NFL Football 2011

NFL 2011 - Double Trouble Running Backs
Ray Rice

They seem to be all over the league.

Guys like Arian Foster, Ray Rice, 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 Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach KIRBY WILSON.

More and more, offenses are relying on these dual-threat runners to keep the chains moving. Six running backs gained more than 1,200 rushing yards while registering at least 40 catches in 2010.

The six NFL running backs that gained 1,200 rushing yards and caught 40 passes in 2010:

Arian Foster, Houston

Yards Rushing: 1,616 Receptions: 66

"He's a three-down football player. He never leaves the field, and he's a young player with a tremendous amount of upside. He's versatile, always falling forward. He runs good routes. It gives him a chance to be a great player. The thing that not many people know is just how smart of a player he is. Arian's really on top of his game. He's the total package."

Houston head coach GARY KUBIAK

Ray Rice, Baltimore

Yards Rushing: 1,220 Receptions: 63

"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

Ahmad Bradshaw, N.Y. Giants

Yards Rushing: 1,235 Receptions: 47

"When you get him out there and you give him the football, he's lightning in a bottle. It's a lot of fun to block for him. You watch his legs and he can cut on a dime, but he still has power. You rarely see one guy take him down."

Center SHAUN O'HARA

Steven Jackson, St. Louis

Yards Rushing: 1,241 Receptions: 46 "He's the key to the whole machine that is 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."

Jacksonville linebacker PAUL POSLUSZNY

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City

Yards Rushing: 1,467 Receptions: 45 "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."

Dallas defensive coordinator ROB RYAN

Chris Johnson, Tennessee

Yards Rushing: 1,364 Receptions: 44

"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."

Fullback AHMARD HALL

The Best Double Trouble Running Backs - NFL Football 2011