Mike Shanahan, head coach of the Denver Broncos brought a new style of offense to the rocky-mountain region when he signed with the team in 1995. Along with a very effective zone-blocking scheme, Shanahan implemented a new NFL strategy where the star of the offense isn’t playing running back. For years, NFL teams scouted, drafted, traded, and signed for players who were sincerely skilled at reading defenses, making swift cuts, and hitting holes quickly (not to mention breaking tackles).

In Shanahan’s offense, though, it doesn’t matter who carries the ball. Since Terrell Davis’ run as champion Bronco back ended after the 1998 season, six different guys have led the Broncos in rushing yards. In the last nine seasons, only Mike Anderson in 2000 and Clinton Portis in ‘02 and ‘03 have led Denver in rushing yards AND accounted for at least 60 percent of the team’s rushing touchdowns.

This new concept has taken over NFL backfields like revolutionaries staging a coup. With the new fantasy idea of “touchdown vultures”, running-backs-by-committee, and the increased athleticism found at the tight end position, playing running back in the NFL is not nearly as glamorous as it once was.

This season, the Ravens’ Le’Ron McClain and the Cardinals’ Tim Hightower are perfect examples of touchdown vultures. Both guys lead their squads in rushing touchdowns but generally only get carries in the red zone and won’t accumulate any substantial yardarge throughout the course of a full game. Additionally, at least half of the NFL’s teams currently employ the running-back-by-committee approach to the rushing attack.

Baltimore Ravens - Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain

Denver Broncos - Selvin Young, Michael Pittman

Houston Texans - Steve Slaton, Ahman Green

Jacksonville Jaguars - Maurice Jones-Drew, Fred Taylor

Miami Dolphins - Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams

New England Patriots - Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan

Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, Michael Bush

Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson, LenDale White

Arizona Cardinals - Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower

Carolina Panthers - Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams

Dallas Cowboys - Marion Barber, Felix Jones

Detroit Lions - Kevin Smith, Rudi Johnson

Green Bay Packers - Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson

New Orleans Saints - Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas

New York Giants - Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw