They treating these running backs like women pushing 30

[SadimirPutin]

Given the sentiments in here and by the NFL I would hope no RB would put his body on the line a second or snap if they have the slightest injury

 

[IrateMastermind]

It's tough, no team seems to want to give a RB a second contract, preferring to just draft new ones. The Josh Jacobs one is ridiculous.

Unfortunately, what can they do? All the top RBs sit out in a show of protest? Not likely... I want them to get paid because RB is the only position that gets hit every single snap but I don't see an easy solution to this

I'd remove myself from the game more often if I was playing on a franchise tag. My backup would get more of the workload on non-money downs. If I was asked about my diminished workload and how I take myself out of games more often than usual, i'd be up front about it. My official statement would be, I'm preserving my body so I have more left in the tank for my next team. The companies planning for their future without me, so I'm planning for my future without them.

 

[SadimirPutin]

I'd remove myself from the game more often if I was playing on a franchise tag. My backup would get more of the workload on non-money downs. If I was asked about my diminished workload and how I take myself out of games more often than usual, i'd be up front about it. My official statement would be, I'm preserving my body so I have more left in the tank for my next team. The companies planning for their future without me, so I'm planning for my future without them.

Bingo

And i guarantee you dudes on here would side with the team

 

[IIVI]

I'd remove myself from the game more often if I was playing on a franchise tag. My backup would get more of the workload on non-money downs. If I was asked about my diminished workload and how I take myself out of games more often than usual, i'd be up front about it. My official statement would be, I'm preserving my body so I have more left in the tank for my next team. The companies planning for their future without me, so I'm planning for my future without them.

I mean, at this point given how disrespected they are, it's honestly the best option long term.

OK, pay the other dude who'll do a worse job. Fans are sure going to love that.

Look at the subreddits and message boards, fans understand the importance of running backs and when they see their team consistently play soft football, they'll make it known they're highly unhappy with the running game. Coaches will get fired, QB's will get frustrated, etc.

Eventually some team when they come up short again for a first down or in the red zone will be like "fukk this, how much ya'll want?"

 

[lib123]

At the end of the day the NFLPA is the shxttiest Pro players union ive ever seen in my life. Players aren't ever going to have contracts at the level they should because of it.

NFL players historically have the weakest resolve of major sport athletes when it comes to striking, player concessions, and predicting how the game will change.

It's obvious the NFL has wanted a faster paced game with less violence. RBs don't contribute to either and actually have the opposite effect. Combine that with Hybrid QBs and Franchise tags and you have a market that can treat RBs like a car lease instead of an investment.

The players union rightfully gets a lot of blame, but it's also on the players. Are they disciplined enough to save their money and willing to go on strike? The union could be telling them what they need to do, but if the players aren't willing to sacrifice nothing will change.

 

[Stop_It_5]

Isiah was a rookie last year and is only 24. No one is devaluing the running game….it’s about investing long term in older RBs. The fact the Chiefs were able to use a rookie RB for a Super Bowl only strengthens that concept.

He wasn't just a rookie either, he was a late 7th round pick. Him and a vet min journeyman (McKinnon) basically took all the touches away from a former 1st round pick (CEH).

Like you said, it's not about the running game not being important. It absolutely has value between burning clock to close out games, limiting the amount of hits on your QB, getting your OL into a rhythm since they can fly off the ball and attack, forcing the defense to have to tackle, etc - it's about how you can find more mid-late round/undrafted contributors at that position than virtually any other, and when you have a strong QB/OL combo it makes more sense to go that route vs investing in a depreciating asset with a ton of wear and tear.

 

[Stick Up Kid]

I think Marshawn Lynch was the last RB to play a major role in a Super Bowl victory/appearance 10 years ago

 

[Shadow King]

I meant moreso that you're pushing out a well-rested, not worn down back into the postseason rather than one who's ran the ball 300+ times already.

If you can limit Derrick Henry to 230-250 rushes, that's going to make a big difference come post season vs going out there after 380 carries.

Of course it's reliant on your overall offense as well to be able to do that, but all you need to do is win enough games to make it to the post season because everybody 1-6 has a legit shot at that point. If you can rest your star RB and get it done vs weaker teams, you should do so as much as possible.

It's crazy some of these teams when they're far ahead in a game still send their main RB out there to kill clock only to get stuffed by a wall of linemen, linebackers and safeties. Makes zero sense.

Josh Jacobs had 340 attempts, whereas the year prior he's never went over 280. That needs to come down this season if they're not doing anything but still want to preserve their RB. Even as one of the most elusive RB's the last decade that's a big leap in physicality. McCaffery for example had nearly 100 fewer carries.

The thing is if you have nothing else your RB is going to carry you. Kansas City can use Pacheco for 10 or 12 touches a game because of who they have running the offense. It's not a viable strategy for everyone. Tennessee with Henry carrying 230 times is asking to win 5 games.

And McCaffery only had 43 less carries last year than 2019. Given his duality as a receiving back he's never going to touch 300 or 350 carries so when healthy there's a certain volume that's going to come.

 

[cobra]

Video game play styles took over sports

basketball- 3’s and dunks rule

baseball- homeruns are king strikeouts out don’t matter

football- passing and going for it on mad 4th downs

this is why soccer is the best sport

cant just run past the D, or do Ronaldinho type skills

 

[Dipsey Doo]

The players union rightfully gets a lot of blame, but it's also on the players. Are they disciplined enough to save their money and willing to go on strike? The union could be telling them what they need to do, but if the players aren't willing to sacrifice nothing will change.

Hard to be sympathetic for athletes making millions complaining about not making as many millions as they would like.

The game is evolving and RB just isn’t a valued position anymore, especially if the the RB isn’t a receiving threat.

It’s not fair, but life in general isn’t fair. Getting a guaranteed 10 million dollars is better than sitting out and getting nothing.

 

[cobra]

transition to rugby or australian football...maybe they can have an international career like NBA players

 

[Street Knowledge]

This thread title

 

[Street Knowledge]

I think the NFLPA has to try to kill the franchise tag next CBA. It's giving the team's too much control for too long. You get a 5 year deal plus you can tag them twice so 7 years of control on a 21 year old RB fresh out of college. If you hold out they'll just draft a new one. Now you got really good RBs like Cook out on the street and Mixon taking pay cuts to keep their jobs.

The franchise tag effects less than 1% of players

 

[FS4LFE]

Blame the NFLPA, for not taking their business serious. NFL has the weakest union by far.

But the fans love bragging about ratings.

 

[Peruvian Connect]

well yall want QBs to make 50mil a year, somebody got to take a paycut.