A-Train Ready To Share The Load - Buffalo Bills
excerpt:
Just a couple of months ago Anthony Thomas was the only running back on Buffalo's roster that got significant playing time during the 2006 season. Head coach **** Jauron on more than one occasion diplomatically spoke of taking a committee approach to running the football.
After watching the success the four NFL teams that reached the conference championship games had in running the football with a pair of backs you can understand why.
So Buffalo drafted some additional running back talent in an effort to develop a talented and productive mix of backs for their ground attack. Enter top pick Marshawn Lynch and fourth-round pick Dwayne Wright.
Adding two new backs to a roster might ruffle the feathers of some veteran rushers, but Thomas views the additions as nothing but a help to what the running game is trying to accomplish.
"I definitely anticipated that," said Thomas of Buffalo's running back draft picks. "It's not my first year in the league so I figured something like that would go on. I'm just trying to make the best of my situation and move forward."
Thomas has also recognized the success Chicago, Indianapolis, New England and New Orleans all had with two backs sharing the load and believes it could work in Buffalo as well.
"It's the NFL," Thomas said. "One guy carrying the load for a whole season can get banged up. The odds are that guy is going to sit out a couple of games. When you have some guys that are splitting time they won't get banged up so much and they can last a little longer."
Buffalo's veteran ball carrier particularly likes what he saw the Patriots do with their top two backs Laurence Maroney, and the since released Corey Dillon last season.
"If you can use more than one back then the second back can do other things on the field," said Thomas. "You can also use them at the same time like New England. They put one back in the backfield and split another out. And I'm not opposed to going out there and catching a pass. Whatever they think is best for the team."
With offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild expected to open the offense up a bit more this season the odds are good that backs will be split out wide at times. The odds are also good that the back split out wide will be Marshawn Lynch who has been fluid catching and turning upfield in the passing game during OTAs.
Even though Lynch figures to get more of the attention being a top 15 pick, Thomas isn't worried. He's been through this before. He had to compete with former first-round pick Thomas Jones in Chicago after the Bears signed him as a free agent.
"I've done it many times," said Thomas. "I've just got to go out there and do what I have to do. I'm not worried about what the other guys do and who they've brought in here. When I have an opportunity I just want to be successful and that's my main goal."
Also buoying Thomas is the strong relationship he has with his head coach. **** Jauron has made no secret of his faith in him as a player.
"He knows what I can do and what my abilities are," said Thomas. "I don't think he's going to put me in a bad situation and he knows I won't put him in a bad situation. If there's something that I don't feel I can do the best on the team I have no problem going up to him and telling he needs to try one of the young guys with it. And he would do the same for me. There's an open line of communication with him."
Ultimately Thomas knows the decisions on how to use personnel will not be made by him. That's why he's only concerned with how he can best help the offense and the team in general.
Atrain ready to share the load
Atrain ready to share the load
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