Originally Posted by NY2FLDWC85
All I'm saying is this... If you want an elite RB? A true game changing, impact type of running back? You draft during the 1st and 2nd rounds. Look at all these HOF Backs. 1st rounders. Look at the elite talents of today's NFL? 1st and 2nd rounders with an occasional Foster type of diamond in the rough. Not which, but how many late rounders can compare with the likes of Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, Lashawn McCoy, Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden, Chris Johnson, Jonathan Stewart etc, etc? These are the premier RB's of today's NFL.
If you're not willing to see our front office go RB during the 1st round (I know I am), I don't believe that you have a right to complain about Shonn Greene's production. We paid for a 3rd rounder, which is what we have. A solid 3rd rounder at that. Release Shonn Greene today? And he's picked up by 31 NFL teams around the league by tomorrow.
The kid rushed for over 1,000 yards as a 1st year starter/3rd year player. Put up an average of 4.2 yards per carry behind an offensive line that became completely depleted by seasons end. Not sure what anyone else can expect out of an early 3rd round back? He rushed the ball 9 fewer times than Chris Johnson, but still put up 7 rushing yards more than CJ. Was only 37 rushing yards shy of cracking the top 10. His 6 rushing TD's tied Fred Jackson, Bush, Benson, Tebow and Mathews. Only 1 rushing TD behind DeAngelo Williams and Brandon Jacobs. Only 2 rushing TD's behind Frank Gore and Jones-Drew. Last but not least, only 3 rushing TD's away from cracking the top 10. On a side note, Greene was only 6 first downs runs away from cracking the top 10 and only 12 rushing 1st downs away from cracking the top 5.
You put a healthy offensive line in front of Shonn Greene, with opposing defenses having to respect our Quarterbacks ability? And who knows how productive Shonn Greene can truly become. Top 10 back? No. Competes as a top 12-15 back? Without question. If he breaks out as a 2nd year starter/4th year player, as a fan base? We could be on the verge of considering Greene (production wise) a top 10 back heading into next offseason.
I want an explosive Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, Lashawn McCoy, Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden, Chris Johnson and Jonathan Stewart type of 1st round talent as well, but I'm also thankful that we have Shonn Greene as a cheap, productive, 3rd round back moving forward (for the time being).
Many fans quickly forget, how Shonn Greene feasted during the 2009 playoffs. Combined for 44 rushing attempts, 263 rushing yards, an average of 5.9 yards per carry to go along with 2 rushing TD's (against the Bengals and Chargers). When Shonn Greene went down against the Colts after rushing for 41 yards off of 10 carries? Our offense went to crap.
Even during the 2010 playoffs, Shonn Greene was productive. Put the dagger in against the Patriots with a 20 yard rushing TD during the 4th quarter. Also rushed for an average of 4.5 yards per carry on the road in NE. Rushed for a total of 76 yards, which doesn't sound much, but still comes out to an average of 1,216 yards during a 16 game season. What about the Steelers games? Blame Shotty Jr for getting away from the run. Greene had 52 rushes after only 9 rushing attempts; an average of 5.8 yards per carry against a great Steelers run defense.
I'm actually looking forward to a more powerful rushing attack being led by Greene and Tebow with Sparano putting the offensive game plan together.
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