NFL 2010 Preview: Double Trouble Running Backs
Ray Rice

They seem to be all over the league.

Guys like RAY RICE, MAURICE JONES-DREW, CHRIS JOHNSON and others. Those running backs that can hurt you two ways --- rushing or catching the ball.

"If a running back has certain skills -- speed, vision, burst, ability to cut, good hands -- he can play in any system, whether it's the I-formation, offset or in a spread," says Baltimore Ravens general manager OZZIE NEWSOME.

 

Double-threat running backs not only force defenses to be ready for anything, but they allow offenses to keep their best playmakers on the field in any situation.

"Any time your best player is capable of playing downs one through three, you want him out there, especially with all the chips on the line," says Steelers running backs coach KIRBY WILSON.

More and more, offenses are relying on these dual-threat players to keep the chains moving. Eight running backs gained more than 1,000 rushing yards while registering at least 40 catches in 2009.

The eight NFL running backs who gained 1,000 rushing yards and caught 40 passes in 2009

Ray Rice, Baltimore

1,339 Rushing Yards & 78 Receptions

"He's a major part of their passing game. Any time a quarterback has confidence in a back to get him off the hook when there's pressure or somebody's not open, it's easy to throw the ball to a guy like Ray Rice, let him run with it and see what he can do." -- New England head coach Bill Belichick

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville

1,391 Rushing Yards & 53 Receptions

"They call him 'Pocket Hercules' for a reason. If you really want to look at a back that has everything -- vision, speed, power -- he's basically a prototype. He's got everything, and he can catch." -- New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace

Frank Gore, San Francisco

1,120 Rushing Yards & 52 Receptions

"He's got speed and explosiveness. He does it all. He's a physical guy that you can hammer, or you can use him as a perimeter guy. You tell him something once, and he has it. He really learns fast, so that means you can use him in a variety of ways." -- Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Martz

Steven Jackson, St. Louis

1,416 Rushing Yards & 51 Receptions

"He's the key to the St. Louis offense. He's a big back who is hard to tackle. If you let him get loose on you, he can be a real handful." -- Buffalo linebacker Paul Posluszny

Chris Johnson, Tennessee

2,006 Rushing Yards & 50 Receptions

"C.J. has a chance to be one of the best in the league because of his freakish ability to break plays. He can do it all." -- Tennessee fullback Ahmard Hall

Fred Jackson, Buffalo

1,062 Rushing Yards & 46 Receptions

"Fred Jackson, he's a playmaker. You just have to get the ball to him and allow him to make guys miss. I can throw the ball maybe five yards past the line of scrimmage and he puts another 30 yards on the play." -- Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota

1,383 Rushing Yards & 43 Receptions

"This guy is arguably the best football player in the world right now. He's got a great deal of God-given ability. He's big, strong and fast. He also has the things that you can't measure. He doesn't turn down challenges." -- Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City

1,120 Rushing Yards & 40 Receptions

"Jamaal is really coming into his own. He has that home run ability, and they're using him all over the place. They flex him out as a receiver and he's doing some great things out there, beating corners and things like that. He is becoming a real dynamic guy." -- Cleveland defensive coordinator Rob Ryan

 

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NFL 2010 Football: Double Trouble Running Backs