 |
| NFL Columns |
|
| Search |
|
|
|
|
| Draft Sim ID |
|
| Authored by Paul Falewicz - 17th August, 2006 - 4:49 pm
 Edgerrin James and Shaun Alexander are among the NFL?s elite running backs. Entering this season Alexander will be coming off an MVP season, while James will be beginning his first season as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. Both backs are in their prime, so which of the two premier players would you rather have anchoring your roster?
The Case For James
Edgerrin is coming off a season in which he rushed for over 1,500 yards and tied a career-high with thirteen rushing touchdowns for the Colts. Indianapolis decided they?d rather pay the likes of Reggie Wayne so they allowed James to leave for sunny Arizona and the young Cardinals. He?s one of the best running backs in the league when healthy, and he has the ability to catch a pass in addition to plowing through the opposition.
The Case Against James
Considering all that James has going for him, there are a few concerns that one must consider before making him their franchise player. He recently turned 28, and he has been the Colts top running back option for his entire career. Add in the fact that he has played in sixteen games only three times in his career and you might consider injuries a pretty big concern. Also, I think there must be something we don?t know about Edgerrin if the Colts were willing to watch him leave for the NFC.
The Case For Alexander
How?s 1,880 yards and twenty-seven touchdowns sound? If you?re an NFL GM that sounds like a 13-3 record, a Super Bowl appearance, and a bunch of dollar-signs. Heading into his seventh season in the NFL, Alexander has failed to reach 1,100 yards just once. That was 2000, his rookie year when he only rushed sixty-four times. Another MVP performance isn?t likely for Alexander who will turn 29 on August 30th, but you?ll still get incredible production.
The Case Against Alexander
There are only two concerns I have regarding Alexander. One is his age, as I said he will turn 29 before the season starts and we could see a decline in his production as early as this season. Also, he has lost Steve Hutchinson, who fled to Minnesota after several years of service as a Seahawk offensive linemen, which could hurt his production. His size has also always concerned me, he?s just 5'11", but he?s obviously proved that he?s too good a back to have that stop him.
The choice is yours - Who would you pick to start an NFL franchise with?
Vote on RealGM?s NFL Main Page to make your voice heard.
Also, send an e-mail to me at Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com and enter yourself in the running for a Mitchell & Ness NFL jersey (a $300 value) from DistantReplays.com and a chance to participate in my Fantasy Football Challenge League! |
