Jamaal Charles talks Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane, Todd Haley, Andy Reid while discussing evolution of the RB

Jamaal Charles talks Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane, Todd Haley, Andy Reid while discussing evolution of the RB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In support of a new partnership with The Surgeon and Charles to unveil Bush's BeanBQ Boots, I got the chance to speak with Jamaal Charles on Saturday at the Texas State Fair. Charles and Bush’s Beans were in town for the Red River Rivalry game between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Texas won that game 23-6 behind a three-interception, five-sack afternoon from the Longhorns’ defense

In addition to discussing his alma mater and his alma mater’s blood rival, I asked Charles about the evolution of the running back position.

He named two running backs who particularly impress him, the ’ Jahmyr Gibbs and the ’ De’Von Achane, and discussed both of his old coaches, Todd Haley and Andy Reid, and how they enabled him to become one of the NFL’s great rushing and receiving running backs.

Charles also shared his take that the running back is the most important position on the field.

“I saw Edgerrin James and how he played with Peyton Manning, and saw Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner. So it was pretty cool to add that dynamic to my game, to be a dual-threat, just not in the run game and coach Andy Reid did it with Brian Westbrook. Coach Todd Haley was trying to turn into that pass, cut, and I was catching out of the backfield. And then when he came, Coach Reid, he changed my game into another style where he gave me the ball 20 times. He'd give me six catches and cut the carries up in half,” Charles said.

“So you can find a hybrid dual-threat running back who can do multiple things, not just running the ball, but also put them in space and break plays and take it to the house. You definitely can change the game, putting the ball in a great playmaker’s hand. (Jahmyr) Gibbs is a good player. (De’Von) Achane for the Miami Dolphins, too.

“The game is totally not the same. It's definitely, it makes you want to make more plays for the running back. I feel like it opened up more of a value proposition for the running back.  Make us a higher-value player instead of just … everybody thought the running back was going out of style. So, these guys are making the running back relevant again. So I'm very excited about the future of the running back.

“And to me, we are the most important piece on the football field. To be blocking, we run, we catch … We got to do more than just about everybody on the field.”

Charles is a proud running back, and he’s clearly proud of the evolution of the position he helped facilitate.