Backs carry NFL teams

During the past few seasons, the workload of the NFL running back has been growing larger and larger. This season, it appears to have reached a point where the backs are carrying the team more than even the quarterback.\nRunning backs like Marshall Faulk of St. Louis and Edgerrin James from Indianapolis are more than just runners; they are integral receivers as well. And while Faulk and James are the best at their position, be assured that this is a league-wide trend.\nNine running backs are averaging more than 35 receiving yards per game. Many are catching the ball between five and seven times a game -- a number that certain top notch receivers (we won't mention any names, Randy Moss) would live to reach.\nThere are some reasons why these backs are becoming so useful. For one, the defenses are so worried about their running abilities that they are taking away that part of their game.\nAlmost all defenses now line up with four linemen, rather than three. This leads to fewer linebackers and the defense is more vulnerable to a five or six yard pass. Offenses are moving from handing the ball off to throwing screen passes to the running back.\nWhen running the ball, backs must first break through the defense's front line. If they can get a screen pass instead, they are more likely to already be past that line and be in the open field. Once in the open field, running backs can use their talents to gain massive yardage, as they are faster than virtually all linebackers.\nScreen passes to backs are also more prevalent with the new wave of strong defenses. Teams like Baltimore, Philadelphia and Miami (among others) are so good at stopping the run, that teams are simply no longer trying. Baltimore, in fact, has not allowed a 100 yard rusher in more than two years.\nIn the Rams' week three victory over the Dolphins, Faulk rushed for 88 yards and one touchdown; a modest day for an all-pro running back. But he caught a team high six passes for 72 yards an two TDs; exceptionally high numbers for the position.\nDefenses who pride themselves on pass rushing are potential victims to receiving backs as well. Often offenses will put in two backs -- one to help block and one as a safety pass if the quarterback's pocket breaks down. QB's look to dump off short passes if no receivers are open, rather than throwing the ball away as they did in the past.\nThis is most obvious in Tampa Bay, San Francisco and both New York teams, as they all have two capable backs. It seems as though offensive coordinators have found a loophole in the tough defenses throughout the league, but not without potential problems.\nWhen so much responsibility is placed in the hands of one player, an injury could be disastrous. Atlanta and Seattle are already in deep trouble with the losses of Jamal Anderson and Ricky Watters. If teams in playoff contention later in the season lose their running backs, then they may not be able to recover.\nFatigue is also an issue they must face. October games may not be so tough, but when a back has been this involved for three months, he will become less productive when games mean the most.\nThis is an interesting turn in offensive schemes. Now the defenses must react to combat for such potent players.