[Gskdmidd]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns


ATLANTA – Michael Turner(notes) identified the number before a visitor had a chance to get to the second digit. 376 – the number of times Turner ran the football last season. And the curse of the 370-carry running back? Yes, he’s heard the lore.

“It doesn’t mean anything to me,” the Falcons running back said with a shrug. “What was I doing before last season? I can tell you I wasn’t playing a lot.”

Turner nodded downward and wagged one of his feet.

“People forget,” he said, “these are some fresh legs.”
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Fresh legs that make Turner half of one of the NFL’s best running back tandems. Paired along with lithe gazelle Jerious Norwood(notes), who is expected to see increased receiving opportunities this season, the duo features a lethal versatility. Both are among the fastest players in the league at the position. Both have physiques that lend to greatness: Turner with his granite shoulders and wrecking-ball torso, and Norwood with his long, grasshopper legs churning at freakish speed.

But the pair isn’t alone. As the NFL has shifted toward more two-back committees to cut down on wear and tear, rotations have improved dramatically. Gone are most of the bell-cow backs who once enjoyed (or endured) 90 percent of the touches in a backfield, replaced by 60-40 splits and dazzling third down specialists.

That in mind, here is our ranking of the NFL’s running back tandems:


Williams


1. DeAngelo Williams(notes) and Jonathan Stewart(notes), Carolina Panthers
No two running backs fit together as well as Williams and Stewart. It’s arguably the only tandem in which the No. 1 and No. 2 could swap positions and not hinder the performance of the offense. Stewart may even be the most physically talented of the two, but there is no ambiguity about their seamless fit. Both players are young, have explosive touchdown-producing ability, can play between the tackles, and have shown the ability to catch the football at some point in their careers. From the longer view, maybe only the health factor could hinder this duo – something that has reared its head this preseason with Stewart. But unless the tandem misses significant time together, there’s no question as to which is the best two-deep backfield in the NFL.

2. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons
Norwood has quietly gone about business his first three years in the NFL, averaging a very respectable 817 yards rushing and receiving combined. Now that Turner is in the fold, Norwood’s consistent contribution in the passing game arguably makes them more balanced than Carolina’s tandem. Certainly they are every bit as explosive. However, Turner and Norwood are slightly older, and didn’t quite measure up in total touchdowns last season (30-23). Beyond that, Atlanta’s duo is every bit as good as any other tandem.

3. Chris Johnson and LenDale White(notes), Tennessee Titans
Johnson and White are essentially a slightly less efficient version of Carolina’s Williams and Stewart. That could change this season, with White trimming his physique in an effort to become a quicker, more explosive playmaker. Johnson has already become a feared two-dimensional back, while White is one of the most effective short-yardage red-zone specialists in the league. With a healthy season, they could be the NFL’s top rushing tandem. And they’ve already accomplished a feat that no other duo in the top 15 has: Each rushed for his first 1,000-yard season before he turned 24.


Peterson


4. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor(notes), Minnesota Vikings
Peterson’s sheer dominance combined with Taylor’s versatility should make this the top tandem, but fumbling issues (11 combined last season) and Taylor’s age knock it down just slightly. Truth be told, this duo was at its best in 2007, when Taylor had more of a role in the running game, and Peterson was a more consistent part of the passing game. But even with Taylor starting the decline in his career, Peterson has the ability to carry a tandem into the top five for years to come.

[kristloken]

Jacobs, Bradshaw and Ware

[drmarshallusa]

Jacobs, Bradshaw and Ware

7. Brandon Jacobs(notes) and Ahmad Bradshaw(notes), New York Giants
While his previous role as a No. 3 back hasn’t allowed him to show it, Bradshaw does have the ability to be a two-dimensional back. It was showcased his sophomore season at Marshall when he caught 56 passes. He also has the explosive ability to break the long touchdown runs that Derrick Ward(notes) couldn’t. All of that makes Bradshaw a major piece next to Jacobs in the backfield. And he wasted no time showing he could flourish in the role in the preseason and previous spot opportunities the past two years. Jacobs is what he is: a power runner with patience and solid speed for a player his size. But it’s Bradshaw who will make this one of this season’s best tandems.

[inve.tment]

How are the Vikings #4?

[Kghikeds]

How are the Vikings #4?

because w/o a single down being played it's already safe to assume Chester Taylor (who's seen very little wear and tear in his career) is already on the decline....

[jabader]

The Sporting News did a similar list and the Vikes weren't even in their top 5.

[Hammaduersnes]

The Sporting News did a similar list and the Vikes weren't even in their top 5.

wasnt baltimore in their top 3?

[Hoglaunccoolf]

The Sporting News did a similar list and the Vikes weren't even in their top 5.

That was pre-Favre.

[LindaSmithIV]

IMO the Vikings are #1 and it's not even close. I think they're the only team with two legit starting RBs.

The Carolina duo has only one solid year combined, Norwood's never started, and White's a part-time player.

[amelveEnromma]

IMO the Vikings are #1 and it's not even close. I think they're the only team with two legit starting RBs.

The Carolina duo has only one solid year combined, Norwood's never started, and White's a part-time player.

Taylor is a legit starter? This is news to me.

[goldcigarettes]

Taylor is a legit starter? This is news to me.

he started for vikings in 06 and was pretty effective. He could start for several teams.

[Markdogas]

Jacobs, Bradshaw and Ware

Who now?

[GetsTan]

he started for vikings in 06 and was pretty effective. He could start for several teams.

So effective, they drafted AD.

[Phassetus]

Who now?

Danny Ware. I like him a lot. He was a forgotten man for a while cause he was stuck behind Jacobs, Ward and Bradshaw.

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pr...orm_Danny.html

[Dxwlxqvg]

So effective, they drafted AD.

and still worth it.

If you have matt hasselbeck and peyton manning is available to you do it?

[Arrocousa]

and still worth it.

If you have matt hasselbeck and peyton manning is available to you do it?

I draft Johnny Unitas.

[GitaraMoya]

ap>jacobs
taylor>bradshaw


there

[drexigordiche]

ap>jacobs
taylor>bradshaw


there

Giants>Vikes

There.

[ffdfriendforurr]

Giants>Vikes

There.

they've dominated you guys past couple times they've played you

we own eli manning. I believe he's thrown more pick sixes then TD's vs the vikings.

[Nzmoafzn]

they've dominated you guys past couple times they've played you

we own eli manning. I believe he's thrown more pick sixes then TD's vs the vikings.

Congrats - you're going to Miami!