I miss the NFL when the running back was probably the second most important player on the team.
I enjoy watching a running back take the ball, find a hole, and hit it. Take a pitch to the outside and burn the linebacker to the edge or run him over.
Running backs are still pretty important but it's really not the same. They aren't urgently important, not a huge priority. You hear it all the time, it's a passing league nowadays.
I grew up admiring Edgerrin James, Eddie George, Ricky Williams, Brian Westbrook, Jamal Lewis, Ahman Green, Priest Holmes, Jerome Bettis, LaDainian Tomlinson!! Those guys were beasts!! So many many others, obviously, even before my time.
As a kid I didn't want to be the QB when we played football outback. I wanted to be the running back. I wanted to run somebody over or make them miss me. It has always been my favorite position. It felt like football.
I love what Dak and Zeke are doing. When you see a QB and running back mix it up well like they do it really is beautiful. They would be nothing without each other. Together it's a nightmare.
As a defense how can you stop a well balanced offense like that?
I feel the league swaying back to running backs slowly. I hope I am right. I miss that football. Rough and tough. Play action. Beautiful.
Teams for whatever reason don't have the faith to dominate the line and move the ball slowly on the ground. Impose your will, bruise the opponent.
What do you think of the importance of running backs? Do you prefer the passing league?