What makes a RB a change of pack back? (1 Viewer)

[hotlanta]

I've always wondered this and never could get a good understanding. What is the criteria is that labels a RB a 'change of pace' back vs. a RB that is considered a starter (workhorse)? Is it the players height and weight, his speed, what round he was drafted in, team situation, or something else? For example, both Brian Westbrook (or even Marshwn Lynch) are around 5-10, 205 pounds. Both are starting RBs. However, someone line Jerrious Norwood (or Leon Washington) who performs extremely well when called upon and is around the same height and weight, but is only considered a change of pace guy and was never seriously considered to start.

I'm trying to see a pattern here and trying the confirm my suspicions that Chris Johnson may end up just being a 'change of pace' guy.

 

[Ignoramus]

There is no such thing as a 'prototypical' change of pace running back. A 'change of pace' guy is good enough to play but not good enough to usurp the starter and is a different type of runner than the starter.

 

[Jon_Moore]

Opinion, wishful thinking, and sometimes even a slight degree of worry will get a back labeled as such. People are going to tell you so and so is nothing more than a change of pace back because they don't want him touching their precious starter's #s. Some of the best backs in the league have been "change of pace" backs. Tiki Barber was never going to be anything more, Brian Westbrook wasn't even that, Willie Parker, Maurice Jones Drew. I think a more accurate change of pace back is that fast guy that just otherwise sucks. Tatum Bell, Micheal Bennett, Chris Henry (titans), possibly Reggie Bush if his production as a runner doesn't improve. You've got your main back who pounds the defense, and he's usually not running at a 4.2 speed. Then, you throw the fast kid in there, he's 2-3 steps faster, and the defense is used to closing on the original back. It can really cause problems for a defense, Tatum Bell almost looked like a real football player because of stuff like this.

 

[Ignoramus]

Opinion, wishful thinking, and sometimes even a slight degree of worry will get a back labeled as such. People are going to tell you so and so is nothing more than a change of pace back because they don't want him touching their precious starter's #s. Some of the best backs in the league have been "change of pace" backs. Tiki Barber was never going to be anything more, Brian Westbrook wasn't even that, Willie Parker, Maurice Jones Drew. I think a more accurate change of pace back is that fast guy that just otherwise sucks. Tatum Bell, Micheal Bennett, Chris Henry (titans), possibly Reggie Bush if his production as a runner doesn't improve. You've got your main back who pounds the defense, and he's usually not running at a 4.2 speed. Then, you throw the fast kid in there, he's 2-3 steps faster, and the defense is used to closing on the original back. It can really cause problems for a defense, Tatum Bell almost looked like a real football player because of stuff like this.

When he wasn't starting due to injuries, Ron Dayne was a change of pace back. It doesn't have to be a fast guy... just a 'change of pace'.