NFL-Pasquarelli: Is the two-back system on its way out?

[PGPzilla]

Joseph Addai is just one of the backs being asked to carry a bigger load as the two-back system -- for various reasons -- may be giving way to the workhorse days of old, writes Len Pasquarelli.

More...

[thefootballmaniac]

Well only a handful of teams run the RBBC. Maybe zilla if you read some threads instead of always posting you'd know this. =P

[Uncle Ben]

Good. RBBC's suck for fantasy; I wish the RB position was like QB and the #1 guy played until the game was out of hand or is injured.

[Jerome]

while not many teams actually run the RBBC, i think this is a trend which is going to continue. it's the way the league is progressing. there really aren't any of the real workhorses from long ago. guys like curtis martin were the last of a dying breed. the league has gotten so speed-oriented, most offenses will not be able to succeed with either a speed back or finesse back, and the addition of a third-down back. most teams need the speed and power a two-back system provides. just my opinion.

[thefootballmaniac]

http://www.thefootballmaniac.com/e10...ic.php?25.last

RBBC, also known as Running Back by Committee, is when a team utilizes two running backs to share the load.

Why is this bad for Fantasy Football? Well, normally a RBBC means one back gets all the yards and other (might) get all the touchdowns. Regardless of who gets what this cuts the full potential that you might get from one back into two backs.

Only once have we seen a RBBC where starting both backs almost guaranteed a win and that was when Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes were battling it out. I doubt we’ll see such a power house again so when drafting running back this year it is best to keep the following teams in mind.

Denver Broncos
The Broncos’, in the past several years, running game has been hard to predict. We all know they produce a consistent running game but how they will utilize their backs has been hard to determine. In 2007, it seems this might not change again which is unfortunate for us fantasy players. The potential for a RBBC in Denver seems possible so we feel obligated to mention it. Mike Bell and Travis Henry will be competing; but we feel Henry may gain the reigns of the starting position while giving Bell a possible third down role.

Houston Texans
The arrival of Ahman Green confuses the backfield a little. Ron Dayne, Samkon Gado, and Wali Lundy couldn’t produce a solid starting performance. If Ahman Green is healthy at the start of the season he’ll most likely be the starter. If not, we’ll see Dayne, Gado and Lundy in the committee.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Over the years we’ve seen that Fragile Freddie Taylor can’t do it by himself. Maurice “The bowling ball” Jones-Drew has been an excellent compliment to Taylor. We’ll most likely see these two sharing the ball unless one gets injured early in the season.

New York Jets
Last year’s rookie, Leon Washington, showed potential of being a starter but when the Jets obtained Thomas Jones it set the scene for a dual back field.

Oakland Raiders
LaMont Jordan’s sole starting role depends on if Dominic Rhodes will be suspended for his DUI. If the two start the season together we just might see some sharing in the back field.

San Diego Chargers
This team shouldn’t be on the list but I think we’ll see Michael “The Burner” Turner with a little more carries than we are used to seeing. Tomlinson can’t go at his current pace forever. We don’t think it’ll be a complete RBBC but enough to warrant some fantasy appeal for Turner.

Carolina Panthers
DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams both had a disappointing season and until we see Williams prove he can be a reliable starter the RBBC will exist in the backfield of the Panthers.

Dallas Cowboys
One of the perfect examples of a RBBC can be found in Dallas. Julius Jones had a 1000 yard season with only 4 touchdowns. But Marion Barber had 14 touchdowns. As long as Julius Jones doesn’t get traded we’ll most likely see the same this year.

Detroit Lions
Tatum Bell creates an instant problem for Kevin Jones. I think until we see someone stand out, a RBBC will be in place.

New Orleans Saints
What a backfield. Deuce “The Caboose” McAllister and Reggie Bush. Sooner or later we’ll see Reggie Bush takeover but not this year. We’ll see the two together in action this year and this might be the closest to the Larry Johnson / Priest Holmes backfield.

New York Giants
This used to be Tiki Barber’s team but since his retiring the Giants are looking to Brandon Jacobs to take over. Until he proves he can handle the load we think we’ll see Reuben Droughns carry the ball quite a few times. Although the report out of New York is that Jacobs will be the primary starter.

Washington Redskins
Once Clinton Portis went down we saw that Ladell Betts is a beast. Look for a bigger role with Betts even when / if Portis returns 100% this year.

[Uncle Ben]

All I have to say is.... did the four teams in the Conference Championship games last year have a workhorse, or RBBC?

[thefootballmaniac]

RBBC y0

[Uncle Ben]

Originally Posted by thefootballmaniac

RBBC y0

The interesting thing is... now three of those teams don't have one this season, with two of them using second year guys as the workhorse. Now that I think about it, the main running backs of these four teams will have a combined 5 years of experience starting this year :o

[thefootballmaniac]

Good point.

[Uncle Ben]

I wasn't trying to prove anything, just making an observation that's all. The RBBC will continue as long as there are more than 32 RBs in the league that are capable of being a feature running back. I think it gives teams an advantage, as long as they aren't paying too much for each guy. Especially down near the goal line, when you need that power and grunt to get yourself in the endzone. Some guys are talented enough to be stars, but when it comes to 3rd and 4th and 1, and goalline carries, these guys aren't very effective because they are not quite strong enough to push their linemen forward, and plow through LBs to get in. Guys like Tiki Barber, the Jones brothers, and even Barry Sanders had this distinction, and their FBs, backups and RBBC comrades ate up plenty more TDs than they did.

[jstchilln120]

I don't like it at all. I think teams should have some consistency in their running games, especially for the O-line.

What happened to the days of RBs being usefull all 3 downs? It's sad that you can't develop a game that applies to the various needs of a running game anymore.

[Uncle Ben]

I think the advantage of having a fresh back, or two guys that have more energy in the second half than they normally would offset that.

[jstchilln120]

Originally Posted by Uncle Ben

I think the advantage of having a fresh back, or two guys that have more energy in the second half than they normally would offset that.

NFL wasn't like that for the past 30 years.

[Jerome]

Originally Posted by Uncle Ben

I think the advantage of having a fresh back, or two guys that have more energy in the second half than they normally would offset that.

i agree. to also have guys with contrasting styles throws defenses for a loop as well.