RBBC Update
There will be close to ten teams entering the 2009 season with running back by committee approaches. These teams include, the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Carolina Panthers.
RB Joseph Addai, ---
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Heading into the 2008 NFL season, Joseph Addai was firmly planted as the Indianapolis Colts' running back of the future; however Addai suffered through an injury plagued season and the Colts went out and drafted Donald Brown in the first round of the NFL draft, leaving Addai's future in question. The Colts have stated that Addai will be their starting running back this season, however they will mix Brown into the rotation to keep both running backs healthy and fresh for the entire season. The drafting of Brown has seriously damaged Addai's value in both re-draft and dynasty leagues. I suspect that the Colts will give Addai about a 60-40 carry split to start the season, and (depending on both running backs' performances) this could change over the course of the season. The uncertainty over his playing time and injury situation has pushed Joseph Addai toward the bottom part of the top 20 fantasy running backs for the upcoming season.
RB Marion Barber, ---
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The Dallas Cowboys will enter the 2009 season with three very talented running backs all vying for playing time. Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice have all shown that they can produce when given the chance to start, but only one will be given that role this season. Owner Jerry Jones hinted this off-season that Felix Jones may get the starting nod for the Cowboys with Marion Barber returning to the role he served when in a split backfield with Julius Jones. Even if Felix Jones is given the starter's job, Barber should be the most valuable Cowboys running back over the entire season. Barber would still be in line for at least the same amount of carries as Jones, plus the all important goal-line carries. Tashard Choice looks to be the odd man out in Dallas, but should still see around 5 carries per game. He will not receive enough work to warrant a flex play in fantasy leagues, but should be drafted in all leagues and could be a major sleeper if one of the other Cowboys backs were to get injured during the season. Marion Barber will be the most valuable Cowboys running back this season, with Felix Jones second, and Tashard Choice third.
RB Reggie Bush, ---
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The New Orleans Saints will enter the 2009 season with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush in their backfield. While Bush is the higher profile running back, Thomas is the more productive back when running the ball. The Saints will use both running backs extensively this season with Thomas probably getting more carries than Bush, but Bush dominating the receiving part of the game for the Saints. The carries should be split about 60-40 in favor of Thomas, but Bush's tremendous receiving ability makes him slightly more valuable in fantasy leagues (and even more valuable in point per reception leagues). The split carries will keep each back from reaching their full potential, but each will have at least flex play value throughout the season. Each running back would move way up the rankings if the other were to suffer an injury during the season.
RB Thomas Jones, ---
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The New York Jets enter the 2009 season with Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene, and Leon Washington all having roles in the Jets running game. Thomas Jones should be the Jets' starting running back and average between 12-15 carries a game, while Greene will be used in early down situations to keep Jones fresh, and Washington will be use on third downs throughout the game. With three backs being used throughout the game, their full potentials will not be reached, keeping each back's value down. Jones will be the most valuable Jets running back; however, he may be overvalued in fantasy drafts after posting a big season in 2008. Jones will have the most value this season while Greene is the pick in dynasty and keeper leagues.
RB Laurence Maroney, ---
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The New England Patriots enter the 2009 season with one of the most complicated backfield situations in the entire league. Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis could all see work out of the Patriots backfield this season. With the injury issues that each of the possible participants has, it is possible that each of the five running backs could start at various parts of the upcoming season. It is also possible that none of the five running backs will have much value throughout the season if the Patriots decide to go with a split of the carries between two or three of their running backs. It is likely that Kevin Faulk will be the Patriots' third down back, however nothing else will be decided until training camp (possibly even through most of the pre-season). If you are going to gamble on a Patriots running back, I would gamble on Maroney because of the talent that he possesses.
