In 2006, Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs carried the ball a record 416 times for a rushing total of 1789 yards and scored 17 times on the ground. The Jacksonville Jaguars featured two backs last season, Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones- Drew. Together, they combined for 397 carries, for 2087 yards, and 18 TDs. Though Johnson carried more times than Jones-Drew and Taylor combined, he gained fewer yards and had 1 fewer rushing touchdowns. If Taylor's and Jones-Drew's receiving yards were added in, they beat Johnson even worse, 2765 to 2199. And don't even think about Michael Bennett, Johnson's backup, making a big difference, because he only totaled 277 yards from scrimmage (rushing + receiving) yards last season. Showing that one system is better than another is not a point in this blog, showing the right situations to use each system, and how running backs today should be used is. Clearly, it would be in a team's best offensive statistical interests to have a tandem like the Jaguars, rather than just relying on one back like the Chiefs.  So what is the cause of the large difference in production? It can be found in the average yards per attempt. Taylor averaged 5 yards a carry last season, Jones-Drew 5.7. Johnson, under the wear and tear of all of those carries, averaged a rather pedestrian 4.3, which is only outstanding because of the number of times he toted the rock. Besides the obvious increase in average per carry, using two running backs puts less wear and tear on each back, reducing the chance of injury. In fact, splitting ball carrying duties, Fred Taylor was able to stay healthy for most of the season, an incredible feat considering Taylor's now undeserved nickname is "Fragile Fred." So if I could choose to just have Johnson be the centerpiece of my running attack, or feature both Jones-Drew and Taylor, what should I do? Though the statistics may point towards Jones-Drew and Taylor, it really depends on the running backs and the team. Certain running backs are not made for a two running back system. Bruisers like Johnson, who get stronger as the game goes on due to the number of times they have bowled over members of the opposing defense, are meant for a one back system. For backs with a history of injuries or who are getting old and need more rest during games, a two-back system is ideal. The skills of the back/backs on a team also have to be factors. Take for example, the current situation in Denver. Travis Henry is a back capable of running for a lot of yards and TDs. Mike Bell, a second year running back who scored 8 TDs on just 157 attempts last year, but more importantly 7 in his last 7 games, is obviously a good goal line/short yardage back. So why waste Bell's talent by handing the ball to Henry 95% of the time? Let Henry carry the ball down the field, and in short yardage situations or at the goal line, bring in Bell. That will save wear and tear on Henry and allow him to be more effective when he does carry the ball, while also allowing a back to specialize in one thing, which will make them more effective. In fact, even the best in the business have someone else to relieve them. Michael Turner, the backup to the TD record holder LaDainian Tomlinson, was the back who was getting the ball late in a close game against the Ravens last year, not Tomlinson. Though the Chargers ended up losing that game, using Turner to chew up the clock saved Tomlinson from racking up a lot of carries, allowing him to be better rested for the next game.

Looking at all of the evidence presented, I suggest the following to NFL teams:

1. If you have a superstar running back, like L.T, or one primary option (like Willis McGahee of the Ravens) use him most of the time, but get some one who does not fumble, and is good at picking up short yardage. Though a back like L.T should always be used at the goal line because of how good he is, it won't hurt to have someone else take the big hit on 3 and 1 at your own 29, and pick up the first down. Especially as a super star back gets older, it will go a long way to maintaining their overall effectiveness if someone else is taking care of the short yardage and the dirty work, like grounding out the clock. In finding a running back like that, a team may just find the heir apparent at running back, so this is a good idea all the way around.

2. If you have a back that is very small or very big, or very young or old it would be a good idea to find someone that can complement them. Take for example Brandon Jacobs of the Giants. Jacobs is a 6'4 monster. Finding a smaller, more elusive back that has good hands would provide the Giants with a more ideal receiver out of the backfield, and would provide a changeup to the rushing attack that could prove to be effective. Imagine Jacobs on 1st down dragging defenders forward for 7 yards. Then on the next play, the ball is handed to a tiny back, like Jerius Norwood, who sprints by the tired defense for the TD. Such a running back tandem would be effective, and would also provide another option if one running back is injured or is not playing well. The idea of finding a complementary back also applies to backs on the opposite end of the age spectrum because both can be used at an equal amount, so while the new back is broken in, an effective rushing attack can still be maintained.

3. If you are sure that you have a young super star back in the making that just needs to get the necessary carries in the NFL to learn how to adjust to the next level, get them those carries for their first or second seasons, but do not routinely run them into the ground for the next 5+ years. Find another back, like a Michael Turner for example, who can help shoulder the load.

4. If your team is currently using a two-running back system, keep it until one running back leaves through free agency or a weak link in the tandem is clearly obvious. At that point, I suggest going to option 1, for it is always important to have a good backup, and to save as much wear and tear from your young star as possible. Remember, the careers of NFL running backs traditionally go downhill at the age of 30. If a back is a part of a two-running back system for the early part of their career, it will most likely allow them to maintain their super star status for a long period of time.

5. If you have two mediocre backs, regardless of whether they are young or old, use both in tandem. Hopefully, they can disguise each other's weaknesses and make the other more effective. And if one just happens to be a blossoming talent and the other heading for retirement or a permanent backup role very soon, this system will work very effectively. A perfect usage of  this philosophy was performed by the Patriots last season. Laurence Maroney, a rookie first round draft pick, and Corey Dillon, a veteran who may or may not be retired now, were used together for much of last year, with Maroney seeing more and more action as the year went on. With Dillon now gone from New England, Maroney is ready to emerge as a star, and the Patriots are using philosophy 1, having signed Sammy Morris to be the backup.

Through providing all five of these ideas and illustrating how they are best used together, I hope I have proven the value in both running back systems, and showed when it is best to use them. Like all trends in the NFL, the two-running back system will eventually disappear, but when that day does come, another idea will enter the copycat league that is the NFL, and I'll be blogging about it then. Until then, enjoy watching your favorite back share the load, for if he isn't now, he most likely will be sharing at least a little soon.

Bibliography:

http://www.nfl.com/