Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

According the the NFL Players Association, the average player in the NFL lasts just 3.3 years. If you think that is a short lived, try being a running back in the NFL. The average running back lasts just 2.57 years, which is almost one full year less than league average. The reason for this is because of the wear and tear a running back endures over the course of a 16-game season. We mention this when talking about NFL Free Agency because with the average running back having a short lived careers it leads to turnover at the position and often times teams look to the open market to build their backfield.

When taking a look at the 2010 Free Agent Running Backs you will notice a big difference between Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) and the Restricted Free Agents (RFA). All of the mentioned players have exceeded the average life span of a RB; however, some of them are reaching the end of the road. The most desirable UFA running backs are veterans that have had very successful careers to date, but seem to have lost a step or two, while the top RFA options are only three to five years into their careers but have enjoyed some sort of success thus far.

::2010 Age is as of September 1, 2010::

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

LaDainian Tomlinson | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 31.4

Tomlinson heads the list of 2010 unrestricted free agent running backs and he didn’t make the list because his contract expired. The San Diego Chargers released Tomlinson on February 22 after an incredible nine-year run with the franchise. With Tomlinson due to receive a $2 million dollar roster bonus in March, San Diego management decided it was time to close the book on arguably the greatest running back of all-time. They also said goodbye to a player his fans had come to know as LT. Heading in to the 2009 season, Tomlinson rushed for at least 1,100 yards and scored double-digit touchdowns in each of his first eight seasons in the league. Unfortunatey things began to unravel for Tomlinson in his ninth season with the Chargers. The wear and tear on his body caught up with Tomlinson and it was noticeable on the field. LT averaged a career low 3.3 yards per carry and only three out of 223 rushing attempts were over 20 yards.

Many teams are looking for veteran leadership at the running back position and Tomlinson has already attracted interest from some appealing suitors. Tomlinson has expressed an interest in signing with a team that has a serious shot at winning the Super Bowl. At this stage in his career, we wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly what he does. Going this route will almost certainly rule out the likelihood of being an every down back, however Tomlinson has accomplished just about every goal an NFL running back can achieve outside of winning the Lombardi Trophy. That said, Tomlinson met with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and it is rumored that the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in the man who scored 153 touchdowns in 141 career games.

Brian Westbrook | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 31.3

In his eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the electrifying Westbrook amassed 5,995 rushing yards, 3,790 receiving yards and scored 66 touchdowns. The former All-Pro Westbrook was a game-changer from almost anywhere on the field. In 2007, he accounted for an astonishing 36.7% of the Eagles’ total offense, led the league with 2,104 yards from scrimmage and scored 12 touchdowns. Multiple concussions suffered midway through the season limited Westbrook’s playing time to eight games in 2009 and diminished his role on the offense. His combined rushing and receiving yards totaled 455 and he scored two touchdowns. Westbrook was also plagued by a problematic left knee and right ankle that made him a regular on the weekly injury report. The 30-year old Westbrook was due to earn a base salary of $7.25 million this year before the Eagles released him.

While it’s highly doubtful that Westbrook will ever be a full-time starter again – an assumption that he seems to accept – Westbrook says he still wants to play football. Unfortunately, whether we’re talking league play or fantasy football, there isn’t a bigger risk in the game than Brian Westbrook. Concussions are a hot-button issue in the NFL and owners will be understandably nervous about signing him. It’s also came out that Westbrook’s left knee swelled up in recent years whenever he practiced on artificial surfaces – which means that he would likely have to sign with a team that plays and practices on grass in order for the knee to hold up.

We don’t expect that Westbrook will sign with a team during initial wave of free agency. Any team interested in him will proceed with caution given the complexity of his medical situation. If and it’s a huge “if” Westbrook is cleared medically, we think his future and greatest value in league or fantasy play could come as a change-of-pace or third-down back. Retirement isn’t out of the question either.

Larry Johnson | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 30.10

Following his acrimonious parting with the Kansas City Chiefs midway through the 2009 season, Johnson was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals where he played seven games as a backup to Cedric Benson. Johnson touched the ball a total of 178 times for 581 yards and no touchdowns during his split season with the Chiefs and Bengals. Cincinnati opted not to re-sign Johnson when his contract expired – preferring to stake their running game on the fresher legs of Benson and up-and-comer Bernard Scott. Aside from concerns about whether Johnson has anything left in his tank after the wear-and-tear of the heavy workload earlier in his career, the 30-year old running back is a series of question marks when it comes to issues of character, his ability to get along with coaching, and possibly his willingness to accept a diminished or part-time role on a prospective team. The controversial Johnson is drawing limited interest around the league. He met this week with the Washington Redskins who are reportedly interested in bringing him onboard as a complement to Clinton Portis. Johnson also has plans to meet with the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. While we think that 1,000-yard seasons and fantasy relevance are behind Johnson, we concede that if he lands in the right situation and gets a grip on the attitude and behavior problems that have negatively impacted his career, Johnson could have a minor comeback of sorts.

Willie Parker | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 29.10

Parker is a perfect example of just how difficult it is for an NFL running back to be productive for a long period of time. From 2005-2007, Parker rushed the football 913 times for 4,012 yards and scored 19 touchdowns while helping the Steelers win a Super Bowl in 2005. Following a three-year stretch that saw Parker become one of the league’s best running backs, things have gone downhill for him. In 2008 Parker averaged just 3.8 yards per carry and the 2009 season wasn’t much better. A turf toe injury forced Parker to miss Weeks 4-5 and by the time he returned in Week 6 Parker had lost his job to rookie Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall never looked back and Parker could muster only 46 carries over the Steelers final 10 games. The Steelers haven’t ruled out negotiating a contract with Parker, however the seven-year veteran feels he still has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL and is exploring free agency. Parker has already received interest from multiple teams and should have no problem landing a new contract, though his days as an every down back appear to be behind him. 

Jamal Lewis | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 31.1

The Browns decided it was time to release their unproductive running back and formally cut ties with Lewis on February 17. Before being placed on injured reserve with post-concussion symptoms, Lewis averaged a career low 3.5 yards per carry and for the first time in nine seasons failed to find pay dirt. Lewis will be 31-years old at the start of the 2010 season and still hasn’t made a decision about his future. The competitive side of him wants to keep on playing; however, eight seasons of 230 carries or more has Lewis’ body questioning a return. Regardless of his decision, we can’t see Lewis making much of an impact and don’t expect him to attract much interest from NFL teams.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Leon Washington | New York Jets | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 28.1

Before suffering a devastating season-ending broken right leg in Week 7 of the 2009 season, Washington was the change of pace guy to Thomas Jones. While an injury is always bad news for a player, Washington’s came during a contract year and could impact his hopes of a long-term contract and a significant bump in salary. A versatile tailback, Washington has tremendous speed and is the ideal complement to a more bruising power running back. He also offers added value as a Pro Bowl caliber return man. Washington is a restricted free agent in the new rules world of 2010 NFL free agency, and received a somewhat surprising second-round tender from the Jets. The second-round tender is a one-year deal worth $1.759 million and gives the Jets the right of first refusal. Teams in need of a proven, all-purpose back with a career 4.8 yards per carry average and solid pass catching skills might consider Washington worth a second round pick as compensation should the Jets decide not to match an offer. That said, Washington is well-liked by the Jets organization and the relatively low-tender could be their attempt to gain the upper hand in future contract negotiations. With Jones out of the picture, we expect Washington to remain a Jet in 2010. He and Shonn Greene should team up to give the Jets running game a dynamic combination of speed and power.

Pierre Thomas | New Orleans Saints | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 25.9

Outside of missing two games due to injury, Thomas spent the majority of the 2009 season sharing the workload with running backs Mike Bell and Reggie Bush. Thomas didn’t produce to the level the New Orleans coaching staff envisioned; however, he still put together 1,095 total yards and eight touchdowns. The fourth-year running back out of Illinois is a dynamic threat out of the backfield and with more experience he should be able to take on a bigger role wherever he lands. New Orleans tendered a second-round pick as compensation on Thomas, which seems low considering his upside, and we wouldn’t be surprised if teams around the NFL show interest in him. Now whether New Orleans will let him walk (we don’t see this happening) is another story.