Where were the RBs?
Injuries to foundation picks Steven Jackson, Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson and Laurence Maroney killed numerous teams, as did injuries to second-tiered backs Rudi Johnson, Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown and Deuce McAllister. You missed the boat if you lacked depth or was slow to react to the waiver wire. While it’s easy to point out the injuries, 2007 was a year that saw true featured backs slowly disappear. Note only six RBs had more than 300 carries (nine total with 280 or more carries), and that’s a significant number when you go back five seasons: • 2006 – 10 RBs had more than 300 carries; 12 total with 280 or more • 2005 – 10 RBs had more than 300 carries; 12 total with 280 or more • 2004 – Nine had more than 300 carries; 10 total with 280 or more • 2003 – 13 had more than 300 carries; 14 with 280 or more Injuries aside, a workhorse RB is becoming extinct. Numerous NFL teams incorporate a two-back attack and this is a product of playoff-caliber teams, as it’s commonly said the NF
