Why are people doubting the Running Game?

[FinAtic8480]

I have been hearing fans doubting our running game and it really is starting to make me wonder why. Ronnie last year improved his yards and showed lots of improvement. If I remember correctly he was not used to his full potential, everytime we would go down by a TD, Murlacky would stop running the ball. Everytime we were in the end zone Murlacky would call pass. When we were 3 and 1 and Ronnie averaging 4 yrds a carry, Murlacky called pass.It wasnt till later in the season when we would run Ronnie more. So my question is with our vanilla offense last year and the lack of plays called to Ronnie why in the hell is everyone doubting the kid?

I dont know if it is because we traded for Trent Green, but I have heard tonight that our O-line sucks, that Ronnie sucks, for crist sakes people are saying we will go 0-16. I dont know, but the I think people are seriously over reacting. With Cam calling the plays and seeing how he used Tomlinson you guys have to be crazy to think Ronnie wont improve, I mean look at our RB coach the guy is a running back guru. I think some of you need to realx and enjoy the offseason and there is alot to be excited, especially our running game.

 

[slyfox13]

I have been hearing fans doubting our running game and it really is starting to make me wonder why. Ronnie last year improved his yards and showed lots of improvement. If I remember correctly he was not used to his full potential, everytime we would go down by a TD, Murlacky would stop running the ball. It wasnt till later in the season when we would run Ronnie more. So my question is with are vanilla offense last year and the lack of plays called to Ronnie why in the hell is everyone doubting the kid?

in two years he has missed i believe, 7 games thats nearly 1/2 a season in 25 games he has managed nearly the same amount of yardage as ricky ran in 16! its not all ronnie's fault you can lay some of the blame on saban houck and the o-line as well? But a record breaker season? im doubtful ronnie will even remain healthy the entire season? thats why ricky will be missed say what you will about the man....... the fact is with ricky on board we win...... Lorenzo Booker is yet unproven at this level while ricky is a record holder!!!!!:err:

 

[FinAtic8480]

While I know Ronnie was injured he broke his hand last year on a helmet, it can happen to anyone. Staticly he has done more in his first two years then Ricky did when he started in the league. When Ricky began his career he was injury prone like crazy and we only got one great year out of the guy. So my question is why are people so down on a kid who has not been use to his full pontential. His first year he had to split carries with Ricky and his second year he was not used right.

Another thing as much as I loved Ricky we really need to stop living in the past because Ricky is not with this team anymore. I think everyone just thinks we suck, but I will remain optimistic and I think ronnie will have a better year then last.

 

[Geforce]

in two years he has missed i believe, 7 games thats nearly 1/2 a season in 25 games he has managed nearly the same amount of yardage as ricky ran in 16! its not all ronnie's fault you can lay some of the blame on saban houck and the o-line as well? But a record breaker season? im doubtful ronnie will even remain healthy the entire season? thats why ricky will be missed say what you will about the man....... the fact is with ricky on board we win...... Lorenzo Booker is yet unproven at this level while ricky is a record holder!!!!!:err:

In two years Ronnie has missed 4 of a possible 32 games which is 6 games less than what Ricky missed after his first two seasons.

 

[FinNasty]

in two years he has missed i believe, 7 games thats nearly 1/2 a season in 25 games he has managed nearly the same amount of yardage as ricky ran in 16! its not all ronnie's fault you can lay some of the blame on saban houck and the o-line as well? But a record breaker season? im doubtful ronnie will even remain healthy the entire season? thats why ricky will be missed say what you will about the man....... the fact is with ricky on board we win...... Lorenzo Booker is yet unproven at this level while ricky is a record holder!!!!!:err:

Um... Ronnie has only missed 4 games... and he could have played in the game he missed during his rookie year (but we wanted to showcase Ricky for tradebait at the time)...

And the 3 games he missed was due to a finger... not exactly an injury of concern...

 

[Geforce]

While I know Ronnie was injured he broke his hand last year on a helmet, it can happen to anyone. Staticly he has done more in his first two years then Ricky did when he started in the league. When Ricky began his career he was injury prone like crazy and we only got one great year out of the guy. So my question is why are people so down on a kid who has not been use to his full pontential. His first year he had to split carries with Ricky and his second year he was not used right.

Another thing as much as I loved Ricky we really need to stop living in the past because Ricky is not with this team anymore. I think everyone just thinks we suck, but I will remain optimistic and I think ronnie will have a better year then last.

Because they either think as a the 2nd overall pick, he should either walk on water or at the very least part the sea. Some of their criticism is justified but I think some of their expectations are unrealistic.

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

In two years Ronnie has missed 4 of a possible 32 games which is 6 games less than what Ricky missed after his first two seasons.

Yes but when he was hurt against NYJ he came out of that game in the first half then was very limited in the 2 final games vs. Tennessee and New England in 2005. He also missed half the game vs. Detroit this year so we can call that and the NYJ game in 2005 as one game. That brings our total to 6 games missed for Ronnie.

As for the topic, I have the highest expectations for Ronnie and our running game this year. Nothing frustrated me more early in the year last year when Ronnie would have 15 carries mid way through the 3rd and we'd trail by 3 or 4 then start passing every down. Ronnie is better the more he gets the ball and I know for a fact Cam will make it a point to run the ball and pound the opposing defense all game.

Think about it. We have the perfect potential for a bruising identity with a horse of a RB and a defense that is top notch. We finallly have a coach who can figure our that we can stick to that MO and win a lot of games doing so. Everything on offense this year goes through #23.

I'm going to do my damndest to draft RB in fantasy this year. 1400 yards, 500 receiving yards and 12 total TDs.

 

[Geforce]

Yes but when he was hurt against NYJ he came out of that game in the first half then was very limited in the 2 final games vs. Tennessee and New England in 2005. He also missed half the game vs. Detroit this year so we can call that and the NYJ game in 2005 as one game. That brings our total to 6 games missed for Ronnie.

As for the topic, I have the highest expectations for Ronnie and our running game this year. Nothing frustrated me more early in the year last year when Ronnie would have 15 carries mid way through the 3rd and we'd trail by 3 or 4 then start passing every down. Ronnie is better the more he gets the ball and I know for a fact Cam will make it a point to run the ball and pound the opposing defense all game.

Think about it. We have the perfect potential for a bruising identity with a horse of a RB and a defense that is top notch. We finallly have a coach who can figure our that we can stick to that MO and win a lot of games doing so. Everything on offense this year goes through #23.

I'm going to do my damndest to draft RB in fantasy this year. 1400 yards, 500 receiving yards and 12 total TDs.

Yes he did miss time in those 2005 games but he still could have played more. However we did have Ricky and he was running pretty well then so there was really no need to play Ronnie on a bad ankle. As far as the games last year, I'm thinking this is more of Saban's reluctance to overwork Ronnie. I have seen other running backs play with a broken bone in their hand by wearing a soft cast.

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

Yes he did miss time in those 2005 games but he still could have played more. However we did have Ricky and he was running pretty well then so there was really no need to play Ronnie on a bad ankle. As far as the games last year, I'm thinking this is more of Saban's reluctance to overwork Ronnie. I have seen other running backs play with a broken bone in their hand by wearing a soft cast.

Yeah I agree about Ricky, that's why it's a shame he couldn't come back; he really looked like he was getting back into form at the end of 2005.

As for Saban I kind of agree on that topic and it's an interesting one. The only thing it did for the future of our franchise was benefit us in terms of RBs workload. I think he has some odd 440 carries in his career and has never been over used in his pro or collegite career. I expect to see a ton of carries from RB this year and a great deal of production.

 

[Wolf13]

Ronnie BROKE his hand in Detroit, not really his fault, it was something that could happen to anyone (hello, QB hitting hand on helmet similar)

Remember, Ronnie ran for over 1,000 and missed 3 games! Give him those three games (due to broken hand, last time I checked RB's need to be able to hold the ball) and he's easily over 1,500 combined. Hardly a fluke.

Cam will Transform Ronnie into a Monster of a RB!

 

[Clan MacRONNIE]

Because they either think as a the 2nd overall pick, he should either walk on water or at the very least part the sea. Some of their criticism is justified but I think some of their expectations are unrealistic.

So true Geforce,
Ronnie has done a Good job for us thus far, and he's one of my favorite players.
That being said, to become GREAT, he NEEDS to put up at least 1300 yards rushing this year. That's bare minimum.

What do you haters think he needs to produce to finally quiet down?

 

[PHINANALYST]

For folks to accept Ronnie as a legitimate #2 pick [and top RB] in the draft ... it will take at least 3 consecutive years of 1400+ yards or 1700+ combined yards ...

With or without a PB line ...

 

[Butterfrog 2.0]

in two years he has missed i believe, 7 games thats nearly 1/2 a season in 25 games he has managed nearly the same amount of yardage as ricky ran in 16! its not all ronnie's fault you can lay some of the blame on saban houck and the o-line as well? But a record breaker season? im doubtful ronnie will even remain healthy the entire season? thats why ricky will be missed say what you will about the man....... the fact is with ricky on board we win...... Lorenzo Booker is yet unproven at this level while ricky is a record holder!!!!!:err:

Well if you remember correctly.......Ricky Williams was also hurt his first couple of seasons in the NFL as well, and was being somewhat labeled as "injury prone" but after that he went on and played every game and was Never injured. So basically.........Stuff happens, people get minor/fluke injuries that keep them out, it happens to everybody.

 

[Clan MacRONNIE]

For folks to accept Ronnie as a legitimate #2 pick [and top RB] in the draft ... it will take at least 3 consecutive years of 1400+ yards or 1700+ combined yards ...

With or without a PB line ...

Bro, that's almost ELITE stats right there. IMO may be a touch high, but he does need to be right up there.

 

[PerfectFinz72]

For folks to accept Ronnie as a legitimate #2 pick [and top RB] in the draft ... it will take at least 3 consecutive years of 1400+ yards or 1700+ combined yards ...

With or without a PB line ...

No, in order to put up those numbers you need a good run blocking oline. we havent had one on a while. And until we get one, I think 1200-1300+ yards would be a nice year for Ronnie.