Up until this decade, the running back was a valued position. I mean a truly valued position.
Every kid wanted to run the ball and every team wanted a superstar running back. Then, the 2010s came and the back became the most disposable position in the NFL.
From 1986-90, there were at least five running backs taken in the first round in each year. In 2013 and 2014 zero first-round backs were selected.
The new-age NFL is a passing league built for elite quarterbacks to shine. Even for teams that rely on their run game, it’s usually a platoon role or running back by committee.
I talked to Broncos’ running back Ronnie Hillman about it last week. He said nobody gets 35 carries any more, the era of the back is over.
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That brought to mind an interesting question: have we seen the last of the Hall of Fame running back era?
There’s one active sure bet: Adrian Peterson. An old-school bell cow playing in the wrong decade.
After that, does anybody else get in for the foreseeable future?
There’s a few contenders we’ll take a look at including the one with the best chance:
Frank Gore, Colts — The NFL’s all-time active leading rusher with 11,672 yards. He’s No. 16 on the all-time list with a decent chance to move up to No. 9 if he could amass 642 yards in his final seven games. He’s given little inclination retirement is on the brink.
But Gore could run into the same problem that Edgerrin James (No. 11), Corey Dillon (No. 19) and Warrick Dunn (No. 22) faced: they were never the best back in the league. They got their total by being consistent, not elite.
The Others
Marshawn Lynch and Chris Johnson are the next two backs to come to mind. Both are on the verge of 10,000 career yards. They both possess something an argument for something that Gore can’t — being the best back in the NFL at some point.
Yet, both appear at the end of their career. Johnson needed a revival in 2015 with Arizona to even play this season. Lynch has hinted at retirement at the end of the season. They might run out of time.
The next crop includes Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy. All dominant, quick, new-age backs, who excel just as much catching passes as they do touting the rock. How much will the voters account for their dual-threat ability? It may also not matter as each has entered the injury-laden portion of their career.
Whether we realize it or not, the days of the elite hall of fame back are over.
Maybe Todd Gurley can save it, but that’s a while away.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Former Rockies star outfielder Dante Bichette turns 52. A staple of the Blake Steet Bombers, the four-time all-star cranked the first home run in Rockies’ history. Longtime Colorado fans still think of him whenever plays.
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
