| We are in the middle of a RB revolution. It's
an uprising led by backs with names like Marshall and Edgerrin, both flashy runners with
flashy names. The two have altered the way the position is played by placing both rushing
and receiving skills on the same plane. But even in the middle of this revolt, the
running-back-as-workhorse is thriving. Tennessee RB Eddie George —
the everyday back with the everyday name — is the one back in
the league who can cause GMs and scouts to postpone their plans in finding the next
Edgerrin James or Marshall Faulk.
Although George usually isn't mentioned with the aforementioned backs, he should be.
Taking his place among that company, George should be considered a legitimate candidate
for MVP this season.
A workout freak with a physique seemingly cut from stone, George is a 6-foot-3,
240-pound running back from the school of smashmouth rushing. Hefty RBs (e.g., Ron Dayne,
Curtis Enis), take note. If you're going to weigh more than 240 pounds, George is the
model for which to strive.
"When you've got a solid 240-pound back coming at you, that's tough to
handle," Titans TE Frank Wycheck said, stating the obvious.
Entering his fifth year in the NFL, George has never rushed for less than 1,290 yards
in a season. While his second-half production fell off in 1997 and 1998, George's workout
regime actually made him stronger in the second half of last season. In the final eight
games of the season, George rushed for 100 or more yards four times compared to only one
time during the first half.
But don't think he can't catch a pass. During his time in the league, George has
enhanced his pass-catching ability by constantly improving the way he squared his body
after catching a pass. In 1999, George hauled in a personal-best 47 receptions, including
four for touchdowns. While George isn't a big threat to bust a screen pass for an 80-yard
touchdown, his strength and athleticism make him a dangerous receiving option coming out
of the backfield.
George has the talent. But what makes him — one
weapon in an offense of many — an MVP candidate? On the
surface, George doesn't mean as much to his team as Peyton Manning means to the Colts, but
the running back is the main reason behind the Titans' emergence as a perennial Super Bowl
contender.
Start with his influence on the field. Defenses can (and sometimes must) spread out and
treat backs like Faulk or James as a fourth or fifth receiver. Not so with George. The
Titans run their offense like many teams in the league nowadays, but few have the
advantage of having a George in the backfield. His presence means that defenses have to
stack the box more frequently. One linebacker staying at home (as Rams LB London Fletcher
can attest) isn't enough to bring him down.
The added attention paid to George has enhanced the careers of those around him — QB Steve McNair has more opportunities to run, Wycheck has more
opportunities to catch and the talented Titans receiving corps (Carl Pickens, Yancey
Thigpen, Kevin Dyson) has more room to work.
George's leadership can't be overlooked either. During the preseason, we asked George
if he liked the fact that the Titans' multitude of weapons could pick up the slack if he
failed. George just shook his head.
"I'm always looking to pick up the slack," George said. "As long as we
get help from the outside, I'm fine."
In his first four seasons, George was underrated as a back. Now after a Super Bowl
appearance, and with a possible return on the horizon, George has entered the elite class
of NFL stars. It's only natural that he'll receive the laurels that he's earned, not that
it'll matter to George.
"I never really looked into the respect, accolades or who is saying what around
us," George said.
Well, Eddie, listen to this: If you lead the Titans to the AFC Central crown and
produce as you have in the past, you've got at least one vote in the unofficial MVP
balloting.
Maybe more. |
