Bickerstaff over Thomas

[Teague31]

I know A-Train was brought in to be the main backup to JJ but if Barber pans out, do you keep Bickerstaff over A-Train due to his ability to play FB as well as RB? The whole FB situation has got me confused. I could see us keeping zero or keeping three. but then you have six total backs on the roster which seems 1 to many.

 

[Fletch]

Good question. I think Parcells really has high hopes for Erik Bickerstaff. And didn't we only spend veteran minimum on Anthony Thomas? He is expendable if he doesn't show anything in TC or preseason. Bickerstaff is younger and probably a little hungrier, wanting to show he can play after his unfortunate injury.

We shall see.

 

[doomsday_II]

I know A-Train was brought in to be the main backup to JJ but if Barber pans out, do you keep Bickerstaff over A-Train due to his ability to play FB as well as RB? The whole FB situation has got me confused. I could see us keeping zero or keeping three. but then you have six total backs on the roster which seems 1 to many.

Yes, and also use Bick as the fullback with Polite on PS. This would allow us to carry one more WR, or whatever position we might need.

 

[Muhast]

My hopes:

Julius
Barber
Thompson( Im hoping he becomes something for us!)

Fb-Thomas/bickerstaff.

 

[big dog cowboy]

We go 4 deep at RB (Julius, A-Train, Barber, Polite) with one on the PS.

 

[Kilyin]

One problem with that, Polite is just a fullback. Swap him with Thompson.

 

[JackMagist]

We go 4 deep at RB (Julius, A-Train, Barber, Polite) with one on the PS.

If Thompson pans out as a return guy I could see us keeping 4 at RB (Polite being a FB not a RB would not be one of them). And then keep one FB active (either Bick or Polite because I have the feeling that Barnes will be gone) and one on the PS.

If Thompson doesn't win a return (or ST job of some kind) I don't see him making the team...PS probably. I say this because Thompson is a scat back whereas A-Train is a thumper and I think BP likes to have a thumper on the squad so I don't see Thompson beating him out. I also doubt that he will beat out MBIII...UDFA's very seldom beat out 4th rounders just on principle.

 

[Merlin]

I know A-Train was brought in to be the main backup to JJ but if Barber pans out, do you keep Bickerstaff over A-Train due to his ability to play FB as well as RB? The whole FB situation has got me confused. I could see us keeping zero or keeping three. but then you have six total backs on the roster which seems 1 to many.

I wouldn't be surprised if the A-Train gets cut. You have to make room for the kid Thompson. Cant let him get exposed to the PS where another team can pick him up. Bickerstaff makes the squad as a FB and can be your change of pace back when needed also. Parcells also likes the run multiple TE sets so there it is.

 

[Hostile]

I still think the 3rd RB has to play Special Teams to make the squad. THat puts tremendous pressure on A-Train because he has never had to do it. I think Barber and Thompson are more likely to adapt to it.

I still think Polite will be our FB unless we opt to not use one at all and go with an extra TE as H-back on some looks.

 

[Badattitude]

No way - Thomas will be in the game on short yardage -BP thinks he can play that Richie Anderson swing pass role...

 

[stilltheguru]

thompson=kick returner.

yep

 

[ratpower]

I'm pulling for A-train, if BP gives him a chance, he will do fine and still has gas in the tank...

 

[Bizwah]

This is a great problem to have......and a great thread. I only wish we had this type of problem with QB.

Jones is the only given on the roster. Barber maybe a lock as well, considering his draft status. I would think Thomas makes the team. We need a large RB, and he's a vet (the type BP trusts).

This leaves Thompson, Barnes, Polite, and Bickerstaff. I agree that Parcells really likes Bickerstaff. I think the move to FB will be a good one. If he can excell on STs he makes the team.

Barnes has suffered an injury. Not good.....Hopefully, he can come back and do something in a PS game. I've not heard a lot from Polite. I'm not sure how to read that. I think he would be the type of FB we used to keep here (like Martin), but I'm not sure he fits the mold of a Parcells FB (can block, run, pass receive).

Thompson is the most intruiging player in camp. I would love to keep him on the team somehow, but again.......where do we put him? I really hope he turns into a heckuva KR. I know people are wanting to stash him on the Practice Squad but remember, he can be plucked away from us at any time there. Maybe that's why Parcells doesn't want to talk about him.

Here's what I think happens. We keep:
Jones
Barber
Thomas
Bickerstaff
Thompson

We don't keep a true FB. I think we go to the Hback route.....like Cooley from Washington. I think Campbell can fill that role.

Of course, I have no idea what that will do to the rest of the roster. We still need about 10 DBs, and I have no idea how many LBs we're going to need to keep.

 

[stilltheguru]

he doesnt belong on the practice squad.we NEED A KR.zuriel smith?wack

anthony thomas?please.

we have no GOOD options for kick returner and thats a very underrated position.if hes as fast as they say he is let him back there durin preseason.if he breaks one for a td ill get the jersey immediately

 

[ddh33]

I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas goes pretty finesse in the backfield with Julius, Marion, A Train, Tyson, and Bickerstaff.

 

[Muhast]

Ya'll realize Thompson is bigger, and could be the goal line guy also. Or Bickerstaff could be used if we kept Jones,Barber,Thompson,and Bickerstaff. Since he is the biggest back we have period. Even bigger then a-Train

 

[CowboyManDan]

I'm not impressed with Bickerstaff...Parcells seems to love him though, not sure why. I see at RB: Jones, MBIII, Thomas, Thompson. And at FB I hope to see Polite.

 

[noletime1995]

He got a signing bonus and cutting him would cause dead $$$. That said, its not enough $$$ to save him if he can't play ST.

 

[Chuck 54]

I know A-Train was brought in to be the main backup to JJ but if Barber pans out, do you keep Bickerstaff over A-Train due to his ability to play FB as well as RB? The whole FB situation has got me confused. I could see us keeping zero or keeping three. but then you have six total backs on the roster which seems 1 to many.

WE know JJ will be here at RB.
WE know Marion Barber will be here due to his draft status.

I believe A-train will definitely be here due to the fact that he's a veteran who's actually proven himself to be a tough runner who can get the job done.

Bickerstaff will have to beat out Thompson through the running game and special teams to make the team...I think he'll be cut.

We have high hopes for Barber and Thompson, but A-Train is the 1 guarantee that we can still grind it out in the running game if JJ gets hurt.

NO way A-Train gets cut...no way Parcells will put his running game in the hands of unproven RB's behind JJ...I won't believe it.

Bickerstaff is a nice, hardrunning kid who looked like an extra player when we had nothing at RB, but the bottom line is that there's nothing about him that's really special, and he's unproven. The other RBs either have a special quality or in A-Train's case, he's a proven NFL runner who still has tread left.

 

[Crown Royal]

If Thompson pans out as a return guy I could see us keeping 4 at RB (Polite being a FB not a RB would not be one of them). And then keep one FB active (either Bick or Polite because I have the feeling that Barnes will be gone) and one on the PS.

If Thompson doesn't win a return (or ST job of some kind) I don't see him making the team...PS probably. I say this because Thompson is a scat back whereas A-Train is a thumper and I think BP likes to have a thumper on the squad so I don't see Thompson beating him out. I also doubt that he will beat out MBIII...UDFA's very seldom beat out 4th rounders just on principle.

All FBs are RBs, but not all RBs are FBs. A FB is an RB - but it isn't a TB.