Power: 3/5 Vision: 4/5 Elusiveness: 3/5 Character: 5/5 Explosiveness: 2/5 All in all, I think he can be a good running back in the NFL. However, he will need an exceptional offensive line to continue the success he had at Alabama. He reminds me a lot of Emmitt Smith (not just his number). Emmitt also made the most of an impressive offensive line, using his vision and power to gain every yard he could behind great blocking. When I watch Ingram, I don't see a guy that is making things happen. I see a guy that is making the most of whats happening around him. I don't see him fitting in well here in Miami without also making steps towards returning the offensive line to 2008-09 status. It will be important for him to have a very physical interior line that possesses the ability to move people. I thought Grove and Thomas did that well for us. But they are no longer here, making it less of a fit for Ingram here in Miami. I would consider Ingram a reach in the top 20. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if he made it all the way to the Jets at the end of round one. He and Shonn Green could really wear down a defense if paired together. Just my opinion. TIFWIW.
The one thing about Ingram that impresses me is that he has good vision. I do not think that can be questioned. His size is a concern. His top speed is average. He does have a little juke in his step, but nothing outrageous. I like him, but I do agree with you, he needs to be in that "Emmitt Smith" type situation.
Mark Ingram has as good of balance and vision as you will see in a running back. For a guy who supposedly isn't explosive, I haven't seen him get caught from behind very many times. Some should watch him catch a swing pass against Mississippi State, a very good defense, and take it 78 yards to the house. [video=youtube;ju8DJBX3vDo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju8DJBX3vDo[/video]
No offense Gish, but I don't agree here. Ingram is a special back. There is a reason why so many people compare him to Emmitt Smith.
No doubt, a very nice run. But it looked to me that he evaded a block by Julio Jones and ran by 3 LBs/D-linemen. In other words, he should. One thing I will add (that I did not earlier) was that he seems to be pretty tough to take down. I agree with you on the vision and balance, but I still feel like he's (albeit, good in college), a pretty average-to-good back in the NFL. Nothing special. Who really knows?
Ingram is a tremendous natural runner with elite vision and a serious smell for the endzone. In my eyes, Mark has an uncanny ability to know when to be patient and set up his blocks, and when to just blow through a hole. I don't care how fast he is (or not) if he's always putting himself in the right spots on the field to pick up solid yardage. He's gained 20 lbs since his freshman year (195-215), and he only just turned 21. He picks up a ton of yards after contact, and IMO that's not likely to change as he continues to get stronger since he's not even really a man yet (LeGarrette Blount was 23 when drafted). He's the kind of guy you want on your team b/c, even though he's not as flashy as McFadden, he's gonna get you a solid 4 yards for most of his carries and set you up in fewer 2nd & 3rd and longs, which tremendously helps our offense (that is one of the best in the league at converting 3rd a 3-7 yards). What's really hurt this team is the ridiculous amount of 3rd and longs this year b/c our lumbering personnel isn't equipped to convert these situations when defenses know it's coming. Seriously, if it's 3rd down and a defense knows you need at least 10 yards for a first, are 4.5 forty and slower Hart, Bess, Marshall, and Fasano the best guys for the job? Not in my friggin mind they're not. lol.
No offense, but he didnt really have to do a whole lot on that play. Outrunning a few Miss. St. players hardly makes one explosive. For me, to call a runningback explosive he needs to have top end speed as well as great vision and short area quickness and burst. Someone like Darren Sproles is explosive. Jammal Charles is explosive. Chris Johnson is explosive.
Im not saying he isnt good or special. Just saying he will need to find the right fit to be successful.
I think top end speed means very little relative to explosiveness. When I think of explosivness, I think of how fast someone gets to their full speed. Mark Ingram gets to his max speed very quickly. Top end speed means very little to me, because how often does a running back make plays in a straight line? Not very often. The ability to gear down and gear up are much more important, and nothing tops the ability to see what's happening on the field and make cuts. I feel when you start looking for top end speed in a runner, you run the risk of getting a runner that isn't ideal and will not give you any consistency on the ground like a CJ Spiller from last year. Everyone fawned over his speed, and he became what, a 3.5 ypc runner in his rookie season and had around 200 yards on the year. Oh, and let me add that Mark Ingram outran three NFL prospects on that Mississippi State defense, two of which are in this years draft (Chris White and KJ Wright) and one will be in next year's draft (Charles Mitchell).
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank god someone gets it. the 2 most overrated aspects of the RB position is top end speed. and power to run people over. Ingrams balance is ridiculous, and that allows him to break arm tackles and get the extra yards. he also hits his top gear quickly which allows him to run by people that are faster then him. Ingram not being explosive is the biggest myth so far in this draft process.
and what makes those guys explosive is exactly what KB said. those guys get to their top gear in their first couple steps. There a plenty of RBs that have very good speed, one that we drafted recently, but isnt explosive because it takes them a few steps to get to their top gear.
Honestly I think Ingram is the right fit for any team needing a HB. The Dolphins need team speed, but they also need to improve their running game. Ingram will improve the running game greatly. You can add speed through other means.
If you dont have a very high top speed, then why does it matter how fast you get there? The guys I mentioned are explosive because they have great short area quickness and acceleration as well as elite top end speed. It doesnt do much good to have great acceleration if your only going to be as fast as a linebacker. Ricky Williams is explosive because of his ability (as least at one point, and sometimes now) to take it the distance by exploding through the hole. But I dont see Ingram as having the top end speed necessary to do that on the pro level.
Darren Sproles (one of the 3 you mentioned) only ran a 4.47 at the combine. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Ingram came in at the same speed. Yea, 4.47 isn't elite either.
If Ingram runs a 4.7 then id agree. There is so many examples of players at skill positions with 4.5+ 40 time, and they have great careers. now why would they be able to do it and not Ingram? More recently Arian Foster Rashard Mendenhall Steven Jackson DeAngelo Williams Beanie Wells Frank Gore Michael Turner LeGarrette Blount Fred Taylor Shonn Greene Ray Rice Should I keep going? Rice ran over a 4.5. Emmitt ran a 4.6. Michael Irvin ran a 4.5. Brandon Marshall ran a 4.6. Anquan Boldin as well. Like I said, if Ingram goes out there and runs a 4.7 I would think twice about selecting him at 15. what ive watched with my own eyes in the most athletic conference in the NCAA. Hes plenty of explosive.
The OL doesnt need a tremendous amount of work. We need to get Berger out of there and kick Richie to C. Berger is a reserve/fringe starter as a C; hes more of a guard in my asseessment who doesnt play well in close areas, he needs space to be a good lineman which is one thing playing at C will never provide. Incognitio is just the opposite. We had trouble with more powerful NT's this year that Grove handled well last year. We need a LG more then anything and a return to form by Carey. Improvement from Jerry who may kick out to his natural RT spot would help as well. Wouldnt be at all shocked if Jerry and Carey flip spots. As for Ingram I like him but Im not sure I go with an RB at 15. They are so readily available that its not really what Id call a premium position If there's a trade there or if a guy like Von Miller or a good safety prospect Id have to consider him. There is no disputing Ingrams vision and balance, he is an elite prospect in those areas.
actually our offensive line would be another reason to select an Ingram. His vision to find the holes are top notch. we can have a RB that runs a 4.2 into a pile of players all day. then break a 40 yard run every 20 runs. were not going to be successful.
I care more about 3 cone & the shuttle than I do the forty for RBs. 40 means squat at RB IMO unless we're talking about a complimentary COP back. I could care less if Ingram is caught from behind 50 yards downfield after he breaks one off. I'll take a RB who breaks more 20+ runs and is caught from behind than a speedster who can't consistently pick up 4 yards on 1st down. I'm not sure if most fans realize how crucial positive yardage on 1st down is to an offense's overall success. I'd pair Ingram him with Jacquizz Rodgers in the 3rd round if Jernigan & Titus Young are off the board. Quizz wouldn't be my first choice, but IMO our 3rd round pick needs to be a playmaker regardless of position, so if it came in the form of a COP back, then that's what I'd take and be happy I'm getting any sort of playmaker period. Then I'd snag Little in the 4th..... and grab my speed WR and/or playmaking TE in FA.
You had me until the pairing him with Quizz Rodgers part. Not that I have anything against Quizz, I just don't think the Dolphins can afford to use their top 2 picks and only 2 in the first 3 rounds on backs. If they pickup a 2nd rounder maybe, but even then there are a lot of other needs for them. I'd rather take a shot on a guy like Jerious Norwood or someone similar or take a change of pace guy later on.
I'd rather us not go Quizz, too...... but I'm not a fan of the TEs this year; there are no other midround WRs that I feel suit our needs outside of Jernigan, Young, and Little; and I'd prefer Quizz to a LG, especially when we have Mankins on our radar. I'm not a fan of having 3 very young QBs on our roster, so I'd prefer a vet in FA......... so that basically leaves going defense or a talented COP back, which I feel is almost a separate position in and of itself (and of great need here). Not to mention we need playmakers badly, so if by default the playmaker comes in the form of a COP back, then he'd be hard for me to pass up. How many of us would've thought long and hard about using a 1st on Jahvid Best last year is all I'm saying.... and our dump off passes would definitely have new meaning. lol. We could grab Little in the 4th, Tyrod Taylor as a WR/PR/WC QB in the 5th, Hback Charles Clay in the 6th, and Mankins & a stud TE in FA who can both immediately impact at positions of dire need...... we'll probably re-sign Ronnie..... and all that's left is a speed WR, which we can also find in FA. All I know is we need: 1. #1 RB who gains quality 1st down yards & break a few plays here and there. If the draft is before FA, then we'll have to take the first stud we can get IMO. (DeAngelo Williams, Ahmad Bradshaw, Mark Ingram, Mike LeShoure, Ryan Williams, Mike Tolbert, and maybe Delone Carter) 2. LG (Mankins, Davin Joseph, Pouncey, Wisniewski, Danny Watkins, Ben Ijalana.... not sure who else off top of my head) 3. Playmaking and/or Speed WR (Jernigan, Titus Young, Greg Little, James Jones, Jacoby Jones, Mike Sims Walker, Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, Vincent Jackson, Sidney Rice) 4. Playmaking TE who can threaten the middle (Mercedes, Owen Daniels, Zach Miller, Kyle Rudolph) 5. playmaking COP back (Quizz, Todman, Norwood, Leon Washington, anyone else?) 6. PR/KR 7. Some sort of Xfactor for added unpredictability (Tyrod or Brad Smith.... I'd prefer Tyrod and at less cost) 8. Pass rush specialist (Chris Carter, who else?) 9. backup QB (veteran FA) I honestly don't care how we do it as long as it maximizes the talent across the board.
If Ingram is still on the board at 15, he will be the most intriguing reason for another team to trade up and Ireland won't pass up the opportunity to get back the 2nd rounder.
