[DC 86]

[quote author=leftcoast link=topic=16796.msg192159#msg192159 date=1492880797]

I put the winky emoticon there and then think of Marcus Lattimore, Maurice Clarett, Ricky Williams, Earl Campbell, et al.  There are many reasons why RBs don't live up to their draft pick.  Some are tragic, some are self-inflicted.

Why is five time pro bowler and Pro Football HOF member Earl Campbell on your list of players who didn't live up to their draft pick?  Campbell is still my ideal of an elite NFL power running back and his epic NFC championship games against Tom Landry's Cowboys are deservedly legendary.

And Williams gained more yards in his career than Campbell, so I don't think of either as failing to live up to their picks.  Campbell was #35 in career yards and Williams was #29.
[/quote]
Indeed, I didn't understand those examples either. Campbell has a short but brilliant Hall of Fame career (twice voted league MVP by the PFWA, 1,934 yards rushing one season and 19 TD another). Williams had an uneven career but still ended with over 10,000 rushing yards. Lattimore never recovered from serious college injuries and never played a down, a risk that applies to any injured player regardless of position.

It's not hard to find genuine RB busts: Trent Richardson, Cedric Benson, Curtis Enis, Ki-Jana Carter and Blair Thomas were all drafted in the top 5 overall.

[DC 86]

[quote author=leftcoast link=topic=16796.msg192159#msg192159 date=1492880797]

I put the winky emoticon there and then think of Marcus Lattimore, Maurice Clarett, Ricky Williams, Earl Campbell, et al.  There are many reasons why RBs don't live up to their draft pick.  Some are tragic, some are self-inflicted.

Why is five time pro bowler and Pro Football HOF member Earl Campbell on your list of players who didn't live up to their draft pick?  Campbell is still my ideal of an elite NFL power running back and his epic NFC championship games against Tom Landry's Cowboys are deservedly legendary.

And Williams gained more yards in his career than Campbell, so I don't think of either as failing to live up to their picks.  Campbell was #35 in career yards and Williams was #29.
[/quote]
Indeed, I didn't understand those examples either. Campbell has a short but brilliant Hall of Fame career (twice voted league MVP by the PFWA, 1,934 yards rushing one season and 19 TD another). Williams had an uneven career but still ended with over 10,000 rushing yards. Lattimore never recovered from serious college injuries and never played a down, a risk that applies to any injured player regardless of position.

It's not hard to find genuine RB busts: Trent Richardson, Cedric Benson, Curtis Enis, Ki-Jana Carter and Blair Thomas were all drafted in the top 5 overall.