Notes From Lombardi: Free Agent RBs

FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

For me, running backs should be broken down into categories specifying the skill levels they perform best. For example, each category carries a specific role, and it’s important for the back to fit into the offense. You don’t want to bring a zone back into a man scheme run team. The pieces have to fit properly.

A player graded high here must be able to catch, run and block. We still have the nickel back position -- a back who plays in passing downs, smaller good blocker, who can catch the ball. To be graded high, this player must score a 7 for hands and have enough intelligence to handle all sub-protections. The nickel back must dominate his position in college.

Running Back Reminders:

1. Does he make yards after first contact? He must win in this phase in college. How many yards does he get from the offensive line? Great backs finish.

2. Finish does not mean long runs all the time. Hard to have long runs in the NFL (50-plus yards) without making a person miss, or breaking a tackle.

3. Must be able to make plays when the play breaks down. Great players make great plays. We need more than what it is blocked for.

4. Running back is an instinctive position, hard to train good runners. Must have instincts.

5. Must protect the ball. How many fumbles in his career? What hand does he carry the ball in? Does he change hands? Did he fumble in HS?

6. Durable after 10 carries? After 20? After 30? What kind of hits does he take? What does he do in the spring? Are they live to tackle?

7. First-quarter production compared to fourth-quarter production.

8. Who does he gain his yards against? What rankings does the opponent have in run defenses?

9. Can he run our running plays? Must know our style of running. Denver is different than Minnesota.

10. Role on third down? Role in the kicking game? Can he catch the ball down the field? What does his passing tree look like?

11. Great backs are great in high school -- did he win the state rushing title?

12. Is he a point-of-entry back? Or can he redirect at the line? Point-of-entry backs are limited in their run play selection (Tyrone Wheatley).

13. Whom does he block in protection? The OLB? The safety? We need to know “whom” he can block, as much as if he can block. Define the “whom.”

14. Does he know protections? How many do they have? What kind of protections do they use? Any scat protections used?

15. What kind of blocker is he? Low block? Cut in hole? Side-stepper? Define how he does it.

16. Fullback position is a dying breed in this league. Can the big halfback play FB?

17. Can the FB run the wheel route and win? Can he catch the ball DOWN the field? Must have some versatility.

18. Is the FB good in the kicking game? He has to be to make the team.

19. Little backs have to protect if they want to be involved in the offense.

20. Must have players who can run the offense and not run plays. Hard to get the ball to players we need to run plays for. Works in September, dies in November.

THREE-DOWN BACKS

Name, team, age, height, weight, speed, year entered NFL, draft pos., agent

1. Derrick Ward, NY Giants, 28; 5-11, 233; 4.58; 2004; 7th round (235th overall); Peter Schaffer -- The only concern with this player is his injury history and durability. But he has the size, versatility and hands to play in any offense.

2. Darren Sproles, San Diego, 25; 5-6, 187; 4.52; 2005; 4th round (130th overall); Gary Wichard – He’s not a little back, just a shorter back. He needs to have the right back next to him, but he is so explosive and so field-changing that he will make more out of 20 plays than he does 30.

3. Lamont Jordan, New England, 30; 5-10, 233; 4.45; 2001; 2nd round (49th overall); Alvin Keels -- He still has very good skills, but he does have some injury and durability concerns. He went to the right team last year that can utilize his skill level.

4. Jason Wright, Cleveland, 26; 5-10, 210; 4.72; 2004; undrafted free agent; Michael McCartney -- He shows flashes of talent and running ability but has not had enough chances to be successful. He needs to go to the right team and get a chance first.

TWO-DOWN RUNNERS

1. Brandon Jacobs, NY Giants, 26; 6-4, 267; 4.64; 2005; 4th round (110th overall); Justin Schulman -- The best big back out there; he can control the game. Must run his runs, has to be led into the hole with clean surface and point of entry. He will get stronger as the game goes on and is best when there is a complement back with him.

2. Maurice Morris, Seattle, 28; 5-11, 202; 4.57; 2002; 2nd round (54th overall); Michael Sullivan -- This back has grown on me. He can run inside and is adequate in the passing game, but he has never seemed to get the playing time he deserves. He just keeps moving the chains.

3. Correll Buckhalter, Philadelphia, 30; 5-11, 222; 4.59; 2001; 4th round (121st overall); John Rickert – Age and injuries to his knee will keep this player from being a big-time money maker.

4. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati, 25; 5-10, 225; 4.61; 2005; 1st round (4th overall); Eugene Parker -- Was this his year, or was 2007? I tend to think it was junk yards this season and would be very reluctant to invest in him. He’s like a player who gets 10 rebounds a night but eight of them are off missed free throws. Benson has not convinced me.

5. Jesse Chatman, NY Jets, 29; 5-8, 215; 4.77; 2002; undrafted free agent; Brett Tessler -- This guy was a good back, but he is lazy and unmotivated. If he gets his mind right, he could help a team.

ZONE RUNNERS

1. Tatum Bell, Denver, 27; 5-11, 213; 4.41; 2004; 2nd round (41st overall); Kennard McGuire -- The one thing he can do is run nickel runs and make a play in a zone scheme. That’s all, but it’s something.

2. DeShaun Foster, San Francisco, 28; 6-0, 222; 4.5; 2002; 2nd round (34th overall); Joby Branion -- Talented but lacks the inside run scheme skills. If he goes to the right place where his carries are limited, he can make a few plays.

NICKEL BACKS

1. Michael Pittman, Denver, 33; 5-11, 218; 4.54; 1998; 4th round (95th overall); Drew Rosenhaus -- Age and injures make you worry, but he might be able to fill a role as a one-year player for a cheap price.

2. Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis, 29; 5-9, 211; 4.61; 2001; undrafted free agent; Michael McCartney -- Has to go to the right team that can use his skills as a pass protector and runner. He has some talent left and is not as old as people think.

3. J.J. Arrington, Arizona, 25; 5-8, 214; 4.5; 2005; 2nd round (44th overall); John Rickert -- Return skills help him, but he must improve his protection skills.

4. Aveion Cason, Detroit, 29; 5-8, 191; 4.66; 2001; undrafted free agent; Ronald Slavin.

SPECIAL TEAMS

1. Aaron Stecker, New Orleans, 33; 5-9, 213; 4.61; 1999; undrafted free agent; Ronald Slavin.

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