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The texts and phone calls start flying as soon as the NFL games end Sundays. They come at Chris Johnson, and he gives them back.
Johnson, the cat-quick rookie runner for the Tennessee Titans, makes it a point to check on his new fraternity brothers in the running back Class of 2008 after his game ends. These are players he bonded with during the draft process last winter and spring, players he now considers friends, so firing off a text, the modern NFL player's communication of choice, is how they discuss the day's games.
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| Chris Johnson earns Marshall Faulk comparisons. Wow. (US Presswire) |
He's not far off. This rookie running back class has already made quite a splash. Three games into the 2008 season, and they are receiving rave reviews. It's a class that features high picks, speed guys, power players, good receivers, inside-the-tackle runners and some already being labeled the next big thing.
"When I saw this class last spring," one AFC scout said, "I knew it had this type of potential."
This good?
Five backs went in the first round, an indication things could be special. Two others went in the second and three more in the third.
Three of the top 10 rushers in the league are rookies. Chicago's Matt Forte is fourth in the league with 304 yards. Johnson, from East Carolina, is the next-best rookie at seventh with 278, with Darren McFadden of Oakland ninth with 252 yards.
It doesn't end there. Texans running back Steve Slaton had a 100-yard game last week. Felix Jones of the Dallas Cowboys has put his big-play speed on display both as a runner and a return man, scoring long touchdowns both ways. Carolina's Jonathan Stewart is averaging 4.7 per carry for his 145 yards.
This week, Rashard Mendenhall of the Pittsburgh Steelers will be the primary runner as Willie Parker sits out against the Ravens. Kevin Smith is starting for the Detroit Lions, and Ray Rice is contributing for the Baltimore Ravens.
"You go out there every week wanting to be better than the other guy," Johnson said. "That keeps you motivated."
It's early, but this class has a chance to be one of the best -- if the players can stay healthy. It could end up being the running back version of the 1983 quarterback class, which produced Dan Marino, John Elway and Jim Kelly.
In studying the drafts since the AFL-NFL merger, some of the best classes for runners were that 1983 draft, plus 1994 and 1997.
The 1983 class produced Eric Dickerson (Rams), Curt Warner (Seahawks), James Jones (Lions), Gary Anderson (Chargers), Roger Craig (49ers), Craig James (Patriots) and Stanley Wilson (Bengals). Dickerson is in the Pro Football Hall and some might make a case for Craig being there, too. Warner was outstanding and Jones was a quality starter.
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| Darren McFadden already looks like he's at the head of the class. (US Presswire) |
The 1997 draft had Tiki Barber (Giants), Corey Dillon (Bengals), Antowain Smith (Bills), Duce Staley (Eagles) and Warrick Dunn (Bucs).
There have been other impressive classes, but all might someday be shoved aside by this group.
"We're competitive and we will push each other," Johnson said. "We want to be known down the road as the best class of rookie runners. If we all play up to our abilities, we have a chance to make that happen."
A couple of weeks ago, Johnson ran for 109 yards in the Titans' victory over Cincinnati. Good day, but not as good as his buddy. McFadden went for 164 against the Chiefs.
"I sent him a text that said he got me," Johnson said. "But some days I'll get him."
They'll all probably get each other, which is why this is going to be one fun season watching them run.
A quick look at each of them:
Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Strengths: Quickness, speed, explosive home-run speed.
Wow Factor: Very high.
Future prognosis: Star. He reminds me of Marshall Faulk. That's high praise.
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Strengths: Speed, quickness, ability to make people miss, pass-receiving skills.
Wow Factor: High.
Future prognosis: He runs high, which is some concern, but he runs hard and, like Johnson, he has great speed. As he gets stronger, and he will, he will be even better. He's a 10-year starter.
Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Strengths: Speed, speed and more speed. He can also catch the football and is a capable return man.
Wow Factor: Medium.
Future prognosis: When Marion Barber wears down from all the shots he takes -- and it will happen -- Jones will become the starter in a couple of years. He can handle a 20-carry load.
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
Strengths: Power, speed to the hole, burst.
Wow Factor: Medium.
Future prognosis: He will be the team's feature back next season. He's strong and has the ability to make people miss like a young Jerome Bettis.
Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
Strengths: Speed, explosiveness.
Wow Factor: High.
Future prognosis: Think Adrian Peterson. He has it all. If he can stay healthy, he will be the best of this class.
Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers
Strengths: Power, inside running ability.
Wow Factor: Medium.
Future prognosis: He will be a 1,200-yard rusher, but I'm not sure he will be that special back like some of the others here.
Steve Slaton, Houston Texans
Strengths: Ability to make people miss, toughness, vision.
Wow Factor: Medium.
Future prognosis: The Texans now have a feature back who is perfect for their cut-back style of running. Slaton will be their guy for the next five years. He might never be a star, but he will pile up yards.
Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
Strengths: Quickness and toughness.
Wow Factor: Low.
Future prognosis: He's a grinder. At 5-feet-9, he runs harder than his size would indicate. He knows how to sneak into the pile and make people miss. He's backing up Willis McGahee.
Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions
Strengths: Good vision, patient runner and makes people miss.
Wow Factor: Medium.
Future prognosis: He's one of those runners who won't look like he's having a huge day and then you look up and he has 130 yards. Smith is starting already, and look for the Lions to lean on him more and more.