Power Back vs. Elusive Back: A Deep Dive into NCAA Football's Running Back Archetypes
The running back (RB) position in football is a crucial component of a team's offensive strategy. Primarily, running backs receive handoffs from the quarterback to rush the ball, line up as receivers to catch passes, and provide blocking support. Depending on the offensive formation, a team may utilize one or two running backs on the field during a play. These backs can be classified as halfbacks, wingbacks, or fullbacks, each with distinct roles and responsibilities.
In the modern game, a halfback needs a blend of quickness and agility as a runner, as well as sure hands and good vision up-field as a receiver. Quarterbacks depend on halfbacks as a safety valve or checkdown receiver when primary targets downfield are covered or when they are under pressure. When not serving either of these functions, the primary responsibility of a halfback is to aid the offensive linemen in blocking, either to protect the quarterback or another player carrying the football. If a team uses a Wildcat formation, often the halfback-instead of the quarterback-is the one who directly receives the snap.
Defining the Running Back: Halfbacks, Fullbacks, and the Evolution of the Position
Historically, the halfback lined up approximately halfway between the line of scrimmage and the fullback, while quarterbacks lined up a quarter of the distance between the line of scrimmage and the fullback. Modern offensive formations have positioned the halfback behind the fullback to maximize the fullback's blocking abilities.
In most modern college and professional football schemes, fullbacks (FB) carry the ball infrequently, instead using their stronger physiques as primary "lead blockers". When fullbacks are called upon to carry the ball, the situation typically calls for gaining a short amount of yardage, such as scoring from the goal line, as the fullback can use his bulkiness to avoid being tackled early. While fullbacks do act as an eligible receiver, most plays call for the fullback to remain in the backfield and block any defensive players who make it past the offensive line, a skill referred to as "blitz pickup". Fullbacks are technically running backs, but today the term "running back" is usually used in referring to the halfback or tailback.
The role of the fullback has evolved over time. While they once lined up on the field for almost every offensive play, teams often opt to replace the fullback with an additional wide receiver or a tight end in modern football. Fullbacks in the National Football League today rarely carry or catch the ball, since they are used almost exclusively as blockers. Fullbacks are also still used occasionally as rushers on plays when a short gain is needed for a first-down or touchdown or to surprise the defense since they are usually not expecting a fullback to run or catch the ball. In the past, fullbacks could even be a team's featured back, using their larger size and strength as a "power rusher" to dominate the ground game.
Read also: Body, mind, and community through yoga
The Spectrum of Running Back Styles: Power vs. Elusive
Running backs come in various shapes and sizes, each with unique skill sets. At one extreme are smaller (5'4"-5'10"), shiftier players known as "scat backs." These backs possess quickness, agility, and elusiveness, allowing them to dodge tacklers with a low center of gravity and exceptional maneuverability.
At the other extreme are "power backs," bigger and stronger running backs who can break through tackles using brute strength and raw power. They are usually slower runners compared to other backs, and typically run straight ahead (or "North-and-South" in football terminology) rather than dodging to the outside edges of the playing field. Hall of Famers Earl Campbell, Bronko Nagurski, John Riggins, and Larry Csonka, as well as NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, were considered power running backs. More recently the NFL has turned to running backs who combine those traits such as Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, and Saquon Barkley.
Over the years, NFL running backs have been used as receivers out of the backfield. On passing plays, a running back will often run a "safe route", such as a hook or a flat route, that gives a quarterback a target when all other receivers are covered or when the quarterback feels pressured. Christian McCaffrey, is one of few players to have 1000 yards rushing and 1000 yards receiving in the same season in 2019. Some teams have a specialist "third down back", who is skilled at catching passes or better at pass blocking and "picking up the blitz", and thus is often put in the game on third down and long. It can also be used to fool the defense by making them think it is being put into the game for a pass play, when the play is actually a run. James White was used as a "third-down back", or as an extra wide receiver.
Running backs are also required to help the offensive line in passing situations, and, in the case of the fullback, running plays. Running backs will regularly block blitzing linebackers or safeties on passing plays when the offensive line is occupied with the defensive linemen. On running plays, the fullback will often attempt to create a hole in the offensive line for the running back to run through. Effective blocking backs are usually key components for a running back's success. Many teams also have a running back designated as a "goal line back" or "short yardage specialist". This running back comes into the game in short yardage situations when the offense needs only a little bit of yardage to get a first down or a touchdown. Normally, when an offense gets inside the 5-yard line it sends in its goal line formation, which usually includes eight blockers, a quarterback, a running back, and a fullback. The closer it is to the goal line, the more likely it is to use this formation. Running backs are sometimes called upon to return punts and kickoffs, a role usually filled by wide receivers and cornerbacks, who are generally among the fastest players on the team. Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders, playing against the Washington Commanders at Allegiant Stadium on December 5, 2021.
Evaluating Running Back Performance: Yards Created and Missed Tackles Forced
To evaluate the effectiveness of running backs, several metrics can be used. One such metric is "Yards Created" (YC), which measures the number of yards a running back gains beyond what is blocked by the offensive line. "Missed Tackles Forced" (MTF) is another important statistic, indicating a back's elusiveness and ability to make defenders miss. Yards Created per carry is a charted statistic where a running back is correctly assessed the amount of yards that they create beyond what’s blocked.
Read also: College Park Power Plant: History and Significance
Rookie Running Backs: A Glimpse at Emerging Talent
Several rookie running backs have shown promise, displaying varying strengths and weaknesses. Here's a look at some notable prospects:
- Jeanty: Demonstrates exceptional Yards Created (6.19 YC) and Missed Tackles Forced (0.46 MTF) per carry. His numbers are comparable to elite backs like Saquon Barkley and Joe Mixon. Jeanty's footwork is exceptional, and he possesses a rare ability to anticipate openings along the offensive line. While pass blocking may need improvement, his overall profile is highly promising.
- Hampton: A power/speed back with ideal size (6'0", 220 pounds). Hampton runs with force and consistently gains extra yards after contact. He excels in pass protection, posting a class-leading Pass Protection Execution (PPE) rate of 90%. Though not the most elusive, Hampton's power and reliability make him a potential three-down bell cow.
- Harvey: A converted quarterback with impressive elusiveness and creativity. Harvey's ability to evade defenders behind the line of scrimmage is notable. He created at least 5 yards on 41% of his carries, tying Joe Mixon for the second-best rate in the YC database. While his instincts are still developing, Harvey's potential is evident.
- Judkins: Lacks breakaway speed but compensates with craftiness, short-yardage burst, and good footwork in tight spaces. Judkins runs with aggression and constantly churns his legs for extra yards. He is a fine receiver and elusive in the open field.
- Henderson: Excels as an off-tackle and off-end runner. Henderson's boom-or-bust running style is characterized by inconsistency in vision as an inside runner. However, his pass protection skills are strong. Henderson is a world-class athlete, but lacks spatial awareness at times. He’s still going to have spiked scoring fantasy weeks as a rookie, though. The big-play upside is impossible to ignore.
- Tuten: An outside zone runner with speed and quickness. Tuten's 0.45 missed tackles forced per carry ranks near the top of his class. While he needs to improve ball security, Tuten's potential as a late-round gem is undeniable.
- Blue: A "slashing" one-cut runner with a feel for cutback lanes. Blue demonstrates promise as a receiver and could potentially win the starting job.
- Johnson: Benefits from Iowa's run scheme but runs too upright and struggles to make defenders miss. Johnson went down on first contact far too often. He’s also a bit tight in the hips.
- Hunter: Possesses phenomenal contact balance and burst. Overall, Hunter lacks some wiggle in open space, but he is objectively a better RB than Blake Corum.
- Skattebo: Lacks explosiveness but displays reliability and an ability to read blocks. Skattebo is a reliable receiver on passing downs, too.
- Sampson: Benefited from light boxes in Tennessee's spread-based scheme but lacks power and explosiveness.
- James: Benefited from a strong Oregon offensive line. James greatly benefited from a pretty strong Oregon offensive line that opened up 1.89 Yards Blocked per carry (fourth-best).
- Marks: Lacks elusiveness but is a sure-handed pass catcher.
- Etienne: Offers soft hands as a receiver and some YAC ability but lacks explosiveness.
- Neal: Could find a role as depth behind Alvin Kamara.
- Smith: Could find a role in the passing game.
- Gordon: Was a Heisman finalist after a huge sophomore campaign with over 2,000 scrimmage yards.
- Mafah: Huge bruising RB.
The Evolving Role of the Running Back in Modern Football
In previous decades, the running back position was considered to be one of the more important skill positions in the NFL. There are several possible explanations for the aforementioned shift in how teams have valued running backs. A common explanation for the shift is that teams have incorporated analytics into team-building. The analytics community has often considered the running back position to be the least important and most replaceable of any position in football. These analysts have defended this argument by noting that running back production is heavily dependent on offensive line play and offensive scheming rather than the ball carrier himself. Additionally, these analysts have noted that running back talent is replicable by citing that backups and mid-to-late round backs have often matched and sometimes exceeded the production of starting running backs or first-round backs.
Analytics departments have also argued that offenses are more successful if they pass the ball more often. Passing plays have consistently averaged more yards than running plays in recent NFL history. Such analysts have argued that this is the case because during running plays, the defensive linemen, linebacking corps, and secondary all have a chance to tackle the ball carrier, but on passing plays, it is possible to effectively eliminate the defensive linemen, linebacking corps, and even the secondary from stopping the play. Furthermore, on passing plays, it is easier to gain additional yards when the ball is delivered to a receiver in open space, but it is not as easy for a running back to make defenders miss. This is especially the case when a running play is designed for the back to run between the tackles, and thus, through the teeth of the defense.
Another possible cause for the devaluation of running backs are the rise of running back committees. This is the practice of constructing a roster that has more than one featured running back. As of the 2023 NFL season, there are a number of running back committee setups present around the league, with the most common being the "70-30 rotation", a setup which has a featured running back taking the majority of the snaps while one or more change of pace backs make up the rest. Other setups include the "tandem backfields", which are setups that have two featured running backs splitting carriers, often with two different running styles, i.e. a power running back partnered with an elusive back or pass-catching back. One of the most famous of these setups was the tandem duo of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown as part of the 2008 Miami Dolphins. The last of these setups are "full-blown" committees, which often feature 3 or more running backs that are often cycled through throughout a game, with coaches often sticking to whomever is "hot" as the main running back. The running back by committee style has been popularized across the league because of how injury prone the position is and the effects of fatigue on players.
Another possible explanation for the declining value NFL teams place on running backs is the risk of signing one to a lucrative, long-term deal. There are several examples of such contracts given to running backs that have backfired on teams.
Read also: Learn about the Alabama Power Scholarship
The Declining Value of Running Back Contracts
Because teams have changed how they view the running back position, running back contracts have declined in value. For example, as of 2023, the average running back makes $1.808 million per season, which is less than what the average kicker makes ($2.196 million per season). Also, the franchise tag for running backs has decreased from $10.95 million in 2015 to $10.09 million in 2023. In fact, the running back position is the only position to see a decline in franchise tag value since 2015.
In recent years, NFL teams have shown that they are willing to move on from productive running backs once they are due for a big payday and instead replicate their production by taking advantage of cheaper alternatives such as their own backups, mid to late round draft picks, and low-risk free agent running backs. For example, during the 2023 NFL offseason, feature running backs Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Kareem Hunt, despite enjoying productive careers up to that point, were either released by the respective teams that they previously played for or allowed to leave during free agency.
tags: #power #back #vs #elusive #back #ncaa
