RB impact will be unpredictable
Patriots, Eagles use too many to key on just one
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for nearly 14,000 yards en route to his enshrinement in Canton last summer. But during the prime of his career, the Hall of Fame running back might have had a tough time fitting into either of the backfields that will be on stage in Super Bowl LII. You know, committee work.
One of the striking similarities between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles is the manner in which they deploy their backs — heavy on rotation, conducive to situational flexibility.
“I marvel at it,” Tomlinson told USA TODAY. “Running backs? We want the ball. You take us off the field, and we’re going to get mad about it and feel that we should still be in. It’s amazing that they can get all these guys to buy in.” Winning surely helps.
The Eagles now lean on Jay Ajayi. But he’s still sharing touches with LeGarrette Blount, and rookie Corey Clement also mixes in for a handful of snaps. The Patriots start pint-sized Dion Lewis. But at any given time, James White — a Super Bowl hero last year — or Rex Burkhead could play a featured role.
This all adds up to the possibility of the ultimate X factor for Super Bowl LII. But which one? Depends.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can do multiple things,” Lewis said. “That’s what makes us special as a group.”
Lewis, who averaged 5 yards per carry in rushing for a career-best 896 yards during the regular season, has emerged as a reliable presence. He has started the past five games and in Weeks 16 and 17 logged the only games this season when a runner in the Tom Brady-centric offense logged at least 20 carries. He has rushed less in the playoffs but caught nine passes against Tennessee and seven against Jacksonville. He’s also a perfect representative for the way Bill Belichick has plugged in one back after another yet regularly extracted impact from all of them.
Lewis, originally drafted by Philadelphia in 2011 as a fifth-round pick, eventually found his way to New England in 2015.
Now he’s in a fraternity of backs — including Stevan Ridley, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Corey Dillion, Antowain Smith and, last year, Blount — to leave a mark.
“It speaks to Bill’s approach,” Tomlinson said, referring to Belichick, “but also to the running backs coach (Ivan Fears). He has to massage the egos a little bit, like, ‘James, you’re going to get your chance. Don’t worry about it. I know you didn’t get the carries this game. But trust me, your time will come.’ ”
In last year’s epic Super Bowl comeback against Atlanta, Lewis started but White emerged as a game-swinging X factor as he scored three TDs — including two that came with his Super Bowl-record 14 catches.
That same type of unpredictable impact could happen again — for either team.
“Hot hand is definitely a factor,” Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley told USA TODAY, pondering how the rotation could flow Sunday. “Of course, you don’t want to pull a guy who’s feeling it, whose shredding the defense, running through tackles. Our whole group is built that way.”
Ajayi averaged almost 20 carries per game for Miami in seven games before a midseason trade landed him in Philadelphia. With the Eagles, he averaged 10 carries in seven games. Blount averaged 10.8 carries per game for the season and never more than 16 in a game, which reflects coach Doug Pederson’s philosophy for keeping his backs fresh.
“You never know how it’s going to go,” Ajayi said, “so you’ve got to make sure that every snap you’re on the field you make it count.”
Patience is part of the equation, too. So is flipping the switch. A rotation might provide fresh legs for the fourth quarter, but it might hamper a running back’s chances to settle into a groove. Blount flashed a quizzical expression when asked if he could handle a 30-carry game.
“What running back doesn’t think that?” Blount said, adding a wide grin. “You’ve just got to be ready when your number is called. It’s not every game when you’re going to be able to get into a rhythm or flow.”
Ajayi: “Obviously, everyone’s hungry. Everyone wants to be that guy out there making plays. It’s about being a competitor.”
And maybe that turns out to be the difference for winning a championship.
“You just never know who it’s going to be,” Tomlinson said.