Oregon Ducks running backs look to avoid the fate of the dinosaur
Bucky Irving has a future in the NFL. But why would one want to play running back these days?
EUGENE — In a time not so long ago, Bucky Irving might be the star of the Oregon Ducks.
But of course, quarterbacks — not running backs — rule the game now, and one doesn’t have to look further than Heisman Trophy voting, where the top six spots were occupied by signal callers in 2022. A running back hasn’t won the trophy since Derrick Henry in 2015, and discussion of the position’s demise has hit a high-note in the NFL.
Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott and their seven combined Pro Bowls are teamless. Saquon Barkley — regarded as one of the best running backs in the game — is playing on a one-year deal after nine months of negotiations with New York. Jonathan Taylor wants out of Indianapolis.
Then came this quote from Baltimore’s Melvin Gordon to The Baltimore Banner’s Kyle Goon.
“If you’re thinking about playing running back, think twice,” Gordon said. “Unless you really, truly feel like God put you on this planet to run the ball, if you’re athletic enough to switch positions, I’d do so in a heartbeat.”
Don’t pretend those words are going unheard amongst the kids.