The Best RB-by-Committee Backfields in the NFL

If you haven't realized, the running back-by-committee approach is just as trendy as the pass-like-crazy approach run by the majority of offenses in today's NFL. 

Running backs certainly aren't the preeminent offensive focal points they once were, and the term "feature back" has a whole new definition. 

But in an a calculated effort to limit wear and tear and keep running backs fresh—thus, theoretically, lengthening shelf-life—teams have gone to a more balanced one, two or even three-back system, many of which have delivered tremendously productive results. 

Heading into the 2012 season, let's rank the NFL's top running back committees. 

Note: These rankings are based on running back-by-committees in their purest form. So, teams that utilize both (or all three) of their running backs more frequently were considered to be better running back committees than teams who simply have two capable backs but rely heavily on one. Furthermore, although 2011 stats weighed heavily on the rankings, I took a forward thinking approach, ranking the committees based on where they stand right now and where they project during the 2012 season.

8. San Francisco 49ers: Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter

Frank Gore wouldn't be classified as an underrated running back but he hardly receives the credit he deserves, playing on the West Coast. 

Okay, last year he did get a fair amount of recognition as the 49ers exploded onto the scene winning the NFC West with a 13-3 record. 

He ran the ball 282 times, the most since his 312-carry 2006 season and accumulated 1,211 yards on the ground (4.3 yards per carry) with eight touchdowns. 

Surprisingly, he only caught 16 passes for 114 yards after averaging 45 grabs in his six previous NFL seasons. 

While his statistics weren't otherworldly, Gore was a reliable piece of a greatly respected run attack last season. 

His fleet-footed backfield mate, Kendall Hunter, is the ideal complement. 

The rookie carried the ball 112 times for 473 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns. Hunter also added 16 grabs for 195 yards, as well. 

With the thought being that a traditional running back-by-committee approach features a bruising feature back and a change-of-pace speedster, the 49ers have quite the group in the Bay Area with Gore and Hunter. 

7. Carolina Panthers: DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert

While many see DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart as relatively underwhelming and overpaid runners, the numbers say otherwise. 

Yards per carry averages are undeniably telling as to a runner's effectiveness, and the Panthers' duo surely didn't disappoint in that department in 2011—they both averaged a whopping 5.4 yards per carry.

Williams, who was given 155 carries, finished with 836 yards while Stewart, who received 142 carries, amassed 761 yards on the ground. 

They totaled 11 rushing touchdowns. 

Due to Cam Newton's 517 passes and propensity to run for positive yardage himself, Carolina's misunderstood running duo simply didn't receive ample carries to rack up eye-popping statistics like they did in 2009 when they both eclipsed the 1,100-yard mark. With Newton, the 2012 Panthers could easily be a top five rushing team in terms of total ground yardage.

Add in crafty veteran Mike Tolbert, who ran for 490 yards at a 4.1 yards per carry clip and scored eight touchdowns last year, and you see why the Panthers triumvirate made this list.

6. Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart

When Adrian Peterson's healthy, he's the No. 1 back in Minnesota—there's no questioning that and, frankly, there shouldn't be. 

Though Toby Gerhart, a capable backup, sits behind him, the Vikings are rightfully enamored with Peterson's explosiveness and power, therefore they feed him as much as possible. 

However, Minnesota's one-two running back punch isn't higher on the list for a two reasons. 

First, the lack of touches Gerhart receives when Peterson's full-go mean they hardly operate a running back-by-committee approach. Second, Peterson's health is still an issue. 

Simple as that. 

Maybe this year, as the Vikings slowly bring Peterson up to speed, they'll use more of Gerhart and will effectively be utilizing more of a running back-by-committee system than ever before.

5. Buffalo Bills: Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw the ball 569 times in 2011, the sixth-highest total in the league.

Why?

They often fell behind in games last year, head coach Chan Gailey loves throwing the football and Fred Jackson got hurt.

The result? 

A 6-10 record for the Bills and Fitzpatrick leading the league with 23 interceptions. 

While Fitzpatrick's inconsistency was clearly demonstrated, Jackson and 2010 first-round pick C.J. Spiller's ability to run the football was not. 

Before getting injured in Week 11, Jackson was averaging 5.5 yards per carry and had scored six rushing touchdowns. As a receiver, he had reeled in 39 passes for 442 more yards. 

As Jackson's injury replacement, Spiller flourished down the stretch. He accumulated over 100 total yards in four of the team's last five games and scored five total touchdowns. 

After his impressive late season showing, he ended the season with an explosive 5.2 yards per carry. 

Playing within Gailey's true spread offense, the running lanes are gaping for the two Bills runners who are utilized in a typical running back-by-committee approach. 

4. Kansas City Chiefs: Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis

If Jamaal Charles returns from knee surgery and plays the way he did in 2010, there's no telling how good the Chiefs running back committee could be this season. 

Two years ago, he scorched NFL defenses for 1,467 yards at an absolutely Madden-on-Rookie mode-like 6.4 yards per carry with five touchdowns. 

What helped Charles burst onto the scene was the presence of punishing runner Thomas Jones. 

While Thomas has since departed from Kansas City, the team added Peyton Hillis, a player with a similar running style.

Hillis had his breakout season in 2010 as well, when he ran for 1,117 yards and 11 touchdowns for a bad Cleveland Browns team. 

After a forgettable and rather odd 2011, Hillis will fill the Jones role for Charles and the Chiefs' offense.

We haven't seen how Romeo Crennel will split the carries, but this tandem has the track record and differing styles to become an extremely dangerous running back committee this season.

3. Chicago Bears: Matt Forte and Michael Bush

Matt Forte was the Chicago Bears' offense last season before going down with a leg injury. He had totaled 997 rushing yards while averaging a solid 4.9 yards per carry through nearly 12 games.

He also hauled in 52 passes for 490 yards from quarterback Jay Cutler. Though he only accounted for four touchdowns, he was the true life force of his team's offensive attack. 

Coming off injury, with a new contract, there's no reason to doubt Forte's production in the 2012 season. 

To aid some of Chicago's red-zone woes, the team added bulldozing runner Michael Bush in free agency. 

At 6'1'' and 245 pounds, Bush lowers the boom on the vast majority of his runs and had a respectable season with the Oakland Raiders in 2011. Though he averaged a mere 3.8 yards per carry, he racked up nearly 1,400 total yards with eight scores. 

Forte will likely receive the majority of the backfield touches, but if a steady balance is struck between the two backs, the Bears may have the most formidable rushing duo in the NFC. 

2. New Orleans Saints: Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Chris Ivory

One of the NFL's most renowned passing attacks along with one of the premier running back-by-committee approaches resides in New Orleans, Louisiana with the Saints. 

Yes, Drew Brees throws the football a lot, but an easily overlooked aspect of this team's absolutely dynamic offensive attack is the way its aerial prowess leads to a wildly productive ground game. 

In 2011, the Saints finished fourth in the NFL with a 4.9 yards per carry average as a team. The teams in front of them? 

The Broncos, Panthers and Eagles—all teams with running quarterbacks that saw an inflated yards per carry average due to their signal-caller's scrambling skills. 

In New Orleans, the name of the game is versatility, and all the Saints running backs have it, but no runner makes more of out his touches than lightning bug Darren Sproles. He ran for 603 yards on only 87 carries and recorded a wideout-like 86 grabs for 710 yards with seven receiving touchdowns. 

Pierre Thomas is just as well versed in the screen game. He totaled a shade below 1,000 all-purpose yards himself and accounted for six scores.

Mark Ingram battled injuries for most of the season, but averaged 3.9 yards per carry before hitting the sidelines. 

One can't forget about Tiffin alum Chris Ivory, a deceptively powerful and violent runner who averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 79 attempts in 2011. 

1. Houston Texans: Arian Foster and Ben Tate

You want a traditional yet dynamic pair at the running back position? 

I give to you the backfield of the Houston Texans. 

Arian Foster ran it 278 times for 1,224 yards and seven scores in 2011 and recorded 53 receptions for 617 yards for two more scores. 

His 1,841 total yards would be plenty of production for the vast majority of NFL running backs today, but his backup is extremely talented, too. 

Ben Tate ripped through opposing defenses for 942 yards at a destructive 5.4 yards per carry clip with six touchdowns. 

No running back duo totaled more than their 2,148 yards in 2011 and at the ripe ages of 26 and 24, respectively, the sky's the limit for the Tate and Foster in the Texans' stellar zone blocking scheme.