Two-back model popular but not essential

[pantherclaw]

Guess the writer ignored the biggest reason to have a good 2nd rb. Injuries.

Regardless how good the run game is, ya still gotta score points, and play some defense.

[SuperLego5]

The whole article was just negative towards the Panthers, had it been positive it would have stated first 1,100 yard rushers in history rather than fifth 1,000 yards rushers.

Looking at the past 2 seasons for the Panthers, if we had a QB that didn't throw INT's for fun we would have at the very least made it deep into the playoffs. Two great RB's aren't essential but they negate the need for an elite QB which we don't have.

[pstall]

I think it has more to do with money and the 30 yr old wall more than anything else.

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/playersbyposition.aspx?pos=143

The Panthers are getting one of the best bang for their bucks at the RB spot than most other teams.

[panthers55]

I'm not saying you two backs and an all pro quarterback, two good backs in our offense with an average QB was very good.

Actually it was one great running back, a dominant defense and a good quarterback that combined to play great ball for one third of the season. It doesn't reallly prove anything and isn't a harbinger of anything for this year. This team will be very different from that one and will have to find it's own way to win.

[brandon_87]

The fact that we went 8-8 is a testament to our 2 back system. Think about how horrible we would have done without them. Leaky D and Jake giving the ball away just killed us.

D wasnt really that bad, the games our D gave up anything was when there were alot of turnovers from Jake, I put all of last seasons failure on Jake lol

[brandon_87]

Two back... one back... whatever gets it done.

However, I believe the two back system works better over multiple seasons.

me too, mainly because of the shared workload and it keeps their legs younger then a single back system where 1 person is taking hits on 350+ carries, I love how even we divide up the carries

[ChinaPanther]

You need your offense to be balanced in the NFL today. That was a big reason the Saints were successful last year. If the Saints had 70 offensive snaps in a game, 35 of them were pass plays and obviously the other 35 would be run plays. That made them pretty difficult to defend because you had to account for everyone on the field. The 2 back system is useful because it can prolong the life of a running back when you equally share the load of carries. LT isn't the player he used to be because SD overused him in the early part of his career. He would get 30 carries in a lot of games which tends to wear on you when you get close to 30 years old.

[KillerKat]

It doesnt matter if a team is run heavy or pass heavy. They have to be able to do the opposite effectively whenever they choose to do it. The Saints are pass heavy but were able to run when they chose to.

[MadHatter]

I think we do have to give the Saints some more credit for 2009. They didn't have the 6th ranked rush attack just b/c of Brees.

I mean the Colts had the 32nd ranked rush attack in 09, 31st in 08.

I give the Saints credit. They had a better running game than they had in the past. But, I still will stand by my statement that their RB's success had more to do with their passing game than their ability.

Put them on a team with a struggling QB and they would have been below average. Put our RB's on a team with Drew Brees and that passing game and the offense would be flat out unstoppable.

The Saints running game was a direct result of their passing game....not stellar RB play. Teams were SO focused on stopping Brees and the passing game that they were playing 7 in the box....making it much easier to run.

I am not bashing the Saints offense. They did exactly what they should have. Just like the Panthers would be flat out nasty if Moore and the WR's can find their rhythm. Put an above average passing game with Double Trouble and you will see an offense near the top of the league.

[Lumps]

You guys seem to be focusing on only half of the Panthers run game. Not only do they have arguably the best two RBs at hand but also the best O-line. What better way to compliment one of the very best O-line's in the league than an incredibly elite Run game? An elite QB doesn't always have or need a great O-line but the panthers offense is built to run. The system works and not a lot is required of the QB but whatever is, at least some success will be necessary and crucial for winning games. That is why Matt is going to fire it up next year.