Food for thought

Submitted by mikefromaa on

As the quarterback position evolves into the half/quarterback hybrid we see with players like Denard, Devin, and to a lesser degree Tate, do you ever envision a day when the conventional running back position becomes obsolete?

bouje

September 24th, 2009 at 9:49 AM ^

Did you watch that show on History Channel yesterday! Man I'm going to join those smart guys who are planning for the end of the world!

People preparing for the end of the world in 2012 are like the Sparties who said that Michigan would never be relevant again.

petered0518

September 24th, 2009 at 12:05 AM ^

No, the RB probably won't be obsolete in the near future.

Still, I have always hoped to see offenses really try something crazy, like having all of your skill players be dual threat quarterbacks, and do some crazy misdirection play with the ability to throw any time.

That sounds crazy, but I am sure it sounded crazy to pass 75% of the time during the 3 yards and a clowd days. So who knows.

formerlyanonymous

September 24th, 2009 at 12:10 AM ^

The single wing was basically that type of offense. Some variations of the single wing are used in today's running games, although no one specifically runs it anymore. I've seen a few places, probably smart football or SMQB, that discussed the idea of a team using the single wing after the spread became the going thing everywhere. I think they pretty much wrote it off though.

Throw in that runningbacks and quarterbacks aren't the same type of athletes and each will have their specific strengths, and the reduction of the chance of injury, and are you seriously asking this question? I think you have your answer.

mikefromaa

September 24th, 2009 at 12:27 AM ^

I just watch Denard and think, "Why in the world would you have the fastest athlete on the field hand the ball off?".

I agree that right now quarterbacks and running backs for the most part have different skill sets. I wonder to myself if this will always be the case. I suppose I should have continued to wonder...to myself =)

MichiganStudent

September 24th, 2009 at 2:05 AM ^

No. There are a lot more things you can do with a running back than just pound the rock up the middle. A RB can become involved in the passing game and really give an offense, even with a dual threat QB, an added dimension that the defense has to stop.

A RB is needed for the option, zone read, passing plays (ie. wheel routes, screens, etc etc etc), and blocking.

It is a position that will never become obsolete, nor removed from a coaches depth chart.

Six Zero

September 24th, 2009 at 8:31 AM ^

Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds, fresh coconut, avocados, extra virgin olive oil, cold water fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel),eggs, lentils, spinach, corn, squash, potatoes, and carrots, and whole grains breads and cereals

OSUMC Wolverine

September 24th, 2009 at 8:47 AM ^

I think more and more position players possessing functionable qb skills will occur in the future to some degree. Some teams in the NFL have collected such players like the Steelers with Stewart (evil bastard forever near the top of my list of hatred), Antwan Randel El, and Hines Ward. They didn't go crazy with it, but they did assemble the pieces. In the future someone will likely do it again and it may well explode into a game changer in the pros.

We will see a ton of this type of player under RR, he seems to gravitate to athleticism even if not highly ranked for a particular position. Lets face it, where does the most athletic player often end up in highschool regardless of skill set, qb. I think throwbacks and skip passes will become much more frequent for us in the future, maybe even up to 1-2 times per game. Sure can open up those lanes on screens.

And no, playing hot potato with the rock will not be an every play thing, but I think it will become a more frequent occurrence with expanding offensive options. Pure running backs will always exist because someone who can run like the wind will still get to play even if they have 10 thumbs. I think maybe the best way to look at it is that average mobile qbs will see the field more than average rbs (two qbs and 1 rb in backfield instead of traditional reverse). The best at each position will always play.

MGOARMY

September 24th, 2009 at 11:45 AM ^

I think the OP is right on. The RB, QB and WR in the traditional form are all about to be extinct. This will happen after next years draft when Al Davis drafts Zoltan 1st overall. He will then field an offense with 10 lineman and Zoltan in the shotgun. He will run powers all game long with Zoltan, and occasionally let him throw the ball downfield and run it down and catch it himself. The formation will be called the Space Emporer, and all football will be played this way from then on. Just food for thought......