Gets Stronger as the Game Goes On (1 Viewer)

[ChainsawU]

We hear this phrase all the time, usually involving running backs. What does it mean? And who are some players that come to mind when you hear it?

 

[Jason Wood]

For me it refers to a player whose play improves with additional carries/touches/snaps, and doesn't let the physical pounding of the game materially impair their performance in the later stages of a contest.

Usually I think of RBs in those terms, and most specifically backs who maintain, or improve, their yards per rush in either the 4th quarter or after their 15th and 20th carries.

 

[gianmarco]

For me it refers to a player whose play improves with additional carries/touches/snaps, and doesn't let the physical pounding of the game materially impair their performance in the later stages of a contest. Usually I think of RBs in those terms, and most specifically backs who maintain, or improve, their yards per rush in either the 4th quarter or after their 15th and 20th carries.

Yep, and probably refers more to the defense getting more tired than they do and not necessarily that they actually get better and stronger.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

I agree on the above explanation. Ive always thought of it as a guy who won't necessarily hurt you with just a few touches, but that will wear a defense down by being consistent, and reliably grinding out yards in a way that frustrates a defense. Someone who isn't necessarily explosive, and isn't as effective in a RBBC because he needs to get in a groove, a mindset, maybe.

Clinton Portis is a guy who immediately comes to mind, with Washington.

 

[netnalp]

Emmitt Smith, Jerome Bettis, Terrell Davis, Priest Holmes, Edgerrin James are the types I think of when this term comes up. People have tried to use the term with Brandon Jacobs, but he doesn't take over games in the 4th quarter when the defense is tired, like the phrase implies.

 

[fatness]

"doesn't get tired as fast as most of the players on the opposing team".

 

[adrenaline]

Yep, and probably refers more to the defense getting more tired than they do and not necessarily that they actually get better and stronger.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

Yep, and probably refers more to the defense getting more tired than they do and not necessarily that they actually get better and stronger.

agreed, they don't wear down as fast as the opposition.

 

[sihaokills]

Emmitt Smith, Jerome Bettis, Terrell Davis, Priest Holmes, Edgerrin James are the types I think of when this term comes up. People have tried to use the term with Brandon Jacobs, but he doesn't take over games in the 4th quarter when the defense is tired, like the phrase implies.

 

[Raider Nation]

Yep, and probably refers more to the defense getting more tired than they do and not necessarily that they actually get better and stronger.

agreed, they don't wear down as fast as the opposition.

It helps if the player's back is against the wall. Taking it one play at a time is also a MUST!

 

[Carolina Hustler]

Yep, and probably refers more to the defense getting more tired than they do and not necessarily that they actually get better and stronger.

agreed, they don't wear down as fast as the opposition.

It helps if the player's back is against the wall. Taking it one play at a time is also a MUST!

lol.. What?

 

[Jason Wood]

Here's a list of RBs yards per rush in the 4th quarter, over the last 5 years:

http://subscribers.footballguys.com/apps/datadom.php?pt=p&groupyears=1&prr=s&pos=rb&team=all&opp=all&minyr=2006&maxyr=2010&minwk=1&maxwk=17&homeroad=all&mindown=1&maxdown=4&mindist=1&maxdist=99&minfp=0&maxfp=100&mintime=45&maxtime=75&minmargin=-99&maxmargin=99&sortby=yprsh&sortorder=desc&mintoqual=100&mincat=rsh

Some surprises on both sides of the equation.

 

[Jason Wood]

Here are 2010 backs YPR for carries 21+ in a game:

Yds/Carry 21+ Carries

Rank Player Team Stats

1 Arian Foster Hou 6.7 ( 303/45 )

2 Maurice Jones-Drew Jac 6.0 ( 240/40 )

3 Chris Johnson Ten 5.1 ( 185/36 )

4 Rashard Mendenhall Pit 4.7 ( 179/38 )

5 Peyton Hillis Cle 4.6 ( 120/26 )

6 Michael Turner Atl 4.3 ( 194/45 )

7 Ray Rice Bal 4.2 ( 144/34 )

8 Adrian Peterson Min 3.9 ( 117/30 )

9 Cedric Benson Cin 3.1 ( 105/34 )

10 Steven Jackson StL 3.0 ( 133/44 )

 

[Kowskull]

Earl Campell always pops in my mind when that phrase is said always loved seeing him pound defensive line in the 4th

 

[UnknownCoach]

Its another way of saying the offense wears down the defense. They talk about it with the running back because its usually accomplished by running the ball a lot (but can be accomplished with the short passing game also) and the RB becomes the beneficiary later in the game.

Is the RB really getting stronger? No, the defense is just getting weaker faster. So in camparison to the defense, the RB looks stronger and stronger as the game goes on.

 

[Raider Nation]

Earl Campell always pops in my mind when that phrase is said always loved seeing him pound defensive line in the 4th

John Riggins and, of course, Jim Brown also.

 

[hostile]

I'll add a different take than the literal one...

I dont necessarily think it has to do with physical stamina as much as it simply means getting in a rhythm.

This goes for not only football, but many other sports too; you get a feel how the opposition is playing you, and you adjust accordingly. Some guys just dont do this, or if they do, they dont do it very well. Others, do it exceedingly well, and these are the ones who get a sense of how things will unfold before they do, and therefore get a better read on the game the more they play.

*shrug*

 

[UnknownCoach]

Here's a list of RBs yards per rush in the 4th quarter, over the last 5 years:http://subscribers.footballguys.com/apps/datadom.php?pt=p&groupyears=1&prr=s&pos=rb&team=all&opp=all&minyr=2006&maxyr=2010&minwk=1&maxwk=17&homeroad=all&mindown=1&maxdown=4&mindist=1&maxdist=99&minfp=0&maxfp=100&mintime=45&maxtime=75&minmargin=-99&maxmargin=99&sortby=yprsh&sortorder=desc&mintoqual=100&mincat=rshSome surprises on both sides of the equation.

While stamina isnt indicated by an RB's size, you dont see 250 pound men winning marathons. There is another reason larger backs are reffered to in these quotes. A large back who is hard to tackle and initiates hits on defenders does help tire defenders. You'll hear this sometimes when announcers talk about thunder and lightning RBBCs. It doesnt mean the same large RB has the stamina to continue running hard the whole game. So why do we hear about small speed backs being limited in carries? Because they get tired and lose their explosiveness also when given too many carries. A speed back who has lost his burst is even less effective than a power back who has lost his. Again, RB size is not an indicator of their stamina. A RB has to be a sprinter but may or may not be an iron man.What's sometimes overlooked by announcers in these discussions is that making defenders run sideline to sideline also wears them down. So its not only the power backs who help wear down defenses. Speed backs and short passes do also. Finally, if your QB doesnt convert on third downs, you arent going to wear out the D that much anyway. RBBC is a way of keeping RBs fresh while wearing down a defense. Its not a neccessity as most backs I believe do have the stamina for 30 carries. Slowing down slightly doesnt render a RB inneffective. More, its a strategy of throwing different types of running styles at a defense and makeing them adjust. Its a way to use different gameplans more effectively against different teams. One type of RB can be more effective against certain opponents than the other. Bill Parcells was a master at switching game plans from one week to another. In the process, Parcells frustrated fantasy owners who would watch their stud RB only get a handful of carries while the backup RB or fullback chewed up an NFL opponent. RBBC isnt just about keeping a back fresh.