The need of a backup RB

[hockix]

I know we need to improve the defense, Oline and WR.

But I have a sense of urgency to find a good backup RB.
What if JJones gets hurt?

The hole offense would suffer without the runing game.

Who is available in FA?
And who would be intersting in the draft in later rounds?

[silverbear]

I know we need to improve the defense, Oline and WR.

But I have a sense of urgency to find a good backup RB.
What if JJones gets hurt?

The hole offense would suffer without the runing game.

Who is available in FA?
And who would be intersting in the draft in later rounds?

In free agency, I like Anthony Thomas from the Bears, Derrick Blaylock from the Chiefs and Kenny Watson from the Bengals... late in the draft, I like Alvin Pearman from Virginia, Patrick Cobbs from North Texas and Derek Farmer from Stephen F. Austin...

[Nors]

Isn't Lamont Jordan a free agent?

If he'd accept the role he'd be a great add.

Draft - 4th round

Sproles
Reyes
Kay Jay Harris
Houston (not likely on board)
Gore is intriguing
Clarrett showed up in shape at combine

[joseephuss]

In free agency, I like Anthony Thomas from the Bears, Derrick Blaylock from the Chiefs and Kenny Watson from the Bengals... late in the draft, I like Alvin Pearman from Virginia, Patrick Cobbs from North Texas and Derek Farmer from Stephen F. Austin...

How big is Cobbs? I always heard his name during college football season, but just don't know his vitals.

I like Sproles in the 4th if he is available.

[pgreptom]

I bet we take a flier in the 4th on Clarrett, if he's still there.

[Hollywood Henderson]

I doubt Clarett is there by the 4th...I sense he will be gone before the 3rd is over...

We do need a guy who could play everdown & not lose much if J.Jones went down though...

We found out how much by having to play George last year...
The 4th round might be a good spot to pick up a RB...

[k19]

Wouldnt touch Clarrett. I think he's saying what people want to hear and as the saying goes a leopard cant change his spots. He'll expect to be a starter ala McGahee, possible locker room rift.

The one person I REALLY like that most people are over looking is Verron Hayes from the Steelers. Hes a FB/RB AND plays ST's. He looked good in fill in role last season

[silverbear]

Isn't Lamont Jordan a free agent?

Yeah, but since he wants to be a starter, it's unlikely he'd consider a team like the Boys, which obviously already has its starter...

If he'd accept the role he'd be a great add.

He would, but I sincerely doubt he'd be interested in being a backup again...

Draft - 4th round

Sproles
Reyes
Kay Jay Harris
Houston (not likely on board)
Gore is intriguing
Clarrett showed up in shape at combine

Harris and Houston are likely to be gone on the first day... I don't care much for Sproles, but I wouldn't be surprised if Parcells liked him... I don't want Clarett because of the off-field issues (which paint a picture of a guy who always takes the short cut, the easy way)... if Gore is fully recovered from his assorted injuries, he might be worth a look...

Hey, if you want a big back like Harris, how 'bout Brandon Jacobs from Southern Illinois?? I rate it about 50-50 that he'd still be on the board when the Boys pick in the 4th round...

[LA=Pancakemaker]

I bet we take a flier in the 4th on Clarrett, if he's still there
We wont waste that pick on a head case & he will be gone ...long gone!

[silverbear]

How big is Cobbs? I always heard his name during college football season, but just don't know his vitals.

Patrick is listed at 5-9, 206 pounds... just about Emmitt-sized... for the record, Farmer is 5-11, 205 pounds... both have pretty good speed, according to their scouting reports...

Cobbs will likely go later than he should have, based on his talent alone, because he missed much of last season with an injury...

[Nors]

Yeah, but since he wants to be a starter, it's unlikely he'd consider a team like the Boys, which obviously already has its starter...



He would, but I sincerely doubt he'd be interested in being a backup again...

Draft - 4th round



Harris and Houston are likely to be gone on the first day... I don't care much for Sproles, but I wouldn't be surprised if Parcells liked him... I don't want Clarett because of the off-field issues (which paint a picture of a guy who always takes the short cut, the easy way)... if Gore is fully recovered from his assorted injuries, he might be worth a look...

Hey, if you want a big back like Harris, how 'bout Brandon Jacobs from Southern Illinois?? I rate it about 50-50 that he'd still be on the board when the Boys pick in the 4th round...

I have as a Day 1 pick. Gore has the size at 220, was ahead of McGahee pre injuries. If healthy could be a score at #4 if there. Lots of updside and we would have two young backs to hammer defenses with.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Wouldnt touch Clarrett. I think he's saying what people want to hear and as the saying goes a leopard cant change his spots. He'll expect to be a starter ala McGahee, possible locker room rift.

The one person I REALLY like that most people are over looking is Verron Hayes from the Steelers. Hes a FB/RB AND plays ST's. He looked good in fill in role last season


I think the steelers may wind up keeping him....but I like him as a backup as well.

[k19]

I think the steelers may wind up keeping him....but I like him as a backup as well.


We can always hope.

As far as the draft I am not high on Sprolles, dont like his size. I wouldnt mind us moving on Gore, but I doubt he will last too long

[royhitshard]

I am not high on Sproles either. I see him play a lot, and he loves to fumble. Was horrible as punt returner when it came to catching the ball.

[lspain1]

Patrick is listed at 5-9, 206 pounds... just about Emmitt-sized... for the record, Farmer is 5-11, 205 pounds... both have pretty good speed, according to their scouting reports...

Cobbs will likely go later than he should have, based on his talent alone, because he missed much of last season with an injury...


Silverbear, wouldn't you go for a change of pace short yardage kind of guy to back up JJ? The other option would be a Westbrook type pass receiver type. I'm not sure I would pick a guy cut from the same cloth as JJ, but look for an added dimension form the backup.

[hockix]

Silverbear, wouldn't you go for a change of pace short yardage kind of guy to back up JJ? The other option would be a Westbrook type pass receiver type. I'm not sure I would pick a guy cut from the same cloth as JJ, but look for an added dimension form the backup.

I think if Anderson is healthy, he is tell servicable as a pass receiver type.

Don't you think we need a bigger RB then Jones, who could go through the line with one or two yards to go?

[jobberone]

We can always hope.

As far as the draft I am not high on Sprolles, dont like his size. I wouldnt mind us moving on Gore, but I doubt he will last too long

I think Sproles will be a steal at 4-5. He's basically the same size as Warrick Dunn and is bigger in the thighs and faster and more shifty.

He is perfect for a KR, PR, relief back and third down back. You could also give him the ball for half the carries in a game along with Lee or Bickerstaff and ?Anderson if JJ went down. I also think you could create some big matchup problems shifting him out of the backfield into the slot in a 4WR set.

I don't often look too seriously at small backs but this one is special IMO.

If they were to use a pick there instead of defense I wouldn't cry over this guy.

[Dyluke]

I have as a Day 1 pick. Gore has the size at 220, was ahead of McGahee pre injuries. If healthy could be a score at #4 if there. Lots of updside and we would have two young backs to hammer defenses with.

Pre-injuries Gore was expected to be a top back in the country. I'd snatch him up in a second if he were there in the 4th. i doubt he lasts that long though.

[lkelly]

There should be a fine selection of backs early in Day 2. There are plenty of decent backs in the draft, and I just can't see that many teams with RB needs. I don't think the odds of lot of good backs going in the first 100 picks are all that high. If some RB needy teams go with a back in the first round, consider them unlikely to take another back on the 1st day. Then there will be teams like Minnesota with no need of a back at all.

In 2004, there were 6 backs picked on Day 1. In 2003, it was 6 again. In 2002, you had 8. In the RB-rich draft of 2001, you had 10.

Consider these backs that are available, and my point about not many teams needing backs, and you have to like the odds of some good players slipping into the 4th round.

(Not in any real order)
Carnell Williams
Ronnie Brown
Cedric Benson
Marion Barber
Ciatrick Fason
Vernon Morency
JJ Arrington
Eric Shelton
Ryan Moats
T.A. McClendon
Cedric Houston
Kay Jay Harris
Walter Reyes
Darren Sproles
Anthony Davis
Frank Gore
even Maurice Clarett :rolleyes: