Who needs a RB?
by Sam Monson
9/5/2008
 
Nobody!
 
We've all heard about the lack of talent in the NFL at quarterback, but the good news is there is a flipside to the coin: The NFL is swimming in running back talent.
 
It's that time of the year when everybody is coming up with top 10 lists, just to have something to write. Whilst the Diner has resisted the temptation, we have been reading a few of them, and the arguments they cause. One thing is very clear – there are so many top class runners in the league.
 
When backs like Joseph Addai, Ronnie Brown or Marion Barber get ranked outside the top 10, it immediately sends you looking through the list to find the usurper. Trouble is, there isn't always one, because all the guys ahead of them are also fantastic backs.
 
The NFL is shifting more to a dual back style, the days of the workhorse or bell-cow runner seem to be over, and it might just be so teams can better use the talent they have on the roster.
 
Minnesota had two backs last season averaging over 5 yards a carry. Adrian Peterson was able to rush for over 1,300 yards and 12 TDs. The Vikings were able to keep him fresh and explosive by giving Chester Taylor over 150 carries, enough to get him 844 yards and 7 TDs. Between the two of them they combined for 395 carries, the sort of monster season that usually kills a workhorse back the next year.
 
Even teams with a potential workhorse are looking to add explosive weapons that can chip in for 100 big-play carries. Kansas City took the speedy Jamaal Charles in the third round of the 2008 Draft, despite their wish to feature Larry Johnson more in their offense. Charles has elite speed and could help to keep Johnson from being run into the ground if he can provide just enough contribution to keep Johnson's carries closer to 300 than 400.
 
This approach is being used elsewhere too, with Carolina drafting a potential workhorse in the first round in the shape of Jonathan Stewart, despite already having an explosive former first round runner in DeAngelo Williams. Tennessee likewise drafted a runner in the first round to go with the inside running skills of LenDale White. Teams are looking to try and exploit the abundance of running talent available by finding ways to play more than one runner in an offense.
 
Whilst there are a good number of NFL teams who can't be happy with the quality of their starting quarterback, there are a number of NFL teams who have running back stables that can boast more than one starting quality runner.
 
Whilst the NFL might be moving away from the work horse back and more to a dual attack on the ground, it isn't just about sparing your prize runner the punishment he'll receive by carrying 400 times in a season. It is also about getting the talent you'd otherwise have sitting on the bench on the field, where it can have a positive impact.
 
So who are the top 10 running backs in the league? The top 20? Who the hell cares, you'd be happy with any of them!