Barber's complementary back...

[speedkilz88]

Ray Rice does seem like the guy most likely to succeed in the nfl out of the guys that could go late first or in the second round.

 

[AsthmaField]

just one thing..Kevin Smith is the real deal....

I think so too. I also really like Ray Rice. Either one of those guys would be great to play behind Barber.

 

[vlad]

After reading Drew Boylhart's chat, it seems everyone is looking for a complimentary back in the first couple rounds. I really feel that we need to get THE BEST BACK that is there regardless of style or substance. We fell into this trap in the mid 90's drafting complementary type players. Kevin Williams comes to mind. We were looking for 3rd receivers when we should have been trying to find potential #1's. We should take the best back rather than looking for the quick, fast, outside runner type back.

I couldn't agree with you more. I've already posted how this "complimentary back" concept is giving me a headache. For example, in the VERY limited times I've seen him, to me Felix Jones has Tatum Bell written all over him. Sure, in Denver he'll get a K, but bust is written all over that guy because he's like a Reggie Bush type who tries to run everything outside and just gets around his block. We see how good Reggie is doing with that approach. Now I will say Jones seems to go N/S much faster. Just my opinion, and even if true he could learn how to run in the NFL.

Take someone like Ray Rice (who btw ran a faster 40 than Felix Jones) who was the focus on his team's offense, a team he helped transform into a winner, who can set up blocks, has power, speed, quickness. That is the guy I hope we grab.

 

[CosmicCowboy]

I think so too. I also really like Ray Rice. Either one of those guys would be great to play behind Barber.

Yeah Man! I'm, so excited about these two backs and that one will be there for us to grab....:starspin

 

[Nightman]

That is why we should sign a cheap vet like Bell, Dunn, Ward, Chatman, maybe Rhodes if cut, as insurance. Then we can draft the best RB available even if it is Stewart, Mendenhall or DMac if they fall. Don't fall for the idea that we need a change of pace guy at the expense of a better all-around back.

It is a shame JJ won't re-sign as the back-up, because he is a great compliment to Barber. I don't think his ego will let him go from starter to second string though.

 

[ThatsmyQB]

That's really the catch 22. Sure we hope he won't be getting much playing time. What if MB3 gets hurt?

We need another complete RB, that can carry the load if need be. A compliment will only get you so far.

I think when peopel say COMPLIMENT, they mean someone to be a speed guy like a lightning to his thunder is all, to COMPLIMENT his style of power running.
But I agree, it should be a complete back in case of an injury, but also a speed guy if we can get it because we need someone with explosiveness that can take it to the house on any given play.
I feel Felix Jones would be the guy to get, can take it to the house on any run, can take over full time duties if need be, and gives us an explosive return game on top of it.
I had mentioned in another forum that if we draft Felix Jones, he should get more TOUCHES then Owens and Witten AND Crayton COMBINED per game!

 

[Vinnie2u]

That's really the catch 22. Sure we hope he won't be getting much playing time. What if MB3 gets hurt?

We need another complete RB, that can carry the load if need be. A compliment will only get you so far.

True but between Barber and let say Dunn. How much time will this rookie see on the field this year. If we spend a high round draft pick on Rice or Jones
this board will be blowing up with threads calling him a bust..

 

[CoCo]

I really agree with this. As long as they fit our philosophy you are right. I mean how great would it have been to put Randy Moss and TO on the field at the same time? Two #1 wrs.

Or Emmitt and Tony D at the same time. (I know different eras)

Just get the Best Players.

I'm certainly on board with getting the best players available rather than getting cute with "complimentary styles". That trap is a twin sister to forcing a pick to fill a need rather than BPA. There are of course no absolutes, just avoid extremes.

As far as Tony & Emmitt on the field at the same time, it would have never worked.

Don't you recall the frustration of Tony & Herschel together? I know today's "share the load" trend at RB suggests it might be different now but I disagree. A great RB is to be ridden hard IMO and that is exactly what both of those guys wanted to do, Emmitt in particular.

I like having a quality backup RB. You always need depth. But I'm no fan of sharing carries as a general rule.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Kevin Williams was a WR who was picked to be a "compliment WR, not a #1 guy. I think that is what he meant. At least that's what I understood.

Williams was picked as the vertical threat guy and return man for our offense. He didn't work out but then again, we spent 2 #1 draft picks to try and solve that problem with Galloway in 2000 and that didn't work either. All you can do is use the best info possible to evaluate and try to create the best possible situation for success. Nothing is full proof.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Good post. I hate the idea of looking for complimentary players at the expense of trying to draft great football players.

The best example I recall is in '90 when, a couple of days before the draft, we traded for RB Terrance Flagler of the 49ers. I thought that meant we had the RB position covered going into the draft. So RB was off my board and out of my thought process as a position of need.

What if Jimmy had taken that approach and not drafted Emmitt Smith who fell to #17?

Yes, I know Jimmy originally was looking for LBer help going into that draft, but the point is he saw the #3 player on their board slipping and even though they just acquired Flagler, he still made the deal to move up a bit and snag Emmitt. The destiny of a franchise changed in that moment.