Stellar NFL Rookie Running Backs

NFL 2009 STEVE SLATON of the Houston Texans 1,282 yards rushing
Steve Slaton

"It's the old adage: If you can run in high school and in college, you can run in the pros," says Green Bay Packers general manager TED THOMPSON.

That theory certainly was true last season as newcomers STEVE SLATON of Houston (1,282 yards), MATT FORTÉ of Chicago (1,238) and CHRIS JOHNSON of Tennessee (1,228) became the first rookie running back trio in NFL history to rush for at least 1,200 yards apiece.

NFL Network analyst MARSHALL FAULK, who rushed for 1,282 yards as a rookie with the Colts in 1994 says the running back position is one that can make an immediate impact in the NFL.

"They just give you the ball and tell you to run to daylight," says Faulk. "It's a much easier position to hit the ground running."

Minnesota Vikings running back ADRIAN PETERSON, who in 2007 set a franchise rookie record with 1,341 rush yards and earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, says early success as a newcomer depends on your attention to detail.

"If you work on the little things coming in, get in sync with the offensive linemen and know what you have to do to stay on the field as far as the pass game, you have the opportunity to go out there and make some things happen," says Peterson.

2008 Rookie Running Back Class Accomplishments

Player, Team Accomplishment
Source: National Football League
Tim Hightower, Arizona CardinalsSets team rookie record with 10 rushing TDs and helped the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina PanthersRushed for a club rookie record 836 yards
Matt Forté, Chicago Bears1,238 rushing yards and 63 receptions -- both team rookie records
Steve Slaton, Houston TexansSets club rookie records with 1,282 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns
Chris Johnson, Tennessee TitansJoins Earl Campbell and Eddie George as the only rookies in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards

 

NFL 2009 Preview | Three Stellar Rookie Running Backs