While we may find some diamond in the rough Im not sure I see any possibility that we address the GLARING hole in our offense with a Running Back that will replace our starters in the Draft.
Myles Gaskin, has 584 yards last year as the starter! Brown had 419, 319 for Ahmed, and Patrick LAIRD had less yards than the Waterboy.
Our entire Running Back pool gained: 1394 yards on 331 Attempts for an average of 4.2 Yards a carry collectively.
How are we going to fix this so the defense respects our Running game? Who's available in free agency still? Who can we realistically expect to shake free before the Season starts?
Im really concerned about the lack or urgency with the running game. A real threat would free up TUA immensly and open up the passing lanes.
What can we do to address this?
Page 1 of 3
-
-
Unlucky 13 and tirty8 like this.
-
-
-
we plan on having the same emergency room rb squad who all proved they couldnt handle more than 3 games each before getting hurt
Dorfdad likes this. -
I mean, if you look at the Patriot model in the last few years under Brady, it's definitely been a RBBC model with low picks and UDFA types. Rex Burkhead, James White, etc.
Still, we simply cannot have as futile a running game this year as the past two and expect our offense to be significantly better.Dorfdad likes this. -
I won't lie, I think we would have drafted Williams if we weren't leap-frogged. I also desperately wanted Harris or Etienne. But I don't think we need those types of elite backs to have a solid running game. From the very first time I played line as a high school freshman, we were taught that the first three yards a RB travels was our stats. If we do our job and create a hole, that 3 yards is a given with anyone carrying the ball. The RB's talent really kicks in at the 4th yard climbing that 2nd level and finding daylight.
Just so you know, most backs in this draft have speed, vision and hands. There's always a few elite names and then you have many others who are a dime a dozen. We don't NEED an elite back to have a good rushing game...we simply need a very good run-blocking line. And I think that will come together this season. -
Im extremely sad and frustrated about it too. The coaching staff and front office just don't seem to care. I've basically given up hope, unfortunately. Its depressing, and its going to be hard for me to get very excited about this upcoming season.
-
sony michel 1st round btw............. 900 yards 900 yards, injury year. -
-
-
As for Veterans. Duke Johnson (27) and Le’Veon Bell (29) are still kicking around. We were in on Bell last year. -
Imagine an oline that can get 2-3 yard push with a physical beast gaining 2-3 on his own which would constantly move the chains and tire out the defensive line for late game scats backs -
In this day and age of quarterback quarterback quarterback, the importance of the running game has been overlooked by the vast majority of the teams in the league. Teams like Pittsburgh and Tennessee get it. Until teams realize you have to be able to run the ball and be able to play smash mouth, in your face football, too many teams are going to continue pursuing the pixie dust dreams of getting in the playoffs by default and going home with their tails between their legs
Unlucky 13 likes this. -
None of these backs in this draft outside of the first three selected are really worth spending a mid round pick on. We can get a guy in the 7th round. Larry Roundtree, Kenny Gainwell, Kylin Hill. There are some names out there that will be clearly be available in the 6th/7th round.
I think Gaskin proved to be a solid back for us last year and the plan is to probably ride him again this year along with Ahmed and Brown. Our run game will be sustainable as long as the offensive line holds up. I still say we continue to take the best players available regardless of position or need. The draft is about acquiring talent. I'm with the OP on this though. It would be nice to have a Ricky Williams in the backfield with Tua, but not even Harris, Etienne, or Williams were near the level that a Ricky Williams is/was.
There was no Saquan Barkley or Ezekiell Elliott in this draft and even as talented as they are, we all saw how they struggled running behind crappy offensive lines. I think once our offensive line is solidified and considered a "strength", THEN we can pursue a top tier franchise level running back.
The current trend has been RBBC. Tampa, KC, New England, Philly....The last four Super Bowl winners have all won that way using that approach. The common trait those teams all share is franchise level play out of their QB's, and dominant defenses. Yeah yeah, Nick Foles isn't a franchise QB, but he was on a hot streak when he won it for the Eagles. -
-
-
makes total sense.Irishman and Dol-Fan Dupree like this. -
-
I think our young talent starts catching up with the coaching at some point and we start fielding play off teams.Irishman, KeyFin, M1NDCRlME and 1 other person like this. -
Dorfdad likes this.
-
Dorfdad and Dol-Fan Dupree like this.
-
We need to have a more balanced offense TUA needs someone to help him out.The_Dark_Knight and Unlucky 13 like this. -
KeyFin likes this.
-
Well....We drafted a running back. I think we need to cool it for now and see what this cast can do going into next season. I like the Doaks kid we drafted. I think we can get a few good years out of Gaskin. Ahmed played well in spurts, and we have Malcolm Brown who I suspect will be competing with Doaks for a roster spot. Laird is still in the mix as well. I am not completely crushed about this, I think we have a decent cast at the position. It's a work in progress.
Irishman likes this. -
Dol-Fan Dupree likes this.
-
A dynamic pass offense will open up the running game no matter who is back there.
Irishman, PhinFan1968 and Dol-Fan Dupree like this. -
Irishman likes this.
-
We're doing what we need to do. We're building a strong OL and putting players on the edges that will keep defenses in dime coverage for most of the game. Although we didn't grab a "name" RB, we're setting our offense up so Gaskin and Co. can at least make plays beyond the LOS. Don't get me wrong, I'd be beyond ecstatic had we taken Harris, Williams, Carter or Sermon. But there's opportunity cost to everything and I'm glad for what it proved to be.
Page 1 of 3