Two-back systems the latest trend

The Houston Texans shocked the NFL world last season when they took defensive lineman Mario Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. The New Orleans Saints shocked no one when they happily took Reggie Bush No. 2.

The Saints already had a “No. 1” running back in Deuce McAllister. But they weren’t about to ignore a talent like Bush, not when leaning on two tailbacks instead of one was en vogue in the NFL.

The Deuce and Bush show worked to perfection as the Saints became one of the best offensive teams in the league and reached the NFC championship game.

But they weren’t the only team to benefit from such a two-back system. The Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts used Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes. The Chicago Bears used Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, the New England Patriots Corey Dillon and Lawrence Maroney and the Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.

“A lot of successful teams are going to two backs,” said Cardinals’ backup running back Marcel Shipp, who resigned with Arizona in large part because of new coach Ken Whisenhunt’s plans to use two backs.

“It is encouraging. You are thinking, ‘I gotta get that number two slot.’”

Shipp may not get that chance, however.

One of the most intriguing questions early in Saturday’s draft will revolve around the availability of Adrian Peterson — a player special enough that a team already set at running back may choose to take him anyway.

A team, for instance, like the Cardinals, who committed $30 million last offseason to starting running back Edgerrin James.

Whisenhunt has already said he wants someone to help James in the running game this season.

Whisenhunt also said he hopes to run the ball more than 500 times, which would give a second back plenty of work while James still collects a hefty 325 or so carries.

“It is not a ‘He will play x amount of plays and this guy will play x amount of plays,’ ” Whisenhunt said. “You play and when you get a certain amount, we will just spell you a little bit.”

That’s more along the lines of what the Chargers did with LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner. Turner had a solid season, but there is little question Tomlinson was king of a one-back attack.

Of course, Whisenhunt’s thinking would probably change — as it did in New Orleans when Bush was available — if Peterson came aboard.

“You can ask any lead back in the NFL and he’ll say, ‘I’m the guy, no matter what they do in the draft, I’m the guy,’ ” said Browns coach Romeo Crennel, whose team just signed Jamal Lewis but is considering Peterson at No. 3 overall. “Then whatever happens in the draft happens. Let’s say hypothetically we take a back in the draft. Then it’s competition.”

James shakes his head when asked about the NFL trend toward two backs, although both he and Shipp insist they aren’t concerned about Peterson becoming a Cardinal.

“I don’t sweat it,” James said. “They gotta do what they gotta do.”

Said Shipp, “I’ve just been through it all. It doesn’t faze me.”

One NFL coach said he believes Peterson is a better fit for Whisenhunt’s offense than James, a sentiment echoed by a former NFL running back.

But James promised one of his better seasons in 2007 after the most recent minicamp, and said he has actually increased his already-intense offseason workouts.

Not surprisingly, Peterson said he would also like to be the No. 1 back for his team, although “if I end up in a system like that and that’s how the offense is run, then there’s not much I can do about it.”

One of the reasons Bush and McAllister worked so well together is because Bush excelled as a receiver. James and Peterson may not mesh as well.

But no one should assume the Cardinals — or another team that seems set at running back, like Tampa Bay, Washington or Minnesota — will pass up a talent like Peterson.

“You never know,” said Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, whose team is picking No. 4. “If you’re going to run the ball 35 or 40 times a game, there’s a lot of love to spread around.”

NFL draft

When: Saturday, 9 a.m. (rounds 1-3); Sunday, 8 a.m. (rounds 4-7)

Where: Radio City Music Hall, New York

TV: ESPN, ESPN2

Cardinals picks: Round 1 (5), Round 2 (38), Round 3 (69), Round 4 (105), Round 5 (142), Round 7 (215)

Draft party: At University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, inside Insight Club East, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Prizes will be given away and players and cheerleaders will be there to sign autographs.

Tribune draft coverage

Today: The trend of using two good running backs in the NFL

Tuesday: From USC to the Cards: Deuce Lutui’s draft path

Wednesday: Is Joe Thomas really all-everything?

Thursday: Finding a return threat on draft day

Friday: The importance of Day Two; Tribune mock draft

Saturday: Who might the Cards select at No. 5?