Running Back Room

Running Backs (abbreviated "RB", or sometimes "HB" for Halfback) are the players who line up in the backfield with the QB, usually behind him, and either take a handoff and run the ball, stay in to block, or go out on a route and become a receiver. In DR, there are two basic "types" of backs, runners (making up the significant majority) and receivers (passing down specialists), with two subsets, "shifty" backs (think Barry Sanders or Reggie Bush) and "Bruiser" backs (think Jerome Bettis or Frank Gore).

The key attributes for running backs are Speed, Footwork, First Step, and find opening. Strength and Toughness are essential for running up the middle, which makes them more or less required. Protect Ball and Feel Pressure help reduce fumbles. "Bruiser" backs, which are big, strong, tough, and have high motors, are best used as powerbacks and require defenders which are also big, strong, tough, and good tacklers to bring them down. "Shifty" backs are relatively more effective than bruisers at running outside the tackles. They are characterized by high Escapability, Footwork, and First Step, and require defenders with good Read Opp, Footwork, and Tackling to tackle them.

Receiving backs are very different, although it is entirely possible to get players which are good in both roles. First and foremost these players should have at least some pass block, unless they are going to be running routes almost all the time. Strength and Footwork will also help out in pass protection. For running routes, Footwork, Route, and First Step are the key attributes, with speed helping a lot on deeper patterns. Pass catching is critical to actually catch the ball, and toughness helps going over the middle, although this is fairly easy to avoid with a RB. YAC is of much more important for RBs because they will often be given dumpoff targets at or behind the line of scrimmage. To turn these into positive plays, the RB will want to have good es capability, first step, strength, and athleticism.

Click here to view the Forum discussion on Runningbacks.

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 * +Running Back Attribute Board, last updated 11 March 2013

Core Attribute
Speed (SPD) ! scope="col"|

Shifty Running Back


Escapability (ESC) Footwork (FOOT) ! scope="col"|
 * First Step (FSTP)
 * First Step (FSTP)

Bruiser Running Back
Strength (STR) Toughness (TGH) Motor (MOTOR) Size


 * A RB with high strength and toughness will also benefit from being above 220lbs.


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