1994 was the best year in cinema history. The top ten films that year grossed a combined total of $3,801,087,307, greater than the nominal GDPs of the United States and China put together. Pop culture discussions were saturated with the likes of "Pulp Fiction," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Forrest Gump" and more to chew through.
1994 cinema is historic because all of these films were released in essentially one big clump.
A similar situation could potentially unfold in the NFL this offseason.
Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is playing at an MVP level right now. He leads the league in rushing with 1,233 yards to go along with seven touchdowns and a 4.7 yards per carry average. He's also a pending free agent for one of the most cash-strapped teams in the NFL.
Speculation over the frosty relationship between Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks has given way to likely accurate rumors that the team is preparing to part ways with Beast Mode after the season. Seattle needs to free up salary room to sign quarterback Russell Wilson to an extension and Lynch is scheduled for a $8.5 million cap hit next season.
Adrian Peterson's season-ending suspension makes it more likely that he will not be returning to the Minnesota Vikings any time in the near future.
Could all three Pro Bowl-caliber running backs hit the open market at the same time? If so, what kind of interest could they expect to drum up in free agency?
"It's a simple rule: Pay a player for what he's going to do as opposed to what he's done in the past," Grantland's Bill Barnwell wrote. "Too often, teams underestimate the aging curves or the randomness of running backs and don't get what they paid for. The hope is that there's still enough left in the tank for Peterson, Lynch and Murray to make that frequently made mistake less likely."
Peterson is 29, Lynch is 28 and Murray is a spring chicken at 26. AP and Beast Mode are approaching the dreaded 30-years-old marker while Murray has had an almost unprecedented workload. While it is possible that Peterson's absence this season could prolong his career, nothing is guaranteed for aging tailbacks.
Should this trendy trio become unrestricted free agents, Barnwell notes several teams that would be willing to dip their toes.
"The Cowboys seem likely to move on from Murray only if they can consummate their long-rumored interest in Peterson," Barnwell wrote.
"If the [San Diego] Chargers move on from the injury-riddled [Ryan] Mathews and the ineffective [Donald] Brown, they would be in the market for a no. 1 running back."
Barnwell goes on to make a case for the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills as potential running back suitors as well.
