For the Ravens’ backfield tandem, it’s a “Bull Market”

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, May 22, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Baltimore Ravens
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"Carrying the ball 20 times a game requires power and valor, not niftiness. The water bug and whippet backs rarely survive the wail and howl of the banshee. Every team needs a Brahma Bull to steamroll through the stacked defenses in the pros. They must meld the buck of the billy goat with the sudden surge of a sprinter. He does not move with polish or slickness; his method is not Grand Prix, but demolition derby."

Those are the words of the legendary NFL Films announcer, John Facenda. In today's NFL, one team has taken his words to heart. Of course, that team is the Baltimore Ravens, whose backfield duo resembles a pair of Mack trucks.

This offseason, the Ravens had two great things happen in their offensive backfield. First, they signed six-year veteran and former Denver Bronco Mike Anderson, who rushed for 1,014 yards last season despite being forced to share time with rookie speedster Tatum Bell. Subsequent to the Anderson signing, the Ravens surprised the football world by re-signing their own six-year man, Jamal Lewis.

The Ravens' new backfield duo may be set to batter and bruise opposing defenses next season. The 230-pound Anderson has been known throughout his career as someone willing to crush defenders for extra yardage. Meanwhile, the 245-pound Lewis has rallied around his massive frame en route to great success at the NFL level. The duo weighs nearly 500 pounds, but by their on-field success, it's easy to think they'd be much smaller. After all, today's league mainly focuses on lighter, faster backs like LaDainian Tomlinson, Clinton Portis and Tiki Barber.

Anderson, who actually played some fullback during his time in Denver, might be willing to take on the same role with the Ravens, as long as it's only in certain situations. More than likely, however, he and Lewis will rotate to form a dominant tandem unlike any other in today's league.

Behind an offensive line led by left tackle Jon Ogden and left guard Ed Mulitalo, the Ravens' running game will have an opportunity to soar to incredible heights next season. It was already difficult for defenses in the past to stop Lewis from dictating the game behind the Ravens' left side of the offensive line. Now that the 32-year-old Anderson is in the picture, it'll be that much tougher for defenders to keep the Baltimore ground attack in check.

Although Lewis had the worst season of his career in 2005, he seems ready to regain his dominant form of old. His 966 yards and 3.4 yards per carry were stunning to most football fans, who believed he'd put together his usual 1,300+ yard season. Truthfully, Lewis hasn't resembled himself since his history-making 2003 season, when he rushed for 2,066 yards. In 2004, he only played in 12 games, rushing for just over 1,000 yards. Now that he'll be relied on a little less than usual, his yards per carry could very well return to the mid fours or low fives.

Last season, the Ravens amassed a much-worse-than-usual 6-10 record. They sunk to earth for various reasons, but one key factor was the team's inability to run the ball with efficiency. Anderson has always been a steady force in the league, and Lewis was among the NFL's best backs, until last season. If the 26-year-old can regain his swagger, the Ravens' running game might be too good to stop.

The league hasn't seen a team with two 1,000-yard rushers since the 1985 Cleveland Browns, who had Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner. Anderson and Lewis each gaining over four digits definitely seems feasible. More importantly, the playoffs certainly aren't out of the question with this dynamic rushing duo primed to lead the way.

With all the hoopla centering around the current quarterback situation in Baltimore, it won't matter if these two "Brahma Bulls" can effectively chew up clock and yardage.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on the Baltimore Ravens' backfield at Realfootball365.com
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