Chapter 78 Cruel Reality
Three feet of ice did not freeze overnight, and the difficult situation of running backs in the league was not the result of one or two days, but was caused by all aspects.
First, after the top running backs have a top season, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to win big contracts.
The team is worried that the running back will not be able to continue to perform at the top level, and also believes that the running back's contribution to the offense is limited. Therefore, when quarterbacks, wide receivers and even offensive linemen continue to win big contracts that set historical records, star running backs But they need to "beg for a bite to eat."
It is difficult to renew a contract, it is difficult to renew a long contract, it is difficult to renew a high contract.
Secondly, the draft prospects for rookie running backs are getting worse and worse.
The NFL has strict regulations on all rookie contracts. The minimum salary for every pick in each round is clearly stated in black and white. This also means that teams must consider cost-effectiveness and use the same amount of money to choose running backs or other options. Where is the location?
Instead of selecting running backs in the first three rounds, professional leagues have gradually become popular in selecting running backs in the sixth, seventh, and even undrafted rookie rounds like a bargain hunt——
It's really good quality and low price, just use the running back as a "ruzi ox".
What if the rookie running back is not good enough?
It doesn't matter, it's just a sixth- or seventh-round pick anyway. It's cheap and it's not a pity to waste it. After discarding it, you can always look for some blue-collar substitutes.
In fact, today's league still lacks outstanding running backs and top running backs. Many teams suffer from insufficient running back ability, resulting in the offense being unable to develop. However, due to cost-effectiveness and salary caps, team managers often refuse to admit it. , and even more refused to spend big money on running backs. They would rather change the situation from other positions in the offensive group than be taken as a fool and give top running backs a top contract.
Naturally, the prospects of running backs in the draft are getting darker and darker, and as time goes by, there are no signs of improvement.
It's the same thing in front of me.
The "Crimson Tide Storm VS Trojans" game ended, and Levi swiped the screen strongly. When the team saw the data, one or two eyes shone. If this was a quarterback, or a wide receiver, or a tight end, it would be a treasure. Even teams that don't need these positions will still look at him.
However, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a running back who suddenly became weak; moreover, this running back only emerged in one game and has limited reference value. There is no need to continue to observe. More than half of the team managers have already closed their eyes. , throw the resume directly into the trash can.
Reality is so cruel.
This is true for the NFL, and so is the NCAA.
Strictly speaking, the NCAA is slightly better.
Because universities do not need to consider salary caps or cost-effectiveness, the value of running backs often gets more attention. There are still many traditional universities that insist on ground attack, and there are also many traditional running back schools like the Crimson Tide. And can still reach the top of the championship.
Just look at one statistic: the Heisman Trophy.
As the highest award in the college game, the Heisman Award is awarded to the player with the most outstanding performance in the season. Although the quarterback is undoubtedly the star of football, the Heisman Award has been selected in 16 times since the millennium. Three were awarded to quarterbacks and the other three were to running backs.
Throughout history, as of 2023, among the Heisman Trophy winners, running backs, including halfbacks and fullbacks, dominate with 46 winners, followed by quarterbacks with a total of three. Nineteen winners.
However, the same cannot be said for the NFL.
As of 2016, running back is the second most popular position with 23 No. 1 picks; second only to quarterbacks who have been No. 1 picks 29 times.
But the reality is that the last time a running back was selected with the first overall pick in the first round was 1995.
Moreover, not only the No. 1 pick, but also the grim situation can be seen from the statistics of first-round picks.
During the millennium era, in 2000, 2001, and 2002, the number of running backs selected in the first round was five, three, and three respectively.
Now, in the past three years, the number of running backs selected in the first round has been one, zero, and two. The drop in numbers is obvious.
Just this April, in the latest draft, Crimson Tide running back and new Heisman Award winner Derrick Henry, a dominant running back known as "Emperor Henry" by fans, was selected until the second round. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the 45th overall pick and didn't even make it into the first round.
This is reality.
But, doesn’t the team need a running back?
No, of course not, one hundred percent not.
In fact, on the contrary, there are not just one or two teams that lack excellent running backs, and there are not one or two head coaches who know how to cherish excellent running backs.
For example, the Carolina Panthers.
This is a strong team, a very, very good strong team. Since the No. 1 pick in 2011, the team selected Cam Newton, the quarterback of Auburn University, where the University of Alabama is dead. It has become a strong opponent in the first echelon of the league. It has entered the playoffs for four consecutive seasons since the 2012 season, with strong performance and stable output.
Last season, he achieved an outstanding record of fifteen wins and one loss in the regular season, entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, and advanced all the way to the Super Bowl; unfortunately, he performed poorly in the Super Bowl and was eliminated by Peyton Manning. The Denver Broncos led by them were completely suppressed and unfortunately missed the championship.
Now, under the leadership of head coach Ron Rivera, the Carolina Panthers are still expected to be a strong contender in the new season.
But he knows his own business, and Rivera is worried about the status of quarterback Cam Newton.
Newton is a typical running quarterback, and together with Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III, and Colin Kaepernick, he is known as the new generation of running quarterbacks. Among the four kings of quarterbacks, Newton even won the regular season MVP last season and topped the list of the top 100 players voted by NFL players for the first time. It can be said that he is very proud of himself.
So what is Rivera worried about?
Injuries.
The new generation of running quarterbacks has the ability to pass and run the ball, and is a two-way threat. However, like running backs, running quarterbacks need to run with the ball themselves, which means collisions mean confrontations, which means injury risks. .
Look at Griffin. Griffin has suffered four serious injuries in the past three seasons. The best offensive rookie in 2011 has become a complete waste. Last year, he was reimbursed for the season.
Back then, the Washington Redskins (renamed the Washington Commanders in 2022) spent three first-round picks and one second-round pick at a high price to acquire Griffin in second place. However, this offseason transferred Griffin like a clearance sale. To the Cleveland Browns.
Rivera doesn't want to see this scene. In the final analysis, the quarterback should be responsible for passing the ball, and running the ball is left to the running back.
Rivera believed the team needed a good running back to assist Newton, however... team manager David Gettleman disagreed.
In this year's draft, Jetman completely ignored Rivera's request and did not select a running back for the team until the end of the draft. This made Rivera fuming; in addition, last year they just signed a five-year contract with $103.8 million. To renew Newton's contract for $100,000, there is no extra salary cap to trade players in the free market.
then.
Rivera's idea had to be shelved.
When he saw Levi, Rivera's mind became active again.
Second update.
(End of this chapter)