K.J. vs. Lamar

[GrnMtnMan]

I got to thinking today, who would you rather have for the long term? I know Harris is 26 and a rookie while Gordon is 24 and has 2-3 years NFL experience. I know Gordon's cost is more, but for the long term (considering all the variables, ie cost, age, attitude etc.) which back would you rather have?

 

[MelbournePhin]

have to see Kay jay play an NFL down first. Right now, its lamar hands down.

 

[byroan]

I'd like to keep both of them :)

 

[Ruderic]

Lamar.

 

[Jimi]

lamar....right now KJ is just a URFA.

 

[Nublar7]

Lamar Gordon. I say we put Harris on the practice squad this year, and if he really proves he is better then Gordon, we let Lamar walk next year in FA and sign Harris to the roster.

 

[Ohiophinphan]

This thread highlights an issue which, imo, should be huge in camp. Who will our RB's be and how many will we keep? The only lock, barring injury, is Brown IF he signs and IF he is in camp on time.

Next there is Ricky Williams, IF he comes back, IF he stays clean, IF he gets in shape, IF we don't trade him, IF, IF IF..............

Then there is Sammy Morris, does he move to FB?

Lamar Gordon, is he healthy?

Kay Jay Harris, is he healthy?

Travis Minor, is he big enough for the one back system Linehan likes to sometimes use? Do we need a classic "third down" back when all five above have good hands and could be viewed as three down backs?

Do we keep three or four RB's? If Morris is viewed as a FB, does that mean we carry four, five, or six FB/RB's? Are both Heath Evans and Jamar Martin going to stay? Will NFLE's Ben Moa be back healthy and make his versatility (he can also play TE) an issue when it comes to keeping 53?

The Harris vs. Gordon question is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the whole backfield roster question.

 

[phunwin]

This thread highlights an issue which, imo, should be huge in camp. Who will our RB's be and how many will we keep? The only lock, barring injury, is Brown IF he signs and IF he is in camp on time.

Next there is Ricky Williams, IF he comes back, IF he stays clean, IF he gets in shape, IF we don't trade him, IF, IF IF..............

Well, I'd note that there's zero chance we can trade Williams this year. He's suspended for the first four games and the trade deadline is week 6. We have a bye week 4, which means that his first game will be in week 6. I don't know exactly when the deadline is, but assuming it's after the games are played, teams will want more than one week of the Ricky Williams Show before deciding whether to make a trade.

Counting on Williams for anything is silly. We need to treat whatever he can give the team as a bonus. If he gives the Phins 200 carries and 800 yards and keeps Ronnie Brown fresh and healthy, I'd be ecstatic.

Then there is Sammy Morris, does he move to FB?

Yup. I think they're already putting him in the FB depth chart, though I'm not sure. His days as a halfback here are obviously over.

Lamar Gordon, is he healthy?

Kay Jay Harris, is he healthy?

Travis Minor, is he big enough for the one back system Linehan likes to sometimes use? Do we need a classic "third down" back when all five above have good hands and could be viewed as three down backs?

What's interesting is that just one of those three guys is likely to make the team, assuming Williams comes back. I suppose they could keep 6 RBs, to be prepared in case Williams flakes out again, in which case Minor would almost certainly be one of them, because he can return kicks and (I think) play some special teams. But keeping a total of 6 RBs is pretty unusual; most teams keep 5.

 

[Ohiophinphan]

The reason six is even possible is the Williams suspension. We will, imo, likely carry five on opening day besides Williams. What then happens when he returns in game 5?

Is he likely to be traded? No, but I included it as a possibility in part to heighten my rhetoric and because it is possible to construct a scenario (i.e. the lockerroom explodes and won't let him back if he says/does something else stupid) where that is the only choice!

 

[PhinBeck]

Ronnie is a lock signed or not. He will be signed by reg season opener. Gordon is a lock, he is more talented than Minor or Morris. Morris is a better rb than minor overall, he is versatile, playing FB or TB. Minor is a great 3rd down back, and a change of pace back, but with Ronnie, his skill set is less substantial in that Ronnie brings those talents, so there is less need for him.

The wildcard is Ricky, if he indeed is back, Minor hits the door IMO. He just has less value. Ricky is a bonus, a very nice bonus. Our egss are not all in his basket, which is what I think is drawing him back, in part, I believe. He doesnt have to be the savior, the focus, the leader, he can just be Ricky.

Kay Jay is practice squad bound IMO.