Running BacksBall carriers, plodders, warhorses

Goals

• At the end of this lesson you will have an understand of:

• The physical traits that NFL teams are looking for when evaluating running backs

• How NFL scouts evaluate running backs

• You will complete an assessment at the end of this lesson testing the knowledge gained.

Running Back’s Role

• NFL Running back do three things

• Run the ball

• Catch the ball

• Pass protect

• When evaluating running back prospects, NFL scouts must evaluate all three of these areas for a complete picture.

• Long gone are the days of the running back’s just pounding the rock. In the pass-heavy NFL running backs are expected to run out for passes and stay in the pocket and protect the quarterback.

Running Back Physical Characteristics

• Unlike quarterbacks, running backs come in all shapes and sizes.

• NFL teams would like to see them between 5’10 and 6’0” and between 190-210 pounds

• The target combine numbers that NFL scouts are looking for are listed below:

40 yard dash: 4.55 seconds Broad jump: 9’9”

10 yard split: 1.60 seconds 20 yard shuttle: 4.20 seconds

Bench press: 20 repetitions 60 yard shuttle: 11.70 seconds

Vertical jump: 36” 3 cone drill: 7.25

Evaluating Running Backs

• As in the previous lesson, its time for a lesson from an expert.

• Phil Savage, former GM of the Cleveland Browns and director of the Senior Bowl explains what NFL scouts are looking for while evaluating running backs.

• Please make sure to take notes.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ehoQ3XC3o

Evaluating Running Backs

• Phil Savage says there are three things that scouts look for when evaluating running backs

• Vision and Instincts

• Run Inside

• Homerun hitter

• We will now discuss these in more depth.

Vision and Instincts• The single most important thing that NFL scouts look for when

evaluating running backs is vision.

• Vision is the ability to see the hole in the offensive line.

• Instinct is the ability to be patient for the hole to develop and run through it.

• Getting to the second level, or beyond the offensive line, is the main duty of the running back when the ball is in their hands.

• If a running back is not patient or cannot see the hole in the offensive line in college; they will not be able to see the hole at the NFL level.

Good Vision• Here are two examples of good vision

• In the photo on the left, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings runs through the hole that his offensive line has created for him

• In the photo on the right, Eddie Lacy of the Green Bay Packers finds the hole that his line created for him and takes it 20 yards for the touch down.

Bad Vision• A lack of vision will kill a running backs career.

• In the photo on the left, Trent Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts should take the red path, but instead takes the yellow path right into a wall of linemen

• In the photo on the right, Trent Richardson (circled) once again runs into a wall of linemen despite the giant hole that’s developed on his right.

Quickness• Phil Savage called this Homerun Hitter

• For our purposes, quickness is a byproduct of vision and instinct; when the running back has seen the correct hole how quickly does he turn on the gas and explode through the hole?

• If a running back cannot demonstrate this quickness, he will not be able to succeed in the NFL.

• Speed in the drills at the combine can somewhat give you an idea of how fast a running back is, but if does not translate to the game film he might not be as fast as you think.

Pass Protection

• In the pass happy NFL, running backs are expected to be able to block for their quarterback on certain third down situations.

• It is imperative that the running back pick up his defender and remove him from the equation by putting a good block on him.

Watching a little film.

• Watch this video of Marion Grice, from Arizona State University.

• He’s #1

• Count how many times he makes into the second level (past his defenders), count how many times he doesn’t make it past the first level, and count how many times he has to block for the quarterback.

• http://youtu.be/zOpFRJCYHfg

Watching a little film

• To my count:

• He was stuffed at the offensive line two times

• He got to the 2nd level two times

• He stayed in to pass protect three times

• Did you notice?

• Did you notice that he also caught two passes for significant yardage?

• Running backs need to have good hands and the ability to run out of the back field and catch a pass or two.

Pad Level• When a running back runs he needs to be leaning forward with his pads

lowered so that he can power through defenders.

• The best running back at demonstrating proper pad level is Adrian Peterson.

• Notice in the picture how his shoulders are low and he’s looking forward towards the end zone.

• Scouting running back’s pad level is more difficult to do, but it is integral and it is important that you look for this when watching game film.

Durability• NFL running backs rarely ever play past 30 nowadays.

• They take such a pounding from being given the ball and forced to run into a wall of defenders more often than not.

• When evaluating running backs, scouts need to take into consideration how many injuries the player has had and how many carries he’s had in college.

• If a player has 900 carries in his college career, he has already taken a large amount of damage.

• If you are evaluating players and you feel as though they are similar, it might be best to take the player with the least amount of carries.

Ball Security

• The final thing that you should look for when evaluating running backs is ball security.

• Do they have a lot of fumbles? If so, you might want to steer clear of that player no matter their production numbers

• In the picture, Ryan Matthews of the San Diego Chargers has the ball tucked under his shoulder along the length of his arm. This is proper placement.

• Placement can be taught, but just like the quarterback throwing motion: bad habits die hard and can come back to haunt you in tough situations.