The sky is falling posts about Ricky this morning are just killing me. Ricky was an outstanding player and was very valuable to us, but the doomsday scenario people are talking about just isn't real...here's why:
1. Daunte Culpepper. Since Danny left, we have had virtually NO passing threat. Defenses almost completely ignored our passing game to stop the run. Ricky was beast enough to be successful despite that, but it wasn't enough to make it to the playoffs. That has all changed now. With the addition of CPep, defenses will have to respect the passing threat on EVERY down...and that is going to create a lot more running space for Ronnie and Sammy. The running game has already improved significantly, regardless who is carrying the ball.
2. Hudson Houck. This guy has made a respectable unit out of the equivalent of a sow's ear. This line showed dramatic improvement over the course of the year. If you noticed, Ricky's numbers aren't the only player's to improve later in the season...Ronnie's did too. The offensive line was a larger contributer to our running game's late season success than the talent at the RB position. Expect greater improvement from this unit this year.
3. Sammy Morris. I see lots of criticism here, citing his poor numbers in the one season he started for us. Were you people actually paying attention that year? Ricky quit. Our OL was the worst I have EVER seen...defenders were practically taking the handoff every play. Travis minor started, then fell to injury. We signed someone from ST. Luis...he lasted one game. Morris comes in mid-season, yet despite all the negatives, he still manages to play decently, and actually started coming on at the end of the season. There is absolutely ZERO reason to think that he won't be VASTLY improved over that season's performance in our current situation. He won't be asked to carry the load here, merely to contribute. How can anyone bash this guy...he is almost perfect for our current situation.
It's time to stop fantasizing about Ricky. I took a lot of heat last year for not welcoming him back, but this is exactly why I didn't want him. He is unstable...that's just the way it is. Let him go. Morris is going to be just fine.
1. Daunte Culpepper. Since Danny left, we have had virtually NO passing threat. Defenses almost completely ignored our passing game to stop the run. Ricky was beast enough to be successful despite that, but it wasn't enough to make it to the playoffs. That has all changed now. With the addition of CPep, defenses will have to respect the passing threat on EVERY down...and that is going to create a lot more running space for Ronnie and Sammy. The running game has already improved significantly, regardless who is carrying the ball.
2. Hudson Houck. This guy has made a respectable unit out of the equivalent of a sow's ear. This line showed dramatic improvement over the course of the year. If you noticed, Ricky's numbers aren't the only player's to improve later in the season...Ronnie's did too. The offensive line was a larger contributer to our running game's late season success than the talent at the RB position. Expect greater improvement from this unit this year.
3. Sammy Morris. I see lots of criticism here, citing his poor numbers in the one season he started for us. Were you people actually paying attention that year? Ricky quit. Our OL was the worst I have EVER seen...defenders were practically taking the handoff every play. Travis minor started, then fell to injury. We signed someone from ST. Luis...he lasted one game. Morris comes in mid-season, yet despite all the negatives, he still manages to play decently, and actually started coming on at the end of the season. There is absolutely ZERO reason to think that he won't be VASTLY improved over that season's performance in our current situation. He won't be asked to carry the load here, merely to contribute. How can anyone bash this guy...he is almost perfect for our current situation.
It's time to stop fantasizing about Ricky. I took a lot of heat last year for not welcoming him back, but this is exactly why I didn't want him. He is unstable...that's just the way it is. Let him go. Morris is going to be just fine.
