Your 2009 Buffalo Bills: Running Backs Preview

The years of having an every down back in the NFL has become like the newspaper business. Sure there’s a couple of big papers left, but the business as a whole is fading. The 2 reasons why this has happened is that coaches don’t want to ware out their backs, because the average shelf life of a running back is 6-7 years. The other reason is coaches want to be able to keep teams on their toes with different running styles. Thunder and Lightning, Flash and power, Earth Wind & Fire (you get the point).

The Bills have a ton of options at running back to keep their backs fresh, but when it comes to having backs with different runs styles, the Bills are lacking in that department. Marshawn Lynch, who is suspended for the first 3 games is the starter who possess a mix of strength and speed. Fred Jackson, who was discovered by Marv Levy has a very smooth running style that goes along with the field vision you would want in a back. New comer, Dominic Rhodes comes to the team after splitting carries for a number of years with the Colts and gives the Bills a receiving threat who had 45 catches last year.

Whether it’s Fred Jackson, who gained 131 yards in the season finale against the Pats (lynch was hurt), you can’t tell there’s a drop in the running game when either guy is in there. But the issue I have is that all 3 backs have very similar style. They are between the tackles runners, with Lynch being the only back to have that home run threat.

The ideal running back situation for a running back by committee team would be something like the Chargers and Giants ran last year. The Giants had big time bruiser Brandon Jacobs, and when you got tired of trying to tackle him, you then had to deal with the speed of Derrick Ward.  Chargers had LT, whose on his last legs, but when the former MVP was injured or needed a break, speedster Darren Sproles would keep defenses gasping for breath trying to chase after him.  I’m not saying that I wouldn’t want to have the running back situation the Bills have. But if the Bills are going to adopt the philosophy of splitting carries, you’d just rather have a distinct difference in running styles.

Here’s my expectations or wish list that I would like to the see the Bills backs achieve.

1) Lets break one: The Bills were ranked in a 5 way tie for 21st in the NFL with 9 runs of 20 yards or more and only had 1 rush of 40+ yards. In case you were wondering Carolina led the NFL with 24 runs of 20 + yards. If any back on the team is going to break the 20 yards plus mark, it has to be Lynch. He has that home run ability but the Bills seem to always want to run Lynch between the tackles, which is harder for a back to break long runs. I’d like the Bills to incorporate at least 2-3 toss sweeps a game, so Lynch could have a full head of steam when running. That philosophy should give the Bills a much needed home run threat.

2) Can we get a screen pass for God sake! Even though the duo of Jackson and Lynch combined for 84 catches last year, the backs average a pedestrian 7.5 yards a catch. That’s what happens when the only catches your backs make are check downs. The Bills need to start designing some screen plays to get their backs more room in the open field. The Eagles and Chargers have the best designed screen passes in football and Turk Schonert should start watching their film to get some ideas. Besides the screen pass adding more YAC to your running backs, it’s also the o-line’s best friend to slowing down a ferocious pass rush.

3) The time is now for Lynch: Lynch’s first two years in the NFL has been mired with some ups and downs. I’m not talking about on the field either folks. When Lynch first arrived to Buffalo, he was a breath of fresh air for fans who were sick and tired of Willis McGahee’s issues with the nightlife in Buffalo. Lynch came to Buffalo sporting a great golden smile (because it was made of gold) and a great sense of humor (Remember the Dave & Busters video). Since walking into Dave & Busters the 3rd year man’s popularity has suffered. Last offseason it was the hit and run accident in downtown Buffalo and then this offseason it was the possession of a non registered fire arm. The cure for getting Lynch back in the graces of the Bills fans is on the field. Lynch needs to go from the 1,100 yard rusher he has been his first 2 years to a 1,5
00 yard back. You don’t waste top 15 picks on running backs just to split carries. This year’s going to be tuff for Lynch to eclipse that number, since he’s suspended the first 3 games. But this is now or never for the back to go from average to elite running back status. He’s arguably the 3rd best weapon on the offensive side of the ball, which means teams won’t pay much attention to him like they did the first 2 years of his career. To quote Harvey Dent from Batman, “it’s always darkest before the Dawn,” and Lynch needs to take that quote and take it to the house.

-Joe-