Lane Kiffin: Alabama RB's as talented as any in the NFL

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Lane Kiffin favors Alabama backfield trio over any in NFL
By Chase Goodbread

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Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin believes his RB trio is better than any in the NFL.

Under Alabama coach Nick Saban's policy that restricts assistant coaches from speaking to the media in all but the rarest of circumstances, not much has been heard from new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin since his January hire.

But of course, in his first such opportunity, the loose-talking former Oakland Raiders and USC head coach raised eyebrows.

"There probably aren't three more talented tailbacks in the NFL on a roster than we're fortunate to be able to work with at Alabama," Kiffin said at a speaking engagement in Mobile, Ala., according to al.com.

Come again?

Kiffin's unfathomable reference was to the Crimson Tide's trio of T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake. So how far-fetched is it? All three would eventually need to make an NFL living, with at least one of them a starter, for Kiffin's suggestion to be looked back on with any credibility. That's not necessarily impossible, but it will be years before the notion can be validated.

Yeldon is among the SEC's top rushers, the next to be drafted behind Alabama's parade of NFL rushers under Saban, following Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy (all third-round picks or higher). Henry has the "next man up" label in that lineage, and flashed that potential in the Sugar Bowl as the only highlight (eight carries, 100 yards) for UA fans in a 45-31 loss to Oklahoma. Henry will be a sophomore this fall. Drake could be the most explosive of the three, but has had fumbling issues and at times has fallen out of favor with Saban.

The next time Kiffin speaks is expected to be in August, when both Alabama coordinators typically address the media before fall camp commences.

Mic check -- testing, one, two.

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.

Putting Kiffin's talk to the test: Identifying NFL's top RB trios
By Chase Goodbread

Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said Thursday that his backfield trio of T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake to be as talented as any threesome of backs on an NFL roster. It was a bold statement, although as NFL offenses move more and more toward splitting carries among multiple running backs, Kiffin could eventually be proven right if a couple of his rushers eventually become the primary back for an NFL team.

We decided to put Kiffin's declaration to the test. Here is a look at five NFL backfield trios that make a strong case on the Sunday side of the argument.

Seattle Seahawks (Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin,Christine Michael)

Lynch cemented his status as one of the NFL's elite backs last season, and Turbin was good for 77 carries in a supporting role. Michael was an afterthought, averaging about a carry per game, but the former Texas A&M star is fully capable of a larger role in the Seahawks' offense. All three would have been at least a little more productive had quarterback Russell Wilson not rushed for 539 yards (second-most on the team).

Buffalo Bills (C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown)

Jackson and Spiller made for a nice tandem in Buffalo last season, and the club made a draft-day trade to add Brown, who had been LeSean McCoy's backup in Philadelphia. The trio combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing last season, albeit on two different teams. Spiller is also a fine pass-catcher, and is young enough to return to his 2012 form, when he set career highs in every meaningful offensive category.

San Francisco 49ers (Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Carlos Hyde)

Gore logged yet another season with more than 1,000 yards rushing last season (1,128) and scored nine touchdowns, but Hunter's 4.6 yards-per-carry average (78 for 358) was a half-yard better than Gore's. Of course, Hyde will have to earn his way into the No. 3 spot, over LaMichael James, Marcus Lattimore and others, but the 49ers wouldn't have invested a second-round pick in the former Ohio State star if they didn't think he was capable of an immediate contribution.

Green Bay Packers (Eddie Lacy,James Starks, Johnathan Franklin)

The Pack Attack checked in as the No. 7 rushing team in the NFL last season, led by one of the league's up-and-coming talents in Lacy. Behind him, backup James Starks proved to be exceptionally capable with a fat yards-per-carry average of 5.5 yards (89 for 493). Franklin was even better than that at 5.6 yards per carry, though it came on just 18 rushes.

Philadelphia Eagles (LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles, Chris Polk)

OK, so maybe you run out of ink before getting to Polk's name on a list of the NFL's top No. 3 running backs. But McCoy, the league's top rusher last season, helps the Eagles make a case for this list if his backups were named Larry, Moe and Curly. McCoy's 2,146 total yards (1,607 rushing, 539 receiving) suggest he didn't need a No. 2, much less a No. 3. Still, Philly acquired the ever-exciting Sproles in a March trade with the New Orleans Saints.

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
 

mr.stlouis

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Lol

Man, he's chomping at the bit after losing to Auburn and OK. Spewing garbage to the media isn't gonna help make it better, coach. You just blew up expectations for next year's epic fail.
 
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Lol

Man, he's chomping at the bit after losing to Auburn and OK. Spewing garbage to the media isn't gonna help make it better, coach. You just blew up expectations for next year's epic fail.

He wasn't with Alabama then, Kiffin is the former USC coach.
 

Athos

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Tough to say.

Kiffin's a douche, but that RB trio is probably the best bunch Bama will put into the draft next year though.
 

Ramrasta

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It's an ignorant claim. Yeldon on is a monster but that RB trio doesn't hold a candle to most in the NFL. Especially Stacy, Mason, and Cunningham! ;)