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Panthers see no need to decide between Lane and Biakabutuka as full-time running back
by Bryan C. Hanks for THE CHARLOTTE POST
 O
ne ball. Two running backs of roughly equal skill. What's a coach to do?
Tshimanga Biakabutuka starts, but backup Fred Lane gets almost as many carries. Coach George Seifert sees no reason to
change. "Working the backs has been a positive thing for the club and for
everybody involved," he said. "So I'm not going to sit here and tell you Freddie's not going to play as much because Fred has done well himself." The platooning strategy Seifert used in the first three games has been moderately successful.
Biakabutuka, who battled injuries most of his four-year NFL
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Carolina running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka scored on franchise-best runs of 67 and 62 yards in last week's 27-3 win
over Cincinnati. He finished with 132 yards on eight carries.
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career, is showing the potential that made him Carolina's top draft pick in 1996. In the Panthers' 27-3 win over Cincinnati last week, Biakabutuka
scored on runs of 67 and 62 yards, the longest in franchise history. He finished with 132 yards on eight carries.
"I'm happy, I'm feeling good, I can run like I used to run," Biakabutuka said. "I'm just having fun doing it now."
Although Biakabutuka is playing better, Seifert's emphasis on the pass and platooning limits the number of chances for either back to stand out. Biakabutuka admitted to being a little
frustrated, but understands Seifert's goal.
"Of course I want to carry the ball more than six times" like he did in Week 2 against Jacksonville. "It's not really my decision. I think coach Seifert is doing his best he can to help us to win. I
can't worry about how many carries I get; I just have to worry about every opportunity that I get, to make the best out of it."
Lane and Biakabutuka are good friends, but they realize that they are in competition for the same job. Lane, who had five
carries for 5 yards against Cincinnati, appreciates any opportunity to contribute.
"I'm just happy about getting in there and playing," he said. "I know Tim is the starter but I'm going to help the team win any way I can. Our competition is making each other better and
that makes us better football players. When we become better football players, that makes our team better."
Shuttling Lane and Biakabutuka provides a good change of pace, said left tackle Clarence Jones. Although Biakabutuka is quicker, Lane's hard-charging style doesn't require a drastic change in blocking schemes.
"It could if both backs had a big difference in terms of talent but both of those backs are so
good, you've got to get them both in the game," Jones said. "You do yourself a disservice if you let Fred Lane sit on the sideline for the whole game. You've got to get those guys in,, so I
think it's a plus for us."
Although Biakabutuka has the better statistics through the first three games, Seifert said the platooning will continue.
"I think we have two explosive and strong runners," said Seifert. "As we get a better feel for all hands on deck, then we will adjust accordingly. Right now, this feels like the thing to do."
Biakabutuka says he will make the best of the situation. "I need to keep my mind focused on running the ball," he said. "If I only get two carries, I'm
going to try to make it the two best carries of the game."
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