Terrell Davis, a Hall of Fame running back, was highly productive during his time in the NFL.
In the 1998 season, he rushed for over 2,000 yards, earning him an NFL MVP award and his second Offensive Player of the Year Award.
He played a pivotal role in helping the Denver Broncos win a Super Bowl title. Despite playing for only seven seasons, Davis made a profound impact on the NFL and the Broncos.
He was known for his ability to find gaps in the defense and exploit them.
However, when reflecting on the current state of the NFL, Davis admits that he would have faced significant challenges.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, he expressed how the modern game would have been difficult for him.
“Today’s game would have killed me,” Davis told The Athletic in a recent interview. “It’s funny now. I coach youth football, and I coach the old-school way for running backs, but most of my periods with them are spent running routes because I know that’s where the game is. I can’t get them stuck in 1990 where it was all about how you run zone and wide zones and counters and draws.
“They’re not running that stuff now. I’m giving them some of it, but most of what I give them is pass protection and receiver drills. I want them to be up with the times, so that when they go to the next level they’re not behind. I would never teach that if the game was played the way I played because you didn’t need to know that.”
Davis now coaches youth football and emphasizes the importance of running backs being versatile.
Although he still teaches traditional running techniques, he primarily focuses on pass protection and receiver drills to ensure his players are up to date with the evolving game.
Davis’ comments align with recent discontent expressed by running backs regarding their market value and reduced roles in the passing game.
Unlike Davis, many current running backs possess the ability to not only run and block but also catch passes.
For instance, players like Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants have recorded significant reception numbers throughout their careers.
Davis’ career was ultimately cut short due to injuries, with his final season in the NFL being in 2001, during which he played in eight games.
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