I'm not in the Bowden = Deebo Samuel camp. But I think having Bowden and Waddle on the field at the same time presents a problem for defensive coordinators.
No one is in the Bowden = Deebo camp. However, Bowden should be able to be used in many ways like Deebo and can cause some issues for the defense.
I'm not sure why there is so much pushback against this idea. They're absolutely comparable if we're projecting what Bowden Jr. could be. Physically, they're separated by 1" and 10lbs. They have similar traits. Toughness, elusiveness, acceleration, contact balance, power, etc... Lynn Bowden is a more fluid athlete (his oily hips). His change of direction is like a joystick. Deebo's COD isn't as good because of his tight hips, but is faster and more powerful. Not 1:1, but there's no reason to think Bowden can't run the deadpool package. I mean, he was Deebo before Deebo. LBJ was a HS QB, converted to WR in college, converted back to QB because of injuries, and was drafted to play RB by Las Vegas in 2020. Bowden's entire career, the name of the game was to get the ball in his hands by any means necessary. QB, WR, RB, Wildcat, etc.... That's the point of the deadpool package. Deebo is firmly established as a premier playmaker and LBJ has played a handful of games two years into his career. That doesn't change the projection of what LBJ could be. As soon as Wes Welker was hired, my first thought was about Bowden. Bowden with proper WR technique + versatility = problem.
I think it really all comes down to scheme- we sort of had the same thing in Grant as well. Yet we didn't scheme for Grant much so we didn't see that explosiveness except on returns. I do think our new head coach is more invested in the power run game though and that makes someone like Bowden highly appealing- have him take a handoff behind a fullback and let the kid eat up some field. In other words, this isn't a question if Bowden has talent or can play a Deebo-like game. Certainly he can. But that potential was there the past few years as well and several more years from Grant before him. The real goal is building that kind of offense where your playmakers can shine. For instance, Fitz or Moore to Parker or Williams...good stuff. Tua to those guys...doesn't happen. An offense is sort of like legos and the head coach's job is to make those pieces all fit together and make it something worth looking at. I guess what I'm getting at is that Bowden's potential doesn't matter if the coaching doesn't utilize him that way, or if Tua can't get the ball to him efficiently.
It is how Bowden was used in Miami during his rookie season. He wasn't as effective as Deebo, however, he did have some success.
Gadget play threat whenever he is on the field too. If he gets the ball on a pitch or end around…. It’s tough for corners and safeties to shoot down and help stop the ball because of Bowde’s ability to throw downfield.
I love this. When coaches move from one team to another, it's cool to bring concepts with you, but don't make the mistake of thinking two players with similar physical and athletic attributes are interchangeable. They're not. First of all, you need to design plays that your QB and OL can successfully run. Tua's not G, our OL is not the Niners', so any thoughts about one player being the same as one on another team and in the same scheme are already a moot point. Secondly, players like Deebo have exceptional vision that allows them to work within the spaces of their schemes. It remains to be seen whether LBJ has the vision or timing that Deebo displays. Let's hope he does.
Exactly. You can spend 5+ years developing an offense where you have the perfect guy for each position, or you can take what you have and figure out how to make it work now. How does Tua utilize Parker more? How do you scheme to get the run game going in power formations? Who can do creative things that will give defenses fits? All that stuff is what being a successful head coach is all about. LBJ was drafted because he has a special skill-set that can really be exciting to watch. But it starts with the line, the formation, the blocking schemes, etc. Some of the stuff San Fran did in the run game has me excited because it's pure smash-mouth football...load up one side of the field and take away all the angles. That's my brand of football and it doesn't take someone as special as Deebo to execute; those TD runs would be just as impressive if they're going for 10-15 per clip from a lesser back. The big part is that it's eating the clock and you can't stop it if everyone does their jobs at a high level. But then you add in the RPO element, the defense is playing the run and Tua hits Waddle on the weak side on a little out route...and there's nobody home all the way to the end zone. Or Parker is streaking the sideline in 1:1 coverage for a big play. That's what a strong run game brings to the table and it's awesome to watch.
He beasted this year. He's lobbying hard to get resigned in Atlanta but they don't have a lot of loot, so he may hit the market.
I really liked him coming out of college, was hoping we would draft him. He did find a nice fit with Falcons.
Does anybody know whether being a further year removed from the injury allows Tua anything more than extra peace of mind that the injury isn't anymore likely to reoccur? Like physically can he push his body more than a year ago?
I don't. My guess is that the bone won't be any different and the rest depends on the person - both their body and their attitude/approach. Sometimes just having doubt can affect how you move. In terms of general strength and performance he could certainly improve. Injury aside he did lose that whole first offseason, so that's at least lost reps in terms of working with pro trainers who I would assume can better ascertain who you are, how you move, and how you need to improve. ? As I said, I don't really know about the injury but I would guess that physical improvement is definitely possible in a few ways.