Omaha_Dolfan
Pro Bowler
This was our leading rusher in each of the last two seasons
in 2003
Player No Yds Avg Long TD
Ricky Williams 392 1372 3.5 45 9
in 2004
Player No Yds Avg Long TD
Sammy Morris 132 523 4.0 35 6
Now if you give Sammy the same number of carries he looks something like this.
Player No Yds Avg Long TD
Sammy Morris 396 1569 4.0 35 18
Now dont even think I am saying that Sammy Morris is another Ricky Williams because everyone knows he is not.
The point is after Ricky's great year in 2002 the OLine had some major changes happen to it and it resulted in Ricky running more attempts for less yards than in 2002 (383 attempts, 1853 yards) compared to 2003(396, 1569)
Everyone that watched any game last year pretty much knows that we had very little blocking last year. I think this had more to due with the schemes than the personel personally, and my main argument for that is simply how much better the line looked after Bates became HC and simplified the blocking schemes.
With Houck coming in and having the whole offseason, mini-camps, and pre-season to evaluate and work with the O-Linemen we have, I feel that the OL will be greatly improved next year. In which case a running back by committee will be just as effective as having the one back that does it all.
(If Ricky doesnt come back, and I dont want to get into a Ricky thread here, because if he does come back the rest of this is pointless)
I see Gordon and Morris in a one or two set backfield on first and second down and Minor going back to his third down role which he has always done a pretty good job with. If the OLine is improved as I am thinking it will be, they will be very productive, as will anyone.
I mean if we have learned anything about RB's and OL's this last couple of years we need to look no further than in Denver. They can put anybody back there with any amount of talent and get production.
So what this is all boiling down to is that I dont see a major need for any of the "Big 3" RB's in the draft especially with the debth of the position in this years draft.
in 2003
Player No Yds Avg Long TD
Ricky Williams 392 1372 3.5 45 9
in 2004
Player No Yds Avg Long TD
Sammy Morris 132 523 4.0 35 6
Now if you give Sammy the same number of carries he looks something like this.
Player No Yds Avg Long TD
Sammy Morris 396 1569 4.0 35 18
Now dont even think I am saying that Sammy Morris is another Ricky Williams because everyone knows he is not.
The point is after Ricky's great year in 2002 the OLine had some major changes happen to it and it resulted in Ricky running more attempts for less yards than in 2002 (383 attempts, 1853 yards) compared to 2003(396, 1569)
Everyone that watched any game last year pretty much knows that we had very little blocking last year. I think this had more to due with the schemes than the personel personally, and my main argument for that is simply how much better the line looked after Bates became HC and simplified the blocking schemes.
With Houck coming in and having the whole offseason, mini-camps, and pre-season to evaluate and work with the O-Linemen we have, I feel that the OL will be greatly improved next year. In which case a running back by committee will be just as effective as having the one back that does it all.
(If Ricky doesnt come back, and I dont want to get into a Ricky thread here, because if he does come back the rest of this is pointless)
I see Gordon and Morris in a one or two set backfield on first and second down and Minor going back to his third down role which he has always done a pretty good job with. If the OLine is improved as I am thinking it will be, they will be very productive, as will anyone.
I mean if we have learned anything about RB's and OL's this last couple of years we need to look no further than in Denver. They can put anybody back there with any amount of talent and get production.
So what this is all boiling down to is that I dont see a major need for any of the "Big 3" RB's in the draft especially with the debth of the position in this years draft.
