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Best Scheme Fits for Draft's Top Running Backs
By Ian Wharton, Featured Columnist Mar 31, 2015
Projecting how top collegiate football players will transition to the NFL is a tough endeavor. To make the process of talent evaluation more effective, it’s important to recognize what situation a player performs the best in. That especially rings true for the NFL draft’s top running backs.
The 2015 class boasts eight excellent running backs. But not all of these backs are scheme transcendent with their skill set. It’ll be key for teams to match their running tendencies to how the back best produces.
There are two different run block schemes in the NFL. The first is the zone-blocking scheme. Made famous by former Denver Broncos’ assistant head coach Alex Gibbs, the zone-blocking scheme has been highly successful in the NFL.
Running backs in this scheme must possess great vision and quick feet over distance speed. The goal is to consistently rush four or more yards a play until a big backside hole opens for a chunk gain. This wears down defenses by stretching them out horizontally.
The other major philosophy is the more traditional power (or gap) running scheme. This relies on powerful offensive linemen that create enough space for the runner to go upfield. Athletic linemen aren’t a need, but nasty bulldozers are.
Running backs in a power scheme must be extremely physical but have enough speed to break away from defenders. Their job is to follow the original design of the play when possible, and the ball-carrier creates in the open field.
Some teams incorporate a mixture of both schemes to a certain degree. But it’s not easy to find powerful and athletic linemen capable of running both. Those blockers are a premium in the draft and free agency.
So which schemes do the top eight running backs in the 2015 NFL draft fit best into? We’ll explain why and where these backs fit in the NFL.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...m_medium=share&utm_campaign=web-des-art-top-5
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Interesting article on a topic that I do not think enough people (and even teams) consider when acquiring a RB.
It is no different than taking a man cover CB to play zone, an inaccurate QB to play in a WCO and a WR who cannot run routes to play in a precision passing game.
By Ian Wharton, Featured Columnist Mar 31, 2015
Projecting how top collegiate football players will transition to the NFL is a tough endeavor. To make the process of talent evaluation more effective, it’s important to recognize what situation a player performs the best in. That especially rings true for the NFL draft’s top running backs.
The 2015 class boasts eight excellent running backs. But not all of these backs are scheme transcendent with their skill set. It’ll be key for teams to match their running tendencies to how the back best produces.
There are two different run block schemes in the NFL. The first is the zone-blocking scheme. Made famous by former Denver Broncos’ assistant head coach Alex Gibbs, the zone-blocking scheme has been highly successful in the NFL.
Running backs in this scheme must possess great vision and quick feet over distance speed. The goal is to consistently rush four or more yards a play until a big backside hole opens for a chunk gain. This wears down defenses by stretching them out horizontally.
The other major philosophy is the more traditional power (or gap) running scheme. This relies on powerful offensive linemen that create enough space for the runner to go upfield. Athletic linemen aren’t a need, but nasty bulldozers are.
Running backs in a power scheme must be extremely physical but have enough speed to break away from defenders. Their job is to follow the original design of the play when possible, and the ball-carrier creates in the open field.
Some teams incorporate a mixture of both schemes to a certain degree. But it’s not easy to find powerful and athletic linemen capable of running both. Those blockers are a premium in the draft and free agency.
So which schemes do the top eight running backs in the 2015 NFL draft fit best into? We’ll explain why and where these backs fit in the NFL.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...m_medium=share&utm_campaign=web-des-art-top-5
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Interesting article on a topic that I do not think enough people (and even teams) consider when acquiring a RB.
It is no different than taking a man cover CB to play zone, an inaccurate QB to play in a WCO and a WR who cannot run routes to play in a precision passing game.