Year End Review: Running Backs
January 2nd, 2010 | by armchair31 |In what seems like a season long rant, I guess I can go over the running backs again. This year I started off by informing everyone that Fred Jackson was the real deal and better than Marshawn Lynch. Did anyone listen? Very few. I informed everyone that Fred Jackson would be a viable fantasy starter for the first three weeks of the season. Did anyone listen? Only when so-called experts jumped on the Jackson bandwagon. When Marshawn came back I was worried about the split in carries and felt Jackson deserved the starting role. Did any of the “experts” agree? Mostly not.
Well after a full season of ups and downs I have one thing to say, who are these experts and what makes them experts? For two years I have been on the Fred Jackson bandwagon. It is satisfying to finally see him get the success he has worked hard to achieve.
Marshawn Lynch started this season suspended, again, for yet another legal transgression. What makes it more infuriating was the assumption that he would be getting his starting spot back no matter how well Jackson played. For fantasy purposes, Jackson was rated as a top 10 running back through 3 weeks. But Buffalo was very ignorant to what Jackson had accomplished and chose to try out this new fad in the NFL; running backs by committee. It was a very poor idea then as it still is now for the Buffalo Bills. Lynch would soon see his carries increase, while Jackson would eventually be relegated to kick return duty.
While Marshawn did get more carries, it did not result in better production from the running back.If anything, the team was having even more difficulty moving the ball now. Buffalo’s running backs receive a solid “B-” for their efforts as Jackson was a “B+ to A-” and Lynch was a “D”. Here is the proof.
Fred Jackson has started only ten games this year. Keep in mind two of those games he was “officially” platooning with Marshawn Lynch. Jackson gained a total of 1006 yards between receiving and rushing in those games. This would put his total yards per game at 100.6 ypg in games that he started. Not bad for a stating running back with a rookie (and not too intelligent) offensive coordinator and a new offensive line every week. More so, he has averaged 69 rushing yards a game while most of it has been spent splitting carries with Lynch. Don’t forget, Buffalo plays behind, a lot, and has to abandon the running game entirely as well. In games he starts, Jackson has a 4.48 ypc average. Take in to consideration all the coordinator issues they had to start the year, and the fact Alex Van Pelt rarely has an idea what he is doing and you have the makings of a star.
Jackson has only gone over 20 carries twice this year; he ran for 163 and 99 yards in those two games respectively. Jackson is also stellar receiving out of the backfield, but Buffalo seems to shy away from plays that have found them success throughout the year. Jackson can be a top 5 running back, something Lynch was never going to be. When I was on our Radio program I was asked if Marshawn would be a top 5 or 10 running back. I was very specific in saying that I would be surprised if he was even a top 20 RB, I wonder where the experts ranked him?
Jackson has not had many long carries over twenty yards this season, but part of the blame is shouldered on the platoon, offensive play calling and offensive line. But where Jackson has been able to find ways to stretch plays out, Lynch has been unsuccessful. Behind the same offensive line, Lynch has averaged 3.8 ypc in games he starts. He also averages 44.6 yards rushing per game, and a total of 62.5 ypg. He gained less yards in total than Jackson did with just rushing. Lynch has had three productive games all season and two of them were as a backup.
With Buffalo still searching for a head coach it is uncertain what the future has in store for Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch. Jackson is much more dynamic and has much more upside, while Lynch still has perceived value due to “experts” and their “expert” analysis. Buffalo needs to move Lynch before finding a new head coach. The last thing Buffalo needs is another controversy, be it a QB or RB one. It is better to limit the mistakes the new coach can make. Let’s not forget, Dick Jauron had experience coming in as an NFL head coach and he ended up starting Lynch over Jackson. Coach Fewell had zero NFL coaching experience but had enough foresight to start Jackson. Buffalo should move Lynch and try to acquire draft picks or the LT they have been dying for. They would be better for it.
Tags: Buffalo Bills, Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch
By Fau on Jan 2, 2010
While I agree with you on your assessment of Freddy Jack’s value and skills, to opine that he “clearly” is the better back than Marshawn, and to site his simple stats to back it up show exactly why you wouldn’t be considered an expert. (not that the expert’s are really expert’s either, nor that I claim to be a true expert)
But simply put lynch did not get the same offensive sets or plays called as F.Jack.
Fred got approximately 73% of all the screen plays, and Marshawn (when splitting time) got almost 75% of the “up the middle” plays.
And with O-line woes and weaknessess, the “Up-the middle” plays are quickly collapsed and have minimal chance of success, where as the screen plays thrive on collapsing lines,.. that’s what they are designed for.
Also when both backs were in Lynch was used as a pass blocker to open up Fred for the dump pass,.. not the other way around because Fred (bad ass as he is) is no where near as strong or concussive a blocker as Lynch.. simply cant get it done the same.. so Often it was Lynch’s blocking that created the opportunity for F.Jack’s gains.. F.Jack was unable to do the same for Lynch on the occassions where they tried to switch it up,.. Jackson got blasted through and Lynch grabbed in the backfield.
So,.. Yes.. Fred Jackson is an awesome talent.
Enough to warrant being the cornerstone of the RB slot and letting Lynch go…
That’s just foolish talk.
Not to mention, you checked the ages of the two backs ??? Fred will be 29 next month….
Marshawn 23….
Take a second to curb your man crush on Freddy Jack (who I agree is awesome) and realize what Lynch has done with his role, which has not had the opportunity Fred has (Fred has shown better hands and they have been utilized due to no ability this year to actually run the ball due to crap at Oline.) Lynch hasnt complained, and has been supportive of Fred.
But if you could only keep one of them,.. You might be on your own island thinking it should be Fred.
Hopefully next year the line, coordinating, and coaching will improve to a level of actually giving Marshawn a chance to actually play running back as well as continue to use Fred as a big scat back (which is how he has been successful).
It would be a great change of pace from what has been in place since Travis Henry left.
Yeah,.. it’s been that long since the Bills had a good Oline for a RB….