Payton's Running Attack Worthy of Imitation

Let the imitation begin. Last year Sean Payton unleashed his all-purpose backfield that drove a vaunted
offensive attack. This year, watch the "copy cat" NFL replicate what New Orleans does, or has done. Need proof
this will happen?

It's already starting.

Look closely at Rex Ryan in New York. He thought his stable of running backs would perform better with
LaDainian Tomlinson added and Thomas Jones nixed. Don't worry, there's method to the madness. Mike
Shanahan, new to the fun of coaching under Daniel Snyder, found Larry Johnson available, thus catering either to
a fantasy about having Brandon Jacobs cloned, or he is trying to spell Mike Bell. Saints' fans, all this should start
ringing a 'bell' -in this case, a 225 pounder who runs like he's 245.

As for the Jets running attack, Shonn Green and Leon Washington give Rex the ability to run inside or outside.
So now Tomlinson makes the chemistry of running backs more interesting: He fills in much the same way the
Eagles used Brian Westbrook -see LT drifting in to the flat, or picking up a rather-large blitzer. We're talking
about someone the size of a, well, running back, so this comes with the territory too: See LT plastered for
a loss when the screen to him doesn't fool anyone.

Fans get the point. Leon Washington will get you the edge while LT works inside, then at times bounces the
play outside -a la Reggie Bush -or catches those little passes to the flat. Diversity makes magic. All Jets' fan
should applaud the chemistry Ryan is buying, er, imitating.

As for the Redskins, if Larry Johnson returns to form -we're talking about a 'form' he showed over three years ago
-watch a semi rebirth of Clinton Portis. Clinton can't carry the full load at 30 anymore, yet there's still a lot of
mileage in that running back. Besides, his competitive juices are good for any rushing attack.

The point is, with Anthony Alridge scooting around the corners, the 'inside' two, Johnson and Portis, will pound
out enough yardage between the tackles to get Shanahan back to his former self, a genius when it comes to making great running backs.

Thus, the formula has been put up for all film sessions across the NFL to view. Thanks to you, Mr. Payton. Who
can diversify their stable better than the next team? That's really the question, isn't it?

sources for this article -

http://sports.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylc=X1MDMjE0MjQ3ODk0OARfcgMyBGZyMgNzYS1ncARncH:

http://ballhype.com/article/jets_sign_shonn_green/