OMark: Phins search for complimentary back for Thomas

Goodbye Ronnie brown and Ricky williams...nice talkin to ya..

Lets see, we have a late 2nd rounder, a 6th round pick, and an undrafted free agent that makes up our unit...Time to spend some money..If Bradshaw is healthy, he's my guy.If not, Dwilliams, Bush, Sprolies.

 

Yeah I've found this talk of Daniel Thomas being the featured back to be downright silly. If they know what's good for them, they'll pick up a quality back like DeAngelo Williams or Ahmad Bradshaw, my two favorites. I do like Michael Bush though. I know that's not seen as complementary to Daniel Thomas' style, but I just think he's a quality back and that's what is most important. Darren Sproles did interest me when I re-watched Chargers games, a little more than I thought he would.

I'd say no to the others. Unless I was desperate. Might as well just bring Pat Cobbs back if you don't get one of those four. I don't think Ronnie Brown fits the zone style that Daboll will install.

How much you wanna bet Pat Cobbs goes back to the Patriots from wence he came (and probably does well)?

 

Ah that's true. Forgot about the two that they drafted.

I'd bet on Hasselbeck before I bet on Orton, though. I don't think they'll give up the asking price for Orton.

 

If they do get Hasselbeck I almost feel bad for Henne. First Pennington then Hasselbeck...two of the best leaders and most likeable men in the position today and he'll have had to try and compete with both for the affections of the locker room.

Of course I have my concerns about Hasselbeck. He's old, you could see in the 2010 tape that he was having trouble at times playing within himself from an age standpoint, trying to do crazy things that he just can't do anymore. Other big concern being he's a career WCO guy and the record of those transitioning to non-WCOs is not good.

But if he's protected by Jake Long, and throwing to Brandon Marshall...part of me does wonder. I find it interesting that where it looked like an absolute lock a month ago for him to return to the Seahawks, to the point where we wouldn't even bother talking about him...now the tide has turned against that and he seems set to hit free agency. Would be a better FA acquisition than Vince Young, and I'm not giving up a 2nd round pick for Kyle Orton.

 

I think you need to look at more than just the top couple names. There are other avenues worth exploring. I think Joseph Addai is one. He's had some mediocre years, but mediocre is a very charitable description of the Colts offensive line for most of his career. He gets a little bit out of the inherent pass/run judo that you can do with Peyton Manning at QB, but its a ****ty situation overall and there are elements of the scheme that work against him, too (lol what's lead blocking)

I think you've also got to consider Derrick Ward. His career got derailed with a single awful year in Tampa Bay, but three of his last four seasons he's had better than 4.8 yards a carry. He might not be suited to being a full time starter, but that ain't what we are looking for, and you know he can be effective splitting the load.

Edit- how in the **** did turn into a QB discussion?

 

Get it done Ireland.

[video=youtube;0Pzjv7P4Q2U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pzjv7P4Q2U[/video]

Please.

 

The point on Thomas is a good one..just look at how mediocre Ryan Mathews was last year and the Chargers put all their eggs in that basket. Mathews had trouble adjusting to the speed of the game and was hurt. San Diego was lucky that Tolbert could handle the load mostly.

Id love a combo of Thomas with either Williams or Bradshaw. people have been clamoring for big time playmakers and those are the best two available

 

Williams is the best fit and cannot be franchised (used on Kalil). I'm betting FA is at 4 years. No way is the NFL going to pass up a chance to spark fan interest.

I also very much like Pierre Thomasif he is available from the Saints.

 

I have trouble figuring which of the two I'd like more, between Bradshaw and Williams. Probably DeAngelo Williams. Safer physical and character profile. Also I think he's more used to the zone style.

But I can't help it, there's something about Ahmad Bradshaw that screams 'breakout' to me. Like Michael Turner when he left San Diego. You could make a case for Bradshaw having less tread on the tires.

 

I'am battling the same thing, there is an explosiveness and aggressive nature to Bradshaws game that I love, little younger, but with some fumbling issues, Williams is just that classic skillset with speed, 29 years old though..Which do you think is better out of the backfield?

 

Probably Bradshaw.

 

Bradshaw is younger, a MUCH better blocker, and a better receiver, although I don't like either one. Williams has more of a WOW factor as a jitterbug type who is better going outside. I can't remember the last RB we had who could do that.

I'm happy with either one.

 

if we somehow land deangelo williams or bradshaw i will run around the block naked...

 

you don't like either one but you'll be happy with either one?..lol..

 

Only thing with Bradshaw is that his fumbles last season concern me and he was demoted for a time because of it. I'd like whoever we partner with Thomas to not be much of a fumbler just in case Thomas keeps on having that issue in the NFL.

 

LOL Sorry, meant as a receiver. Bradshaw will catch the ball but his longs are in the 12- 15 yard range. Williams has been used sparingly and has been OK.

Another option might be a second big back with Sproles.

 

Glad you're in Germany.

 

the more i think about it williams would be my number 1 choice if he would also take #34 wouldnt even need to buy a new jersey...LOL, followed by sproles and then bradshaw

 

Definitely true. I said it in Club when we discussed this but Bradshaw was leading the league in 20 yard runs before getting hurt last season fairly late in the year. I think he still placed 1 or 2. Williams is a home run threat but Ive watched Bradshaw break some tough tackles and bounce right off. He has a toughness factor that i dont think Williams has. But Williams has tremendous natural instincts as well. Bradshaw is a very good WR and pass blocker. Bradshaw was originally a KR/PR during teh 2007 and 2008 seasons.

Last year Bradshaw ran for 1,235 on 17 carries per game average. Dont know how much more of a "breakout" he can be considered. But he is a tough cat. Watching him play a game in the 09 season vs Dallas with a fractured foot and watching him pass block on Ware and Spencer and doing so effectively was pretty sick.

Again, Id be happy with either but Bradshaw might be my first choice.

 

Tough decision.

Watch the Dolphins target Reggie Bush.

 

hell of a job selling bradshaw as my number 1 choice now, in the end if its either 1 of them its win/win i guess

 

would that be ok with you ? i would like that move

 

Pretty sure Bush is going to renegotiate his deal with the saints:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/16/reggie-bush-obviously-im-taking-a-pay-cut/
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/05/new_orleans_saints_gm_mickey_l_4.html

But as long as we are discussing Bush, I found this interesting as this is the way I too would use Bush, per rotoworld:
Team officials for one undisclosed club "with time on its hands" have reportedly been viewing videotape of Reggie Bush as a potential slot receiver.
This team is preparing in case Bush doesn't accept a massive pay cut and is released by the Saints. Bush operates plenty in the slot in New Orleans' offense, although the undisclosed club has considered moving him to slot receiver full-time. One team executive told the Sports XChange's Len Pasquarelli that it wouldn't rush to sign a change of pace back or slot receiver because Bush might, "pop free, because the Saints can't afford him." May 24, 11:11 AM

I wasnt really trying to do that lol. I watch the Giants a lot locally, I would definitely be a NYG fan if I wasnt a Phins fan...Bradshaw has a lot of redeeming qualities about him and hes been a good soldier for Coughlin and co.

 

so we would have to clear what exactly a "quality quarterback" is in this league, must be something good, if we would have quality QB play, i think we very well could make some noise in the po´s

 

Could be that. It could also be that they're not comfortable w/ Brandstater as the backup, which is what he'd be if Thigpen leaves via FA as I suspect. IMO it's Henne's job to lose, and w/ the lockout still goin on and a new system being installed its going to be hard for any QB to come in and take over the starting role. But if Henne is injured or struggling badly then you want a guy behind him that can at least tread water.

 

No, I would not like the move.

 

Aside from Carolina really wanting to keep Williams, which other teams would be our competition for a RB?

 

Padre brought up a good point, after drafting both Vereen and Ridley the Pats may be done at that spot, with Woodhead already there along with BJGE. But you're exactly right I've always seen Cobbs the same as Faulk. He could have and probably should have been used more. He'll be in his second year off the knee injury in 2011 and that's usually a peak year for a player like him.

Could be. But I could also see Omar Kelly's point on this. He seems very sure that the Dolphins will be going with a veteran option that could start the whole year over Henne. He doesn't see Sparano trusting Henne after benching him multiple times in 2010.

You really think whoever they pull in will just be a figurehead? Competition means the guy has a fair chance of starting. You think they're going to bring in a guy that looks like competition but isn't actually competition. Who fits that description, for you? Marc Bulger?

 

I have to believe that Ross wants to make as big a splash as possible in FA. After last years disappointment, his blunder with Sparano, the Heat "out-celebing" him and getting soo much attention, a non-sexy draft, and the lockout, he does need something to somewhat save face and fill seats.

The best options I see are D. Williams and a vet QB who casual fans are familiar with.

 

It's possible we go after a "name" at QB, but IMO the guys available are more likely to split the locker room than help us win games, McNabb & Young especially. Bulger plain sucks. Hasselbeck can't stay healthy. A trade for Orton, Palmer or Kolb would probably erase any chance we have for getting one of the potential franchise QBs in next year's draft. I'll pass. I'd rather roll w/ Henne this year, and if he doesn't step up then we can load up and make a play for Luck, Jones, or Barkley next April.

 

agreed on the QB´s mentioned as "quality guys" the only team we have problems with is baltimore
though, we played the steelers tough, we normally play the patriots tough, last year we lost on horrible special teams play and the last week the team was already in vacation mode imo, so my point would be, i wouldnt fear any of these teams if we would get that good play from the QB position

 

That would be a silly move on their part with Lance Moore being such a solid football player..if we didn't have Bess I'd be all over that dude.

 

You think that Vince Young and Matt Hasselbeck wouldn't be real competition for Henne?

Wow. I disagree.

 

I'd prefer Bradshaw over Williams, simply because he is younger and taken less pounding. However, if Michael Bush is a UFA, considering how well he ran in Oakland's scheme, and only 27, he'd be at the top of the list for me. Only 3 accrued seasons though, so RFA at best, right?