Why Running Backs Don't Matter

My explanation as to why running backs are the most replaceable, and least valuable position in football.

[@jackhackett7377]

This video actually aged well as the Titans got the 1 seed without Henry, Bucs are still winning without fournette. Browns third stringer balled out after their 2 stars got hurt. Even Damien Harris’ backup was good.

[@forest1144]

dont forget rashaad penny randomly going INSANE lmao

[@Unknownpeeps13]

Well saying the Titans got the 1 seed without Henry doesn’t prove anything. It’s still a team game, one player unless it’s a QB can not make that crazy of a difference. What you can notice those the Titans run game practically died without Henry. They ability to get the ball in the end zone on a rush was dramatically lower, their average rushing yards a game was dramatically lower. Derrick Henry was the rushing power of the Titans, not their o line. When they put other players in the number we’re not even comparable. So to say running backs don’t matter I would agree unless you have a crazy outlier like a super start athlete such as a Derrick Henry, or a Barry sanders. Etc

[@youknowtress5071]

You use Henry and fournette as examples of backs not mattering but fournette has Ronald Jones the Third as a back up and Jonathan Taylor literally almost won mvp

[@grade-agrady5542]

The funniest one for me is Pollard. Man goes nuts without making Zeke money

[@bjw7383]

yeah but who are the colts without jonathon taylor? lol definitely nothing

[@batmanisawesomey]

People should just say they're interchangeable, it's clearer ,sounds less obnoxious and needs less explaining.

[@sneedsfeedandseed420]

yeah but then they can't spend 30 minutes fellating themselves while they explain it

[@ffllaasshh2067]

Yea but it also gets more clicks to say something that sounds outrageous then he makes his point to try and persuade you to see his pov on the topic

[@DustyDustington89]

I agree, how many people say running backs dont matter until their team needs one cuz the offense is 1 dimensional. Rule changes have helped the QBs drastically over the years so that's why people can make the claim running backs dont matter.

[@calebqueen2090]

Or just more replaceable, that’s usually the term I use

[@lucasng4712]

@@sneedsfeedandseed420 sod off

[@mikeconron1937]

I feel like a better way to evaluate the impact of a running back is on overall offensive production, I’m curious to see if the Vikings/Titans/Panthers passing offenses take a dip when Henry CMC and Cook are hurt because defenses don’t commit to the run as much

[@pbugarnold7803]

Yes, but I think this video focused more on how easily replaceable running backs are

[@David-bo7zj]

Was thinking the same thing

[@donevankerby4275]

The titans got the 1 seed without Henry so if that doesn't show you then Idk what will

[@Lekyori]

well panthers still suck

[@sephirijrmotanyane8176]

Because the defense doesn’t focus on the run as much when the star isn’t there it allows the back up running backs to rush for just as much or even more yards because the defense isn’t as committed to the run.

[@Edwurrd_]

I noticed this with the Patriots who’ve had running backs on a short leash, they always perform well (Blount, Michel, Harris, Bolden) no matter who’s the RB. Crazy

[@johngalbicsek5567]

I haven't played fantasy in a few years but ot sounds like Pat's rbs are still a headache. I started Jonas Gray the week he set their franchise record with 4 tds and over 200 yards and looked like a genius. Then looked like an idiot starting him next week for a big fat 0.

[@roy9487]

listen bro i play college RB, it’s pretty simple, don’t overthink it. A good running back will only go as far is his offensive line will take him, a special running back will make plays out of absolutely nothing, meaning no good blocks or gaps from the o line, it can’t get much simpler than that, most running backs are replaceable, but special running backs (saquon, christian mccaffrey, alvin kamara, joe mixon) will create chances out of nothing and their value should remain high in the nfl

[@megawatts-jq5xm]

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[@bgoodfella7413]

@@roy9487 Yeah but as a coach you don't want to be relying on superstars breaking free on broken plays. Good blocking and sound fundamentals is more reliable than some amazing play that may occur. I'll take an average runner with excellent blocking over a superstar runner with shit blocking.

[@roy9487]

@@bgoodfella7413 i agree, but how does that make a superstar runningback “replaceable” that’s like saying cooper kupp and odell are replaceable because stafford is good enough to make any receiver look good but obviously you wouldn’t be able to find another free agent receiver as good as them. Any position on the field is replaceable, it’s the NFL for gods sake, the same thing happens with quarterbacks, receivers, etc. What makes a superstar a superstar regardless of the position is their unique ability to make something out of nothing.

[@andrewshawley7891]

Does this take into account the defence's response to who is in the backfield? If a team's 'star RB' is out, then the defence is obviously gunna prioritise defending the pass, giving the back-up running backs an easier time.

[@taheemthomas6081]

Finally someone with some sense....

[@taheemthomas6081]

I thought i was the only one that thought this

[@attackofthelumbie9029]

That's just called good offensive play calling. If the defense is playing against the pass you should run and vice versa. If the back up is in long enough and teams don't take them seriously, the offense should continue to run the ball until opponents start to do so. This is why they are interchangeable.

[@brandondaniels3604]

I think what you’re saying just proves his point even more, the elite running back is out, but the team is still rushing for more yards because the defense is not stacking 8 in the box. The result would be the same if the elite running back was never even on the roster

[@andrewshawley7891]

@@brandondaniels3604 I see your point, but the video compares starters to back-up/replacements. In those scnarios, the defence is presumably adjusting to how they expect the offence to play without their RB. They would expect the offence to pass more. I'm arguing that this over-compensation is what leads to back-ups/replacements having greater production than their predecessors.

[@andrewwatts8240]

Kamara is essential to the saints offense. When 0-5 this season without him. Panthers drastically fell off without mccaffery.

[@sidsrivastava6987]

That's cuz both teams have awful QB play

[@jonwicked7031]

@@sidsrivastava6987 i mean did you see the ravens this season, no Gus Edwards or JK dobbins and they were essentially lot at the rushing attack which lead to Increased pressure on the passing game which lead to a colapse of the Oline which ended up getting their QB hurt and bye bye 2021-22 season

[@wyldezone9111]

anomalies. Those are receivers lol

[@purplecreature8178]

Yeah but taysom hill and sam Darnold plus a cam newton with a noodle arm as your quarterback's not gonna be very good but Alvin and Christian are like a 4th receiver and do much more than run

[@i.theworstguys298]

they are receivers who can run well. plus they’re absolutely outliers

[@WFM]

I would say this is the case for speed running backs but not necessarily for strong running backs. Speed running backs come a dime a dozen and are very interchangeable, but strong running backs that can stiff arm well and plow through defenders and stay standing and push after being stuffed are very indespensible Examples include Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, AJ Dillon, Jonathan Taylor, etc I guess what I’m saying is speed guys find success due to good O-Line and play calling, but if they play breaks down they aren’t gonna do much. But strength guys you can rely on to get you yards no matter what

[@tsmith7478]

I agree, not many Derrick Henry's around

[@calebfleming123]

Marshawn Lynch/AP/Priest Holmes/Bettis all are in my opinion what i think of when we talk HBs. Teams that have a good defense and running back that can just get a first down every 3 runs with power running are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

[@marcusbelanger3489]

I see where you’re coming from, but disagree. I wonder if the impact the Henry’s and Lynch’s make are more emotional that statistical. As in, if you analyzed the value(in terms of winning games) they produce compared against their contracts, could they be replaced in the aggregation of other pieces. I’d be interested in a power HB value analysis.

[@noahpena4172]

agree, people as big and strong as no jackson for example who are hard to come buy, especially if they can run

[@mileshewitt7515]

@@calebfleming123 Well why pay those guys when you could just pay some fast guy off then street and scheme better runs.

[@yvng_cmoney4599]

Bruh of course the teams yards per attempt would go up. Elite running backs face stacked boxes mediocre rbs don’t. Running backs definitely do matter the problem is the shelf life of rbs is very short. Running back is probably the toughest position in football. They are literally asked to run into a wall down in and out. What people and players should be advocating for is giving young rbs money before their career is up. Rb by committee is the best thing teams can do to stretch out an elite rbs career. This is the reason Tom Landry sparingly used Tony Dorsett in comparison to most teams at the time.

[@yvng_cmoney4599]

The best thing that a rb can do for his career is hope to god that he’s on a team with an elite QB or OL that has at least 3 other solid backs on the roster or a heavy passing game. Teams should offer running backs more even salaries throughout the roster and utilize them in both the passing and running game. There are so many talented backs coming out now like Alvin Kamara and CMC that can catch out the backfield as well as line up on the outside. The problem with the running back position is that it’s role has evolved to slowly with the game. Teams still over use elite back and run them into piles of linebackers and lineman.

[@aok2075]

Lol. Everything you said is true. But doesn't argue against his point. The most difficult position to play but still the least valuable since most of those skills don't translate to productivity.

[@Miles1x]

you just proved his point lmao

[@Dave002]

accurate, but proved his point

[@CHRISTBRO]

runningbacks matter but not for 60+ mill over 4 years….

[@yoboyangel3362]

This aged a little too well😔

[@lazeigler2116]

2023 and this video makes all the sense

[@chloelittle7036]

I think yards per carry and rushing efficiency are misleading ways to approach diving into the running back debate. Defenses are gonna play differently which is the obvious first one. You’ll play way more towards the run against a team with AP versus a team without. There’s also just their overall production. Yards per carry isn’t a bad way to check that but what about percentage of offense accounted for? Points scored and total yards etc. I mean I agree, for the job they’re doing they are among the most replaceable positions if not the most replaceable but I think truly game changing running backs are far more valuable than people think, although I think the bar is really high. Zeke and Gurley were on pace but really Derrick Henry is the only guy playing rn that I can confidently call special and irreplaceable

[@Shadowbot074]

Exactly. Look at a guy like penny. We had no running game all year so he went up against light boxes and dominated. I think yard over expected is a better stat to compare running backs

[@kylelatter554]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing about how defenses have to adjust to account for guys like AP (prime) and Derrick Henry. That’s the sort of thing that won’t appear obvious in yard based statistics and should at least be mentioned. I do agree a lot of running backs are overpaid tho, and as a SF fan I’d say our running backs are usually producing good despite not being high paid or highly touted

[@Chase-MDrealtor]

I think your argument is super fair but your one guy in the whole league that u labeled as unreplacable got hurt in the middle of the year and his team then replaced him and got the 1 seed in the afc. Tannehill goes down instead of Henry they’re not the 1 seed, teams would load every box and shut him down

[@kylelatter554]

@@Chase-MDrealtor yeah I just really like Derrick Henry haha, and he’s just a guy who will break a defense down over the course of the game by going 100% every play

[@chloelittle7036]

@@Chase-MDrealtor I mean yes that's true, but it's not like they replaced his production just because they were able to win without him. I mean dude was on pace for back to back 2000 yard seasons, and even though RBs are less and less important as the game evolves that's still an insane amount of offensive impact and to do that when everyone knows he's going to get at least 25-30 carries a game is even more impressive. I don't think a great running back is as vital to winning games as a great quarterback is or anything but it's not like a guy that dominant is easy to replace

[@sethers]

This feels like a pure “look at the stats” video and doesn’t take into account a lot of different variables. If the starter is out, teams likely won’t prioritize the run. That Rams offense was clicking through the air too - why would teams sell-out to stop some rb who’s barely in the league when Goff to Cook/Kupp/Roberts were shredding through the air? The Steelers planned and played much better than the Jets have during Bells years on each, plus the Steelers had a passing attack to be feared while the Jets wr1 was… idk Breshard Perriman maybe? Catching from Sam Darnold… Also, what are the rb1’s “yards after contact”? What scheme is the OC using when a different rb is in? Are you only evaluating the rb on their rushing ability or do you include their blocking and pass-catching abilities? As a Ravens fan, the Ravens just went from 2.5 consecutive seasons of dominant rushing (top 3) to the 2021 season where, due mostly to injuries in the rb corp, they lost a ton of offensive production in running the ball. Devonte Freeman and Latavius Murray are not adequate subs for Dobbins and Edwards and it showed.

[@brianfrommars]

Exactly; stats don’t lie, but they also don’t tell the whole story!

[@stringer8400]

Yeah this guy is a pseudo intellectual football elitist that I don’t think ever played a down in his life… I usually like his takes but this one is just absolutely brain dead. I get what he’s trying to say but when you only look at analytics and nothing else this is what you get. Plus RBs have notoriously short careers riddled with injuries as they have the most contact on the field.

[@thegenerator3150]

Dead video

[@jeremypaton4300]

Ravens went down in rushing yards because their rushing attack is supported by a star mobile QB, and half of the season Lamar was either out or playing injured. Their non-QB rushing yards dropped from 2000 in 2020 to 1400 in 2021. You could draw that up to Freeman/Murray being worse than Dobbins/Edwards… or you can realize that their Oline got worse, their dual threat QB got hurt (which means their RBs can’t benefit as much from read option looks), and their defense got much worse putting their offense in more passing scenarios. Seems more likely that the RBs don’t matter.

[@wavyzane9795]

steelers didnt not have no feared passing attack this was years ago no claypool juju and diontae. also stfu goff did nothing for us goff is the least feared qb ever

[@vincentzahler4147]

Theres more to running backs than rushing yards. Also, James Connor wasn't an unknown. He would have gone in the 1st round had he not had hodgkins lymphoma. He recovered and the Steelers were lucky he returned to prediagnosis form

[@him4690]

Do u disagree dou

[@vincentzahler4147]

@@him4690 I do

[@Dave002]

@@vincentzahler4147 you can disagree all you wan't but the only 100% factual thing to use is stats, and stats for the last 100 years show that runningbacks are completely interchangeable within an offence/scheme.

[@vincentzahler4147]

@@Dave002 you can apply similar stats to other positions with much the same results. We just choose to focus on running backs

[@winstonlewis5630]

James Conner was never a first round projection I followed draft coverage for years and Conner was never a highly touted prospect. He was not explosive had little agility and vision was average and wasn’t a pass catcher. That was literally the same class with Christian McCaffrey, dalvin cook, joe Mixon, Leonard fournette. He was never even thought to be a 1st round pick

[@AbleAnderson]

I’ve been saying this for so many years. When the Steelers running back many many years ago got hurt and “fast willie” Parker stepped in as a no name and became a star, the light went on in my head. Nice stats to back up this case, very well done

[@PeteNice29]

QBs don't matter without an O line. So is the O line the only thing that truly matters in an offense?

[@jamesforeman8028]

Yes, the O Line is the single most important unit in football

[@lukewalther5052]

yes

[@ogskywalker5669]

Yes sir

[@nightsabrex5506]

As a Ravens fan who went from J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman, I can without a doubt say running backs matter to some degree. I don't think Freeman is too bad, but compared to the production we had established in the run game since drafting Lamar, it plummeted this year. You can't just throw anybody in and they be good, but there is a lot of back ups who thrive because they're still really talented. My take is running backs are replaceable, but not disposable.

[@JackofTrades21]

You’re correct however that’s a bad example in your case you went from pro bowl caliber amazing college athletes some of the best runs games and running backs in the NFL to literally washed up should be retired Devonta Freeman and freaking Latavius Murray. Plus despite being trash running backs they still performed decently. And the point of the video is not that great running backs don’t help it’s that they’re not that important sort of

[@oliverbaronick4269]

Freeman is a top tier running back and Murray is a great guy to go up the middle with but still not worth paying the up side to dobbins and edwards is they have smaller contracts

[@twilson3133]

Instead of saying “don’t matter” I’d say they’re interchangeable. Nowadays, a running back committee is more favorable. Still tho, you NEED a good running back/running game to be successful

[@jamesforeman8028]

You need a great running game, not a great running back

[@twilson3133]

@@jamesforeman8028 well said

[@brendonbuffaloe8830]

This is devoid of a lot of context but generally you are correct about investing a lot in a RB. CMC’s backup only averaged so many yards because the Panthers were playing from behind most of the time. So naturally defenses would back off and play softer zone coverage which allowed for easy rushing yards. They didn’t care though because the Panthers were helping them chew clock

[@jackchildree1491]

I think you make a good point, but I think you’re ignoring how a good runningback affects the passing game. With guys stacking the box against Derrick Henry, there are fewer men in coverage.

[@DefenderOfVirginity]

summary of the entire video: the running game depends on the OL and schemes, rather than a single RB. dont reach for a top RB, prioritize your OL and you can plug in whatever RB you want.

[@t4d0W]

Things were like that for the Broncos in the late 90s-2000s. People wondered if it was the water in Mile High that produced a 2k season ace in Terrell Davis and over 1k dependable workhouses out of other late round picks. Nah it was the O-line and the Shanahan zone blocking scheme that would not only survive in the modern era but become the basis of how teams approach an efficient run attack.

[@thycucumber2827]

I think the only counter argument is the fact that defenses target the best player for example with ap they would blitz more allowing a better passing offense and vice versa with the random backup

[@sneersh9107]

But the question then is still does the running back matter? If you're still getting the same number of yards per carry because the defense isn't targeting the running back as much then the answer is still no, at the end of the day you're still getting the same level of production

[@GrantedBunion]

@@sneersh9107 it's case by case. It's definitely important to have a deep running core to prevent being screwed if your star back is out, but generational talent will always shine. Backs like AP still excel when the defense focuses on them in a way that few running backs can, especially when the offense doesn't have a good pass attack. There are plenty of RBs that can't step up even if the defense doesn't respect them (Trent Richardson being a prime example). Ultimately though, forcing the running back to put the team on his back should not be the only way a football team achieves success, and they must diversify their talent and gameplan to achieve optimal success.

[@brendonbuffaloe8830]

It’s AD not AP

[@Sixsince-dd2eu]

@@sneersh9107 he’s saying simply having a star rb in the backfield could make the pass offense better

[@LanceUppercut]

I'm so glad to see this idea spreading. An additional thing that strongly impacts rushing production is personnel grouping. The #1 predictor of YPC is # of men in the box, and the #1 predictor of men in the box is offensive personnel. If you asked a casual fan how often Gurley saw 8+ in the box in that near-MVP 2018 season, I doubt many would know the correct answer of just 7.81% of the time (because LAR ran almost exclusively 11 personnel, with 3 WRs). It should also be known that RB catches/targets are also very low value, on the whole. There may be guys who are *talented* enough to be WRs, but the fact is the vast majority of their catches come, at-most, a couple yards past the line, and are as likely as runs to get positive Expected Points Added (ie: "successful"). For strategic reasons, they HAVE to mostly take this low-value role (ie: you can't tip your hand to passing by putting them wide/slot all the time, or in obvious passing situations you can't do the same because it would make it clear they're not blocking; and even besides those reasons, SOMEONE has to be running the super-shallow routes to force the D to defend space away from those TE & WRs running routes at more valuable depths). Paychecks aside, RB is simply a thankless role, especially given the talent of many players there (I mean, makes sense on lower levels of football, take the best athlete & make him the position that can get the ball almost all the time). I read a very interesting possible-future of the position: have a lot of WRs that are hybrid types (like Bobby Mitchell & Charley Taylor of old), and have them rotate in at RB. They earn their money mostly from their WR work, but you still can have athletic/talented players running the ball. (That, or just realize RBDM & only take late-round/UDFA guys who specialize in rushing or a 3rd-down pass role & don't pay them much...but I think the NFL would be more resistant to this, especially if college continues to produce super talents who view themselves as RBs. The former change would have to come from college too, honestly).

[@harb1ng3r82]

And a year later that prediction has come true with the meteoric rise of Deebo Samuel

[@superbigguy2175]

@@harb1ng3r82 literally

[@samuelma7709]

@@harb1ng3r82 literally. this guy's take was good on that RB/WR combo lmfao.

[@USALeonHeart]

Fantastic comment, very good debunking of the "elite backs face more men in the box" thing, and yeah, Idk why it hasn't been standard practice forever to have a receiver carry out of the back field. (Specialization of physique, but still.)

[@darknightmike10yearsago]

Deebo Samuel and Cordarrelle Patterson are these hybrid receiver/running backs that you speak of.

[@fabioj2353]

I’d argue Kamara matters. He literally led the Saints in receiving yards and rushing yards in 2020. Saints wouldn’t be anything offensively without Kamara

[@VENENOSEASON]

Him and macafferry are exceptions ,they really could be receivers.

[@eli6797]

I’ve always thought “why draft a RB in the top 1-2 rounds and pay them so much?” RB is by far the most physically demanding position and is the most injury prone position. A “good” running back can last maybe 4-5 years tops before they get injured and that’s not even mentioning the fact that the backups are sometimes just as good if not better than the starters (sometimes it purely comes down to the fact that a RB was good in college so they already have the hype). Name one premiere running back in the past 5 years who hasn’t experienced some type of injury in the past year, and I’d give you my years salary.

[@josepharmstrong8025]

In the second round, players like Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Derrick Henry, Le'Von Bell, Eddie Lacy, and LeSean McCoy are available. If you can get at least 2-3 years of RB1 production, you can then use the Running Backs Don't Matter (RBDM) philosophy to cycle out RB's who either have their rookie contract expire, or hold out for theoretical money. And for the rare cases where a RB you draft both becomes a star RB, and is willing to take an OK deal (Mixon, Chubb), congrats, you're basically set at RB for a while, and then use other team's use of RBDM to get a really good RB2 that could be a RB1 if needed.

[@fyree6305]

Jonathan taylor

[@Psychoma99]

After watching this season, it looks like Ezekiel Elliot's time is up. It's time to move on and draft another RB in the second or mid rounds

[@hyson727]

Looks like a good offensive line is more important, 2nd to the quarterback.

[@topkingz8597]

Offensive line is more important then qb

[@therelaxingchannel7903]

@@topkingz8597 that’s why they also get taken in the 1st round

[@Malachi-Rhodes]

Running backs definitely matter their just interchangeable. Having a RB by committee is a lot more effective than having a single bell cow RB.

[@jamesforeman8028]

Running games matter, running backs do not

[@jackrobinson1041]

I’m a college running back (d2 to be fair so take that how you want it) and completely agree with this entire video. The running game is completely dependent on the offensive line and a great offensive scheme. Not that running backs aren’t talented athletes, rather, they’re easily replaceable

[@coreythomas3633]

Barry sanders didn't have a elite offensive line

[@mybloodyvalentineNT]

@@coreythomas3633 His whole O line was in the nfl, pretty good to me???

[@coreythomas3633]

@@mybloodyvalentineNT but not the best in the nfl. Smh it doesn't matter if it a nfl line or not

[@JacobiPatterson12]

@@mybloodyvalentineNT worst in the nfl though

[@mybloodyvalentineNT]

@@coreythomas3633 how does it not matter? If your in the NFL your pretty damn good

[@Camzeyy]

Derrick Henry is one of the exceptions. You also need to remember that in football games, the difference between a game is often 1-2 plays. When you have someone like derrick Henry who can, by himself, break an 80 yard touchdown, he is a game changer. Sure, the hole is usually pretty big on a play like that, but he does things that most other abs can't after the line of scrimmage. I agree m mostly though. What a coincidence that the backup to every "good" rb is also good... However, players like derrick Henry and Kamara because of his pass catching and playmaking ability are game changers.

[@yunked]

Don’t forget Jonathan Taylor lol

[@LunaticTheCat]

@@yunked and Nick Chubb

[@borinne7909]

how come the Titans got the 1st seed after Henry didn't play the last 8 games?

[@Camzeyy]

@@borinne7909 because they picked up Adrian Peterson who was able to fill his role

[@Camzeyy]

@@yunked I had him in fantasy, I know. I say Henry as a prime examp[le tho cause u can see him stiff arm people and run 90 yards. JT was good all around and had really good vision so a lot of his runs look like just an open hole and someone could say it was the line that made him good even tho that obviously isn't the full truth. but he did have plays as well where he just ran over people too

[@nhpsycho1390]

This changed my life

[@WFM]

Bears had Jordan Howard as their RB1 for 3 years and the dude would dice it up every week. Now he’s on the eagles practice squad. Just another example of how replaceable these guys can be

[@DEADPOTENTIAL]

Looks like Henry came back just in time to prove this video correct

[@kebbasowe5217]

I found an example, look at the browns rushing attack now that they’ve lost Chubb. It’s significantly worse, hunt is a good back but just not as good a runner as Chubb.

[@Darth_Arashi]

Every position is interchangeable. As a person who had the opportunity of playing college football I’ve seen the best players at each position go down and the offense doesn’t miss a beat it’s all on the OC and coaching staff not just a single player.

[@SuperJoobers]

The stand in the pocket Tom Brady type quarter back isn’t important anymore either.

[@samharris5574]

The only running backs who really aren’t replaceable are the ones with “X factors” like Derrick Henry’s ridiculous strength or Christian Mcaffreys hands. Those dudes are good enough to beat a defense on their own sometimes when the wrong play gets called.

[@mattbartholomew4649]

You should do a part 2 of this video talking about this current off-season and the low pay for RBs

[@petercarozza5235]

Love the show but Adrian Peterson can’t be talked about like this because name a quarter back he had that was good (farve barley counts) in his prime he ran into stacked boxes and still dominated

[@LanceUppercut]

What you say is actually backing up what he's saying, IMO. RBDM doesn't mean they're not TALENTED, but rather that the role of starting with the ball behind the line is not an efficient way to move the ball. If AP *did* have passing attacks that defenses had to pay more attention to, then the MIN rushing attack likely would have been more efficient (see the Derrick Henry example at the end - DH is talented, but he needed things outside of his control to change for that to actually translate into production).

[@Buttington_Headerson]

Favre definitely counts

[@yeelicious-6232]

@@Buttington_Headerson had a 2,000 yard season without Favre

[@fried2styles]

Great video man! This was my instinct too when i saw KC draft Clyde Edwards-Hilaire with their #1 pick -- he's good, but not worth the resources. Anything but a RB!!!

[@johngalbicsek5567]

There are a few I can think of that aside from their great running also had huge impact in both blocking and the pass game in general. Terrell Davis definitely made John Elways twilight by just being an overall beast comes to mind before thinking about directly helping in the passage but others like preinjury Arian Foster making Schaub seem like he could take the Texans all the way in 2010. In an NFL films about myths, one was that you have to "run to set up the pass" and in that segment Marshall Faulk (who was another indispensable Swiss army knife for his team worth mentioning) said they would pass to set up the run and he was at an advantage with deeper safeties as a result. I forgot where I was going with this. Good vid lol

[@joesheh9374]

A lot of this makes sense… but the Derrick Henry take is blasphemous especially now where you can see what the titans are doing without him

[@aok2075]

They're almost as productive without him. Donta Foreman has 4.3 yards per carry. Same as Derrick Henry. The only difference is they gave Henry the ball an unusually large amount of times. Now they split those reps between two people

[@Random-ti4lu]

theyre literally the 1 seed in the afc what do you mean

[@brandondaniels3604]

Their the #1 seed in the afc and he’s been out like 8 weeks lol

[@haakonrustad]

This is the most factual thing that I’ve watched/read in all of quarantine other than Cooking on Union Street (featuring Anna Weber)

[@danielrodriquez9555]

Except the Derrick Henry part. That man is just a different breed

[@jamesnash4580]

Shit just look at the broncos of the late 90's and early 2000's. They had the best o-line in football, and pumped out thousand yard runners every year.

[@frenchtoastmaffia]

You're 100% correct, and I've used this exacting thinking to win my fantasy football league 3 years in a row. I find the teams with the best OLines and those are the RBs I go with

[@Train2kill00]

You could make this same argument for just about any position in football. 7:30 "I would say that having a great offensive line matters the most, and also having a coach that does creative things with blocking schemes, and also having a quarter back um that can take some of the pressure off the running back and keep the defense honest, and also having a quarterback that can audible out of bad looks and make sure that teams are getting the most out of any running play. If you have all those three things I mean you can put any one in your backfield and succeed. And if you put a great RB in your backfield without those three things you're not going to see much success." You mention the 49ers and Ravens as two of the teams that you feel are good at running the ball and not because they have great backs. First thing, the 49ers head coach lost the Falcons a Super Bowl because he refused to run. He had two RB's that could actually run with a 28-3 lead and after Coleman went down he didn't run the ball. You mentioned McKinnon. Did you see what he did for the Chiefs this season. These guys are talented and do deserve to get paid. You take a decent quarterback give him a great defense, a better than serviceable offensive line, put him in an offense that plays to his strengths, with serviceable receivers and tight ends and that QB can be successful too. Some would even call that QB the GOAT. It's a team game. Now take that GOAT in his prime, and ask him to run an offense like the one Lamar Jackson runs in Baltimore, give him a marginal defense, and the receivers Jackson has had in a run first offense and see how well he does. You're living in this era and that's all you know. I'm not blaming you for that but running backs absolutely matter. Are teams committed to being good at it or not is real the question?

[@sportstalk8780]

Only people who did not play football at any elite level say this. Pass the ball 65 times a game and lets see you beat that cover two!!! You can't can "pass a team out of cover two" you have to "run them out of cover two". Running threat is what brings that safety in the box.

[@Malachi-Rhodes]

Thank you, a good run game complements a good passing game and vice versa.

[@tairoberts8435]

@@Malachi-Rhodes, and a running back will not contribute to a running game. Get an offensive lineman with that contract or a smart coach

[@jysprk7395]

I think if you look at bad running backs with good o lines, yes they’ll still perform well but a good back would perform better and more consistently

[@adambajczyk1451]

This overlooks so many factors of a good running back, catching out of the backfield, pass blocking play action, it's a team game, defenses adapt to different players, a good pass game does take pressure off a rb, as the same a good rb makes it easier to pass the ball

[@paulgood2218]

Aged well panthers rb goes to San Francisco and the Panthers actually got better good call

[@xMikeDezzyx421]

In the regular season low key yeah, but in the playoffs it really matter. Leonard Fournette proved that 2020 buccaneers playoff run. (And if they don't have good blockers it really doesn't matter)

[@jamesforeman8028]

But they did have great blockers, so you can’t use that as an example.

[@kevo1441]

It doesn’t matter, and if it does, it’s marginal. The purpose of running the ball is for ball control and to sustain drives and more manageable third downs. It comes down to the O-line and scheme. As long as the RB understands his blocks and hits the open hole consistently, he will be fine. Aside from understanding pass blocking assignments. The only difference with the best running backs are that they can sometimes take it to the house due to overall talent. But you’re right. RB production can be duplicated. It is a product of the system and not the player. Every team has a good 3-4 years with a RB and I personally feel their best values are on their rookie deals.

[@hamburglar9002]

Just because they can be replaced does not mean they don’t matter

[@Blackmagechow]

Well after seeing this hit my suggested box on my KZbin front page… it’s safe to say you can bring this channel back Theo

[@jraider4]

I enjoyed this a lot! Theo video 👏🧿

[@johnnyultor]

Running backs are extremely powerful assets for teams like the Titans. Derrick Henry carried them in 2019 and 2020.

[@spa7us]

Yeah but they never could have won a super bowl

[@DEADPOTENTIAL]

Carried them to what?

[@Malachi-Rhodes]

@@spa7us Well it takes a lot more than a good RB to win a superbowl.

[@Dave002]

@@Malachi-Rhodes not many superbowl winners have had a super high paid rb

[@GrantedBunion]

@@DEADPOTENTIAL relevance again?

[@piercepluenneke7438]

We could probably control for that by seeing the running back's effectiveness against similar play calling and similarly ranked run stopping defenses. If your star running back is less efficient than the backup against the same defensive plays and the same talent then the conclusion would be that running backs don't matter much. Also we could look at how effective the same teams throwing game is when the star running back is out vs in to guage if the defense actually responds the way you say they might. If the star running back really does make a difference then the offenses pass game should play better when they are on the field/a threat

[@jellosapiens7261]

One counterexample to this would be the 2021 Ravens, where after JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards got injured before the season started, the Ravens' running game took a massive dip in production and (in many people's eyes) contributed to their losing record this season

[@camjones3723]

Derrick Henry is an exception lol . You can pull up the metrics and stats. The Titian’s offenses is better with him

[@therealgmoneyd]

As a Texans fan he just wins games all by himself it's crazy

[@monsoonpsychology]

Just started the video, but having none of our starting RB’s (as a Ravens fan) definitely hurt us a lot. Perhaps is majorly system dependent?

[@chandlersmith4731]

You can put an avg RB behind a great line and they’ll shine, put a star RB behind a bad line and he’ll struggle.

[@joelperez8831]

Amazing work liked and subscribed 👍🏽

[@xilencered7788]

Similar thing happened with the Chargers. RB held out on a contract disagreement, Ekeler took over and did just as good.

[@moshood55]

Ekeler was and is the better RB tho. Melvin Gordon was never that good. He just had the higher draft status.

[@jtr4301]

U have a rlly good point the teams that win or even go to the super bowl never actually have a top running back in the league

[@alexsumi]

I feel like the last time a great running back won the Super Bowl was Marshawn Lynch in 2013

[@jameswinslow8540]

Good video and I agree, but note sometimes the running efficiency improves because the team passes the ball more when their star running back is out, so teams don't load the box on every play.

[@nocappp47]

Good vid, good slides, good clips, well informed. Take my subscription sir.

[@ianszabo2079]

This really makes perfect sense too, because ultimately if you're in the NFL, you're already one of the fastest, most athletic human beings in the world. It's not a position that requires almost any exceptional skill, what matters are offensive lines to open holes with creative schemes.

[@JacobiPatterson12]

yeah except some backs are truly one of a kind. Like derrick henry and cmc and nick chubb and saquon not every rb can do those things

[@ianszabo2079]

@@JacobiPatterson12 Derrick Henry was outrun by his back-up last night and rendered into a non-issue. There's also literally nothing unique about anyone you mentioned, they're just big, reasonably fast guys who can occasionally stiffarm opposing defenders.

[@topkingz8597]

This is completely wrong the running back on the offense requires the most toughness and usually around the top of the team in skill all of the best teams in the nfl have a good running game and running back. It’s not that the running back don’t matter it’s that by the time the running backs get to the nfl the gap between the best guy and the worst isn’t that far apart

[@bcorey3660]

@@ianszabo2079 RBs like Adrian Peterson and Barry sanders can’t be replaced. Generally, RBs are interchangeable, so when you get a generational one who is obviously the best, it means they are significantly better.

[@schlickywitdablicky8207]

how do u explain players like barry sanders who was able to break tons of tackles and score or get a long run?

[@jaykluesy]

It’s more like running backs have a short shelf life but not anyone can do it. What you’re failing to acknowledge is o lines can make or break a running back but also if a game plan ignores a running back because they are considered “trash” it leave an exploitable hole

[@AfG_313]

More relevant than ever today my fav position slowly leaving like full backs or will not b as important 😢

[@gxngxbdu]

Well deebo Samuel just won the packers game for the 49ers by running the ball for a first down to set up robbie Gould for the game winning field goal. If running backs weren't important then 49ers would've passed the ball and probably wouldn't have gotten the first down to set up the field goal to win. (Coming from a rams fan)

[@jamesforeman8028]

You realize that you’re proving the videos point? If rb’s mattered then a receiver wouldn’t be the one rushing for the game clenching first down. A great rushing game matters, a great running back does not.

[@RobbySwenson]

I don’t watch football, enjoy watching football, or care for football at all. Did I watch this entire video, however? let’s just say I can’t wait for the next episode

[@jraider4]

@rob Robby at Robby

[@jraider4]

0:36 he says Pilot robb ie

[@RobbySwenson]

Jaida Gehring Oh! I think that that is funny because of the band Twenty one Pilot

[@CRMdrifter]

As a seahawks fan I'd have to disagree after seeing Rashaad Penny replace Alex Collins.

[@idkiguess69]

As a Titans fan I agree, our run game also crippled us at times against Arizona Kansas City Indianapolis and Buffalo. A team will stop the run if they really commit to it it’s simply numbers 🤷🏼‍♂️ all you need is capable backups. The big thing is just simply coaching and QB play, like he said u can put almost anyone back there when u have things in order. U give someone like idk Eli Mitchell for an example the carries the o line and the coaching and he has a great year.

[@therapydisputes2735]

I would like to think the teams with the star running backs are going against stacked boxes which is leading to lower YPA etc. You got think tho... with those same stacked boxes the passing rating has to be better with a star RB

[@coopercarter2567]

Exactly, do you think the titans lose to the Texans this year if they had Henry? I don’t think it would be close

[@CHRISTBRO]

Jonathan Taylor this last year had a beat up average line and average to below average QB play yet had 2000+ yards and 20 tds… he had 1400 yards and 11 tds last year with philip rivers at QB… both these QB’s coming off horrible season the year prior. Idk man JT might’ve broken the barrier this last season

[@jamesforeman8028]

They should give him a huge contract then. He’s the exception apparently. The colts definitely won’t be wasting money and will be better off then using those resources to improve quarterback.

[@elohkayeye6277]

One thing I will say that gives this video a lot of support is the fact that pretty much no star RB went to a different team and continued to produce at a similar level

[@MrMatt23c]

Good content bro 🤙🏾 Keep at it and the channel will blow up

[@wholesomecomment45]

I feel like another point that could've been made were SB winning teams in recent memory winning it all with a running back committee over just relying on a star running back.

[@swmo_SS]

When you consider the abuse these RBs are taking every play, whether taking the ball or blocking, is pretty strenuous. If more teams adopt a running back committee then I feel some of these careers could be given a few extra years of life

[@christiantraylor8705]

for the most part i agree with this video, but give some more respect to mark ingram.

[@Rylopero]

An elite runningback is like an elite defense catcher in baseball or an elite 3 point shooter in basketball. They serve to make the other players on their team more effective. Take Yadier Molina for example. His elite framing improves his team's ERA and increases strike rate, making his pitchers look better than they may be otherwise. An elite 3 point shooter like Steph Curry pulls defenders farther out due to the threat of a deep 3, leaving more favorable 1 on 1 matchups in the post, or opening up another shooter during pick and rolls. These are things that until very recently, haven't been quantified by stats. The same is the case for elite RBs. They can contribute to things such as pulling a safety to block gaps on play action leaving holes in zone coverage, or forcing more one on one matchups for WRs because defensive coordinators are more concerned about preventing the run. This may result in less yards per attempt because the defense is putting more effort into stopping the run than they would with a backup RB. This also forces pass rush to be less aggressive as they need to consider stopping the threat of a run. When considering elite RBs and their usefulness, also include the rates of blitzes, blown coverages, and big play opportunities. An elite RB allows more 1 on 1 possibilities for WRs and more time in the pocket for QBs just from their presence on the field

[@daderr99]

Right now I feel like the most important qualities in a rb are those outside of actually running the ball. How much can he be involved in the passing game (both as a receiver and a pass protector)? Can he contributes to special teams? Is he a threat in space vs linebackers? Can he pick up blitzes? As far as running goes, once you're an an NFL level athlete, you can cut and read running schemes, you're not going to be worst of the average. Years ago the differences between decent and elite rb were more evident cause running the ball was a much larger percentage of the offense, that made running much more telegraphed, you could stack the box much more easily cause you weren't that afraid to be burned deep. Overall athleticism was much worse often making rbs the best athletes on the field.

[@krazykenzie4212]

This guy clearly doesn't understand how elite runningbacks impact defensive game plans and adjustments. Runningbacks absolutely matter from stacking the box to stop guys like Henry or creating match-up nightmares in the passing game from a guy like Kamara or McCaffery. It absolutely changes how the offense and defense approach the game and to think otherwise is just blatantly ignorant. Analytics really don't account for the impact made through the course of a game.

[@Catcher34]

There is just to many holes and variables in your argument for this statement to be completely true.

[@Guiltyconscience83]

I agree to an extent. A rib is usually as good as the way the team it’s built around running the ball. There are certain guys that are gonna be noticeable when replaced based on how many balls they catch and how well they break tackles. Losing marshawn killed Seahawks efficiency at running the ball for example.

[@adacunto7262]

CMC got traded and Panthers rushing game got better just to add to the list

[@robotaccount5519]

Guys this does not apply to...alvin kamara...prime healthy saquon..healthy christian mccafrey...basically a running back who performs like a number 2 or three receiver receiving wise...are not replaceable..pure runners are replaceable..austin ekeler is basically a slot receiver who takes carries..if you use your running back mostly as a receiving back..and they can stay healthy and not get overworked...ala kamara...you cannot replace them..they are too rare this skill set

[@WidgetWagyu47292]

Mmhmm sure

[@suhaylkhadr9853]

Uhh 7 months later CMC and Saquon have been hurt and umm he just proved his point

[@seanrichards4316]

What point? Giants arent better without Saquon and Panthers sure as hell arent better without CMC

[@suhaylkhadr9853]

@@seanrichards4316 exactly what I’m saying that RBs don’t matter

[@daddydevito2024]

@@seanrichards4316 mike Davis looked pretty damn good. Coincidence? Of course not. RBs don’t matter.

[@nathandomeracki7463]

It is more based on the offensive line and the holes they can make

[@GabiN64]

NFL is becoming more and more QB-centric. It used to be that the RB could reach similar popularity of a QB and maybe win MVP but no longer.

[@THE_BEAR_JEW]

The least valuable position is actually the safety position. Yes, there's exceptions, but for the most part, their job is about bringing help and they have a far more forgiving job than CBs or anyone else on the defense. It's one of the biggest reasons you see older CBs move to safety. It requires less. Yeah the RB is replaceable and not very valuable anymore. But I'd still put the safety lower just because there's far less responsibility. As a RB, you still gotta take hits, block, catch, find lanes, and most importantly, hold on to the ball.

[@DEADPOTENTIAL]

Hell no. Blown coverages are usually due to terrible safety play lol

[@zackalvey6417]

If a safety screws up they get scored on if a running back screws up they get zero yards for a play the least important position has to be one of the receivers usually teams have 2 or three go to guys that get the ball thrown their way a lot but there’s always a receiver who rarely gets thrown to and is kinda just used as a decoy for most the game

[@johndoss2098]

Apparently you never played or watched enough football. Running back is the toughest position to play. They have to be big enough to take on linemen and linebackers. Fast enough to out run corners and safeties. Plus block and catch. Then carry the football on a regular basis. What other position take on all of that?

[@aok2075]

All true. But you probably didn't watch the video. Almost all NFL running backs have the skill set you just mentioned. There's almost no difference in impact to the team between a premium running back and a 3rd round pick. Doesn't mean it's easy just means 'a lot' of people can do it.

[@sneersh9107]

Quarterback is a tougher position

[@cuhgaming4943]

What?? RB is not nearly as hard as DB lmao.

[@crater044]

@@aok2075 Yea but that's not true at all either. I can tell you right now, just using the Cowboys for example, that no matter what Pollard can do......he is not the all-around back Zeke is. Pollard can explode for more yards but Zeke is a better pass catcher, a better blocker and can carry the ball more on a regular basis than Pollard could. Pollard is best served as a guy who you bring in for explosive plays whereas Zeke, when healthy, is the guy who can do it all. It's always been about what a RB can do and what are they good at? Smaller RBs are better used as players for pass catching, trick plays, draw plays.....anything to highlight their speed and quickness.....while bigger RBs are used more for their size and strength for pass blocking and plunging through the defense (regardless of a good O-Line or not). But just because Small RB #2 is fast doesn't automatically mean he's at good at running routes and catching passes as small RB #1.......while Big RB #1 might be a better blocker and more of a FB type of player despite the fact that Big RB #2 has more stats. There's a difference......it's how you use those strengths of the RB that matters. The premium ones are the ones who can do it all. There is a difference to the impact of the team. Just because the Titans earned the #1 seed in the AFC without Derrick Henry, that isn't always going to be the case because guess what? Those back up RBs are just there to essentially not fuck it up (sort of in the same vein as backup QBs) but the team is a different animal when Henry is lined up because the opposing team fears him. The difference between a premium player and a 3rd round nobody is that the defense fears the premium player and preps their gameplan to try and stop him......the 3rd round nobody can have success because the defense isn't worried about him because they don't fear him at all. Look at the Niners and how much better they've gotten on offense with Mitchell in the backfield and Deebo helping out? Jonathan Taylor was a stud this year behind a shaky O-line and a mediocre QB. The Bills destroyed the Patriots this past week because they, gasp, finally decided to give the running game a try instead of having Josh Allen try to do everything on the team. You can see it clear as day when you watch the game and not looking at stats on the Internet. The title of the video is "Do Running Backs Matter?"........the answer is yes they do. If that's not the point of the video, then it's a stupid fucking title and it needs to be changed. If the point is to not pay top end dollar to RBs......everybody and their mother has been saying that for years because the goal should be to pay the players in a way that perfectly benefits the team (why do you think Tom Brady has 7 SB rings and someone like Jared Goff doesn't, despite his big fat contract he got from the Rams a couple of seasons ago?)/

[@xdelbarrio]

Imo the most important part of a rb is probably his hands, not fumbling the ball is like the first thing I would look for on a RB, since his production will be mostly decided by the external factors you mention, when they get a bad look or a bad read, keeping the ball becomes the only valuable thing

[@Gaben420]

Ahh I'm thinking of the good ole days of football but I will say ....offesive linemen are more important than anything but man oh man I'd take a heisman running back over anything if I was a GM. I almost forgot about the james Conner experiment , that was a fun year.

[@oliverbaronick4269]

Honestly the duel running back system big rb then fast rb is the best option, I love a great running back but the position is too tough to expect people not to get injured or eat up cap space because of the fact they’ll get injured eventually.

[@Worm_shotz]

yea i agree with the stats my only thing is your starting running back whos good af is gonna be focused by the defense theyre gonna watcg more film on them and plan to stop the running back but when that running back is gone they dont focus on it as much since youd think a team who lost their starting running back is gonna pass. so i just think they’re some more variables to this

[@St.CrimsonTweets]

The Peterson Asiata example, and others I can counter. A team playing against Peterson, or any true stud RB will gameplan and focus on stopping that player. When that player is not in the lineup the opponent no longer focuses on stopping the run first, so the vikings (or other team) is likely to find an easier time running. But did the teams perform better without that Star RB? I can tell you, the Panthers do not win without CMC in the lineup because he takes so much of the focus when on the field everyone else has a much easier time.

[@nezeeyf]

Excellent argument... I haven't closely watched the NFL since 2012 but I would agree with this argument. Defense and the run game was my favorite thing about the NFL and once the falcons started passing on almost every down instead of running it frustrated me because they went from a well-balanced team to a pass-heavy team 👎🏼. And the NFL was shifting to more passes just like the NBA was shifting to more 3 pointers... Somehow running the ball in the NFL runs parallel with post play in the NBA. I love both but yet they are becoming less valuable.

[@Chilango16510]

The perfect example of this is the recent 49ers. For the past 3-4 year they have been one of the best running teams in the league, and fantasy football owners go crazy when they own one of those players because they don’t know if they should start them or not, why because in the 49ers running offense, the play is what makes the difference not the player, we have seen at least 10-12 running backs run the ball under shannehan running back roulette, and they have been efficient, almost everyone of them, and it doesn’t matter if you’re the first option or 4th on the depth chart. When you get to run the ball you will be successful. The most recent example of this is Debo Samuel, making huge plays when carrying the ball from the back field

[@user-pc7xq6dz2i]

I think the drop off between the top backs and their backups is overstated here, regardless of what the stats say. Nobody on the field or sideline would agree that mccaffrey is not a meaningful loss. However the point about draft capital and cap space is spot on. Carolina might be objectively worse off when mccaffrey gets hurt but they might have been better if they spent that pick elsewhere altogether.

[@abebuenodemesquita8111]

the bears season this year I think shows this quite well. the bears have David Montgomery, a great running back. when he got injured they played damien Williams who performed almost as well as mongomery. then he got injured and they played rookie 6th round pick (I think but maybe he was earlier) khalil harris who played almost as well as montgomery as well.

[@maxikleber6245]

For the most part I agree with your argument but with the whole efficiency improvements in the run game when stars get hurt, you need to factor in the defense no longer game planning against future hall of fame running backs. That has to relieve the defense in some way, whether the players aren’t as worried and don’t try or the defense just plans to focus its game plan on the pass game assuming the backup performs like a backup. Although, a backup being more efficient for an entire season may prove me wrong.