But they never ended up sharing the backfield, according to Pro Football Focus, which analyzes each play in every game.

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They typically lined up under center with a tailback in the backfield.

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This official would be placed in the backfield opposite the referee and, according to Calhoun, would add another set of eyes to detect holding on the offensive line.

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Montgomery admits linemen are simply told to run to a spot on the field and block near that spot, since the handoff combination in the backfield is so unpredictable.

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Jim Brown, considered by many to be the greatest running back, if not the greatest football player, who ever lived, lined up in the backfield with Ryan on every play.

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After rushing for 722 yards and catching 59 passes over three NFL seasons with the Panthers and Oakland Raiders, he was expected to be a key cog in a revamped Jets backfield under new coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and his version of the West Coast offense.

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Mara said in recent years that most teams have been putting two or three defensive players on the line of scrimmage and then putting two or three more behind them so they can push the linemen into the backfield in hopes of blocking a low kick.

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"I definitely think it highlights the things that I do well in my game, catching the ball out of the backfield, being able to isolate the linebackers, run some routes and also running the ball between the tackles, " Goodson said on March 20 after signing with the Jets.

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