In the Kentucky Derby, it’s almost always about the horse, not the rider.
In the inner pits of the Daytona 500, success is generally credited to the car, not the driver.
So why in the NFL do running backs receive all the glorious adulation for accomplished running attacks?
“The running back is never the most important part to a running game,” said Andra Davis, whose primary mission as a Broncos inside linebacker is stopping the run. “It’s always about the offensive line. The running back can’t run against 11 guys. It’s about whether the offensive line can create holes or get the push up front.”
Look at the Dallas Cowboys. Their top running back, Marion Barber III, has missed a third of the season already with a pulled quadriceps muscle. Their second-best running back, Felix Jones, has only played one third of the snaps, and he won’t play today against the Broncos because of a knee injury.
Yet the Cowboys lead the NFL in rushing with 193.7 yards per game — 23 yards per game more than runner-up New Orleans. And the Cowboys’ 6.8 yards per rush is a whopping 1.1 yards better than Tennessee’s next-best efficient running game.
When a team leads the league in rushing and its two best running backs are hurt, the logical assumption is that a good running game is not necessarily dependent on a good running back.
“The running backs we have are pretty good,” said Cowboys coach Wade Phillips, who includes third-stringer Tashard Choice. “But the Broncos have been running pretty good for a long time with a lot of different running backs.”
Terrell Davis was the all-time best Broncos running back. But perhaps one reason why he has yet to become a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame is after he rushed for 2,008 yards in 1998, unknown Olandis Gary rushed for 1,159 yards in just 12 starts the next year and the year after that, a 27-year-old rookie and former Marine named Mike Anderson gained nearly 1,500 yards.
The other day, I presented four elements of a running game to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. His Broncos rank fourth in the NFL in rushing while alternating two backs, Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno, and occasionally mixing in a third, LaMont Jordan or Peyton Hillis.
McDaniels was asked to prioritize these four factors: scheme, offensive line, running backs, and a quarterback who can both open up the running game with his passing and check off into a good running play at the line of scrimmage.
“The running game all starts with the offensive line,” McDaniels answered almost immediately. “The offensive line and the tight end also.”
The offensive line was No. 1. The scheme? It seemed like the zone-blocking, one-cut scheme was behind the Broncos’ running success in the Mike Shanahan era.
“You can run any scheme and do it well if you have a good offensive line that blocks well,” McDaniels said. “I think there are a number of different running schemes in this league that are successful. Our scheme is not like the Cowboys.”
The quarterback?
“Some offenses, the quarterback has the burden on him to try and get us in good plays,” McDaniels said. “In different systems, that guy can be a very big factor which I hope our guy (Kyle Orton) always is.
“Other offenses, they just call what they call and we’re running it no matter what you’re doing, and we’re going to pound it out and you’re not going to stop us.”
Which leads to the running back.
There is no denying Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson are special. Walter Payton was extraordinary for several bad Bears teams.
“But I don’t know too many guys who are going to pick up 115 yards on their own,” McDaniels said.
“The good running backs are the ones who can take it the distance when they have a hole,” Davis said. “Adrian, it’s tough to bring him down one-on-one. He’s the type who doesn’t need a big hole. He might only need a small hole to take it the distance. But he still needs some kind of hole.”
Eye on …
Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
What: After putting up monster passing numbers while helping Baltimore build a 3-0 record, Flacco will be tested today when he matches up against New England and QB Tom Brady.
Background: A surprise first-round pick from Delaware, an NCAA second-level program, Flacco ran a conservative offense as a rookie while helping the Ravens reach the AFC title game. Through five games last year, he had one TD pass and seven picks. Through three games this year, he has six TD passes and two interceptions.
Klis’ take: This is the biggest quarterback surprise of the early season. After averaging 185.7 yards passing per game last year, Flacco is averaging 279.7 yards this season. His 839 passing yards are two fewer than Drew Brees’ total. The only problem with this transformation is a high-powered passing offense doesn’t blend well with the team’s identity of rough, tough, mean defense. As the Ravens put it up, don’t be surprised if their defensive numbers go down.
At issue
Slow out of gate can seal a team’s fate
What: Funny how teams that start fast aren’t necessarily the best at the end, but the worst teams in the end always start slowly.
Background: The 2008 Lions were the worst team in history, but they used their lofty draft position to bring in good players (Matthew Stafford, Brandon Pettigrew, Louis Delmas, Aaron Brown) and are improved this year. This year’s No. 1 draft pick will be selected by the Rams, Browns or Buccaneers, with the Chiefs also in the mix.
Klis’ take: The Bucs have the worst team because they have a huge quarterback issue and their head coach, Rasheed Morris, doesn’t seem ready. As for the best, the Giants, Saints, Ravens and Colts are at the top of most power rankings, which makes it unlikely any of them will wind up winning Super Bowl XLIV.
On the hot seat
Packers QB Rodgers
Who: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
When: 6:40 p.m. MDT, Monday at Minnesota
Why: To Packers fans, it doesn’t matter how well Brett Favre plays for the Vikings. What matters is that Rodgers wins. This is a case in which in most aspects of quarterbacking, the heir apparent has surpassed his mentor. Rodgers is a better quarterback than Favre this year. But there is a major flaw in Rodgers’ game — sacks. He has taken a league-high 12 through three games. And the Vikings aren’t exactly weak up front. Granted, the Packers’ offensive line has protection issues, particularly at right tackle. But Rodgers needs to do his part and stop taking those drive-killing sacks.
Ups and downs
THREE UP
1. Giants: Losing Phillips and Bradshaw hurts, but Eli has been terrific and the lowly Chiefs are next.
2. Bengals: Cedric Benson is proof that young, enigmatic stars can mature.
3. Lions: LB Larry Foote has brought some Steelers mentality to Motown.
THREE DOWN
1. Redskins: How does Detroit run 74 plays to only 57 for the Redskins?
2. Browns: When a QB (Derek Anderson) throws three picks in one half — and gets promoted — you know it’s bad.
3. Steelers: They rank an atypical 27th in rushing, and 29th in turnover margin.
