01-03-2019, 06:11 PM
(01-03-2019, 02:50 PM)fredtoast Wrote: RBs don't "create mismatches" as much as WRs.
Mixon and Bernard are both good receivers as RBs, but they don't work on route running like WRs. RBs mainly run simple swing, drag, screen, or wheel routes. Basically they get open by running toward holes in the coverage. They don't practice getting open by getting in and out of their cuts or work on timing patterns like WRs.
That is why guys like Ingram and Kamara are rarely on the field at the same time.
This is not true with the best offenses. The best offensive coaches know how to position players to create mismatches. Take for example New England. I have seen them line up James White in the backfield and Rex Burkhead in the slot on the same play (both good receivers). They motion White to the slot who is followed by a LB and motion Burkhead to the backfield who is followed by a corner. Now you have a CB defending the run in the box with a LB covering White in the slot. Smaller player defending the run, bigger player trying to cover a faster player in the slot. The offense wins. If you have two pass catching threats at RB and deploy them on the field at the same time in a team's base defense you can create mismatches in both the passing and running game.
The Panthers use McCaffrey in the slot all the time. Saints use Kamara in both the slot and out wide. In 2016 Bruce Arians used David Johnson in the slot against all kinds of defenders. They would also line him up tight in the formation and hit him on out routes down the field. The Steelers have used Bell the same way.
When you have good pass catching backs you have to maximize their effectiveness in the passing game with non-traditional ways. The best offensive coaches understand this.
