The role of the NFL running back has been steadily declining in the era of the strong-armed quarterback and the long pass. But, as the 2010 Green Bay Packers showed, a team cannot win a Super Bowl without a good running game. The sportsbooks are keeping an eye on the more prominent NFL running backs to see how they will perform in the 2012 season. While the running backs may not be getting the notoriety they used to get, the online betting sites still consider the NFL running backs to be significant keys to a winning team.
Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans
Chris Johnson ran for 1,047 yards in 2011 and that was considered an off year for him. Johnson held out during training camp and didn't really start catching fire until week five or six. This year, the Titans will have Johnson for training camp and the preseason, but Tennessee has not indicated who the starting quarterback will be. Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker have similar styles, but they are very different kinds of quarterbacks. If the Titans want to develop an offense that will maximize Johnson's running game as an enhancement to the passing game, then the team will need to decide on a starting quarterback at least halfway through the preseason.
Fred Jackson – Buffalo Bills
For the past couple of years in Buffalo, fans have been able to rely on Fred Jackson. Whether he is running the ball or catching passes out of the backfield, Jackson is a significant part of the Buffalo offense. The bookie software emphasized that importance by making the Bills significant underdogs in the games that Jackson missed due to injury last season. This year, there is hope in Buffalo and Fred Jackson is a large part of the hope that the fans feel. If Jackson can hold up his end of the offensive bargain and keep the ball moving on the ground and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick can be effective in the air, then the Bills could be a big surprise in 2012.
Shonn Greene – New York Jets
The retirement of LaDainian Tomlinson placed all of the running game pressure for the New York Jets on the shoulders of Shonn Greene. While he has been a consistent running back for the Jets for the past two years, he has never been the featured back. He has always split those duties with Tomlinson. A betting blog review of Greene's numbers shows a running back that has shown signs of being ready to take over the number one spot. Now the Jets will get to see if Greene can deliver.
Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings head into the 2012 season with an uncertain offensive future. Second-year quarterback Christian Ponder has not shown any signs of being ready to be a starter and the running game was ruined by the torn ACL suffered by running back Adrian Peterson late last season. In after only four months, Peterson looks ready to fully recover from an injury that takes the average athlete 12 months or longer to recover from. If Peterson can play and play at full speed in 2012, then the Vikings have a shot at winning at least four games. Without Peterson, it could be a very long year in Minnesota.
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