NFL 2008 RSS
The New York Giants had enough depth in their backfield that they had two legitimate tandems – all by
themselves. Including the postseason, they had four running backs – BRANDON JACOBS (10 games), DERRICK WARD (5),
AHMAD BRADSHAW (3) and REUBEN DROUGHNS (2) – lead the team in rushing on at least two occasions.
"A lot of teams would love to have one of our running backs, let alone two," says Giants center SHAUN
O’HARA. "We spend a lot of time on the running game."
Maurice Jones-Drew Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars, for the second consecutive season, paired veteran FRED TAYLOR (left) with
MAURICE JONES-DREW (below right) to encouraging results. The two combined for 1,970 yards,
led by the first-time All-Star Taylor’s 1,202, to achieve a 12-4 record and a first-round playoff
victory. Taylor was at his best at the end of the season, averaging 119.6 yards per game over his
last five games and running for 7.7 yards per carry.
"He’s been a blessing in disguise," says Taylor of Jones-Drew. "Only I guess it’s not a disguise
anymore."
Maurice Jones-Drew echoes the same sentiment regarding his
backfield mate Taylor. "It’s always good to come in
fresh and run on someone when they’re tired," says the
third-year back. "Right now, we’re in a great situation.
We’re both refreshed for the whole game. Who
wouldn’t want that?"
The Minnesota Vikings led the NFL in rushing last year,
averaging 164.6 yards per game. The Vikings boast a
pair of dynamic running backs in AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
ADRIAN PETERSON (1,341 yards) and CHESTER TAYLOR (844).
"If it’s at the end of a long run or if it’s the end of a kickoff return, even though we might like to have him the next play, you still
want to keep those guys fresh," says Vikings head coach BRAD CHILDRESS. "That’s where the fresh legs and the fresh looks
give you a chance to have those explosions."
And the Vikings running backs, particularly Peterson, had plenty of "those explosions" in 2007. Peterson led the league with 18.1
percent of his rushing attempts resulting in a gain of at least 10 yards.
The tandem running back trend shows no signs of slowing as four teams who are returning a 1,000-yard rusher
selected a running back in the first-round of the 2008 NFL Draft: CHRIS JOHNSON, Tennessee; FELIX JONES, Dallas; DARREN MC FADDEN,
Oakland; RASHARD MENDENHALL, Pittsburgh.
NFL Teams with 2 Running Backs at least 500 rushing yards apiece (2007)
|
TEAM | RUNNING BACKS WITH 500+ YARDS (YARDS) |
|
Atlanta Falcons | Warrick Dunn (720) and Jerious Norwood (613) |
|
Carolina Panthers | DeShaun Foster (876) and DeAngelo Williams (717) |
|
Chicago Bears | Cedric Benson (674) and Adrian Peterson (510) |
|
Dallas Cowboys | Marion Barber (975) and Julius Jones (588) |
|
Denver Broncos | Selvin Young (729) and Travis Henry (691) |
|
Indianapolis Colts | Joseph Addai (1,072) and Kenton Keith (533) |
|
Jacksonville Jaguars | Fred Taylor (1,202) and Maurice Jones-Drew (768) |
|
Miami Dolphins | Ronnie Brown (602) and Jesse Chatman (515) |
|
Minnesota Vikings | Adrian Peterson (1,341) and Chester Taylor (844) |
|
New York Giants | Brandon Jacobs (1,009) and Derrick Ward (602) |
|
Oakland Raiders | Justin Fargas (1,009) and Lamont Jordan (549) |
|
Seattle Seahawks | Shaun Alexander (716) and Maurice Morris (628) |
|
RELATED:
NFL 2008 Week 1: The NFL Kicks Off Its 2008 Season
Defending Super Bowl Champion Giants start the NFL 2008 Season Against the Redskins
The National Football League roars back into action this Thursday night in the first game of NFL Kickoff 2008
Weekend. In an NFC East Division battle of 2007 playoff teams, the Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants
host the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
"We're ready to roll," says Jacksonville Jaguars QB DAVID GARRARD. "Everybody is excited. It's time to stop just practicing and playing for fun and start playing for real."
A full preview, analysis and notes dedicated to NFL 2008 Week 1 (Kickoff Weekend)
Rookie of the Year & Pro Bowl MVP Adrian Peterson Ready to Pick Up Where He Left Off
2008 NFL Football Player Profile: Adrian Peterson Running Back Minnesota Vikings
During the NFL 2007 Regular season, Minnesota Vikings rookie sensation ADRIAN PETERSON ranked second in the NFL (and first in the NFC) with
1,341 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, carried the ball 238 times and led the league rushing for 95.8
yards per game.
Adrian Peterson also rushed for 296 yards rushing against the San Diego Chargers (November 4, 2007), setting
the single-game rushing record. Peterson also made 19 receptions for 268 yards including a 60 yard touchdown,
and amassed 2,021 combined net yards.
NFL 2008: Chargers' Running Back La Dainian Tomlinson Closes in On Records
2008 NFL Football Player Profile: La Dainian Tomlinson Running Back San Diego Chargers
In 2008, San Diego Chargers running back La Dainian Tomlinson can pass Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC
DICKERSON and become the only player in history to begin a career with eight consecutive 1,200-yard rushing
seasons. Tomlinson can also extend his streak of consecutive seasons to start a career with at least 10 rushing
touchdowns to eight. With nine rushing touchdowns, Tomlinson (currently 115) will pass Pro Football Hall of Famer MARCUS ALLEN
(123) to move into second place all-time.
Atlanta Falcons running back MICHAEL TURNER, who served as Tomlinson’s understudy for four seasons in San Diego, observed Tomlinson’s attributes firsthand.
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