Underperforming Backs... Who will return to form?

[The Rush]

Domanick Davis
Kevin Jones
Jamal Lewis
Clinton Portis

These guys are all legit first rounders. Who will return to that form, and how fast? Got any other underperforming backs, throw em in.

[bd0493]

Domanick Davis and Clinton Portis.

Portis has been alright and eventually he will get into the end zone, but I don't see him as a legit 1st rounder.

Davis on the other hand is obviously going to be a huge part of the Texans offense throughout and he has a very favorable schedule upcoming- with games against Cleveland, Tennessee, and Seattle in 3 of his next 4 games.

[maddog60]

I onyl saw DD and Jamal as legit first rounders, but a lot of people would've agreed with you pre-season about all those guys.

I'm most worried about Jamal just not having the same blocking he's had in previous years. Portis I think will continue his same production, but that's what I expected. KJ and DD are the two I'd be most optimistic about, though they are the riskiest.

[The Rush]

I like KJ and DD, but it just seems like they can stuff the line in houston cuz the blocking is terrible and they just always get to carr. KJ just needs garcia to get healthy put more pressure on the secondary. Jamal Lewis same thing, QB is just so bad but at least theyre giving him the ball unlike KJ. Portis just needs to find the endzone more often, but i think all these backs suffer from terrible qb's.

[skibrett15]

what about Ahman Green/Curtis martin two guys I would think that aren't 1st rounders, but most didn't expect to flop (yes I know there are a bunch who thought that one or both would suck)

[Kensat30]

what about Ahman Green/Curtis martin two guys I would think that aren't 1st rounders, but most didn't expect to flop (yes I know there are a bunch who thought that one or both would suck)

Stick a fork in Curtis Martin for 2005, he's done. Ahman Green gets better if the Packer's start winning. I'd give that about a 50/50 chance...

[Paladyr]

I'd say DD and KJ are done for the year. Jamal and portis will only slightly get better IMO. All are going to have a dissappointing year I think.

[STEELtownUSA]

Jamal started to come back this week. 80 and a TD i think, much better than previous weeks at least.

[maddog60]

what about Ahman Green/Curtis martin two guys I would think that aren't 1st rounders, but most didn't expect to flop (yes I know there are a bunch who thought that one or both would suck)

There are reasons why they were late 2nd round picks.

Martin got over-used last year. The amount of use he got, RBs good and bad are notorious for having off years to follow, so compound that with the loss of any form of QB on the Jets, the off-season loss of McKenzie, C-Mart may have seen his last great fantasy year already.

Green, again I think the offensive line changes are hurting, but its just much more than that. His defense can't stop a JV squad long enough to let the Packers give him 10 carries before they're practically in 4th down mode on every play.

Its not what I'd like to see from either RB, but it really does set up Green to be an excellent value next year pending where he ends up. That's about the best upside I see out of this scenario.

[CC]

Gimme Jamal any day and twice on Sundays.