For most of the season, the story of the running game had little to do with the running backs and a lot to do with the offensive line. But there was still much to learn about the backs for this year … and for next.

All running backs look the same without holes to run through. An Al Groh-ism, if there ever was one. And it’s an accurate one, as the 2006 season showed.

Jason Snelling. Cedric Peerman . Mikell Simpson . No, talent at the tailback position was not the issue to start the season. While none of the three may have been a “complete” back in the mold of Wali Lundy (at least, not yet), each of the three brought something to the table. Married with a solid line, the potential for a decent running game was there.

Unfortunately, a solid line was not there to start the season (more to come on that issue in the OL article). That put pressure on a quarterback that was not capable to make plays in a shaky pocket. That brought eight – sometimes nine – into the box. That swamped the line. The result: no holes, and no running game.

...