RunningBackGuru
Perennial All-Pro
I've been seeing a lot of Riggs and Harris threads lately about "which one is better" and such. I've taken the time of writting a scouting report on which back is better. I could have written one on Minor and Morris, but im sure you all know about them. If some people would like me to write one on them, just tell me.
2003- 91 ATT, 524 YDS, 5.8 AVG, 4 TD
2004- 165 ATT, 959 YDS, 5.9 AVG, 10 TD
Team: West Virginia Mountaineers
Date of birth: March 27, 1979
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 235 pounds
Facts: On September 4, 2001, he rushed for 337 yards with 4 TD's
Broke school records - most yards in a quarter (168), half (223), game (337)
The good:
A big strong back
Capable of breaking long runs
Solid special teams player - recorded 16 tackles in 2004
Can catch the ball well - 20 REC/181 YDS/3 TD in 2004 - Has good hands
Quick side step
Explodes through holes with good power
Is capable of breaking tackles
Very strong lower-body
The bad:
Not a durable runner - injury prone
Decent rout runner
Some fumbling issues
Has some problems with work ethic
Lacks top speed in the open field
Not a very shifty back
Not a good blocker
Other:
Very good at long jump (4 state long jump titles)
Ran a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash
38-inch vertical jump
Ran a 7.22 in the cone drill
Ran a 4.10 in the shuttle drill
Why Saban will not cut him:
Look at the positives. He should be a very solid backup in the future. Also, he is a pretty good special team player - and Saban has already noted that. He should actually be able to replace Minor as a special teams player. And if you look at the negatives, all of those could be worked on. A good coach will easily take those negatives and make them into positives.
Why Saban will cut him:
Work ethic was a small problem. If KJ wants to be on the team and works hard, he should without a doubt make it. However, he needs to continue his solid play on special teams and improve rout-running, blocking and work ethic. If he does not, he may very well be cut.
Bottom line:
KJ was a projected mid-third round pick in last years draft. He has the talent to become a solid backup for years to come and at this point chances for him to make the team looks good. If Saban will overlook those small negatives, he should definately be on the team.
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Season Totals:
2002- 17 ATT, 49 YDS, 2.9 AVG, 0 TD
2003- 46 ATT, 207 YDS, 4.5 AVG, 1 TD
2004- 193 ATT, 1107 YDS, 5.7 AVG, 6 TD
2005- 127 ATT, 530 YDS, 4.2 AVG, 3 TD
Team: Tennessee Volunteers
Date of birth: September 28, 1983
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 217 pounds
The good:
Big, strong back with decent burst
Can go instide and outside and is a bruising back
When healthy, can carry the load
Intelligent player with good knowledge of the game
Hits second gear in open field
Difficult to bring down - usually breaks the first tackle
Good vision
Always keeps his legs moving
The bad:
Very injury prone - has never really had the chance to showcase himself
Questionable work ethic - even more so than Harris
Low career yards/carry avg - 4.3
Never been a catching back - Only 20 REC in career
Not a very good blocker
Other:
Ran a 4.5 in 40-yard dash
Why Saban will not cut him:
It will be difficult for Riggs to make the team with other competing backs like Minor, Morris and Harris, but he is still a very good back that could very well be a strong backup for us. He has many positives and is probably a better pure runner than Minor and Haris.
Why Saban will cut him:
Even if he is a very good runner, he has many negatives in other categories. Not a good blocker, will not catch balls out of the backfield, questionable work ethic and very injury prone are all very key components in an NFL back. At this point, he is probably competing with Minor for the last RB spot - Minor is a back who can catch, play special teams (which Riggs can not), less injury prone, better work ethic and is a better blocker. These are factors which can hurt Riggs' chances at making the team.
Bottom line:
A very dangerous runner - no doubt about it. If Saban is strickly looking at running when making final cuts, don't be surprised if Riggs makes the team. The problem with him is that he wont do much of anything else. Riggs has never really had a chance to really prove himself because of injury problems, so he will really have to impress Saban if he will make the team.
NFL PLAYER COMPARISON:
Harris:
Riggs: Ahman Green
Miami Dolphins RB - Scouting Report
Kay-Jay Harris
Season Totals:2003- 91 ATT, 524 YDS, 5.8 AVG, 4 TD
2004- 165 ATT, 959 YDS, 5.9 AVG, 10 TD
Team: West Virginia Mountaineers
Date of birth: March 27, 1979
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 235 pounds
Facts: On September 4, 2001, he rushed for 337 yards with 4 TD's
Broke school records - most yards in a quarter (168), half (223), game (337)
The good:
A big strong back
Capable of breaking long runs
Solid special teams player - recorded 16 tackles in 2004
Can catch the ball well - 20 REC/181 YDS/3 TD in 2004 - Has good hands
Quick side step
Explodes through holes with good power
Is capable of breaking tackles
Very strong lower-body
The bad:
Not a durable runner - injury prone
Decent rout runner
Some fumbling issues
Has some problems with work ethic
Lacks top speed in the open field
Not a very shifty back
Not a good blocker
Other:
Very good at long jump (4 state long jump titles)
Ran a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash
38-inch vertical jump
Ran a 7.22 in the cone drill
Ran a 4.10 in the shuttle drill
Why Saban will not cut him:
Look at the positives. He should be a very solid backup in the future. Also, he is a pretty good special team player - and Saban has already noted that. He should actually be able to replace Minor as a special teams player. And if you look at the negatives, all of those could be worked on. A good coach will easily take those negatives and make them into positives.
Why Saban will cut him:
Work ethic was a small problem. If KJ wants to be on the team and works hard, he should without a doubt make it. However, he needs to continue his solid play on special teams and improve rout-running, blocking and work ethic. If he does not, he may very well be cut.
Bottom line:
KJ was a projected mid-third round pick in last years draft. He has the talent to become a solid backup for years to come and at this point chances for him to make the team looks good. If Saban will overlook those small negatives, he should definately be on the team.
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Gerald Riggs Jr.
Season Totals:
2002- 17 ATT, 49 YDS, 2.9 AVG, 0 TD
2003- 46 ATT, 207 YDS, 4.5 AVG, 1 TD
2004- 193 ATT, 1107 YDS, 5.7 AVG, 6 TD
2005- 127 ATT, 530 YDS, 4.2 AVG, 3 TD
Team: Tennessee Volunteers
Date of birth: September 28, 1983
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 217 pounds
The good:
Big, strong back with decent burst
Can go instide and outside and is a bruising back
When healthy, can carry the load
Intelligent player with good knowledge of the game
Hits second gear in open field
Difficult to bring down - usually breaks the first tackle
Good vision
Always keeps his legs moving
The bad:
Very injury prone - has never really had the chance to showcase himself
Questionable work ethic - even more so than Harris
Low career yards/carry avg - 4.3
Never been a catching back - Only 20 REC in career
Not a very good blocker
Other:
Ran a 4.5 in 40-yard dash
Why Saban will not cut him:
It will be difficult for Riggs to make the team with other competing backs like Minor, Morris and Harris, but he is still a very good back that could very well be a strong backup for us. He has many positives and is probably a better pure runner than Minor and Haris.
Why Saban will cut him:
Even if he is a very good runner, he has many negatives in other categories. Not a good blocker, will not catch balls out of the backfield, questionable work ethic and very injury prone are all very key components in an NFL back. At this point, he is probably competing with Minor for the last RB spot - Minor is a back who can catch, play special teams (which Riggs can not), less injury prone, better work ethic and is a better blocker. These are factors which can hurt Riggs' chances at making the team.
Bottom line:
A very dangerous runner - no doubt about it. If Saban is strickly looking at running when making final cuts, don't be surprised if Riggs makes the team. The problem with him is that he wont do much of anything else. Riggs has never really had a chance to really prove himself because of injury problems, so he will really have to impress Saban if he will make the team.
NFL PLAYER COMPARISON:
Harris:
Riggs: Ahman Green