Thomas vs Gray vs Gilly...so far....

They should of resigned Reggie

 

IMO right now, I shop Thomas and my RBs go in order: Miller, Gray, Gill

 

My question to your first sentence, are the people blasting Gilly the same ones who are touting Thomas (for the record I haven't seen hardly any Thomas touting beyond saying his game against the Texans was good, nor have I seen much of any Gillislee blasting)? Because if not, that' s a very misleading question that seems to be intended as an opening to just bash Thomas more.


As to your second sentence, how do you know he's had way better blocking? It sure seems to me that the run blocking has been as good among all groups in relation to the defensive talent they are up against. I could definitely see DT being as good as he is going to get though, I hope that isn't true, but I certainly wouldn't bet big on the contrary.

 

My issue with that is while relative to Thomas, Gray is good enough, relative to NFL running backs, we don't have anything after Miller.

 

Even if he didn't look winded, I don't see his running being all that effective either. His inconsistency is one of the reasons we didn't re-sign him, if not the biggest, and that certainly hasn't changed in the 8 months since last season ended.

 

Apparently according to PFF the starting OL has been the fourth worse blocking unit this preseason so I'm not sure that Thomas has had better blocking. I do think he has faced better defenses. For the record, I never blasted Gilly, but I would say that Thomas has flashed more against better defenses than Gilly has.

 

And again, that doesn't show that it's the same people saying both things? Additionally, taking it for granted that the #2 back on the depth chart is the 2nd best back isn't exactly "touting" IMO, nor is saying Gilly will be cut blasting him necessarily.

No, there is certainly a difference in talent between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd string lines. But the reverse is true for defensive players they are up against. Overall, I'd say the net ability to run has been extremely similar between the lines overall (some games better than others, some worse).

 

Ok, you're doing the patented let's say one thing and not have any data to back it up thing. It's cute.

 

I think he has shown very good patience in running the stretch zone. Actually, he's run that play better than anybody on the team. Miller has been better at popping the off-tackle runs or just getting around the edge, but Thomas has shown the right instincts there. Now I don't believe DT is great or anything. I see him as a nice third down back and a decent fill in starter. I was hoping that Gilly would make the team and allow us to let Thomas walk after his rookie contract expires, but at this point I still see Thomas as the better back.

 

It is necessary to the point, because without it it is hearsay. Like I said, it just seems like trying to create an opportunity to bash DT under the guise of inquiry. If that's the goal, fine, but I don't see how anyone can explain why people are touting Thomas AND blasting Gillislee if it isn't even taking place (which maybe it is).

 

Runningbacks behind Lamar Miller are basically a Rorschach test at this point, and I don't think the on the field evidence really suggests anything. People hate on Daniel Thomas, and Jonas Gray has had a year-long one man PR campaign, but there's no reason for anything.

It's a bit difficult to get worked up about pre-season rushing even with starting backs behind starting lines. It's pretty common for star players to have < 3.0 ypc preseasons. RG is a concern, yeah, but don't go overboard either.

 

I have no idea where the hub bub has come from Jonas Gray. He hasn't shown me something that makes me think he can bring something the others can't.

I also agree that due to a few high profile influencers he's developed this cult figure following. He's an a PS guy, maybe a plain cut.

 

Gray goes to the practice squad...... Miller, Thomas, Gilly.

 

This backfield just sucks, it really does. Miller should get a majority of the carries simply by default - he hasn't played all that great himself. Like last year and his Canes days, he's largely all-or-nothing: 40% of his carries last year went for 2yds or less, and the same happened last night - a 20 yarder and then a bunch of carries being stuffed.

DT to me has shown something, albeit very little, in the Houston game. He looked good enough where the coaches were talking about him pushing Miller. They see him in practice as well, so I put a little more stock in last week's comments on DT/Miller. Gills to me hasn't flashed anything yet, like, at all; he looks overmatched at this level, not quite quick enough, not strong enough, and has meh vision. I'd try to practice squad Gills and I don't think we'd have a problem with him clearing waivers, honestly.

The backfield is our weakest unit, imo. I'll be very surprised if we don't try something in the next couple weeks, whether on the waiver wire or even in a trade. Our top TD scorer last year was of course a RB, and we've replaced him with guys who have yet to prove anything at this level and who have continued to disappoint in preseason. This offseason I wanted to add a guy we could lean on, a la what Lynch did for Wilson, Morris for RG3, Turner for Matt Ryan, Rice for Flacco, Jets for early Sanchez. But at this point it looks like our run game is going to be mediocre and isn't going to scare anyone. Hopefully something changes or improves alot.

 

Exactly. Are we really going to blame the running backs when John Jerry was getting blown off the ball and the ball carrier was getting first contact 3 yards in the back field?

 

Thomas is the best receiving and pass protecting RB on the team right now. It shouldn't be surprising that the coaches are looking for him to compete for snaps from Miller. I'm not sure why this is such a controversial topic on this forum.

 

Yeah, well all those stats add up to a sub-par rushing attack...that's the only stat that really counts... I'm not too impressed with any of the backs, none of which, including Miller have really distinguished themselves...

Now you can argue that some of that is due to the OL, but you expect a RB to 'make' some holes on his own at times... That's what seems to be missing from all 4 of those guys, to me...

 

Slim picking at this point for depth.

Miller for sure #1..has always been imo..no matter what the coaches say, I've been posting about how the coaches feel there is a competition for that #1 to demonstrate there is no competition for the 2nd... Gray?, didnt think he would do much at this level, gonna have to roll with Mike I suppose unless someone shakes free come cuts and you can put him on the PS.

I question some of the evaluation talents of the coaching staff, if they even think for a second Mike G is kickoff returner material their high as hell, same thing with Charles clay being a starter..

 

Paul, you know better than that. Riggins played a different type of game. He's also a Hall of Famer. Notify me when Thomas scores 24 TD's in a season.

 

People rip on Bush last year for that by Miller had a similar boom or bust record as well.

 

On the other hand, are we really going to get worked up on what seems a very specific problem- hitting reach blocks and cut blocks on quicker linemen in a playside gap? You certainly want them to be able to do that better, but at the end of the day it's preseason and the guy who was having the problem is getting a crash course and being rushed back into playing shape

 

Absolutely. Which is why I didnt criticize JJ. I just simply pointed out the fact he got demolished yesterday and the RBs paid the price.

 

Not true. Miller was 21st in the league in success rate, Bush was 59th.

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Miller knows how to hit a cutback lane on a zone play in stride. You can count the number of times Bush did that on a toddlers educational toy, if you don't count completely reversing field(or trying)

 

Just as I have been saying the whole offseason, Miller is way over rated and hasn't proven a damn thing.
Last night he was tired early in the football game and asked to be taken out. He looked tired all night.
We can't rely on him to be in for an entire game.

 

Where are you getting your information from? If it's your own speculation, no one cares.

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