Buffalo Bills: Roles for Running Backs to change on weekly basis
According to Brian Daboll, the roles of the Buffalo Bills running backs could change on a weekly basis.
The news of LeSean McCoy’s release continues to raise questions surrounding the running back position for the Buffalo Bills and how each player is going to contribute to this offense. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll provided some clarity on Thursday on what to expect going forward. However, it included the fact that the roles of the running backs will change on a week to week basis.
Daboll on how offensive backfield shakes out post Shady: They’ll all have roles and what they do will be determined on a week-to-week basis and we have confidence in all three of our RBs. #Bills
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) September 5, 2019
This is certainly a change from the past four seasons when LeSean McCoy has been in Buffalo. The Bills made McCoy a focal point for this offense and he had over 200 carries in three of the four years with the team. He accounted for nearly 45% of the team’s total carries during his time with the Bills.
However, entering this season that appears to be changing and the team will be looking to go to more of a traditional running back by committee. This is the smart move for a position that is deep with talented backs but all three have questions or concerns.
The lead back, if one was to be identified, would likely be Frank Gore. He has been as steady as they come for running backs with over 200 carries in 12 of his 14 years in the league and the only two years below 200 carries came in his rookie season and last season.
Even though his carries dropped below 200 last year, he continued his streak of 14 straight seasons with at least 600 rushing yards. The Bills will likely try to manage his workload since he is 36 years of age but will look to him to be the leader at the position.
The Bills also have Devin Singletary, who probably is impacted the most by LeSean McCoy’s release. The rookie running back looked good this summer, especially in the first preseason game, but will need to produce. The coaching staff will likely try to not put too much pressure on him early and really pick their spots when to utilize him to capitalize on his speed and big play ability.
This leaves T.J. Yeldon, who is probably the most complete running back due to his experience and his ability to both carry the ball and catch it out of the backfield.
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The running back positions is certainly a strength for the Buffalo Bills offense and Brian Daboll can now effectively game plan on which running back to lean on based on the defense they are playing. This is the point he is trying to make when he says the roles of each player can change week to week but expect all three to be involved every week.