I’ve received a handful of emails lately asking me about a few running backs headed for free agency.  Here are my thoughts on some of the questions I've been asked. 

The most asked about running back has been Oakland’s Justin Fargas.  Fargas picked a good time to emerge as a productive runner this season.  Fargas has always been an intriguing runner due to his burst to the hole and speed.  I like the way Fargas attacks the hole and he’s become a lot more decisive over the past year.  He’s found a good rhythm within the zone blocking attack.  Although he’s tough and runs hard at times, Fargas is not a power runner nor has been very durable.  Unfortunately, his knee sprain to end his season short this month re-opened a lot of significant concerns in the past about his durability.

Fargas may have played his way into a couple teams considering him as a stop-gap in a two-back system as a 10-15 carry a game guy.  It would be too risky to count on anything more over a 16-game season with Fargas. 

I’ve been asked whether Ron Dayne is a starting running back.  My thoughts are no.  He’s found a comfort zone in Houston and played effectively in an expanded role this season, but I wouldn’t invest much into Dayne if I am another franchise.  I give Dayne a lot of credit for battling back from a disappointing situation with the Giants earlier in his career.  He’s matured a little since that time and found a franchise that realizes he’s not Jerome Bettis.  Dayne is neither a true power back nor is he a playmaker.  Dayne does have the power to keep the chains moving – especially in the fourth quarter.  He also has a little short-area quickness, but has no speed or burst to break into the second level of a defense.  Dayne would be best re-signing with Houston as an insurance back. 

What is the future of T.J. Duckett and the running back situation in Detroit?  I believe the Lions must re-sign Duckett – especially after the latest injury to Kevin Jones.  Duckett isn’t the answer as a starter, but deserves to compete for more carries in 2008.  He could be effective with around 10 carries a game.  Duckett is a good power back – especially in the redzone.  He has decent speed for his size, but has very little quickness to the perimeter.  He won’t make plays in the passing game, but is an adequate outlet option.   

As for the long-term running back situation in Detroit, the Lions definitely have some decisions to make following the knee injury to Jones.   This means Jones will miss another year of the off-season program while rehabbing from another injury.  At the same time, he was battling a lot of soreness in his foot since making back to the field earlier this season from a serious Lisfranc injury.  Jones will work hard to overcome another tough break, but the Lions face an uncertain situation at running back for the long-term.  The one situation that favors Jones in the long-term is the Lions need to address several holes on the defensive side of the ball this spring.  That could mean the Lions decide to re-sign Duckett and pair him with another stop-gap option, then evaluate their situation at the running back position a year from now. 

I also have been asked about Jacksonville’s LaBrandon Toefield.  This is an interesting situation because he’s been buried behind Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew the last couple seasons.  Toefield is a very good runner between the tackles.  He can finish runs with his strong lower body.  But Toefield has a lot of limitations because he’s slow and lacks quick feet to make plays in the open field.  There are also a lot of past concerns about Toefield’s durability.  Toefield has a lot of limitations to be projected as a starter – even in a stop-gap situation.  At his best – Toefield could be effective if a starter goes down for a few games.  I believe he wouldn’t be a bad addition to add some numbers in the backfield – especially if you are looking for a short-yardage back.