2013 AFC North Ranking By Unit: Backfield

Nov 25, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson (33) rushes against Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Will Allen (26) in the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Mike and Mike in the Morning previewed the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals Monday morning as we shared here on FoS. As the pre-season has begun, and the regular season is creeping up, FoS will be sharing a division preview Unit by Unit of each of the 4 teams. While position ranking could be fun, doing so for each of the 25 positions, including Kicker, Punter and Return Specialist is a little tedious and does not help take a bigger picture into account. Also with the Bengals in a 43 Defense, and the other teams in a 34 variation, Front 7s are more important then splitting up DLine and Linebackers. These reviews will include the following units:

Quarterbacks (8/12/13) Backfield (8/13/13) Pass Catchers (8/14/13) 

Offensive Line(8/15/13) Front 7s (8/16/13) Defensive Backs (8/17/13)

Right behind, or beside in the shotgun, is the backfield. In the AFC North, the smashmouth division that it has been over the years it has been surprising the turnover in the running back position. Besides Ray Rice no other AFC North team has had a consistent star caliber running back over the last 5 or so years. Players have come and gone like “Fast” Willie Parker, Peyton Hillis and Cedric Benson. The other surprise has been the depreciation in value of the fullback position, with many fans struggling to identify the team’s primary FB, would of been even worse had Vonta Leach signed somewhere else after being cut by the Ravens. Primarily these rankings are based on the starting running back, with some weight given to young backups and fullbacks.

Ranking:

1. Baltimore Ravens – With the only consistent stud RB, Ray Rice, and the only dominant lead blocker, Vonta Leach, the Ravens are far and away the #1 backfield. Rice has shown consistent ability to be a playmaker, both in the running game and the passing game. Last year’s famous “Hey Diddle Diddle Ray Rice Up the Middle” is just once example of that. Rice has run for over 1,100 yards in each of the last 4 seasons and caught at least 60 balls. In the four years, following his rookie campaign, he has accounted for 39 rushing and receiving touchdowns. The Ravens have high hopes for second year player Bernard Pierce, who last year ran for over 500 yards as well.
2. Cleveland Browns – The Browns receive the #2 spot in this ranking based on the performance put in by rookie running back Trent Richardson, when healthy, their depth at the position and the lack of consistent quality in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Richardson played in 15 games last year, but due to injuries and the team playing from behind, only gathered 267 rushing attempts. Richardson still almost broke the 1000 yard mark while hauling in 51 receptions for another 367 yards. If Richardson is able to stay healthy for a full season expect a 1,200 yard season with another 50 to 60 receptions and 10+ touchdowns. Behind Richardson is newly acquired Dion Lewis, who has been the highlight of camp this off-season. Lewis provides a scat-back alternative to the powerful Richardson and will be used in similar situations as Darren Sproles was with Norv Turner’s Chargers. Also on the depth chart is Brandon Jackson, who was a solid starter in Green Bay but struggled with injuries. The fullback is converted halfback Chris Ogbonaya, but the new offense doesn’t have high plans for that position.
3. Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals brought in BenJarvus Green-Ellis as a high priced free agent last year to take on the lead halfback duties. BJGE did well in his starting role racking up just over 1,000 yards. The Bengals are hoping for more dynamic play from their running back position as BJGE averaged under 4.0 yards a carry. The Bengals drafted Giovani Bernard in hopes of providing that spark. Bernard has some similarities to the Browns Lewis as he is a small, quick back. The Bengals drafted him in the 2nd round, hoping to duplicate similar success the Ravens had with Rice. Bernard should also provide more receiving threat out of the backfield for the Bengals as a check down/screen receiver. Steady FB Brian Leanord is no longer with the team and that role will go to second year man Orson Charles, who is a TE by natural position. Bernard’s development will decide whether the team’s backfield climbs or falls in these rankings at the end of the year.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers of the past relied on tough defense, a talented offensive line and powerful running backs. The last few years have continued on the legacy of the defense but offensively the dependence has been on QB Ben Rothlesberger, a shaky (at best OLine) and dynamic playmaking receivers. The Steelers drafted Le’Veon Bell in the second round to hopefully answer their halfback need, after letting a past 1st round pick leave via free agency, Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall’s tenure with the Steelers looked to be off to a strong start when, like Rice, in his second and third seasons he rushed for over 1,100 yards. His last 2 years with the team resulted in just over 1,100 yards total rushing for both seasons combined. Their current depth chart has Isaac Redman, Jonanthan Dwyer and return specialist LaRod Stephens-Howling ahead of Bell. The Steelers are not a organization that likes to give rookies starting positions, so Bell will have to prove his worth this off-season. Redman and Dwyer both showed the possibility of being able to hold onto the starting RB spot in a game or two last year, but followed those games up with significant struggles. Neither currently can be assumed to carry the load. LSH will provide more of a third down back/return team contribution. Can Bell be The Bus 2.0? If so the Steelers will be set, if not they will continue to look to reestablish their dominance of old in the ground game.

What did we miss? How would you rank these 4? Did we “disrespect” your team? Tell us what you think.