Down Year for Running Backs?

Last year was a pretty big down year for running backs. Among elite backs, LaDainian Tomlinson did not come close to repeating his MVP season, and Adrian Peterson's stellar rookie campaign was cut short. Other backs disappointed as well, as guys like Shaun Alexander failed to justify lofty expectations and contracts. In several other situations, the star running back concept was given up for running back committees. Several quarterbacks and receivers instead generated hype last season, most notably on the pass-happy Patriots. I'm predicting that this season we'll see more of the same, perhaps to an even greater degree.