Running Back by Committee: Just Say No!
Yesterday, Mike Shanahan announced that the starting RB position is up for grabs, and it is between Mike Bell, Tatum Bell, Cedric Cobbs, and perhaps Ron Dayne. I plead with the Broncos go with a true featured back and will commit to feeding him the ball while he develops his rhythm each each. As well as the tandem of Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell worked last year at times, neither had the confidence that came with knowing they were going to be the guy going into a game. I wonder if even that subtle fear that a bad series might have caused them to run a bit more timid.
My thoughts on each:
Mike Bell - Mike is my favorite. First of all, I love his story. I love that he is from Denver. I love that, as the later rounds passed in the draft, he found himself hoping to not be picked so he could sign with the Broncos as a free agent. But even beyond that, I like the way he runs from the limited action we’ve seen. He hits the hole and takes what is there. He’s more interested in getting positive yards on each carry rather than breaking the big one. He doesn’t come down on first contact. Give this guy the ball, and let him wear down defenses in the thin air.
Tatum Bell - It sounds a bit contrary to what I said above, but I like Tatum’s ability to break the big run. Unfortunately for him, he’s got the stigma that he can’t carry the ball enough times to be a featured back. Shanahan must believe that, becuase he’s never given him more than 17 carries in a game. Still, with a career average of 5.3 yards a carry, he’s the one who makes the committee approach so tempting. You’re not sure what he can give you with 25 carries, but your always excited about what he might be able to do with one. If he could be a workhorse who could grind out positive yards on most carries, and still threaten to break it at any time, he’d be my choice.
Cedric Cobbs - Cobbs has looked good in preaseson, but he’s been running late in games against lesser talent. The Broncos liked him in college, but missed him in the draft. After an injury plagued rookie year with the Patriots, the Broncos still thought enough of him to pick him up and hold on to him on the practice squad last year. He certainly seems to have a shot, but I think he’s going to have to clearly outperform the Bells on Thursday night to get the nod.
Ron Dayne - Dayne looked pretty good last year in his limited action, but he’s the guy I least want to see carrying the ball at this point. The fact that he entered camp as the #1 guy, and fell to #3 before even getting injured says a lot. I’ve said it elsewhere, but it troubled me how easily he took Mike Bell’s jump to first string. It just doesn’t seem to me like he wants it, but if he ever wanted to prove otherwise, nows the time.
On August 30th, 2006 at 10:12 am
Interesting analysis BroncosFreak. The debate of RBBC vs. 1 RB is one I’ve yet to take a hard stance on. As you said in your article, and I agree, Tatum Bell is the one who makes the RBBC committee tempting. In my opinion, Tatum either starts or we will have a RBBC. I in no way see Mike Bell, Cedric Cobbs, Ron Dayne, or Damien Nash getting the majority of carries individually as long as 2nd round pick Tatum Bell is on the roster.
On August 30th, 2006 at 2:44 pm
RBBC vs. 1 RB
As much as the Broncos run every game I’m comfortable with the RBBC. It’s a long season and that’s a lot of hits for one body to take. I can see the 2,000 yard headline Bell & Bell 2000. The Mike Bell story is a great story. Tatum is explosive. I don’t think Shanahan cares about what round you were drafted in. ex..Rod Smith, T.D. He plays the best players. Tatum and Dayne have had their chance. I like the “eye of the tiger” Mike Bell has shown in camp. I would like to see him run 2-3 quarters and Tatum explode during the 4th. Tatum hasn’t really improved too much on the short (hard) yardage situation, but he’s definatley a game breaker. Anyway you look at it, we have a good problem. 1 injury and we might need a Cobbs or Dayne.
On August 30th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
A good NFL running game is based upon good play by the Oline, no Oline= no running game. I know we like to give all the credit to the RB but it is the oline that should get it. This is extra true in the broncos offensive system. A RBBC never gives the Oline an opportunity to jell with the ball carrier. Each ball carrier has a different way of doing things. When an Oline blocks for the same RB consistently they just get to know each other and can block accordingly. The oline knows what the RB is going to do before the RB does. With a RBBC this componenet of the run game never develops. This is the key reason I feel our running game dropped off towards the end of the season last year. Our oline had not jelled with a RB. Thats my two cents.