Comments on: Thirty Year-Old Running Backs: The Age Of Decline

By: American Football NFL » Brian Westbrook Turning 30, Could Hit the Same Wall As Eddie George

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:01:06 +0000

[...] Whether they left or not, many running backs, especially recently, have seen a large decline in their performance after turning 30 years of age, as reported by FantasyFootballXtreme. [...]

By: Brian Westbrook turning 30, could hit the same wall as Eddie George | Daily Penn - Your source for sports in Pennsylvania

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:53:16 +0000

[...] Whether they left or not, many running backs, especially recently, have seen a large decline in their performance after turning 30 years of age, as reported by FantasyFootballXtreme. [...]

By: Smitty

Smitty — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:32:28 +0000

Yea, footballjunkie81… it is possible at 30. A handful have done it and if anyone can produce at 30 to get into that rare class, it’s LT2. Again, I think he will turn heads like you say, but get hurt after mid-season. Maybe he makes it to Week 10 or 12. Who knows…

By: Smitty

Smitty — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:30:54 +0000

Thanks, Wutthecrapman. I agree, LJ is a tough runner to count on this year. Jamal is just too big I think. Anything can happen, and again, 30-age rushers can still get it done on rare occasions.

By: footballjunkie81

footballjunkie81 — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:52:41 +0000

LT will shock the Fantasy Football world with top 5 #’s in 2009!!!

By: Wutthecrapman

Wutthecrapman — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:05:36 +0000

Oh let us not forget about Larry Johnson who I think will be dethrowned by Charles.

Jamal Lewis is the other back I was noticing as well. He’s be up there in age however the Browns want him to be very active like T. JOnes was for the jets last year.

Thanks for the great info Smitty, again always usefull.

By: The Hazean - Daily Haze: 30-year-old RBs

The Hazean - Daily Haze: 30-year-old RBs — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:01:13 +0000

[...] a good piece this weekend over at Fantasy Football Xtreme about a few running backs nearing or hitting that age when production begins to decline significantly. All of these guys have substantial fantasy relevance — LaDainian Tomlinson, [...]

By: Smitty

Smitty — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:08:03 +0000

ThomasMagnumPI: I don’t think it matters too much, as the body can only function at a certain level at certain ages. I mean, a guy like Turner could have another year left because he started late, but my guess is that we would have more examples of that if that were really the case. History is a strong indication and it suggests 30 is the last year most studs will perform at a high level, and only a select few will get it done at 31. And only the Steelers can get a 3.8 per carry back 13TDs at the age of 32

cnl1975: Johnson has a shot. We will have to see him in action, though. I like him and would give him the shot, but the Chargers could draft a runner next year. That happens often and running backs fall far these days, so any team can land a bargain rusher, like Shonn Greene this year and R. Jennings. Those guys all fell extremely far and a team like San Diego could take advantage next year.

By: cnl1975

cnl1975 — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:39:37 +0000

We have a rookie draft before the actual NFL draft. I am going to keep my 4th pick of the first round, Michael Crabtree. I don’t expect more than 900 yards or so this season but it is a keeper league so next year he will cost me $16. I also selected Gatrell Johnson and Cedric Peerman, they will be $5 this season and $10 in 2010.
Do you think G. Johnson has any shot of taking over for L.T. in 2010? In order to keep him I would have to let Mike Walker go, he will cost me $4 this year and $8 in 2010.

By: ThomasMagnumPI

ThomasMagnumPI — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:43:02 +0000

I am curious about guys like Michael Turner who are a bit older but were not every down backs throughout much of their careers. Do they last longer, to 31 or 32 or is the deciding factor age rather than touches?

I view all of the aforementioned RBs as RB2 candidates, at best, period. Depending on your league, it is likely that you can find better value by either drafting a top WR; a younger, less risky RB2 with more upside such as Steve Slaton, Brandon Jacobs; or even a top-flight QB than you would get by drafting one of these aging studs.