What Will LaMichael James Do In San Francisco?

Running backs are, like, really hard to predict. You can be an all-star in college, but your career rushing records and injury-free history may grind to a halt as soon as you run into Terrell Suggs for the first time. It’s why Adrian Peterson tore up the NFL on impact, while Reggie Bush is still trying to find his groove. Running back, wide receiever, returner… who knows where Bush will end up?

That brings us to the curious case of LaMichael James, the newest San Francisco 49pers back who finished as Oregon’s all-time greatest. James broke the Ducks’ career rushing record last year, one year after he finished third in Heisman voting.

James is small, but shifty and quick. That doesn’t always translate. Look at Mike Hart. But, on the other hand, anyone can succeed given the right opportunity and, even as a 61st overall pick, LaMichael James can at least take comfort in knowing he’s been picked by a team that’s focused on winning right now.

 And, small men haven’t always busted. Look at Darren Sproles.

CSN Bay Area (that’s, like, Comcast and NBA and whatever their enveloped-designed company is called) has called James the one rookie with the best chance to make an impact on offence or defence. Sounds nice, right? Of course, they backhanded him a little by noting that this year’s 49ers draft class sucks.

So, yes, they think James is the best of a shi*ty class. Care to elaborate?

Reporter Matt Maiocco still thinks, however, that James is the third best running back on that roster, with Frank Gore at one and Kendall Hunter running shotgun. So, unless James gets in courtesy of an injury-riddled sequence of events not unlike the one that thrust Willie Beaman into the spotlight in Any Given Sunday, these compliments seem more like the last piece of pie at dinner.