NFC South Competes Well Among the NFL's Top Running Games

[QuasiYoda]

NFC South Competes Well Among the NFL's Top Running Games

Another Moniker for a 3 way running back corp

The Triple Tramplers

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/213537-nfc-south-competes-well-among-top-running-games-in-the-nfl

"In the precursor to 2008, the NFC South was a division that many experts and fanbases failed to take seriously.

It's a Jekyll and Hyde division of worst-to-first, fans are fair-weather, it's a wishy-washy division; I heard it all. My blood boiled. I even yelled at Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots on Sirius NFL Radio.

In '07, the South had it rough overall. The Bucs lost Cadillac Williams, while the Falcons were just in shambles without Michael Vick. Then Atlanta head coach Bobby Petrino, who had no business being in the NFL, split on the team like the Colts did when they left Baltimore.

The Panthers had an overrated, overpaid running back in DeShaun Foster, and DeAngelo Williams was having a hard time coming out of his shell. Then of course, the whole team got decimated by injuries, even having to dig Vinny Testaverde out of the grave.

The Saints were the only light of hope for the division in '07, and a dim light at that.

In 2008, the Panthers' tandem of "Double Trouble," Williams and Jonathan Stewart, combined for 2,351 yards rushing and averaged five yards per carry.

This year, the Panthers will meet those numbers with the addition of running back Mike Goodson. I aptly name this group of backs the "Trio of Trouble."

The Falcons unearthed a real gem in Michael "Burner" Turner, signing him from the San Diego Chargers in the offseason.

In 2008, Atlanta's duo of Turner and Jerious Norwood combined for 2,188 yards rushing, averaging a nice 4.8 yards per carry.

Atlanta brings back that same running game, plus a strong offensive line to make way for Turner and Norwood while giving Matt Ryan time to dissect the opponent's defense in passing situations. Atlanta should easily break 2,000 combined yards rushing.

Tampa Bay ranked third in the division with their running game totals. Their three backs, Warrick Dunn, Earnest Graham, and Cadillac Williams, combined for 1,582 yards rushing, averaging four yards per carry.

This season the Bucs are without Dunn, but they have replaced him with the Giants' Fire. Fire, Derrick Ward, the guy who burned my Cats in overtime last December, is among the ranks of division rival Tampa Bay.

For the G-Men, Ward had a solid 1,025 yards rushing, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Adding his experience and production to the Bucs backfield is an immediate improvement. Tampa Bay easily hits the 2,000-yard rushing mark with Ward, Graham, and Williams in '09.

The Saints finished last in the division in rushing. Their trio of Pierre Thomas, Deuce McAllister, and Reggie Bush combined for a paltry 1,447 yards rushing, averaging a straight four yards per carry.

The Saints cut McAllister this offseason, but they return Thomas and Bush to the starting lineup and have a couple potential bright spots in newcomers Herb Donaldson from Western Illinois and P.J. Hill out of Wisconsin.

Depending on what kind of impact the newcomers make, Thomas should break 1,000 yards rushing, and Bush will probably get between 800 and 900 yards rushing. So effectively, the Saints have the potential to come very close to 2,000 yards rushing, perhaps even break the mark.

The NFC East had monster rush statistics last year, all of those coming from the New York Giants, who fielded two 1,000-plus-yard running backs in Brandon Jacobs and Ward."

[QuasiYoda]

I think with that kind of running the NFC South will again be one of the best Divisions in Football though the tougher schedule will attenuate that a bit.

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

How come these articles always overlook the short-yardage back who's gonna actually make our active roster - Mike Bell.

[Kurb]

How come these articles always overlook the short-yardage back who's gonna actually make our active roster - Mike Bell.

Because he hasn't done jack since he left Denver ?

[QuasiYoda]

How come these articles always overlook the short-yardage back who's gonna actually make our active roster - Mike Bell.

Dunno they always ignore our (Carolina) back up QB McCown when looking at our depth

[Peppers90 NC]

How come these articles always overlook the short-yardage back who's gonna actually make our active roster - Mike Bell.

Because, until proven otherwise, Payton will call a toss sweep or a pass play. Bell hasn't done anything short yardage for the Saints yet, not saying he won't.

[Saint J]

I still get nightmares about that double reverse to Devery vs. TB in December 2007.

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

Because he hasn't done jack since he left Denver ?

And Herb Donaldson and PJ Hill have done what?

[panthers55]

And Herb Donaldson and PJ Hill have done what?

I agree. They have done nothing either. And until they do, all they have is potential like every other rookie in the league.