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Commanders Draft Prospects: Late-Round Running Backs
http://www.csnwashington.com/02/19/...nding_redskins.html?blockID=182883&feedID=272
Recommend Comment(1) Email Print Sharing RSS Friday, February 19, 2010, 12:20 AM
By Rich Tandler
Commanders Correspondent
CSNwashington.com
Whether or not Clinton Portis remains on the roster in 2010, and no matter how well Ladell Betts recovers from two torn knee ligaments, the Commanders will be looking for fresh legs at the running back position when the NFL Combine convenes next week in Indianapolis. Since the first two picks in the upcoming draft seem to be earmarked to some combination of a quarterback and an offensive tackle, and because the Commanders don’t own a third-round selection, players like C. J. Spiller and Jahvid Best are likely to be gone by the time the team considers a running back.
Of course, finding productive, late-round running backs is right up Mike Shanahan’s alley. In his first draft with the Broncos, he plucked Terrell Davis out of Georgia in the sixth round. All Davis did a few years later was rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, and help pace Denver to back-to-back Super Bowl titles. That started a string of late-round finds at running back for Shanahan.
Here are half a dozen prospects who may be in the running to be Shanahan’s newest late-round gem. All but Andre Anderson will be at next week’s Combine:
Joique Bell, 5-11, 223 Wayne State
Bell is the best back you’ve never heard of. Playing for Wayne State in Michigan he earned the Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II player of the year. The Warriors star back posted over 2,000 yards rushing in each of his last two seasons. But those yards came against the likes of Mercyhurst, Findlay, and Tiffin University. Can he be productive against the Eagles and Giants?
Ravens running back coach Wilbert Montgomery thinks he can be. During Senior Bowl practices, Montgomery said that Bell was “the most impressive guy” among the offensive skill players, and he liked his ability to make defenders miss in the hole.
Montario Hardesty, 6-0, 215, Tennessee
A year ago it didn’t look like Hardesty would be preparing for a career in the NFL. He had managed to start just 6 of 36 games in his first three years with the Vols, thanks mostly to the fact that he has undergone three knee surgeries. But he transformed from China doll to workhorse in 2009, averaging 21 carries a game and racking up 1,345 yards.
One scouting report called him a “classic one-cut runner”. If that’s true, it makes him an ideal fit in Shanahan’s zone-blocking rushing scheme.
Anthony Dixon, 6-1, 245, Mississippi State
Dixon isn’t going to dazzle you with his speed, but he’s fast enough. And at 245 lbs, he’s not soft; but he won’t really overpower anyone. Truthfully, if he had blazing speed and was truly powerful, there would be no chance that he’d still be around in the fourth round.
That being said, in 2009 Dixon rushed for 1,391 yards on 257 attempts and scored 12 touchdowns. The season was a cap to a productive career with the Bulldogs. In fact, it was so productive that there might be some concern about the workload he’s undertaken before his first NFL carry.
Dixon has logged 910 carries against tough SEC defenses. Certainly that’s not a major red flag, but it is something to consider. Some reports say he could stand to improve his overall physique, something that Ray Wright, Washington’s new strength and conditioning coach, would be happy to take on.
Ben Tate, 5-11, 214, Auburn
If Hardesty and Dixon are gone by the time the Commanders pick, they may be able to select yet another four-year SEC player who gained over 1,300 yards in his senior season. Tate put up 1,362 yards for the Tigers in 2009.
Like Dixon (and unlike Hardesty), Tate has been durable throughout his career. His workload at Auburn (678 carries) was significantly lighter that was Dixon’s for the Bulldogs. Tate is a no-nonsense, downhill runner who hits the hole hard and rarely goes down on first contact. Again, that sounds like something that will fit a zone-blocking scheme.
Toby Gerhart, 6-1, 235, Stanford
Gerhart earned his status as the Heisman Trophy runner-up by gaining 1,871 yards rushing for Stanford last year. He got there by being sound and disciplined when it came to fundamentals. “A tough and determined runner. . .sticks foot in ground and gets downhill immediately,” said one scouting report.
His draft status is downgraded by his average speed, both in terms of initial burst and second-level, breakaway ability. If Gerhart can turn in a better than expected time in the 40 at the Combine, he could shoot up the boards to the point where he would be beyond the Commanders’ reach. An average to slow time may force Shanahan to decide if he is the coach’s next project.
Andre Anderson, 5-10, 205, Tulane
If the Commanders get late into the draft and still don’t have a running back, they could look at Anderson. He seemed to be headed towards mid-round status, perhaps even better, until he both broke and dislocated his shoulder seven games into the 2008 season. Anderson still was recovering last year, but he still managed to rush for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns last year.
Anderson also fits into that mold of classic one-cut backs that might fit well into Shanahan’s scheme. Reports have noted his outstanding work ethic and competitive nature, attributes that serve a late-round pick well.
For a capsule look at running back LaGarrette Blount of Oregon, another late-round prospect, see Rich Tandler’s Senior Bowl article.
Rich Tandler has been following the Commanders since 1966 and he blogs about the team at RealRedskins.com. He has written three books on the team including his latest, The Commanders Chronicle. For details on this unique book and for ordering information, visit www.RedskinsChronicle.com. You can reach Rich by email at rich.tandler+csn@gmail.com.
http://www.csnwashington.com/02/19/...nding_redskins.html?blockID=182883&feedID=272
Recommend Comment(1) Email Print Sharing RSS Friday, February 19, 2010, 12:20 AM
By Rich Tandler
Commanders Correspondent
CSNwashington.com
Whether or not Clinton Portis remains on the roster in 2010, and no matter how well Ladell Betts recovers from two torn knee ligaments, the Commanders will be looking for fresh legs at the running back position when the NFL Combine convenes next week in Indianapolis. Since the first two picks in the upcoming draft seem to be earmarked to some combination of a quarterback and an offensive tackle, and because the Commanders don’t own a third-round selection, players like C. J. Spiller and Jahvid Best are likely to be gone by the time the team considers a running back.
Of course, finding productive, late-round running backs is right up Mike Shanahan’s alley. In his first draft with the Broncos, he plucked Terrell Davis out of Georgia in the sixth round. All Davis did a few years later was rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, and help pace Denver to back-to-back Super Bowl titles. That started a string of late-round finds at running back for Shanahan.
Here are half a dozen prospects who may be in the running to be Shanahan’s newest late-round gem. All but Andre Anderson will be at next week’s Combine:
Joique Bell, 5-11, 223 Wayne State
Bell is the best back you’ve never heard of. Playing for Wayne State in Michigan he earned the Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II player of the year. The Warriors star back posted over 2,000 yards rushing in each of his last two seasons. But those yards came against the likes of Mercyhurst, Findlay, and Tiffin University. Can he be productive against the Eagles and Giants?
Ravens running back coach Wilbert Montgomery thinks he can be. During Senior Bowl practices, Montgomery said that Bell was “the most impressive guy” among the offensive skill players, and he liked his ability to make defenders miss in the hole.
Montario Hardesty, 6-0, 215, Tennessee
A year ago it didn’t look like Hardesty would be preparing for a career in the NFL. He had managed to start just 6 of 36 games in his first three years with the Vols, thanks mostly to the fact that he has undergone three knee surgeries. But he transformed from China doll to workhorse in 2009, averaging 21 carries a game and racking up 1,345 yards.
One scouting report called him a “classic one-cut runner”. If that’s true, it makes him an ideal fit in Shanahan’s zone-blocking rushing scheme.
Anthony Dixon, 6-1, 245, Mississippi State
Dixon isn’t going to dazzle you with his speed, but he’s fast enough. And at 245 lbs, he’s not soft; but he won’t really overpower anyone. Truthfully, if he had blazing speed and was truly powerful, there would be no chance that he’d still be around in the fourth round.
That being said, in 2009 Dixon rushed for 1,391 yards on 257 attempts and scored 12 touchdowns. The season was a cap to a productive career with the Bulldogs. In fact, it was so productive that there might be some concern about the workload he’s undertaken before his first NFL carry.
Dixon has logged 910 carries against tough SEC defenses. Certainly that’s not a major red flag, but it is something to consider. Some reports say he could stand to improve his overall physique, something that Ray Wright, Washington’s new strength and conditioning coach, would be happy to take on.
Ben Tate, 5-11, 214, Auburn
If Hardesty and Dixon are gone by the time the Commanders pick, they may be able to select yet another four-year SEC player who gained over 1,300 yards in his senior season. Tate put up 1,362 yards for the Tigers in 2009.
Like Dixon (and unlike Hardesty), Tate has been durable throughout his career. His workload at Auburn (678 carries) was significantly lighter that was Dixon’s for the Bulldogs. Tate is a no-nonsense, downhill runner who hits the hole hard and rarely goes down on first contact. Again, that sounds like something that will fit a zone-blocking scheme.
Toby Gerhart, 6-1, 235, Stanford
Gerhart earned his status as the Heisman Trophy runner-up by gaining 1,871 yards rushing for Stanford last year. He got there by being sound and disciplined when it came to fundamentals. “A tough and determined runner. . .sticks foot in ground and gets downhill immediately,” said one scouting report.
His draft status is downgraded by his average speed, both in terms of initial burst and second-level, breakaway ability. If Gerhart can turn in a better than expected time in the 40 at the Combine, he could shoot up the boards to the point where he would be beyond the Commanders’ reach. An average to slow time may force Shanahan to decide if he is the coach’s next project.
Andre Anderson, 5-10, 205, Tulane
If the Commanders get late into the draft and still don’t have a running back, they could look at Anderson. He seemed to be headed towards mid-round status, perhaps even better, until he both broke and dislocated his shoulder seven games into the 2008 season. Anderson still was recovering last year, but he still managed to rush for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns last year.
Anderson also fits into that mold of classic one-cut backs that might fit well into Shanahan’s scheme. Reports have noted his outstanding work ethic and competitive nature, attributes that serve a late-round pick well.
For a capsule look at running back LaGarrette Blount of Oregon, another late-round prospect, see Rich Tandler’s Senior Bowl article.
Rich Tandler has been following the Commanders since 1966 and he blogs about the team at RealRedskins.com. He has written three books on the team including his latest, The Commanders Chronicle. For details on this unique book and for ordering information, visit www.RedskinsChronicle.com. You can reach Rich by email at rich.tandler+csn@gmail.com.