-10 at EOS, but if I had to pick one it's Gore.

You don't necessarily define talent the same way other people do, Switz... How good Gore was before his knee injury is of no consequence going forward. Just because he was "born" with more talent, doesn't mean he is effectively more talented now.All in all, these guys have similar upside and similar downside, as well as a similar risk (possibly bad team, injury).