NFL head coaches run their running backs into the ground. I think it's bull headed stupid, but it's always been this way and always will be this way.
The shelf life of running backs is short. Typically they don't even make it to 30. Arian is 28, has 2 years left on his deal, and is a cost-savings cut as of next year (to the tune of 4 million). It's stupid to *not* run him into the ground.
This thread happened a few years ago (I think I started it maybe?) and I pointed out how no player who had as many carriers as Foster did that season had ever come back the next season and been as effective. Most had injury issues. The same will hold true if Foster continues at this pace. That time some of the same people said they weren't worried about it. This time I'm one of the ones not worried because I don't expect him back next year anyway.
But look at how many RB's typically go down with non-overuse injuries? Just yesterday, you had Moreno with an elbow injury on a routine carry... Jamal Charles with an ankle injury... Lacy looked mediocre coming off the concussion. Thus, if a guy is "healthy" and can carry the load, you're going to want to get as much out of him while you can. I also don't feel Arian takes a ton of huge hits or is asked to "pound it" as much as his carries may suggest, so that alone should save him some wear/tear.
Not worried one bit. Use him. His use will expire. Get another RB. Rinse and repeat. There's no one worth babying at the RB position anymore unless you're in the Super Bowl hunt and you have a Peterson or Lynch.
At the moment no. I believe coach is doing exactly what he said, using Foster the way the he has to in order to win. There will be games were pounding the ball isn't what will be needed to win. In those games Foster will have less carries, with possibly more receptions. But one thing that is for sure through two games, this team's offense is built around him. And he's stepping and up in a major way.
My only concern is that we need to keep making sure that blue gets some carries. Foster is possibly gone after this year and we need to have blue ready, or know he isn't the guy.
Yes, I'm worried. Our RB2 situation is shaky (you're my boy Blue?) and our running game has looked bad when anybody not named Foster has touched the ball. Let us all pray for healthy hamstrings!
Not at all, we BoB is bringing along Blue in case something happens. And also Foster gets better the more carries he has so we have no choice really
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Arian Foster on fellow RB's Rice & Peterson: "I might have a shot at the Rushing title if they could find something on LeSean McCoy"</p>— Fake John McClain (@FakeJohnMcClain) <a href="https://twitter.com/FakeJohnMcClain/status/510809726419226624">September 13, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Bill O’Brien says moving forward they might spread the ball around more than they have in 1st 2 games. Foster has 55 carries in 2 games.</p>— James Palmer (@JPalmerCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JPalmerCSN/status/511598631284396032">September 15, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The back up running back will be determined by the situation. Sometimes Grimes, Blue or even Ronnie Brown.</p>— James Palmer (@JPalmerCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JPalmerCSN/status/511598960788914180">September 15, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
