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Luxury or necessity?
Offenses operate with RBs-by-committee for various reasons
By Matt Sohn
July 31, 2008
As the saying goes, “If you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have any.” But such is not the case with quarterbacks’ backfield mates, the running backs. With seemingly greater frequency, teams are opting to divvy up the carries between a pair, or even a trio, of runners. Coaches figure that in the absence of a bona fide superstar, it’s in their best interest to keep the legs of those laboring through linemen and linebackers as fresh as possible.
A prudent play for coaches, it has the unwitting effect of creating a conundrum for fantasy owners. Namely, “Can I justify playing a running back who only gets 50 percent, or less, of his team’s carries?”
The short answer is “yes.”
Let’s quickly dispel any notion that a two-headed attack translates to a dearth of individual talent. By ranking first and second, respectively, in the league in rushing in 2007, the Vikings and Jaguars took care of that issue. Each boasted a pair of running backs with at least 157 carries apiece — a trait matched only by the Bengals — and teams don’t lead the league in rushing without serious RB ability.
On the other hand, not all teams using a two- or three-pronged approach should be looked on with admiration. For many, the use of multiple running backs is a function of not having confidence in any of them.
Listed below are the teams expected to parcel out carries roughly evenly between two or three backs, and whether the strategy is employed as a luxury or a necessity.
Dolphins: Necessity
Miami wants Ronnie Brown to assume the featured duties but will be hesitant to allow him to carry too heavy a load until he’s fully healed from his ACL tear. The statistical potential for talents like Brown and Ricky Williams is there, but there are currently too many question marks to feel comfortable with either as a fantasy fixture.
Steelers: Luxury
The Steelers’ situation is reminiscent of the Patriots in 2006. The Pats had a proven commodity in Corey Dillon but drafted Laurence Maroney in the first round anyway. Each played extensively and enjoyed moderate success. Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendenhall are better than their counterparts on the ’06 Pats, and their numbers should illuminate that.
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Maurice Jones-Drew
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Jaguars: Luxury
With his nose for the goal line, Maurice Jones-Drew is a fantasy star. Likewise, there’s not much reason to think Fred Taylor won’t keep churning out the yards in a ground game that in ’07 basically told the defense, “We’re going to run it up the gut, punch you in the mouth, strip you of your pride and steal your girlfriends. And you can’t do a thing about it.”
Broncos: Necessity
Yeah, yeah, we know — the Broncos pump out the rushing yardage every year, regardless of personnel. Agreed. But while there should be little doubt about their ability to pile up the numbers again, exactly how the backs will ultimately be stacked on the depth chart is anyone’s guess. It’s just as conceivable that one hoards the carries as it is the carries get divided relatively equally three ways. This much we can say: If there were one thoroughbred in the stable, uncertainty wouldn’t reign supreme.
Raiders: Luxury
2007 breakout star Justin Fargas was rewarded with a lucrative extension. Rookie Darren McFadden inked an even richer deal. LaMont Jordan was cut. For as good as Jordan is, his release just goes to show how good the Raiders' RB rotation is. It's one of the few areas Al Davis can actually crack a smile about.
Cowboys: Luxury
Rookies Felix Jones and Tashard Choice will compete to replace Julius Jones as Marion Barber’s complement. It doesn’t much matter who wins; the Cowboys will be in fine shape as long as Barber continues barreling over would-be tacklers behind the league’s best run-blocking offensive line. However, because neither rookie is a lock to assume a healthy dose of carries, Barber’s the only back worthy of a high pick come draft day.
Giants: Luxury
Roughly the size of a Manhattan townhouse, Brandon Jacobs could stomach a 25-carry-a-game diet and still have room left for dessert. But with Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw itching to build off their promising ’07 campaigns, there’s no need to stuff Jacobs to the gastrointestinal limits.
Bears: Necessity
Will Kevin Jones regain his pre-injury form? Can rookie Matt Forté transition from Conference USA to the NFC North? Is Adrian Peterson anything more than a stopgap option? Too many questions, not many answers in the Windy City.
Vikings: Luxury
Aside from some minor injury concerns, not many questions about the Vikes’ Adrian Peterson. Chester Taylor, meanwhile, has the goods to be a starting back for half the teams in the league. Although known as a thumper, he’s torn off 84- and 95-yard TD scampers the last two seasons. Going to the wishbone might be wishful thinking, but you couldn’t fault Brad Childress for giving it a whirl when you factor in newcomer Maurice Hicks.
Saints: Necessity
Until proven otherwise, Deuce McAllister is merely an aging veteran who hasn’t been tested since blowing out his knee, and Reggie Bush is an otherworldly talent whose gridiron glory is in the rearview mirror. Neither can be counted on to provide even half of a 1-2 punch, let alone be a definitive No. 1 guy.
Seahawks: Necessity
Maurice Morris, T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones may be a fine trio for Mike Holmgren’s offense, but none gets the adrenaline of Seahawks fans or fantasy owners pumping. Holmgren has proven throughout his coaching career that when he has a true No. 1 back, he’s not afraid to feed him the ball on a full-time basis. He’ll have to make due without one for his farewell tour.
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