In recent years, there has been an explosion of passing offense in the NFL. In 2011 we saw no less than three quarterbacks – Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford – breach the fabled 5000 yard passing mark. A fourth, Eli Manning, missed the milestone by a mere 67 yards.
This change of offensive strategy begs one very important question – are running backs still important? In this week’s 10 Reasons Why, I thought I’d have a go at defending the honor of the running game.
1. If you pass all the time, your offense won’t work
It is a commonly held belief that good passing games don’t need good running games to get going and that a good quarterback can carry a team. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
While it is true that certain quarterbacks can carry a team, even the best quarterbacks can’t fool defenses all the time and eventually they get caught out. Peyton Manning would arguably have alot more Superbowl rings if he’d had a decent running game and he’s the epitomy of a quarterback who carries his team as evidenced by the Indianapolis Colts flirting with 0-16 in 2011. Just imagine how many more titles the Colts would have if they’d had an effective running game.
2. There aren’t 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL
Does that make sense? There are 32 teams so they each have a starting quarterback right? Wrong.
Not every team in the NFL has a quarterback worthy of starting. Just ask the Redskins, Seahawks, Browns and Dolphins. These teams may have quarterbacks who start for them but they don’t have a true starter.
On a team that doesn’t have a strong quarterback, there must be offense come from somewhere else. There is the odd team whose star receiver can carry a team but these are extremely rare — Larry Fitzgerald being the only player you could say fits this category currently. On these teams, the running game must step up to bring the team forward. Look at the way the Texans performed despite losing their top two quarterbacks as well as their top wide receiver and being forced to start unheralded rookie T.J. Yates. The reason – the running duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate.
3. Not all teams are created equal
There are many different teams out there. Some have great quarterbacks. Others great defensive lines. I could continue on like this but the point is that there are differences between teams that require different types of players.
As I mentioned in note 2, some teams require good running backs to carry the load. Down through the history of the NFL, teams that have struggled have looked to whatever parts of their offense will help them the most. While passing attacks are now the vogue, a team will primary do what helps them to win. Sometimes the best opportunity comes from having a good running back.
4. Good running backs can make normal quarterbacks look better than they are
Let me take you back to the 2009 NFL draft. There were several big stories that year but one of the biggest was when the New York Jets traded up to get the quarterback they believed would carry their franchise – Mark Sanchez.
Also that year the Jets acquired a new running back – Thomas Jones. Jones didn’t come with the most stellar reputation but he was a hard worker and behind a good offensive line in New York he flourished. With the help of Jones’ good showing, Sanchez also flourished and was deemed to be the reason the Jets made the playoffs that year.
In 2010 and 2011 the Jets were without Jones. Instead, they turned to Shonn Greene who they had drafted in the third round of the same draft they obtained Sanchez. Greene has proved to be a disappointment and has not managed to emulate his predecessor. During this time, Sanchez has struggled and been found to be less than the franchise quarterback he appeared to be in 2009. In fact, this has had such an effect that there has been talk this offseason that the Jets may replace Sanchez. That this speculation even exists should tell you all you need to know about the value of a good running back to a team with a questionable quarterback.
5. Running backs can help trick defenses
There are two anomalies in NFL offenses from the past decade which have confounded defenses worse than any other – the wildcat and Tebowmania. Both of these offenses rely heavily on misdirection and require running backs to do their best to make defensive players blink.
When it comes to the wildcat, there is one name that comes to mind immediately – Ronnie Brown. Without Ronnie Brown you may never have seen the wildcat at it’s best. Many teams adopted wildcat plays but these plays primarily involved using quarterbacks who can run. With Ronnie Brown – and to a lesser extent Ricky Williams – the wildcat became almost unstoppable. The ability for Brown to run, catch and throw meant that because defenses had no idea what he would do meant that holes opened up at the most opportune times to allow the Dolphins offense to beat even the toughest teams.
In a way, the wildcat evolved into Tebowmania in 2011. I firmly believe that Tim Tebow is a running back who can throw reasonably well. The difference between this and the wildcat is that Tebow plays quarterback. In a way, Tebow is a reverse version of Brown. When Tebow drops back to throw, defenses believe he may run at any time and so they hang back which opens up holes for not only Tebow but also for his outstanding running back Willis McGahee.
In the Denver system, a new play was created which I am going to call the action-play. The opposite of the play-action, it would involve Tebow making a play look like he’s passing and then promptly turning it into a running play. Some would call this a quarterback draw but this is the evolution of the draw in that with a quarterback draw there is no chance the quarterback will throw. With the action-play, there is always the possibility Tebow might throw and it was this play that often ended with the big play that sent Tebow fans crazy.
Say what you want about the brilliance of the strategy – these phenomena would never have existed without a good running game.
6. Quarterbacks don’t just pass to receivers
With the passing offense becoming more and more prevalent, quarterbacks are needing extra targets to throw too. As this develops, we have seen pass catching running backs heavily involved. If nothing else, this is what will keep running backs in work and big contracts for years to come.
In many cases, you don’t see how effective these running backs are until they’re not there. Darren Sproles for example. When in San Diego he did his job without fanfare. When he left, it was part of what led to the collapse of the Chargers offense. In addition, he became for the Saints what Reggie Bush was supposed to be and was a big factor in Drew Brees breaking Dan Merino’s record.
7. Defense may win championships but they can use some help
We’ve all heard the old saying about defenses. What is missing from this is that even teams with good defenses need to score points somehow.
If you look back at the record books, more often than not Superbowl champions and top teams that have relied on defense have needed a good running game to help them win. The reason for this is two fold. First is the reason I just mentioned – teams have to score points to win. A mediocre offense that relies on a mediocre quarterback rarely works. Trent Dilfer is the exception to the rule. The second reason is far more poignant and one that is mostly overlooked – you have to keep the defense off the field.
I hear you ask “if defense wins championships, don’t you want them on the field more?”. Oddly enough the answer is no. One of the keys to having a good defense is making sure the players don’t get tired. Defenses rely on their offenses to give them time to rest more than the hard nosed guys will readily admit. To keep the defense off the field, you need to run down the clock. The best way to run down the clock – have an effective running game.
8. Without strong running backs, fantasy football wouldn’t exist
For those of you who hate fantasy football, I forgive you for skipping this bit. For those of you who don’t like politics, you might gag a little on this one too.
There is one thing that was made abundantly clear to us during the lockout – the NFL is a business. Roger Goodell has had his salary doubled. The entire lockout was based around how much money everyone would get paid. The contracts for NFL games are massive. In short – the NFL is there to make money.
Fantasy Football is fast becoming one of the most popular pastimes in America. More than this, it is drawing audiences in and giving the NFL more fans. I can honestly admit that while I’ve been an NFL fan for a long time I didn’t become a stat guy until I played fantasy football and started paying much closer attention. Without fantasy football I have my doubts as to whether or not I’d be writing for NFL Spin Zone as I may not have the depth of knowledge that I do now.
With fantasy football bringing in fans it also brings in more sponsors. More sponsors bring in more money. More money creates more investment back into the game which in turn draws in even more fans. The NFL is a business – and fantasy football is good for the NFL’s business.
9. Different strokes for different folks
There are many different coaching styles and strategies in the NFL. Coaches in the NFL all like to do things their way and not all of them have embraced the new pass-heavy offensive style. There will always be coaches who will be contrary and do things another way.
Closely related to this is that as the passing game becomes more prevalent, defensive schemes will adjust to combat this. The change of offensive culture in turn changes the defensive culture. When this happens, teams begin defending against the run less and eventually there will be coaches who will exploit this. Some would say that with his unique approach to Tim Tebow’s specialised skills that Broncos Head Coach John Fox may have already recognised this.
Regardless of how it happens, coaches will always make up their own minds about how they want to play the game. With 32 head coaches and countless more assistants and coordinators, somehow I doubt that the pass-heavy offense will ever be universal.
10. There will always be talented running backs
Passing offenses may be the popular way to go at the moment but this doesn’t mean that great running backs will suddenly become mediocre. When a player is at a certain position and plays well there, that ability doesn’t just go away because the offensive philosophy of the NFL changes.
No matter what – good talent will always be exploited by good coaches. If a coach sees that he has a player who can help him win football games, he is going to find ways to get that player involved. Once again I bring your attention to Tim Tebow. Obviously not a quarterback but a talented player with the ability to run well and throw a decent amount. Do you squander the ability the guy has? No. You adapt in such a way as he helps your team to win.
No matter how much the NFL leans toward passing, if a running back is good enough then he will get featured prominantly because winning is what is most important rather than dogmatic philosophy.
Fans of good rushing attacks never fear – there will always be a need for good running backs no matter how the NFL may change. I firmly believe this to be true – and I’ve given you 10 Reasons Why.
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