Colin Dunlap: No Worry About Bell’s Workload

[Lady Steel]

There would seem to be a slender line between use and overuse when it comes to a running back.

Well, for some, at least.

For others, it isn’t an issue at all, as the latter doesn’t come into play.

Case in point, it was a few years ago — and in a former existence — that I was covering college football for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. After a few weeks, I noticed the running back of a team had a sizable amount of carries and asked the coach if there was any concern about overuse, if there was a chance the back could grow weary and fatigued with the persistent workload.

I’m paraphrasing a bit here, but the coach responded swiftly and without hesitation something pretty close to, “They ain’t show ponies. When you got a thoroughbred, you ride him.”




http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/...ells-workload/

[Mojouw]

All I can say is that I wished I could get paid to do what these guys do. Dunlap has an interesting question to start the article - "How much work (usage rate, touches, whatever you would like to use to measure it) is too much for an NFL RB?". He then trots out an old half-remembered quote from an unnamed coach and some other standard football cliches, spell checks this turd and publishes it as "reporting".

Now, if only there was YEARS of data on RB workload and its impact on performance and careers. And if only that data was available to us with the touch of a fingertip through magic box that was able to access almost all of human knowledge. Oh. Well. Perhaps one day in the distant future after the aliens take us to another galaxy!

Returning to Bell's workload for a moment, the data indicates that as long as he stays under 350+ carries, he should not see too large of a negative impact on either this season's performance or future performance. That being said, they can't keep giving him the ball 30+ times and 10+ passes per game either.

[ALLD]

Maybe he is a rare future HoFer and can handle the load? Look at Emmitt Smith who outlasted almost everybody on his team.

[Count Steeler]

Gotta spread the love. Give it to Bell 30-40 times a game and the D will zone in. Only a superior O Line would be able to continue to open holes for him.

[ALLD]

Shame Blount did not work out. Will be interesting to see what he does with NE. A good litmus test for our coaching staff.

[86WARD]

Emmitt only averaged 24.5 touches/game in his career.