I say Clinton Portis.
PORTIS FOR NFL RUSHING LEADER? 8/15/03 - Stephen Nover
It's easy to predict the NFL rushing leader will be either Ricky Williams or LaDainian Tomlinson.
But judging by various 'prop' bets being offered, the short odds on those two wouldn't be worth the gamble.
Not so with Clinton Portis, who is 8/1 at Olympic sports book to finish with the most rushing yards. He's also 20/1 at BoDog sports to win MVP honors.
I say Portis does it. Only Williams, with 1,853 yards, Tomlinson with 1,683, and Priest Holmes with 1,615, had more rushing yards last year than Portis' 1,508.
Keep in mind, Holmes had 40 more attempts than Portis. Tomlinson carried the ball 69 more times than Portis, and Williams had 100 more carries. Portis averaged a Broncos franchise-best 5.5 yards per carry, the best among the top running backs.
Portis is faster and more elusive than Williams and Tomlinson, while Holmes has yet to prove he's 100 percent healthy after returning from a hip injury.
Some key questions here include; how many carries Portis will get, is he durable enough, how good is the Broncos' offensive line and what kind of schedule do the Broncos play when it comes to their opponents' rush defense?
Denver coach Mike Shanahan likes to rotate backs, unless he has a stud. That was the case with Terrell Davis. The Broncos' current running back situation has Davis and Olandis Gary gone and the rest of the backs banged up. Portis is a proven commodity, something no one knew during the first half of last season. Shanahan realizes Portis may end up being the greatest running back in Denver history. So Portis gets all the carries.
Realizing this, Portis has bulked up to 213 pounds, 20 pounds heavier than he finished last year’s rookie season. He hasn't lost any speed or quickness either according to reports out of Denver. The extra weight should allow him to be a season-long workhorse.
Denver's offensive line always has been solid when it comes to run blocking, and that should continue this season.
The Broncos face the ninth easiest run defense schedule. Miami, with Williams, and San Diego, with Tomlinson, have the 15th and 19th toughest schedule of run defense opponents, respectively.
A long shot to consider for the most rushing yards 'prop' is Stephen Davis, who is 20/1 at Olympic. Davis was a forgotten man last year, missing four games and being underutilized playing under Steve Spurrier's Big Tent.
Davis is most effective when the offense is built around him, which it is in Carolina. Davis still has it. He's under 30-years-old and averaged 4.0 yards per carry last year. Prior to 2002, he averaged 1,385 yards per season from 1999-2001.
Davis, still in his prime, could finish with the most carries. And that could mean a rushing title and a nice payout at 20/1.
When it comes to rushing 'props,' Portis and Davis could be the winning tickets.
PORTIS FOR NFL RUSHING LEADER? 8/15/03 - Stephen Nover
It's easy to predict the NFL rushing leader will be either Ricky Williams or LaDainian Tomlinson.
But judging by various 'prop' bets being offered, the short odds on those two wouldn't be worth the gamble.
Not so with Clinton Portis, who is 8/1 at Olympic sports book to finish with the most rushing yards. He's also 20/1 at BoDog sports to win MVP honors.
I say Portis does it. Only Williams, with 1,853 yards, Tomlinson with 1,683, and Priest Holmes with 1,615, had more rushing yards last year than Portis' 1,508.
Keep in mind, Holmes had 40 more attempts than Portis. Tomlinson carried the ball 69 more times than Portis, and Williams had 100 more carries. Portis averaged a Broncos franchise-best 5.5 yards per carry, the best among the top running backs.
Portis is faster and more elusive than Williams and Tomlinson, while Holmes has yet to prove he's 100 percent healthy after returning from a hip injury.
Some key questions here include; how many carries Portis will get, is he durable enough, how good is the Broncos' offensive line and what kind of schedule do the Broncos play when it comes to their opponents' rush defense?
Denver coach Mike Shanahan likes to rotate backs, unless he has a stud. That was the case with Terrell Davis. The Broncos' current running back situation has Davis and Olandis Gary gone and the rest of the backs banged up. Portis is a proven commodity, something no one knew during the first half of last season. Shanahan realizes Portis may end up being the greatest running back in Denver history. So Portis gets all the carries.
Realizing this, Portis has bulked up to 213 pounds, 20 pounds heavier than he finished last year’s rookie season. He hasn't lost any speed or quickness either according to reports out of Denver. The extra weight should allow him to be a season-long workhorse.
Denver's offensive line always has been solid when it comes to run blocking, and that should continue this season.
The Broncos face the ninth easiest run defense schedule. Miami, with Williams, and San Diego, with Tomlinson, have the 15th and 19th toughest schedule of run defense opponents, respectively.
A long shot to consider for the most rushing yards 'prop' is Stephen Davis, who is 20/1 at Olympic. Davis was a forgotten man last year, missing four games and being underutilized playing under Steve Spurrier's Big Tent.
Davis is most effective when the offense is built around him, which it is in Carolina. Davis still has it. He's under 30-years-old and averaged 4.0 yards per carry last year. Prior to 2002, he averaged 1,385 yards per season from 1999-2001.
Davis, still in his prime, could finish with the most carries. And that could mean a rushing title and a nice payout at 20/1.
When it comes to rushing 'props,' Portis and Davis could be the winning tickets.
