San Francisco executive endorses Cowboys' RB approach

[madinmaryland]

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/03/san-francisco-executive-endorses-cowboys.html

Trent Baalke, San Francisco's director of player personnel, said in an interview
session with Bay Area reporters that the Cowboys may be on to something with their three-back rotation of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

``They all (have) different sets of skills, but they're all high-level guys,'' said Balke, in charge of the organization with the recent firing of general manager Scot McCloughan. ``It's very difficult to defense. I think the more you have complementary styles, the harder it is to prepare for.''

Baalke wants to end the 49'ers depends on one back: Frank Gore.

The Cowboys' trio combined for 1,966 yards rushing last season. Only four teams had more yards from the top three rushers: Tennessee (2,509), Carolina (2,318), the New York Jets (2,271) and Baltimore (2,063). Washington had the lowest output, with its top three runners combining for only 958 yards.

They are just figuring this out now??

:wtf:

[joeybee12]

1. Alerting...flamebait...

SF and Dallas in the same thread...obviously, you're trying to start a war! :P

[JonLP24]

2. A WTF may not be necessary

A 3-back rotation only works if they have the players Dallas does. Chris Johnson contributed a big chunk of change to those 2,509 yards and Carolina's two backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart were the main contributors of the team's total yardage. New York Jets fits mostly because Leon Washington went out for the season during the midway point so their #3 back really was their #2 back. I'm really unfamiliar with Baltimore's running backs so I can't say anything regarding them one or another.

The point is you can't do it just like Dallas does and not very many teams do because they don't have the backs Dallas does. It made more sense for San Francisco to heavily rely on Frank Gore because after him I don't think they had a very good option. Glen Coffee may be better than I think he is so I can be wrong.

I like Arizona's 1-2 punch in Chris Wells and Tim Hightower. I don't want either of those two off the field for the 3rd string running back which I believe is LaRod Stephens-Howling who is a special teams beast.

I think you appreciate how San Francisco's executive is praising how Dallas implements this system. :)

[madinmaryland]

5. Well, a couple of things..

You do need three quality backs and you need an offensive line that can create the holes for these guys. Some teams may not be able to emulate Dallas, but if you can, it adds a powerful dimension to your offense. It is bad enough chasing one guy around all game, but three who all have differing styles is even more difficult to defend against.

[JonLP24]

6. I agree 100%

[Liberal_Dog]

3. I Think More Teams Will Use That Kind Of Approach

Running backs generally have short careers so giving them fewer carries might help them to play longer.

[KamaAina]

4. Lots of teams used to

They were called the "halfback", who got most of the carries on first and second down, and the "fullback", who specialized in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

[Auggie]

7. Problem is the 49ers often forget they're suppose to have an offensive line

Gore's greatest rushing stats came with guard Larry Allen blocking for him. Since then run consistency has been non-existent. Gore can rip off some yards when he gets a hole but forget about running up the middle when it's third and three.

I don't care how many backs they have -- 49ers will need better guards to complement the new tackle they're suppose to draft.