Originally Published: July 8, 2008

Rankings show just how far some running games have fallen

The Raiders have a surplus of running back and the Bears are searching for some? The rankings go wild from 11-32.

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Green By Jeremy Green
Scouts Inc.
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Go figure. The once pass-happy Raiders are suddenly loaded at running back while the once proud ground game of Chicago is suddenly looking for answers at the position. The running back situations have sure changed over the years.

Even though the Raiders finished the 2007 season with the 25th-ranked offense, they had the No. 6 run offense although they were often playing from behind. In terms of overall talent, the Raiders are deep at the position despite the fact they are eventually expected to release veteran RB LaMont Jordan. It all starts with Justin Fargas, who is entering his sixth year and more then doubled his career output when he ran for 1,009 yards last season. Next is Michael Bush, whom the Raiders drafted in the fourth round in 2007. Bush missed his senior season at Louisville with a leg injury, but had he been healthy would have likely been the second RB taken in his draft class, and he's supposed to be back at full strength this year. Take that group and add rookie Darren McFadden, who is the most electrifying player from the 2008 draft class, and the Raiders may very well have the deepest backfield in the NFL.

Clinton Portis is one of the most underrated RBs in the NFL. In six seasons, he has topped the 1,200-yard mark five times. The only season he didn't top 1,000 yards was in 2006, when he played only eight games due to injury. Though nicked at times, he has shown the toughness to play through injury. One of his biggest issues has been fumbling and he put it on the ground six times last season. In 2006 with an injured Portis out, Ladell Betts totaled 1,154 yards. He struggled last year because he didn't get enough touches, but he is one of the better backups in the NFL.

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