Is having tandem running backs the best option?

I think you raise a good point, saying that neither RB can get in a groove. However, on the other side, I can see how it keeps both RBs fresh, which makes them effective later in the game when defenses are tired.

I think you have to be careful if you use a group of RBs to avoid them sitting too long. But at the same time, you don’t want them dragging their feet on the field and not hitting the hole as hard as they would with fresh legs. Nothing is worse than a tired RB.

So, I am conflicted, too. I will say this, though. I think that McDaniels does a good job with Buck and Moreno this year. A lot of times, rookies will get tired later in the season because of the short college season, then the combine and draft and rookies reporting early then minicamps then preseason and then a longer season in the NFL. I think that Moreno is more effective with a little bit of rest, especially considering that many rookies struggle with a full NFL season. Buck doesn’t seem to lack in production when he comes in, either.

At this point in the season, I really like the approach we are taking with our running backs. Now, next season, maybe we look at getting Moreno a majority of the touches if he continues to progress. Right now, I think we are good, though.

Means all kinds of things: 80-20 to 50-50 in terms of carries, or just one guy between the 10s and one guy on the goal line (by this logic, the Ravens are arguably a kind of tandem).

Considering injuries, wear and tear, and fatigue, to say nothing of skill set, having two backs is almost a must any more. To my mind, the perfect complement to Moreno is either 1) a Brandon Jacobs-style bruiser or 2) a speedy scatback a la Jamaal Charles.

I don’t know what sport you played, but you’re right about muscle characteristics in a nonstop sport like basketball (what I played). In football, where one is constantly stopping and starting, a rest of a few downs is a very good thing to keep up the quick-twitch muscle explosion

Years and years of abuse takes it toll on players, especially running backs. Using a tandum of 2 cuts this in half thus getting more production out of both of them. NFL condition is a lot more advanced than it was say maybe 10 years ago and with the way they get ready for a game is mind boggling. We see Moreno getting tougher as the game goes on because defenses get wore down some in the many reps of the game. Moreno and Buckhalter know where they are going on every play, the defense doesn’t and has to adjust during the run to make a play. The defense uses more enegy. So by the end of the game Moreno and Buckhalter are just getting warmed up and the opposing defense is playing on second wind.

I love it when I see opposing defenders with their hands on their hips and their mouths gapping open. That’s when you know who the real men will be.

With so much money invested in these players the team want to get every benefit out of them they can. Did Shanny wear out Terrell Davis? I have thought about that often. I don’t know if he did or not, or if it would have lengthened his career or not. That a tough decision for a head coach to make.

Obviously, none of us have played the sport at this level, and don’t know what kind of a beating the guys really take out there. That said, I played all sports growing up but my main focus was on soccer. I always played my best when I was not subbed out during the game.

Like the OP said, when I was taken out I would go cold. It wasn’t just a physical thing either. Of course, there are issues with your muscles going cold, but for me, it was more of a mental/groove thing. If I sat for too long and wasn’t allowed to get my mindset in the game right and stay in that zone, I couldn’t play at my best. If I stayed in the whole game, my training and instincts would take over, I would stop thinking too much, and (with the risk of sounding lame) dominate.

I have similar feelings to Snoogins in this regard. I think that Knowshon hasn’t had a chance to really unleash on an opponent yet. I think he is capable of taking over a game and really taking the heart out of a team. Do I think this is a bad thing or that McD is handling the situation wrong? Nope.

As someone stated above, Rookies tend to wear down more often and more quickly than vets do because of the grind of the NFL season they aren’t used to. Also, I think it is good to limit his exposure while he is still learning. I think we have just seen a little bit of the talent and explosion Knowshon is going to bring for us, but i think he has turned that corner in the last couple of games. I expect more beastliness from him from here on out.

I’m not sure if this was meant in our context and how it was playing out with our RB’s, but I went there ;)

Gash & Dash

Count me in for the Tandem.

He put in a lot of time in the offseason getting stronger and they have been spelling him more effectively this season, from what I’ve seen. It makes sense to me – balancing the attack as much as is possible is just good game management.

From what I’m seeing, Moreno is growing and developing nicely. That’s a big change, especially with a system as complex and specific as Denver’s. Watching his spin move on Thanksgiving was a sheer pleasure. I like it that we’re not trying to see how much he can carry alone. Right about now, you start to hear about the rookie ‘wall’. Turner/McD et al have made sure that it won’t be a bigger problem than it needs to be. Letting players rest more minimizes the build-up of minor, nagging injuries that every back will develop about this time of the year.