What is the definition of "Carrying the Load"? (1 Viewer)

[Maven]

I see this word thrown around to much in football. Someone please define "carrying the load". What are characteristics of backs who can "carry the load"? What are characteristics of backs who can't carry the load? IT APPEARS..these players are professionals and if you have the talent level to be starting at running back for a NFL team, skills, understanding of football, and a decent surrounding cast (coaching staff, players who can block consistently), one would think they would be capable of carrying the ball 200+ times in a season. ITS IGNORANT TO THINK..just because some players have never experienced "carrying the load" does not automatically mean you should bump them down in your rankings when they've showed extreme talent when they DO touch the ball. A perfect example is Frank Gore. 2 years ago before he blew up, he was killing in the last few weeks of the 05 season. You could clearly see how special this guy was when he touched the ball. He was slept on by most at the beginning of the 06 season and ended up having a great year despite not having any experience in "carrying the load" for the 9ers. A lot of people on this board are sleeping on Addai for this very same reason . Someone help me understand this NFL concept?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

LT2

 

[CalBear]

| 2003 sfo | 16 | 201 1024 5.1 6 | 35 307 8.8 1 || 2004 sfo | 15 | 244 822 3.4 7 | 35 212 6.1 0 |

| 2004 nyj |  16 |	93	479	5.2	2 |	15	112   7.5	0 || 2005 oak |  14 |   272   1025	3.8	9 |	70	563   8.0	2 |

| 2002 jax |  16 |	98	436	4.4	9 |	11	 79   7.2	0 || 2003 hou |   8 |	93	253	2.7	4 |	 9	 55   6.1	0 |

| 2001 stl |  16 |	78	441	5.7	6 |	17	154   9.1	0 || 2003 was |  11 |   142	600	4.2	1 |	10	 71   7.1	1 |

Playing part-time is not the same as playing full-time; there are lots of examples of players who looked great as backups, who got a full-time job and didn't seem as good or as exciting. While there are also examples of players who got a starting gig and continued to look great, it's at least prudent to wonder if a great-looking backup will still be great if he has to carry the ball all game, every game. (Michael Turner owners, take note).

 

[Chase Stuart]

| 2003 sfo |  16 |   201   1024	5.1	6 |	35	307   8.8	1 || 2004 sfo |  15 |   244	822	3.4	7 |	35	212   6.1	0 |

| 2004 nyj |  16 |	93	479	5.2	2 |	15	112   7.5	0 || 2005 oak |  14 |   272   1025	3.8	9 |	70	563   8.0	2 |

| 2002 jax |  16 |	98	436	4.4	9 |	11	 79   7.2	0 || 2003 hou |   8 |	93	253	2.7	4 |	 9	 55   6.1	0 |

| 2001 stl |  16 |	78	441	5.7	6 |	17	154   9.1	0 || 2003 was |  11 |   142	600	4.2	1 |	10	 71   7.1	1 |

Playing part-time is not the same as playing full-time; there are lots of examples of players who looked great as backups, who got a full-time job and didn't seem as good or as exciting. While there are also examples of players who got a starting gig and continued to look great, it's at least prudent to wonder if a great-looking backup will still be great if he has to carry the ball all game, every game. (Michael Turner owners, take note).

Of course, there are lots of examples of players who looked great as starters one year, and then didn't seem as good or as exciting the next. Kevin Jones, Willis McGahee, LaMont Jordan, Reuben Droughns, etc.

 

[Despyzer]

Carrying the load = Getting 20-30 carries per game and consistently getting more touches than the other backs on your team. This takes some work and some pounding, so bigger guys are thought to be more likely to carry the load.

 

[CalBear]

Of course, there are lots of examples of players who looked great as starters one year, and then didn't seem as good or as exciting the next. Kevin Jones, Willis McGahee, LaMont Jordan, Reuben Droughns, etc.

I don't think anyone was excited about Jordan, Droughns, or even McGahee as a starter; they put up good numbers because of their situation, but didn't run particularly well. Where was Droughns getting drafted when he moved to Cleveland? Certainly not as high as Jordan was getting drafted when he moved to Oakland.

 

[MDSkinner]

How are a lot of people sleeping on Addai? The guy ranks in the top 5-7 of nearly every list I have seen? Would this post even exist if he were 2 spots higher on every board? WTF?

 

[BroadwayG]

Let me give you a brief history of Najeh Davenport...