Split decision: using 2 backs
by Scott Priestle, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH , The Columbus Dispatch
Updated: November 15, 2008, 2:30 PM EST
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8799600/Split-decision:-using-2-backs
Cedric Benson shared a backfield early in his NFL career. It was an unusual and at times uncomfortable situation, considering the spotlight he enjoyed in college, but at least the Chicago Bears won often. A trip to the Super Bowl soothes a lot of bruised egos, including Benson's.
It also attracts a few copycats, so that by the time Benson emerged as an every-down running back, more than a few of his colleagues were forced to share as he once did.
It is now one of the most popular trends in the NFL. Only five players average 20 or more carries; five years ago, 13 players carried the ball that often. The three teams with the best records -- the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers -- split carries between multiple backs, rather than rely on a primary runner.
The Giants use three backs, each of whom average more than 5 yards per carry. Brandon Jacobs is on pace to exceed 1,000 yards and Derrick Ward could approach the milestone.
"I feel comfortable whoever they put in there," quarterback Eli Manning said before a win over the Bengals this season. "They all have a different style, but they all have playmaking ability in them."
In Tennessee, the speedy rookie Chris Johnson and bruising veteran LenDale White have combined to average about 125 yards and two touchdowns. The Baltimore Ravens have three running backs with at least 77 carries and 356 yards.
Of the top 10 rushing teams, only the Washington Redskins (with Clinton Portis) and Minnesota Vikings (with Adrian Peterson) have traditional workhorse backs.
That said, many other teams lean heavily on one particular runner. The Atlanta Falcons , the second-ranked rushing team, used a committee of backs last season but now give the bulk of the carries to Michael Turner. Jamal Lewis has been the man in Cleveland since joining the Browns before last season, and Benson has emerged as the go-to guy in Cincinnati, where the coaching staff prefers a primary runner over a group of backs.
"A runner needs to get a feel for things," Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. "He gets a feel to how the defense is reacting, what cuts to make -- you know, 'I ran this the last time; I probably should have stayed outside a little longer.' He learns from that, and the next time he gets a positive result out of it."
It is a common refrain among backs. Brian Westbrook of the Philadelphia Eagles broke into the NFL as a part-time runner, but in recent years he has become the team's primary ball carrier, and he quickly got accustomed to having the ball often.
"If you don't get those carries, then you don't really establish a rhythm," Westbrook told Philadelphia media this week. "It's tough to do it with a couple carries here, a couple carries there."
Of course, not many players have Westbrook's assortment of skills. Sometimes it requires multiple backs to handle the various types of running plays in a team's playbook. The Giants and Titans, in particular, have backs with complementary talents: a powerful inside runner and quick outside runner.
The deep class of running backs in the 2008 draft affected some teams' plans. The Raiders (Darren McFadden), Panthers (Jonathan Stewart), Titans (Johnson), Cowboys (Felix Jones) and Steelers (Rashard Mendenhall) used first-round picks on running backs despite already having a productive runner on the roster. Matt Forte of the Bears, Steve Slaton of the Texans, Kevin Smith of the Lions, Tim Hightower of the Cardinals and Ray Rice of the Ravens also have played their way into the mix as rookies.
Attrition at the position is another factor. Running backs absorb numerous collisions every game, so injuries are common and depth is necessary. Jacksonville drafted Maurice Jones-Drew in 2006 to back up the oft-injured Fred Taylor, and he played so well in a limited role that they now share the job.
"When we take one guy out and go to the next guy, we don't drop off," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "We have that explosive guy who can make a guy miss and go the distance."
Eventually, Del Rio said, age could force Taylor into a lesser role. For now, though, the team is happy to make room for both running backs.
"It's a luxury for us," Del Rio said, "one we're enjoying."
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