Warning: Running back combos can be combustible
Article By cbrown.tsn on 8th April, 2010
More NFL teams want their running backs to share the load. Two-back and three-back systems are on the rise as teams seek to reduce mileage on their lead backs and give opponents different looks.
Clinton Portis comes off his worst season and find two new backs in the mix.
The Saints won a Super Bowl with Pierre Thomas (793 yards), Mike Bell (654 yards) and Reggie Bush (five yards per carry) all contributing. The Panthers have the league's best two-back attack, with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart rushing for more than 1,100 yards last season.
For a multi-back system to work, however, the players must be willing to coexist. As the 2010 roster take shape, here is a look at running back combinations that could be compatible or combustible:
Washington Redskins
The backs: Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker.
The issues: All three are used to being the lead guy. They have never played together, and neither Johnson nor Portis is known for staying silent when unhappy.
Johnson says the situation can be handled successfully by new coach Mike Shanahan, who enjoyed success shuttling backs when in Denver.
"It will take off the wear and tear and have us play longer and produce more results," Johnson told reporters last week. "I think people misunderstand. Two guys that have always been starters -- it's supposed to be like there is some type of beef -- but it's not. (Portis) goes his way, I go my way, but it's always been a certain respect for both of us, because I know what he has been able to do.
"We kind of complement each other. It's not really, 'I'm coming here to take your spot.' "
It sounds good, sure, but it might not work. Portis is coming off his worst season (494 yards in eight games), and Parker's production has decreased in each of the last three seasons. The Redskins also have serious offensive line issues to address.
"This is arguably the worst offensive ...
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The Toronto Blue Jays Tickets are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners Tickets are looking to be a good team this year.
Detroit Tigers Tickets: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises.
The Philadelphia Phillies Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. One of the biggest games of the season are the Phillies Red Sox Tickets. Another long time rival in the same state is Phillies Pirates Tickets.
The Chicago White Sox Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division.
The Atlanta Braves Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
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San Diego Padres Tickets: The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.
Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
