JonCJG
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One recent trend in the NFL is that teams are creating depth at running back and more and more teams are using a two-back system. Here's a look at duos that will have success this season and others that will struggle.
Dynamic Duos
Minnesota's Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor
The Vikings had the NFL's No. 1 run offense last season for many reasons, but their success starts with the guys who carry the rock. Peterson burst onto the scene as a rookie and showed he is the league's most physical runner between the tackles. What makes him even more dangerous is the power-speed combination he possesses. His ability to run over the defender without losing momentum makes him the most feared pure downhill runner in the NFL. That said, Taylor is no slouch. Two years ago, when Peterson was still in college, Taylor was a 1,300-yard rusher. Last season, he carried the load when Peterson was injured and finished the season with a 5.4 yard-per-carry average and seven touchdowns. Though neither Peterson nor Taylor is a pure speed back, each complements the other very well behind the best offensive line in the NFL.
Jacksonville's Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew
The Jaguars' backs make up one of the most explosive duos in the NFL. They pressure defenses to remain in position all day because any mental breakdowns or one guy's getting in the wrong gap can result in a big play at any time. Taylor is as healthy as he has been at any point in his career. His vision and ability to make the first defender miss in the hole look as good as they did earlier in his career. Jones-Drew plays much faster than he times and is a threat to score any time he touches the football.
Dallas' Marion Barber and Felix Jones
As soon as the Cowboys selected Jones, I started envisioning how this backfield would shape up in 2008. The rest of the NFC East likely started having nightmares. Now that Julius Jones has left for Seattle, Barber is now the lead back. He is one of the most physical runners in the NFL and leaves a mark when he runs over a defender. Jones' quickness and speed make him the perfect complement. One of the toughest adjustments a defense has to make is when it goes from seeing a physical, between-the-tackles runner to a speed guy. In terms of pure explosiveness when combining strength and speed, this duo is unmatched.
Pittsburgh's Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall
Pittsburgh wasn't supposed to be on this list. But then the second-best rookie running back in the 2008 class fell into the Steelers' laps. Though Parker is a speed back who has shown he can carry the load, depth has been a concern for the Steelers. Plus, Parker is coming back from a season-ending injury, so adding Mendenhall made sense. He is a physical runner who should provide nice balance in the backfield to "Fast Willie" and a Pittsburgh offense that will try to re-establish its tough, blue-collar mentality this season.
Seattle's Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett
Unhappy with his backfield, Mike Holmgren decided to shake things up. In a rare move, the Seahawks dipped into the unrestricted free-agent running back market twice in the offseason in an effort to get one star running back via two bodies. A change of scenery will help Jones, who was never given a full opportunity to succeed in Dallas. Once he got the "soft" label, his days of being given the opportunity to carry the load went by the wayside. Duckett is a journeyman but is a proven backup with solid size and the power to run between the tackles.
Destined Duds
Tennessee's LenDale White and Chris Henry
The Titans ran the ball well last season, but that's not necessarily a reflection of White and Henry. Instead, that success stemmed from an offensive line that won't be as good in 2008. White is inconsistent and, if history is a guide, likely will show up out of shape. Henry is a workout warrior but is unproven. Throw in rookie Chris Johnson, who was the fastest back among the rookie runners, and the Titans have bodies. How those bodies will mesh remains to be seen.
Detroit's Tatum Bell and Kevin Smith
After passing on Mendenhall in the first round of the 2008 draft, Lions GM Matt Millen caught a break when Smith was still available on Day 2. Smith was a workhorse in college and is now the most talented back on the Lions. He likely will start. The question mark is Bell, who surprisingly was re-signed by the Lions this offseason. He is not physical and is injury-prone. For this duo to have success, Bell will need to stay healthy.
Chicago's Cedric Benson and Matt Forte
Ever since the Bears traded veteran Thomas Jones, they have been trying to fill that spot. Benson has yet to live up to expectations, and his offseason problems don't help. Last year, Chicago took Garrett Wolfe and followed that with the selection of Forte this year. Wolfe and Forte do not possess the physical tools to ever be "the guy." Throw in veteran Adrian Peterson, and the Bears are doing nothing more than stockpiling bodies at the position right now. The Bears are not building a duo. They are throwing darts at the position, which will mean a different body as the lead back every week.
Carolina's DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart
Maybe this isn't the worst of duos, but it is one that makes you scratch your head. Surprisingly, the Panthers have earned a free pass for taking a running back in Round 1 two of the past three years despite giving a long-term deal to veteran DeShaun Foster (who is no longer with the team). It's funny, but the way they talk about Stewart sounds similar to the way they talked about Williams when he came out to team with Foster. Time will tell, but the Panthers have yet to find a combination that works as they keep trying to develop a consistent ground game during the John Fox era.
Miami's Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams
It is hard to grasp why the Miami Dolphins showed no interest in rookie RB Darren McFadden, who clearly was the best player in the 2008 NFL draft. On paper it appears the Dolphins have a RB duo, but the reality is there isn't a stable force as the lead back on this team. Brown is coming off an ACL injury, and Williams is aloof and can't be trusted. Miami wants to have a physical, grind-it-out run offense, but it's hard to count on Brown and Williams to do that. The Dolphins are hoping one back comes through. Two would be a bonus.
One recent trend in the NFL is that teams are creating depth at running back and more and more teams are using a two-back system. Here's a look at duos that will have success this season and others that will struggle.
Dynamic Duos
Minnesota's Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor
The Vikings had the NFL's No. 1 run offense last season for many reasons, but their success starts with the guys who carry the rock. Peterson burst onto the scene as a rookie and showed he is the league's most physical runner between the tackles. What makes him even more dangerous is the power-speed combination he possesses. His ability to run over the defender without losing momentum makes him the most feared pure downhill runner in the NFL. That said, Taylor is no slouch. Two years ago, when Peterson was still in college, Taylor was a 1,300-yard rusher. Last season, he carried the load when Peterson was injured and finished the season with a 5.4 yard-per-carry average and seven touchdowns. Though neither Peterson nor Taylor is a pure speed back, each complements the other very well behind the best offensive line in the NFL.
Jacksonville's Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew
The Jaguars' backs make up one of the most explosive duos in the NFL. They pressure defenses to remain in position all day because any mental breakdowns or one guy's getting in the wrong gap can result in a big play at any time. Taylor is as healthy as he has been at any point in his career. His vision and ability to make the first defender miss in the hole look as good as they did earlier in his career. Jones-Drew plays much faster than he times and is a threat to score any time he touches the football.
Dallas' Marion Barber and Felix Jones
As soon as the Cowboys selected Jones, I started envisioning how this backfield would shape up in 2008. The rest of the NFC East likely started having nightmares. Now that Julius Jones has left for Seattle, Barber is now the lead back. He is one of the most physical runners in the NFL and leaves a mark when he runs over a defender. Jones' quickness and speed make him the perfect complement. One of the toughest adjustments a defense has to make is when it goes from seeing a physical, between-the-tackles runner to a speed guy. In terms of pure explosiveness when combining strength and speed, this duo is unmatched.
Pittsburgh's Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall
Pittsburgh wasn't supposed to be on this list. But then the second-best rookie running back in the 2008 class fell into the Steelers' laps. Though Parker is a speed back who has shown he can carry the load, depth has been a concern for the Steelers. Plus, Parker is coming back from a season-ending injury, so adding Mendenhall made sense. He is a physical runner who should provide nice balance in the backfield to "Fast Willie" and a Pittsburgh offense that will try to re-establish its tough, blue-collar mentality this season.
Seattle's Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett
Unhappy with his backfield, Mike Holmgren decided to shake things up. In a rare move, the Seahawks dipped into the unrestricted free-agent running back market twice in the offseason in an effort to get one star running back via two bodies. A change of scenery will help Jones, who was never given a full opportunity to succeed in Dallas. Once he got the "soft" label, his days of being given the opportunity to carry the load went by the wayside. Duckett is a journeyman but is a proven backup with solid size and the power to run between the tackles.
Destined Duds
Tennessee's LenDale White and Chris Henry
The Titans ran the ball well last season, but that's not necessarily a reflection of White and Henry. Instead, that success stemmed from an offensive line that won't be as good in 2008. White is inconsistent and, if history is a guide, likely will show up out of shape. Henry is a workout warrior but is unproven. Throw in rookie Chris Johnson, who was the fastest back among the rookie runners, and the Titans have bodies. How those bodies will mesh remains to be seen.
Detroit's Tatum Bell and Kevin Smith
After passing on Mendenhall in the first round of the 2008 draft, Lions GM Matt Millen caught a break when Smith was still available on Day 2. Smith was a workhorse in college and is now the most talented back on the Lions. He likely will start. The question mark is Bell, who surprisingly was re-signed by the Lions this offseason. He is not physical and is injury-prone. For this duo to have success, Bell will need to stay healthy.
Chicago's Cedric Benson and Matt Forte
Ever since the Bears traded veteran Thomas Jones, they have been trying to fill that spot. Benson has yet to live up to expectations, and his offseason problems don't help. Last year, Chicago took Garrett Wolfe and followed that with the selection of Forte this year. Wolfe and Forte do not possess the physical tools to ever be "the guy." Throw in veteran Adrian Peterson, and the Bears are doing nothing more than stockpiling bodies at the position right now. The Bears are not building a duo. They are throwing darts at the position, which will mean a different body as the lead back every week.
Carolina's DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart
Maybe this isn't the worst of duos, but it is one that makes you scratch your head. Surprisingly, the Panthers have earned a free pass for taking a running back in Round 1 two of the past three years despite giving a long-term deal to veteran DeShaun Foster (who is no longer with the team). It's funny, but the way they talk about Stewart sounds similar to the way they talked about Williams when he came out to team with Foster. Time will tell, but the Panthers have yet to find a combination that works as they keep trying to develop a consistent ground game during the John Fox era.
Miami's Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams
It is hard to grasp why the Miami Dolphins showed no interest in rookie RB Darren McFadden, who clearly was the best player in the 2008 NFL draft. On paper it appears the Dolphins have a RB duo, but the reality is there isn't a stable force as the lead back on this team. Brown is coming off an ACL injury, and Williams is aloof and can't be trusted. Miami wants to have a physical, grind-it-out run offense, but it's hard to count on Brown and Williams to do that. The Dolphins are hoping one back comes through. Two would be a bonus.
