Running backs..

iRobot · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 777 Location: Mesa, AZ

QB is an obvious concern as is the OL, but what do we do about our backfield too?

Chalk it up to a bad line and think Wells when healthy and a healthy yet still unproven Ryan Williams is the answer? Or look at this season for what it's been... Beanie 5 games 61 attempts 146 yards 2.4 per carry with a long of 12, and 2 touchdowns. Ryan Williams 5 games 58 attempts 164 yards 2.8 per carry with a long of 25 and 0 TD's.

khodder · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 48165 Location: New New York

1 - Our offensive line is not creating hole consistently. Even if you go and look at the 100 yard games from LSH most of his yards are coming him his own ability to create.

2 - You get an offensive line that can create holes a running back in not much of a priority because any sem-decnet back can get your the 3-6 yards that you want, though you are not going to be able to expect them to create for you.

3 - I love Ryan Williams still, he has the ability to create for himself, but he also has great vision and patience. He was handcuffed behind a terrible offensive line this year, but I think he can be a great back behind a good OL.

4 - LSH is never going to be an every down back, too bounce happy. Too often he turns down the easy 3 or 4 yards bounces it outside and loses yardage. Beanie Wells does not look good right now. He does not have the explosion that he had in his rookie season when he looked like a great back. I still would lvoe to see him beind a good OL, be Beanie is not a patient runner.

5 - Offensive line is the key to the running game. We have a back on the roster who I feel can be a very good back behind the right line and another who at worst will be a Thomas Jones like plodder behind a good OL and get you your 3-5 yards.
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DirtyDez · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:27 pm Post subject:

Nice breakdown Khodder. Do we have great RB's? No... Is RB a need? No...
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stchamp98 · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 52947 Location: Havre, Montana

I have serious reservations about #3. That said RB is the easiest position in the world to replace, been done 200,000 times. Outside of the extremely, extremely, extremely rare talents of guys like Adrian Peterson and Barry Sanders, there's no reason to treat RBs as anything but a secondary position IMHO. 1 of the biggest reasons why I hated us picking Ryan Williams in the first place.
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apollo14000 · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 3749 Location: PA

I wouldn't mind getting somebody like Zac Stacy from Vanderbilt on Day 3 of the draft. He's short (5'9") but he's a solid 210 lbs who has a well-rounded game and that's my ideal RB. Smaller target who can also pack a punch when need be and do all the things you need him to do.

khodder · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 48165 Location: New New York

AZPSquared · Joined: 17 Oct 2012 Posts: 1283

the run blocking would be much better if they kicked Levi inside to guard (i dont know if that is even a consideration). I dont think i would draft Chance Warmack because we have a top 10 pick (probably 4-8 ). I would really like Jonathan Cooper if they could get him later in the 1st (trade up from the 2nd round), but i dont think that is possible. I think Wells can get the job done because he has in the past. Williams is a ? mark because throughout his career he has been injured. If they were to draft a RB, Lacy would be a good option, but i dont think its really necessary.

stchamp98 · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 52947 Location: Havre, Montana

He's sort of an after thought for most people but William Powell has done a pretty solid here for the role he's asked to play. I think he's a guy the running game could build upon with more work and more experience.
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younggun1273 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 6887 Location: Tallahassee

AZPSquared · Joined: 17 Oct 2012 Posts: 1283

stchamp98 · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 52947 Location: Havre, Montana

It's a fair question. I wonder if he's still getting heat for the Kolb injury miscue?
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Yibbyl · Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 2123 Location: Redding, CA

Looks like Rashard Mendenhall may have a decent chance of becoming available after this season:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=15244193#15244193

Apparently he decided not to show up at all for the Chargers game after he was told he would not dress, putting him in the doghouse.

OK, so thoughts on bringing him in on a short, incentive-heavy, stay out of trouble-type contract? Wouldn't cost a draft pick if he really is released.
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stchamp98 · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 52947 Location: Havre, Montana

Cut Beanie?
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khodder · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 48165 Location: New New York

Yibbyl · Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 2123 Location: Redding, CA

Yeah, there is that numbers game to deal with. Rashard did hurt his knee, but I'm under the impression he is injured less often than Beanie. LSH is free agent after this season as well, yes?
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