The Runningback Class of 08 Making Its Presence Felt

Last year, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco got most of the talk about NFL rookies, and deservedly so.
Both took struggling teams and turned them into playoff teams at the most important position in the NFL.

The rookie runningbacks did pretty good for themselves too, though.

Steve Slaton was 6th in the league in rushing yards, with Matt Forte and Chris Johnson right behind him at 7th and 8th, respectively.

This year, things are looking up even more.

Chris Johnson (pictured, left) is the only one in the top 10, but second year runningbacks are scattered across the top 40. Ray Rice is 14th. Felix Jones is 16th. Matt Forte is 20th. Rashard Mendenhall is 26th. Kevin Smith is 27th. Jonathan Stewart is 31st. Steve Slaton is 36th. Once Darren McFadden gets out of Oakland, he's going to be a player in this league. Don't sleep on Kansas City Chief Jamaal Charles, either.

While that may not overwhelm you, keep in mind the NFL is almost exclusively a runningback by committee league, and these guys are still not even midway through their second season. For some, like Rice and Mendenhall, it's not even that because of injuries during their rookie season. Most of these guys, and again I point to Rice and Mendenhall, along with Jones, Choice and Stewart, were brought in to be the change of pace back who will eventually replace back "1" of their two-back system.

There are certainly a lot of great young quarterbacks in this league, but there's a lot of good young runners, too.

Despite Win, Problems lay ahead for Steelers

I still cannot believe the Steelers won last night. Big Ben used a little more of his magic and Mewelde Moore came up HUGE for the Steelers. I thought he was a great pickup when they signed him and it definitely showed.

Especially considering the Steelers got disasterous news last night. As most of you know, Willie Parker did not play last night and is most likely out until Week 7, the week after their bye week. Well, rookie Rashard Mendenhall started in his place. And did fine. However, the Steelers learned late last night that Mendenhall - who suffered a shoulder injury in I believe the 3rd quarter - is out for the season.

Not only that, but their sarting right guard Kendall Simmons suffered an achilles tendon tear and is also out for the season. Darnell Stapelton replaced Simmons, but I think the Steelers will move Willie Colon to RG (from RT) and place Trai Essex at RT (or just use Essex as RG). Either way, it's another blow to a team that is already without probowlers Willie Parker and Casey Hampton and starting DE Brett Keisel (to go along with injuries to starting punter Daniel Sepulveda, backup quarterback Charlie Batch, and backup linebackers Mike Humpal and Arnold Harrison).

The slew of injuries strikes an enormous blow into the Steelers' chances at winning the division not only because numerous key players are out, but also because the Ravens looked that good. With the injuries comes opportunity, however.

3rd down back Mewelde Moore is now more of an option on downs other than 3rd down. The Steelers can also bring running back Gary Russell off of the practice squad to handle the load. Russell, the former University of Minnesota back, is one player a lot of Steelers' fans like and many will be happy to see him get a chance. I think he can do fine for the timebeing, but the team should also check out the waiver wire to see who is available.

One name is Shaun Alexander. He hasn't been good since his record-breaking season, but the Steelers need someone who can carry the ball forward and not turn it over. I think he is at least worth a look. They also now need to find a replacement for Simmons, and I believe the most likely scenario is for them to call up left tackle Jeremy Parquet, who is a massive 6'6", 321 pounds.

The Steelers face a good Jacksonville team on a short week, so it will be interesting to see how they play. The Jaguars usually have their number and with all the injuries and the soreness that is lingering from last night's slughfest, I'm not sure the Steelers can pull it off. They're literally going to be limping into the bye week.

And while the win against Baltimore was huge, it is also bittersweet because the team (most notably the offense) is now weaker than it was beforehand and will have a tougher time stringing together victories.