RB Situation/Who's our backup now (Merged)

[Vertical Limit]

Time for Ronnie to Carry the load.

I am getting sick and tired of all these topics in where people are opposed to trading Ricky Williams for potential draft picks or a position player.

Face it, we signed Ronnie Brown last season to a huge multi year contract coming out of the 2nd pick overall in the draft. He's the new face of this franchise, and after a year of "supposebly" grooming under Ricky Williams, it is time for Ronnie Brown to carry the load.

As much as you people think that the "R&R Express" worked out well, guess what? It didn't. This isn't college, the 2 back system did not work well with us last year. There was like 1-2 games in which both running backs rushed 80 yards (I think Ronnie had 100, and Ricky 80).

And the other games, both running backs combined at most 90-110 rushing yards per game. The 2 back system might have worked great for teams like Kansas City and Denver Broncos, but the way we averaged rushing yards per game this season with the "R&R Express" obviously proved that it didn't bare the same with us.

The Tennessee Titans game proves that we do not need a 2 RB system. Ricky Williams carried the load just like he used to, and rushed 175 yards.

I'm tired of benching our hot RB and put in the other just to have "fresh legs".
How many times did the "fresh legs" worked out this season? NOT MUCH.

I love Ricky Williams, was sad when he left the team and knew that the season he left would be a disaster once he left us, but when we already have our future running back, and a damn good running back like Ronnie is, it is time to waive good bye to Ricky Williams.

Now, if for some weird reason Ricky Williams were to stay for another year (which would be a really bad idea because we need to trade him for other position players), then Nick Saban has to decide by the preseason performance who the starting running back is going to be and who will be our third down back.

Ronnie had a successful season this past year, and has learned and matured alot. It's time for Ronnie Brown to carry the load.

 

[PROUDMONKEY]

Ronnie Brown is our second best RB on the team until he can prove otherwise. He is both slower and not as quick as Ricky Williams.
I personally dont want to see Ricky go, the league these days, you need two good backs.
Ronnie also has durability issues( see last year and his years at Auburn).
the best thing I saw about Ronnie last year was his ability to catch the ball and pass block, when it comes to hitting holes, he is a step behind RWilliams and 2 steps behind Carnel Williams. Carnel hits the hole as soon as the ball is snapped.

Dont get me wrong, He is good, reminds me at this point in his career as a Eddie George. He just doesnt hit holes like Ricky does. I bet you this, if we do trade Ricky, dont be suprised to see Saban draft another RB in the later rounds. He loves RBs. Having lived in Louisiana for years and an avid LSU fan, if his coaching days here are any indication, he likes having a stable of RBs.

 

[Puffboy(ricky)]

good post! lay it on the line.

 

[HysterikiLL]

Ronnie Brown is our second best RB on the team until he can prove otherwise. He is both slower and not as quick as Ricky Williams.
I personally dont want to see Ricky go, the league these days, you need two good backs.
Ronnie also has durability issues( see last year and his years at Auburn).
the best thing I saw about Ronnie last year was his ability to catch the ball and pass block, when it comes to hitting holes, he is a step behind RWilliams and 2 steps behind Carnel Williams. Carnel hits the hole as soon as the ball is snapped.

Dont get me wrong, He is good, reminds me at this point in his career as a Eddie George. He just doesnt hit holes like Ricky does. I bet you this, if we do trade Ricky, dont be suprised to see Saban draft another RB in the later rounds. He loves RBs. Having lived in Louisiana for years and an avid LSU fan, if his coaching days here are any indication, he likes having a stable of RBs.

It helps when Carnell has a much better O. Line than we had. You can't really compare on that level. Also, I disagree that Ricky is faster than Ronnie. Ricky is quicker, but that's because he's smaller and more agile. Ronnie has underrated speed.

And in the league these days, you need two good backs? What about Tomlinson, Barber, Alexander, Portis, Edgerrin James, Jamal Lewis, Cadillac Williams? Now granted, it helps to have 2 solid RBs, but if anyone of those teams could possibly get a 2nd rounder for their back-ups to the aforementioned players, I'm pretty certain they'd do so in a heart beat.

My opinion is this: I'm all for what is best for the team. If we can get a 2nd round pick for Ricky, I feel that is best for the team. The reason for this is that although our running game may not be as potent, the value that a second round pick adds may nullify that downside. If we can't get solid value for Ricky, we should keep him as that's best for the team. Some people who are saying DON'T TRADE HIM regardless of the circumstances just completely baffle me because it is possible that the team could be better off in the long-term if we got a deal done now.

 

[Disgustipate]

We need a "trade Ricky/dont trade Ricky" forum. There is more then enough of this on the main forum.

As much as you people think that the "R&R Express" worked out well, guess what? It didn't. This isn't college, the 2 back system did not work well with us last year. There was like 1-2 games in which both running backs rushed 80 yards (I think Ronnie had 100, and Ricky 80).

And the other games, both running backs combined at most 90-110 rushing yards per game. The 2 back system might have worked great for teams like Kansas City and Denver Broncos, but the way we averaged rushing yards per game this season with the "R&R Express" obviously proved that it didn't bare the same with us.

Wait a minute... How did this "R&R Express" thing *not* work? We had two runningbacks splitting time averaging 4.4 YPC. When a team was able to shut down Ricky, they gave up yardage to Ronnie. Or the reverse. What, exactly, are you pointing to as your proof that it did not work?

You're holding up the two teams with the best run blocking O-lines in the league with a much more run-heavy offense then Miami ran in '05. Did you honestly think this one through?

 

[SCall13]

Ronnie Brown is our second best RB on the team until he can prove otherwise. He is both slower and not as quick as Ricky Williams.
I personally dont want to see Ricky go, the league these days, you need two good backs.
Ronnie also has durability issues( see last year and his years at Auburn).
the best thing I saw about Ronnie last year was his ability to catch the ball and pass block, when it comes to hitting holes, he is a step behind RWilliams and 2 steps behind Carnel Williams. Carnel hits the hole as soon as the ball is snapped.

Dont get me wrong, He is good, reminds me at this point in his career as a Eddie George. He just doesnt hit holes like Ricky does. I bet you this, if we do trade Ricky, dont be suprised to see Saban draft another RB in the later rounds. He loves RBs. Having lived in Louisiana for years and an avid LSU fan, if his coaching days here are any indication, he likes having a stable of RBs.

Technically, based on combine stats (which to me are somewhat over-rated) Ronnie is minutely faster than RW. BUT, Ricky Williams has much faster game speed. I do agree that Ricky is better than Ronnie and that we should keep Ricky. He is a very nice luxury and there is little chance we can get out of him what he is worth to us. Ronnie needs to get better at attacking the holes and stop the hesitation. Hopefully a year under his belt and full training camp will help him.
As for the comparison to Eddie George: I hope he doesn't turn out to be like George. I thought George was over rated and slow. His career average was under 4 YPC and he very very very seldom busted a long run. I want a play-making running back. I feel Ronnie is better, faster, and just as strong as George and, barring injury, will have a much better career than George.

 

[Vertical Limit]

We need a "trade Ricky/dont trade Ricky" forum. There is more then enough of this on the main forum.



Wait a minute... How did this "R&R Express" thing *not* work? We had two runningbacks splitting time averaging 4.4 YPC. When a team was able to shut down Ricky, they gave up yardage to Ronnie. Or the reverse. What, exactly, are you pointing to as your proof that it did not work?

You're holding up the two teams with the best run blocking O-lines in the league with a much more run-heavy offense then Miami ran in '05. Did you honestly think this one through?

Actually, 4.2 yards per rush. Take away the numbers in which they didn't play the game together because one didn't start, etc.

Ricky Williams:
+----------+-------------+--------+----+
| WK OPP | RSH YD | RECYD | TD |
+----------+-------------+--------+----+
| 6 tam | 5 8 | 22 | 0 |
| 7 kan | 6 -1 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 nor | 17 82 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 atl | 10 52 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 nwe | 11 13 | 19 | 0 |
| 11 cle | 13 83 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 oak | 16 82 | 13 | 1 |
| 13 buf | 11 46 | 32 | 1 |
| 14 sdg | 11 28 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 nyj | 14 70 | 4 | 1 |
| 16 ten | 26 172 | 3 | 1 |
| 17 nwe | 28 108 | 0 | 1 |
+----------+-------------+--------+----+
| TOTAL | 168 743 | 93 | 6 |
+----------+-------------+--------+----+


Ronnie Brown:
+----------+-------------+--------+----+
| WK OPP | RSH YD | RECYD | TD |
+----------+-------------+--------+----+
| 1 den | 22 57 | 4 | 0 |
| 2 nyj | 12 35 | 5 | 0 |
| 3 car | 23 132 | 15 | 1 |
| 5 buf | 17 97 | 19 | 0 |
| 6 tam | 9 22 | 44 | 1 |
| 7 kan | 8 95 | 15 | 1 |
| 8 nor | 23 106 | 12 | 0 |
| 9 atl | 12 67 | 11 | 0 |
| 10 nwe | 14 64 | 28 | 0 |
| 11 cle | 12 56 | 2 | 0 |
| 12 oak | 15 58 | 23 | 1 |
| 13 buf | 9 22 | 30 | 1 |
| 14 sdg | 11 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 nyj | 12 45 | 11 | 0 |
| 17 nwe | 8 21 | 13 | 0 |
+----------+-------------+--------+----+
| TOTAL | 207 907 | 232 | 5 |
+----------+-------------+--------+----+


We already have an effective runner that will get better year by year, we don't need two of them. Ronnie Brown needs and can carry the load. The durability issues are workable ie: Tiki Barber.

I still don't get how you can go against trading Ricky Williams to get an effective position player that we need. We need some improvement from our defensive backs, linebackers (to run the 3-4), offensive linemen, a quarterback, and one receiver. Why keep two valuable running backs when we already have a really good one from Ronnie Brown?

I trust that Ronnie can carry this team as effective as any back in this league. He will mature and become one of the league's best in time. We need to work in bringing other position players to improve our performance, and here we are trying to keep 2 star RB's.

 

[Disgustipate]

Actually, 4.2 yards per rush. Take away the numbers without both of them performing together.

And again, what are you comparing that to, besides two teams with probabaly the best run blocking lines in the league and a much run heavier offense?

Tell me...What exactly is Miami missing that Denver and KC have?

We already have an effective runner that will get better year by year, we don't need two of them. Ronnie Brown needs and can carry the load. The durability issues are workable ie: Tiki Barber.

Actually, we've got no idea whatsoever if Ronnie Brown will get better or not. He might blow out his knee and never play again, for all you know.

And please, explain to me how Tiki Barber's durability issues have been workable, other then luck? I'm also not sure if you noticed, Barber has an only slightly different running style then Brown.

I still don't get how you can go against trading Ricky Williams to get an effective position player that we need. We need some improvement from our defensive backs, linebackers (to run the 3-4), offensive linemen, a quarterback, and one receiver. Why keep two valuable running backs when we already have a really good one from Ronnie Brown?

Because we're not going to get anything worthwhile for Williams..

I trust that Ronnie can carry this team as effective as any back in this league. He will mature and become one of the league's best in time. We need to work in bringing other position players, and here we are trying to keep 2 star RB's.

Again, what exactly do you think we're going to get for Ricky?

 

[tylerdolphin]

IMO the one back system works better. JMO

 

[Ark139954]

Ronnie Brown is our second best RB on the team until he can prove otherwise. He is both slower and not as quick as Ricky Williams.
I personally dont want to see Ricky go, the league these days, you need two good backs.
Ronnie also has durability issues( see last year and his years at Auburn).
the best thing I saw about Ronnie last year was his ability to catch the ball and pass block, when it comes to hitting holes, he is a step behind RWilliams and 2 steps behind Carnel Williams. Carnel hits the hole as soon as the ball is snapped.

Dont get me wrong, He is good, reminds me at this point in his career as a Eddie George. He just doesnt hit holes like Ricky does. I bet you this, if we do trade Ricky, dont be suprised to see Saban draft another RB in the later rounds. He loves RBs. Having lived in Louisiana for years and an avid LSU fan, if his coaching days here are any indication, he likes having a stable of RBs.

i could hit the hole if they were as big as carnells. o and ronnie is faster than ricky...just not as agile or quick. U people think the 2 back system is good because of good o-lines. denver, kansas city, and pitssburgh. nevermind that denver's rbs arent star quality...which is a different for us, kansas city rarley used the 2 backs equally, and pittsburgh used bettis more as a back up. this is not a 2 back league, especially for teams that have plenty or other positions that need to be filled.

 

[Despacio]

Ricky played best when he had more than 20 carries. I think his career stats show that as well.

A two-back system is nice, but I'm sure ther are some people here who would agree it doesn't give either back the chance to find a rythm and really start making those big gains in the fourth.

If we can get something worthwhile for Ricky, trade him, if not then we might as well keep him.

 

[csabe]

Ronnie needs to carry the load IMO with a decent change of pace back and use Ricky to get another pick so we can get a real QB somehow.

 

[KingCrowder]

We need a "trade Ricky/dont trade Ricky" forum. There is more then enough of this on the main forum.

Yeah, Jay Cutler should have his own Forum. And There Should Be a Forum for EVERY QB in the league Except the ones on our roster. that would reduce the clutter in the main forum by at least 80%.

 

[first&goal]

Technically, based on combine stats (which to me are somewhat over-rated) Ronnie is minutely faster than RW. BUT, Ricky Williams has much faster game speed. I do agree that Ricky is better than Ronnie and that we should keep Ricky. He is a very nice luxury and there is little chance we can get out of him what he is worth to us. Ronnie needs to get better at attacking the holes and stop the hesitation. Hopefully a year under his belt and full training camp will help him.
As for the comparison to Eddie George: I hope he doesn't turn out to be like George. I thought George was over rated and slow. His career average was under 4 YPC and he very very very seldom busted a long run. I want a play-making running back. I feel Ronnie is better, faster, and just as strong as George and, barring injury, will have a much better career than George.

I totally agree with you, with your assestment in reference the speed vs the quickness. Comparing Ronnie with RW is to soon, I'am sure that Ronnie one day will be very good, today he's not at the same level of RW. We all like to see our second overall pick to be play all the time and be the best, but he's not there yet.

 

[Vertical Limit]

And again, what are you comparing that to, besides two teams with probabaly the best run blocking lines in the league and a much run heavier offense?

Tell me...What exactly is Miami missing that Denver and KC have?

Tell me, how does benching the "hot back" in the middle of a drive just to bring in fresh legs work? Did you not see the Tennessee game? It shows you that we could have been more effective all season if we just played one starting running back, and the other as a 3rd down back. Benching the back that is on a roll was a bad move all season long.

Actually, we've got no idea whatsoever if Ronnie Brown will get better or not. He might blow out his knee and never play again, for all you know.

Oh, so Indianapolis doesn't know whether Peyton Manning will break out his knee next season, so they should try to trade up and grab Matt Leinart or Vince Young. Perhaps convince Brett Favre to come back one season as Peyton's backup "just in case"? -_-..

And please, explain to me how Tiki Barber's durability issues have been workable, other then luck? I'm also not sure if you noticed, Barber has an only slightly different running style then Brown.

I've watched Tiki Barber run for quite a while now, and his durability issues have been improved. He doesn't take as much spins as he once did, and holds the ball differently now not having to fumble the ball like he once did causing their team to lose big games like he did as a rookie.

Because we're not going to get anything worthwhile for Williams..

Again, what exactly do you think we're going to get for Ricky?

Hey, about 6-8 teams are showing interest for Ricky Williams. To name a few: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Denver.

I think there is a guy named Antwann Randle El reported 2-3 weeks ago that he would love to play under Mularkey's system.

Also, I bet Saban isn't counting out the future 2007 draft. So a conditional 3rd rounder for Ricky Williams (Ricky rushes over 1500, it turns into a 1st rounder), could work out as well.

And who knows, maybe all the teams that are indeed showing interest at Ricky Williams may show Saban a great offer. Remember, alot of these playoff teams are coming out of huge cap issues, and the major cap issues are coming from the running back position.