How important is the RB position in today's NFL? We'll get to see the answer play out this season

[BulletBob]

I have an uncle who has been a fan of the NFL for far longer than I have (and that's over 40 years). He has posited a theory for as long as I can remember that the RB position is the least important position on the field. It is an interesting theory that seems to have supporting evidence based on the past decade's drafts (with the most recent one being the exception).

One of the interesting storylines of this season is that we get to watch the evidence for this theory play out right before our very eyes. Think about where we were as a fan base this time last season: most on this board (and most of the NFL Analysts) were questioning Demarco Murray's ability, and especially his vision ("running into darkness"). While our line quietly put perhaps the strongest piece to the puzzle in place last year, everyone was skeptical that we would be committed to the run.

After the season started, the perceptions changed almost 180 degrees. Therein surfaced the age-old argument: was it the offensive line or the running back that was the force behind yielding such success?

I think we'll have the answer to that question pretty clearly present itself at the end of this season. Consider that we lost the league's leading rusher to a division rival in the offseason. His replacement seems to be a stable of questionable running backs:

• Joseph Randle - 5th round, somewhat of a knucklehead off the field, showed flashes last year
• Darren McFadden - 1st round, labeled a bust in Oakland, never reached his hyped potential
• Lance Dunbar - Undrafted, hyped every year since 2012, never showed consistent production
• Christine Michael - 2nd round, inconsistent results in Seattle

We have a set of average (?) backs, and the fan base and analysts (generally) seem to be casting a more negative outlook this year on our running game than they did last year.

So, the bottom line is that this season I think will go a long way to answer the ongoing argument of how important the RB position really is in today's NFL and if a dominant line is more important. I'd suggest that:

• If the Cowboys continue to produce at a high level in the run game, given the questionable nature of the running backs, there would be clear evidence that building a dominant line is more important that the individuals running behind that line.

• If the Eagles see Demarco Murray have the same level of success behind what seems to be (no paper) a less talented offensive line than the Cowboys, there would be clear evidence that the RB position is indeed more valuable than the line when it comes to overall yardage on the ground.

I have a feeling that the evidence will point to the offensive line. My uncle is a pretty smart guy. It will be fun to watch it play out!

 

[Doomsday101]

How important is it in the NFL? depends on which team and offensive system they run. All I can say is the run game is important to Dallas.

 

[Derinyar]

At this point I'd say its the easiest position to fake in the NFL. If you have a good OLine and a good passing game you can frequently get yardage from someone who's not an elite RB.

I think its much more important for the Cowboys to have a good running game then to have a great running back. Last year Murray's results were great. It'd be awesome to have that again, but if we get the same results out of our running game divided between 3-4 players does that actually make the team worse?

 

[Doomsday101]

At this point I'd say its the easiest position to fake in the NFL. If you have a good OLine and a good passing game you can frequently get yardage from someone who's not an elite RB.

I think its much more important for the Cowboys to have a good running game then to have a great running back. Last year Murray's results were great. It'd be awesome to have that again, but if we get the same results out of our running game divided between 3-4 players does that actually make the team worse?

No it does not make them worse but I will say the key is consistency in the running game.

 

[robjay04]

I would bet a lot of young running backs around the league are rooting for our running game to fail this year. A successful season running the ball could further drive down the prices of running backs that are hoping to get paid in the next 2-3 seasons. See Lamar Miller, Eddie Lacy and Laveon Bell.

 

[BulletBob]

I would bet a lot of young running backs around the league are rooting for our running game to fail this year. A successful season running the ball could further drive down the prices of running backs that are hoping to get paid in the next 2-3 seasons. See Lamar Miller, Eddie Lacy and Laveon Bell.

Excellent point!

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Is it the peanut butter or jelly that makes a PBJ so good? Or is it the synergy it creates when it hits your palate and satisifies your unrelentless desire for its ohh so good taste? Or is it the fact that you know , there is no dishes to do after your done?

 

[Hardline]

As someone who loves the ground and pound,time consuming drives and beating down defenses. I see the RB position as VERY important. I am not a subscriber of the " plug and play" running back. I want a talented elite RB bell cow. Not a running back by committee.

 

[superonyx]

No it does not make them worse but I will say the key is consistency in the running game.

I've debated this also and I am not so sure the answer. The reason is that I believe that a running game is the most effective in 2 areas. 1. Converting short yardage to extend the drives. 2. Forces the defenses to play 8 men in the box, play disciplined, respect the threat of a run.

My question is this.....Does having a team run for 130 yards per game for the first 5 weeks of the season have the same impact on the opposing defenses as having 1 player run for over 130 yards per game for the first 5 weeks of the season?

I can see where having a threat like Adrian Peterson running the ball has a bigger impact on how defenses play you than having 3 backs combine for the same number of yards as Peterson. I think there is a mental part of the game that has a different impact when its 1 guy tearing up the league vs 3.

 

[Future]

How important is it in the NFL? depends on which team and offensive system they run. All I can say is the run game is important to Dallas.

This.

Marshawn is invaluable to Seattle. In New England, it doesn't really matter who gets the rock.

 

[tyke1doe]

The running back position is STILL important. But the NFL's rules have basically made the league a passing league. As such, an ELITE running back is no longer as valuable as he once was, meaning a team doesn't need an elite running back to success if it has other components in place. The 49ers, the Ravens, the Broncos and the Packers have shown that you don't necessarily need an elite running back to advance to the Super Bowl. But you do need a steady running game and strong defense to balance a passing attack.
If we get our defense squared away, I think the offense is strong enough, even with its RBBC approach, to take this team to the Super Bowl.

 

[Doomsday101]

I've debated this also and I am not so sure the answer. The reason is that I believe that a running game is the most effective in 2 areas. 1. Converting short yardage to extend the drives. 2. Forces the defenses to play 8 men in the box, play disciplined, respect the threat of a run.

My question is this.....Does having a team run for 130 yards per game for the first 5 weeks of the season have the same impact on the opposing defenses as having 1 player run for over 130 yards per game for the first 5 weeks of the season?

I can see where having a threat like Adrian Peterson running the ball has a bigger impact on how defenses play you than having 3 backs combine for the same number of yards as Peterson. I think there is a mental part of the game that has a different impact when its 1 guy tearing up the league vs 3.

I would think team rushing total will be greater than 130. 2nd I think much depends on your offensive system. WCO is not going to use the run as much and lastly I think the impact of the running game as you mention is converting those short yardage and working in the redzone where passing lanes start getting smaller as defenders are not concerned about getting beat deep and can be more aggressive, forcing defense to commit more players in stopping the run which opens up passing lanes. I think Dallas starts the season with a RBBC approach but I do think one of these guys will establish themselves as a lead RB and will see the majority of carries, not to the extent we saw with Murray but then that was more of a work load than most RB will get anyways.

 

[dwreck27]

Inpose

As someone who loves the ground and pound,time consuming drives and beating down defenses. I see the RB position as VERY important. I am not a subscriber of the " plug and play" running back. I want a talented elite RB bell cow. Not a running back by committee.

I pose the question to you then.... would you have paid Murray?
That means no Greg hardy here.
That means we prbly can't pay every oline stud we have.
That means the Dez deal prbly doesnt get done or the beasly.
So that means Dez is/would have been a distraction.
You will prbly retort that why not sign someone else like mark Ingram, cj2k, spiller, or fred Jackson. But yet again you can't pay everyone top dollar. Some people need to be on rookie deals etc...

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Is it the peanut butter or jelly that makes a PBJ so good? Or is it the synergy it creates when it hits your palate and satisifies your unrelentless desire for its ohh so good taste? Or is it the fact that you know , there is no dishes to do after your done?

If you do not have some semblance of a running game. It's over before it starts... Your chances that is.

 

[jazzcat22]

Depending on what happens too. Maybe our RB's are better than they are said to be, and Murray just had a great year and shows he is just an above average RB.

 

[Idgit]

RBs who can contribute are important. But they're also relatively easy to find. The biggest concern we should have is whether or not we've got backs who can protect Romo adequately. Outside of McFadden, I'm not sure we do.

I like the way Randle and Michael run the ball. It's fun to watch. If they put the ball on the ground, though, they're sitting.

Overall, we'll get the defense blocked well enough to run our offense. If the QB is upright, we'll score points.

 

[Hardline]

Inpose

I pose the question to you then.... would you have paid Murray?
That means no Greg hardy here.
That means we prbly can't pay every oline stud we have.
That means the Dez deal prbly doesnt get done or the beasly.
So that means Dez is/would have been a distraction.
You will prbly retort that why not sign someone else like mark Ingram, cj2k, spiller, or fred Jackson. But yet again you can't pay everyone top dollar. Some people need to be on rookie deals etc...

Why would you pose that question to me?
I never advocated signing Murray.

 

[rags747]

The passing game has clearly surpassed the running game in the nfl, but I believe Dallas showed the rest of the league last year that having a dominating running game sure as hell makes you a physical team. I think many teams will try to duplicate that.

 

[Joe_Fan]

We're going to be just fine with Michael for now.

 

[Joe_Fan]

This.

Marshawn is invaluable to Seattle. In New England, it doesn't really matter who gets the rock.

You don't need a running game when you're allowed to get away with cheating like the Patriots do.