How will the NFL’s undervaluing of running backs effect CFB, and the Utes?

[chinngiskhaan]

There has been a lot of news lately about NFL RBs feeling shafted because they get paid less than other stars and have shorter careers. I feel like down the line this could have some impact on the Utes, I’m just not quite sure how it will impact them.

This may lead to the best athletes with RB-type bodies seeking out other positions, or other sports altogether. If that happens, how does that affect Utah considering we are a run-first team? Will it force our hand into becoming a pass-first team if we want to attract the best talent and be as successful as possible, or will it just create an overall shift of the quality of running backs, meaning that we would have a lower quality runner, but relative to the other runners in the class, they would still be ranked roughly the same as before, resulting in little to no overall impact?

It’s also possible that if we continue to emphasize our current style of play (running and multiple TE featured passing) while everyone else goes a different direction, we could move up in the pecking order when it comes to recruiting running backs, giving us a possible edge over other teams. Presumably, there would still be a handful of elite-level running backs hoping to make a splash in the NFL and change the current trend.

Thoughts?

[DataUte]

I don’t worry about it too much. 1% of HS players play D1. 1% of college play NFL. So I guess there could be some that pick a position other than RB, but other than the elite of the elite, most players just want to play. Many RB sized players probably could do that or safety/cb, but coaches will move them around.

In other words, I don’t think what’s happening with contracts for the top 5 NFL RBs will have much influence on HS/college kids trying to get playing time and having fun playing football. Probably same risk of an athlete switching from RB to another position as that same athlete focusing on another sport altogether. Just my opinion.

[UtahMan17]

Scoring touchdowns is really fun. Way more fun than playing linebacker for most kids. The NFL has a real issue that will shake out somehow and have consequences, but kids all over the country will still line up to play running back. 

[chinngiskhaan]

They will, but will the best of the best, the kids who KNOW from a relatively young age that they have a legit shot at the NFL, be persuaded to choose a different position? If the best of the best choose a different position, that means the top programs in CFB will be going after the level of running backs that we now go after.

I know, I’m over thinking this… I’ll stop now.

[Utah]

Everything is cyclical. It wasn’t ten years ago that everyone pointed to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning and said that paying a WR was nuts, all you need is a good QB and cheap WR’s and you’ll be fine. Now, WR’s are making bank. 

It used to be you paid a great LB a ton of money and went cheap on your CB’s. Now, it’s the opposite. 

In 5 years a team will go with a big OL and a couple great RB’s (hell, look at what Philly is doing now) and the run game will come back to take advantage of all the small LB’ers. It’s just a crappy decade to be a RB. 

[NarfUte]

Everything is cyclical. Like a circle. CIRCULAR. It’s like a carousel. You pay the quarter, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and AROUND. It’s circular. Circle, with the music, the flow. All good things.

[Utah]

Also, there aren’t a lot of positions that a five foot seven to five foot ten guy can play. If you are shorter, you better add some weight because you’re a RB. 

Maybe some of the bigger kids like Jackson will move, but to where? NFL doesn’t want to pay safeties or linebackers or TE’s either. Jackson is too small for TE. What’s his other option? LB? Underpaid. S? Underpaid and he’s too slow. 

It’s LB or RB for someone like him. 

So, no, I don’t think this will change much. 

[UteThunder]

If there is an overall shift of the quality of running backs, it won’t matter how our running backs measure up against the other lower quality running backs. It will matter how our running backs measure up against opposing defenses. Having the overall quality of running backs go down would be bad news for all run first teams. Having the best crappy running back still means you have a crappy running back.

But I don’t think we are going to see that happen. Kids tend to find their best fit on the football field. If a kid is a natural running back (5’10” & 220 lbs) then he isn’t going to be very successful anywhere on the field other than at RB.

[Author]

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