The Best White Tailback Prospect

I think these are the top 10 potential white tailbacks in this draft. Feel free to put in a write in vote if you can think of a better choice.

Jameson Konz of Kent State, who Jimmy Chitwood told me has run a 4.38 40 before at 6'3 223 lbs, could very well make a great potential tailback prospect. Konz was jerked around to different positions- he started his career as an OLB- then was moved to TE as a Senior last season.

I decided to include Konz based on potential in place of Southerland- read below.
Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins

I wish we could have more information to base an opinion on. Most of these guys got zero coverage. I've only seen Bell play as a tailback. Southerland never got a chance to be a runner. I never saw the rest of them play at all (just some highlights of Roehl). I guess I'll toss in a vote for Bell, since he has succeeded as a traditional tailback (and I was able to see it with my own eyes).

I think I'm going to edit this poll and include Konz instead of Southerland. You are right that it was very rare for Southerland to carry the ball at Georgia. Plus- his best year carrying the ball was only for 46 carries for 120 yards (2.6 YPC with 8 rushing TDs). He was basically just a rare short yardage specialist.

Kyle Bell would have been the best prospect IMO if this was the 2006 draft. To me he hasn't proven that he is quite the same player as before his injury. Bell was a Marion Barber type before his injury- he looked very dominant.

I'd put the over/under on any of these guys making the regular season roster at 1.

Bell is clearly the best back out of that list. If not for his injury he would have been drafted. Stan Zwinggi is the most athletic.

My vote was for Zwinggi. Similar to what jaxvid posted, I don't hold out much hope for any of those guys. Peyton Hillis already proved himself as a elite back in the NFL and he is still wondering if he will get any signifigant playing time next season.

I cant believe that not one single team has given Nate Kmic a shot. Has he even gotten a tryout?

I like Kmic and Roehl. Tyler has such a good blend of power, strength, and speed.

I voted Roehl partly because Seattle does not have much depth in the backfield and because i like his blend of speed and power as well Star Wars. I see him and Bolen as possible Peyton Hillis players who may see some time during injuries and shine. (What happens afterwards is another story) I agree Zwinggi is the most athletic but i see Canada as his best option as of now. My top 4; Roehl, Bell, Bolen, Zwinggi.

I like Bolen and Roehl best. Both could be outstanding power backs in the NFL. Bell might have been drafted if his knee hadn't been blown out by a black teammate, but would have gotten no more opportunity in the NFL than Kevin McDougal, who was a thousand yard rusher for CSU a decade ago.

Up until 30 years ago all of these guys would have gotten an opportunity to play in the league. One would think the older DWFs would becognizant of this, but they've been successfully re-programmed to believe that the white RBs of the past were too slow to compete today.

Don Wassall said:

I like Bolen and Roehl best.  Both could be outstanding power backs in the NFL.  Bell might have been drafted if his knee hadn't been blown out by a black teammate, but would have gotten no more opportunity in the NFL than Kevin McDougal, who was a thousand yard rusher for CSU a decade ago.
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<div>Up until 30 years ago all of these guys would have gotten an opportunity to play in the league.  One would think the older DWFs would be cognizant of this, but they've been successfully re-programmed to believe that the white RBs of the past were too slow to compete today.  </div>

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Ya, I've heard from people John Riggins is too slow to be a runningback today. Considering he was the Kansas state 100 meter champion just like Jake Sharp, he probably ran the 100m in about 10.4 to 10.6 seconds; faster than or as fast as Devin Hester.

Those brainwashed DWFs never do their homework, preferring to spout conventional (caste) wisdom. If they took 2 minutes to search they would find that Riggins was two time Kansas high school 100 champion and two time indoor 60 yard champion. He was both fast and quick.

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame link:

http://www.kshof.org/hof-profiles.cfm?record_id=122

"Riggo" also didn't like to miss an opportunity to knock a brother on his ass, or embarrass a black corner by blowing by them. We can't have that in today's NFL.

It's sad, but it's really two questions. Kyle Bell would make the best back, but the H-back type in Casey is the best bet to legitimately play.

I want all these guys to succeed. White runningbacks are desperatly needed in the NFL. I am not too optomistic though. Jervey was a much better athlete than any of these guys and look how he got screwed. He was actually one of the most athletic running backs of the past 15 years. He should have been a starter for years. If the NFL will not allow a freak athlete like Jervey a chance what can we expect to happen to all these players.

I also went with Tyler Roehl. He is healthy and can really run for a big man. Kyle Bell would have been my choice 2 years ago. Kmic and others rarely get a chance out of small schools unless your black. Then they want you. Kmic deserves a shot as much as anybody on this list.

Roehl is a long shot but you never know. Why did these guys go to the wrong teams however. If only they could have went some where like Indy. Then maybe they would have had a chance. Blacksonville will be tough and Seattle cut Jesse Lumsden a few years back without a fair shot.

I saw a workhorse back in Kyle Bell until the knee injury. Now if an NFL staff would give him the shot to be a Johnny Johnson type......

Just so you guys know- I voted for Zwinggi based on his incredible skill set. But as of now- Roehl has proven more statistically during his career in the FCS. If this was 2006, I would definitely have gone with Kyle Bell.

Brock Bolen- to me- doesn't look like he would be used best as a featured RB. I think he'd do better as part of a dual set backfield as the power-back. Bolen is another Gartrell Johnson type- probably a slightly poorer version- he ran a 4.76 at his Pro Day. Johnson ran a 4.75 at the NFL Combine, on a slow surface, but was still a 4th round pick. Brandon Ore and Kahil Bell were two other Combine invitees who didn't crack 4.7 in the 40 yard dash. Even Shoon Greene the 1st pick of the third round only ran a 4.72 this year according to the official NFL network time I recently saw.

BTW- I just remembered a 10th guy to include in the poll who I forgot about in Colin Mooney. He had over 1,000 yards rushing for Army on around 6 YPC if I recall. He's a power-back, but he isn't as big a guy as Bolen and I think only runs about a 4.7 40 also.

Former Bison star Roehl tears ACL
FARGO â€" Former North Dakota State running back Tyler Roehl spent four years in college bruising opposing defenses. But this week, his dream of delivering some punishment to NFL defenders took a detour.

By: Jeff Kolpack, The Forum

FARGO â€" Former North Dakota State running back Tyler Roehl spent four years in college bruising opposing defenses. But this week, his dream of delivering some punishment to NFL defenders took a detour.

The Seattle Seahawks running back suffered an ACL tear during a non-contact drill at the team's practice facility on Monday. He will remain in Seattle for surgery and rehabilitation and will miss his rookie season.

The injury happened during a kickoff coverage exercise in what the team calls OTA, or offseason team activities.

"I just planted my foot, my foot stayed and the rest of my body didn't,"Â he said. "I knew something was wrong right away."Â

It was the first time Roehl has endured a knee injury â€" he overcame occasional hamstring problems in his final two years with the Bison. He was signed as a free agent by the Seahawks after the NFL Draft in April and he felt like he had a good shot at making the roster this fall.

That will have to wait a year.

"Things happen for a reason,"Â Roehl said. "I just have to keep my head up and stay positive and keep pursuing my dream and get ready for next season."Â

Roehl, the first player from West Fargo to sign an NFL contract, said he'll work with Seahawks team doctors. The injury does not affect his contract status with the team.

Players do not wear full pads during OTA.

"I never had the chance to play full pads but I felt comfortable with the speed of the game,"Â Roehl said. "I felt like I was coming into my own."Â

The Forum and The Dickinson Press are both owned by Forum Communications Co.
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I guess Roehl's an optimist, what a freak injury this is. Hopefully, he'll get a second chance in year 2 like Woodhead is getting this year if all goes well. Roehl is a Powerback (a Peyton Hillis type?). How Hillis does this season could have some bearing on how the fans and media perceive Roehl next year.

there seems to be too many white players getting injured at caste positions, i wonder if this has anything to do with that quote about hiding talent. Its been said that the patriots put players on ir and some of them still practice, but i wonder how true that is and that would mean there would be some type of agreement between the white player and the team. Or maybe i am thinking too much of conspiracy theories. I could kind of see it happening "hey we think you are talented but there is no roster spot available for you, if you take x amount of dollars (maybe a very small amount) and stick around we could use you in the future"

Okay i guess its a little crazy to think but two White runningbacks in 2 straight years injured before preseason even begins. Last year it was Woodhead, both seem like very durable guys and i dont think Woodhead had any injury problems before going pro. And it doesnt seem like having some hamstring issues would make you more prone to having a knee injury. Its probably happened to more but thats the two i can think of off of the top of my head.

sooo much formy prediction..

Roehl had some injury problems his junior year as far as i remember.

i doubt there's any conspiracy behind that, simply a combination of bad luck and the fact that they have to give 150% out on every play just to avoid getting cut. sometimes bodies can' take that, i guess.