I really think he’s the last every-down back left.  I think Maurice Jones-Drew plays the game the right way, and if there was one player I had to pick…I think he is a tough, fierce player, and I really wish they would have given him his money. I think the holdout is fair when you look at what he’s doing for that organization.

Ex-running back Portis was quoted in The Florida Times Union on August 26th.  All running backs stick together, but Portis and MJd share similarities that make the statements seem even more accurate.  Portis had over 320 attempts in four of his nine NFL seasons.  He was two-time Pro Bowler who would decimate the opposition if they didn’t focus on him.  He was able to run over defenders, beat secondary players, and notch touchdown after touchdown during his heyday.

Yet, like all running backs who take so much punishment, he declined in his later years, retiring in 2010.  MJD hasn’t pounded the rock as much as Portis did during his first three seasons as the primary runner, but he is undoubtedly the every down back that Portis says he is.

Clinton Portis' tough play led to a rapid deterioration for the running back. His endorsement of MJD as the last every-down back may hurt more than promote Jones-Drew's attempt at getting a contract extension. Source: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Portis had 1,258 attempts before he finally broke down in his fifth season and only played in eight games.  While he came back for two more superb seasons for sixteen games (325 and 342 attempts in ’07 and ’08 respectively) his play couldn’t be sustained.  He faltered in ’09 and played in only 13 games total during his final two seasons.  Portis was a force, but he declined much more rapidly than would be enjoyed by many teams.

Yet he thinks MJD deserves the money.

MJD isn’t a throwback to a bygone era of every-down backs.  He is in every down because he is a leading pass threat and running threat.  He can gain those tough yards and scamper past defenders with his fast legs.  He’s a bowling ball and isn’t afraid to take on that bigger defender.  But with 1,484 career attempts behind him you’ve got to think that maybe he’s doomed for the same thing that happened to Portis.  Will this year result in a knee injury he can’t play through?  What if he is surpassed by the stable of running backs chomping at the bit behind him?  The pressure is mounting for MJD and he may not be worth the risk.

Are two seasons more of solid productivity worth the extension past an already lucrative contract?  The Jags know what they  have in Jones-Drew, but what if he becomes Portis?  What if he can still give two solid seasons but not much else?  If that is the case, then congrats to the Jags for the perfectly timed contract expiration!  He isn’t guaranteed past that and shouldn’t be.  Let’s see if he breaks down some this season first.

There are ways to extend the longevity of a running back.  Often that comes from frequent use of a spell back or using a “two headed monster” or “running back by committee” approach.  MJD won’t be the every down back in those situations, and shouldn’t get paid like it.  For every carry that Rashad Jennings and Montell Owens takes, MJD knows his influence wains.  Mike Mularkey, Gene Smith, and Shahid Khan know it too.  They know they could use an every-down back, but they also know they could just as easily do what Mike Shanahan did to to Portis in Denver – use interchangeable running backs.  It’s a tough reality for the every-down back, but the game is shifting.

Jones-Drew has never had the 122 yards per game that Portis had in 2003, but he has the potential for it.  That potential is the only thing that keeps his contract holdout remotely relevant.  If he could continue what he did last season (100 yards per game) for more than the next two years, he’d be worth it.  But Portis had a point: he’s an every-down back.  Every-down backs wear out and get injured.  MJD isn’t a god, he’s a football players and his body will react similarly (not the same) to everyone.

I understand a reward for being that last every-down back. That reward was the contract he signed three years ago.  The Jags knew what they were getting and appreciate Jones-Drew’s years of service to the team.  But it’s time that he faced the facts: as the last every-down back it may be time to recognize some imminent limitations.

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

As we all know, as much as we love MJD he isn’t any good to us in our fantasy league on the couch at home, so we touched on some wider ranging questions as well.

Let’s get to the main points:

• Robert Griffin III – When I came in, MJD was talking about the potential that Robert Griffin III has in his rookie year with the Redskins.  He placed an emphasis on the abilities of the quarterback to make plays, whether with his feet or with his arm.  At the end he said that RGIII and company may just have enough to get to the playoffs and maybe win the NFC East (all apologies to Brent Celek).  If I’m basing who I pick up as a second quarterback (maybe first) entirely on what Jones-Drew said then it sounds like RGIII may be the guy.
• 

  Could Andrew Luck struggle against some of the stouter defenses in his rookie year? Source: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

  Andrew Luck – To follow RGIII, MJD touched on what he thought Andrew Luck could do in his first year with Indy.  While there was discussion about the ability and sharpness that Luck has displayed throughout the preseason, Jones-Drew seemed hung up on the difficult nature of playing against AFC South defenses.  He made a point of saying that the defenses could provide some struggles for Luck.  It made me think of how the Jags held Cam Newton to 53% completed pass attempts and 158 yards when they played last season.  It’s a good point when thinking about taking Luck at any point in the fantasy draft since he faces the stout Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Houston defenses two times each.

• Peyton Manning – My first question was what Celek and Jones-Drew thought Peyton Manning could do out in Denver and whether he could return to form.  While MJD said there is an obvious need to gel with the new team and hinting that it may not be similar caliber passing-wise to what he had in Indy, he said that we should expect Manning to get back to form – 30+ TDs and 4,000+ yards.  For someone coming off a few neck surgeries, I don’t think that’s too bad.  Celek agreed but said that it will be tough for him to get back to form.  Whether that means Manning will have early season struggles or will be limited in his personal control is beyond me.  Either way, if Manning is back to 30+ touchdowns and 4,000 yards he’ll be quite valuable on a fantasy team.  I’m not certain I’m as optimistic as Celek and MJD, but maybe that’s because I’ve been on the other side of a heated rivalry for a while now.
• 

  I'd prefer to see a few more touchdowns out of MJD if I draft him this year. Source: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

  MJD and Whether He Can Do It Again – I asked if MJD could keep his yards per carry so high for a second season if/when he returns to the Jags, especially considering the early preseason success of the other Jacksonville running backs behind the patchwork offensive line.  All I got from him was confidence (he’ll be drafting himself again after all).  Jones-Drew thinks that the O-line will only be better with another year to gel with each other.  The play on the field of the other running backs is a good indication of that.  He also seemed confident he could do it again, smiling when asked whether his yards per carry could continue to be high (4.7 in 2011, highest since his rookie season).  He was very pleased with the development of the young offensive linemen, touching specifically on the injured Will Rackley, and was happy to see them improving.  In my opinion it seemed like he definitely wanted to see his teammates succeed and I suspect he’ll be back to play with the Jags this season at some point.  Will he be worth that first round pick?  I’m not certain because there could be some early struggles, but if he doesn’t put up 1,300 yards or more like he has done since he started full time in 2009 I’d be shocked.

While it was short, there was a lot to be garnered from Celek and MJD.  Celek had a monster year last year for Philly with over 800 yards and could easily do it again with a healthy Michael Vick or otherwise.  He should be a strong consideration for a lower end starting tight end…but you never know he could explode for another 970 yard season like in 2009.

Once again, a big thanks to DirecTV for the opportunity to chat with MJD and Brent Celek!  NFL Sunday Ticket from DriecTV is a superb to keep track of your fantasy team each week.  Whether it’s the Player Tracker system that provides live updates on up to 18 players or the ability to log directly into your fantasy league with NFL Sunday Ticket live on screen, it provides you with fantasy football interaction that can’t be competed with.  For $199.95 (the lowest cost in the decade) it is easy to track eight games on one screen, switch to the player tracker, and get the information you need for your fantasy matchup.  It’s the only place to get all the games and now syncs with several major fantasy platforms.

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

The distraction that is a major NFL contract hangs over the heads of rookies more than we can imagine.  Coming out of college I had no job so I went back to grad school.  Of my friends that did immediately get jobs, none of them were making seven figure salaries.  The pressure to make money for your skills, money that can support you and your family for life, is stacked on the shoulders of 21, 22, and 23 year old men when they enter the NFL.  We aren’t talking about that first job that nets you $20-$35,000 a year – we’re talking about figures that can set you for life just with the signing bonus and making the team for a little bit.

Props to RGIII for getting it done and being ready to get into Redskins camp on time.  So, when will Justin Blackmon – the Jags top pick and hope of the offense – sign?  When will the massive decision that will change his life be made?  While it has to be done by camp on July 26 in order for Blackmon to participate during all of training camp, it will be nice to no longer have to worry about the dollar figures hanging like an ominous cloud over Blackmon’s head.

Justin's Doing a Bit More Public Service These Days. Source: Eric P. Mull-USPRESSWIRE

Gene Smith and Co. will want Blackmon done and in the bag soon, and with RGIII’s signing it seems more probable that this will be getting done sooner rather than later.  Smith has been able to get things done when they are needed to (See: Scobee, Josh) and will have a heavily vested interest in getting Blackmon on the team and showing his skills in training camp for everyone – including the public – to see.

Will his deal be around $21.11 million?  I doubt it.  But if he isn’t signed up for the next four years, I’ll be shocked.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims