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Introduction

Recently, Donovan McNabb sat down for an interview with James Brown and made some controversial comments. Basically, what he said was that African-American Quarterbacks have to do a “little extra” because of their skin color.

Well, there’s one position where I think the minority has to do a lot extra because of their skin color.

White running backs, nearly extinct in the upper echelon of football, face strong opposition from the earliest stages and a strongly held belief that they simply can’t play the position. All that may be about to change…

 

A Little History

Shortly before the NFL draft this season I wrote a little piece about this phenomenon. It was titled “Position Available: White’s Need Not Apply” and focused on the story of a prospective white running back named Brian Leonard.

Over the course of the article I discussed the anomalous game of Brock Forsey against the Cardinals and the questions that followed (including, “Is it surprising you came out and had a great game and you’re white?”).

I also talked about how, according to Tony Dungy, white’s are discouraged from a young age from pursuing the “skill positions” (RB, WR, CB) and funneled into more appropriate positions.

Finally, I concluded that Brian Leonard, despite his size, skills, stats, speed, and toughness, would face a strong current against him because of his race. I don’t think it can be denied that to be a white running back you have to be truly special.

During my research I was very discouraged about his chances. Most sites agreed that he should be shifted to full-back despite running a 4.49 40 (Reggie Bush ran 4.38, Adrian Peterson ran 4.40, and Marshawn #### ran 4.46) and stating he preferred to be a running back. I thought he would surely be drafted as a full-back, if at all, and never get a real shot in the NFL; all because he was white.

Current Events

But that all changed today. I recalled that he had been drafted by the Rams in the second round but also that he had been drafted as a full-back. Besides, no matter how good he was I seriously doubted he could supplant Steven Jackson. Then Steven Jackson went and got hurt.

Now, the Rams are likely to elevate their number two running back into the starting slot. And that number two running back is, of course, Brian Leonard.

This development is stunning and quite unbelievable. I honestly didn’t know how to react when I learned that Brian Leonard would likely start this Sunday at running back. I thought it was a joke or a dream maybe even a Pepsi-induced hallucination. But, nay, it appears the Rams are seriously preparing to launch us into a brave new era in the NFL; an era in which franchise black quarterbacks are handing the ball off to elite white running backs.

Great White Hope

Now, Leonard’s not going to have an easy task this Sunday. He’s going up against the number 8 rush defense in the league and a team that is sitting atop the NFC. The Cowboys are sure to key on struggling QB Marc Bulger and will be looking to improve to 4-0.

Brian Leonard will face a determined defense Sunday and a group of guys determined not to let a white running back do well against them. We have yet to really see if he’s capable of doing the things he did in college in the NFL. And I’m not sure Leonard has had enough experience to be truly prepared for Sunday and I don’t think he’s going to set the world on fire, at least not yet.

But he has brought his “Leonard Leap” to the NFL in the preseason:

 

I’m really torn this Sunday. On the one hand, I’d love to see Leonard do really well this Sunday just to put a #### wrench in people’s perceptions. On the other hand, the Rams are playing the Cowboys and I, therefore, would love to see them completely crushed.

But even if Leonard isn’t successful this Sunday I think there is still one up and coming running back who could give white people everywhere reason for hope:

 

Conclusion

Are we going to see this stereotype torn down before our eyes on Sunday? I seriously doubt it. I think we’ll see Leonard struggle in his first start against a pretty good run defense but his struggles will not be because he’s white.

Will we see a day when both Brian Leonard and Sam McGuffie are starting in the NFL? Will we see a day when white running backs are as prosperous as they once were (post-integration I mean)? I don’t know. But be sure and tune in on Sunday because even if we don’t see those barriers torn down, we’re going to see a little crack form in them, and then it’s only a matter of time.

Midseason NFC Top Five

As a follow up to my AFC Top Five I present to you the NFC Top Five. Most them are obvious, while doing this it's very clear the AFC is still the deeper Conference. This one was much more difficult to do because so many of the NFC teams are schizophrenic. Without further ado:

Here's the NFC.

NFC
1. Chicago Bears (7-0)
Just like the Colts in the AFC, until they lose they've got to be top dog. Though they were perhaps exposed by the Cardinals they still came out of the desert with a "W." The Bears have been scary. Their offense is averaging 31.6 points a game and their defense is only allowing 9.9 points a game.

A quick look at their schedule, however, reveals the only some what good team they've played is Seattle. You could also say that maybe Minnesota was a tough opponent but I think they've been a bit over inflated. The Bears are going to face the hapless Dolphins this week Then they face the Giants, have a bye (I mean play the Jets), then the Patriots. We'll see after that game in New England if the Bears are legit or if they've benefited from an easy schedule.

2. New York Giants (5-2)
The Giants have been playing fairly well this season. For all the talk of how poor the Giants pass defense is, it doesn't really matter when the Quarter Back isn't given time to find his receivers or is flat on his back. The Giants pass rush is their key on D. With Umenyiora and Strahan on the edges, teams are having a problem keeping them out of the back field.

They looked like they were going to lose a few games only to have the offense finally start clicking in the fourth quarter and pick up a victory. While that's certainly admirable if it keeps up they may be going home early. I have no doubt they'll make the playoffs but coming from behind late in the game is a dangerous game in the post season. They'll be playing powerful defenses that will be harder to come back against and sooner or later the numbers will catch up to them and they won't be able to come back. For now, though, the Giants are clearly the second best team in the NFC (after they play the Bears perhaps the number one).

3. Atlanta Falcons (5-2)
The Falcons. They always start out so hot, then slow down as the season wears on. That's what happens when you rely on a couple players to carry your team. Their defense is good but traditionally Mike Vick is asked to do too much and breaks down in the playoffs. However, if he truly has figured out the Quarter Back is much more effective passing the ball (while maintaing the threat of a run) they could go deep. They land at number three right now and could over take the Giants if they keep playing like they are now.

4. New Orleans Saints (5-2)
The Saints lost at home, finally. It was bound to happen eventually. While the Saints are certainly improved over the past several seasons, they aren't that good. They face a couple other struggling teams (Cincinnati, Pittsburgh) in the coming weeks and could right the ship. However, if they lose to the Bucs this week then they'll show they really are going full speed in reverse and may drop out of the top five.

The Saints schedule gets more difficult in the second half and they have a chance to show if they've really turned the corner. Do they really have a shot at going to Miami? I don't think they're that good, but I think they could pull off a win in the post season.

5. St. Louis Rams (4-3)
Oh snap! The Rams?!?
Calm yourself. I'll explain. It's true, the St. Louis Rams did lose to the Seahawks a couple weeks ago. Yes, it's true they did lose to San Diego this past week. But this is a real demonstration of how weak the NFC is. The real difference between the Seahawks and the Rams is the direction they're going in. Sure, the Rams lost to the Chargers, but San Diego is a potential Super Bowl team.

The Rams offense is putting up big numbers. Their D is giving up too many points but if they can tighten things up (and I think they've underperformed thus far) they could be scary. I also feel like the Seahawks are headed in the wrong direction. Hasselback's importance to the Seahawks is under valued (not only his ability but his leadership) and he'll be missed. While Alexander's set to return soon, it could be too late to resurrect the Seahawks season. And so I think the Rams will end up winning the West and the Seahawks may well miss the playoffs entirely.

Sleeper: Minnesota Vikings (4-3)
The sexy pick is probably the Dallas Cowboys. And as much as I'd love to throw them in here I can't. I just don't know about Tony Romo. Their defense has been underachieving as has their offense and it will take a couple more weeks until I'm convinced about Romo (if they beat the Colts in Dallas, or even keep it close then I'll believe).

With that said, I'm forced to pick the Vikings. The Vikings have a very easy second half, with only the Bears and Rams being real tests. I think the Vikings could sneak into the playoffs behind the Bears but I wouldn't hold my breath for them to do anything. They displayed an ability to lose to even the worst teams when they lost to the Bills and will probably crack under the pressure of the post season. For now, the Vikings appear the most poised to make the playoffs but don't be surprised if another NFC team (like the Cowboys or Eagles) knocks them off.

Note: Wow, this was harder than I thought. I have a serious lack of faith in the NFC. I fully expect the AFC team to take another Super Bowl. Hopefully in the coming seasons the playing field will flatten a little more and NFC teams can become serious contenders for the Lombardi Trophy.

What a horrible idea! But according to John Czarnecki it's a great one (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5528508).

In his column he proposes moving the Rams back to LA from St. Louis and then shifting the Raiders there. His justification? Many small-market teams (including Oakland) can hardly support their teams, or can't support their teams but get to keep them because of the NFL's revenue sharing. What if Al Davis doesn't want to move to St. Louis? Well, then we'll just move the Cardinals back to St. Louis (abandoning their new stadium) and dump the Raiders in Arizona.

WHAT?

While I agree it's more fiscally responsible to relocate a struggling team to LA, rather than expand this is just stupid. You can't just forget the Raiders connection with Oakland and give them to St. Louis. You can't just severe the ties between St. Louis fans and THEIR Rams. And finally, the Cardinals finally look like they may become the most popular team in Arizona (assuming they field a team that plays to its potential and the Cowboys don't win the Super Bowl).

It seems like the NFL is basically preparing to move the Chargers over to LA because San Diego can't find the money to help them build a new stadium. This wouldn't be so bad as the distance isn't so great and the Chargers were once LA's team.

But if this doesn't happen the Saints may well be asked to move there. Personally, I don't think this will happen for a number of years because the NFL doesn't want to look like their abandoning Katrina victims. Paul Tagliabue would like to see something concrete get going before he retires so I don't think the Saints will go to the City of Angels.

So if the Chargers find a way to stay in San Diego and you want to move the Raiders(to free up the Nor Cal market for the Niners) and you want some instant fan-support then move them to LA. They have history there, including a Super Bowl win, and the move could help reinvigorate the team.

All this assumes LA truly wants a team. I think they do but I don't live there so I don't really know the interest. This solution would prevent having to find a new team to put in St. Louis (or Arizona) or any other location in the potentially massive shift the NFL Czar proposes.