Crowded at running back

[Galian Beast]

I feel as though we're going to have to cut a legitimate running back at this point. I had previously written Philip Tanner off, but he has really come on strong in this preseason game.

With Murray, Dunbar, Tanner, and Randle we're just too crowded at the position. I hope that maybe we could make a trade rather than just release one of these guys, but I don't anyone other than Murray or Randle would have any immediate trade value. And clearly we aren't going to trade either of them.

One thing's for certain, we shouldn't have any excuses as to why we can't run the ball this year if these running backs can all play to what they've shown they can play to. The offensive line should be improved enough to help set the tone.

I still can't envision taking 4 running backs onto the 53 man roster, but maybe if we end up taking 5 at receiver instead of 6 this would be feasible.

 

[Verdict]

I feel as though we're going to have to cut a legitimate running back at this point. I had previously written Philip Tanner off, but he has really come on strong in this preseason game.

With Murray, Dunbar, Tanner, and Randle we're just too crowded at the position. I hope that maybe we could make a trade rather than just release one of these guys, but I don't anyone other than Murray or Randle would have any immediate trade value. And clearly we aren't going to trade either of them.

One thing's for certain, we shouldn't have any excuses as to why we can't run the ball this year if these running backs can all play to what they've shown they can play to. The offensive line should be improved enough to help set the tone.

I still can't envision taking 4 running backs onto the 53 man roster, but maybe if we end up taking 5 at receiver instead of 6 this would be feasible.

I could see us going long and keeping 4 running backs. Randle looked like the most raw of the backs last night. I was a little bit disappointed in him to be honest. It was his first action so I am sure he was nervous and maybe a little rusty.

I have confidence in Randle long term and think he will turn into a player. I'm not nearly as high on Dunbar or Tanner as most of you are after last night. When Tanner and Dunbar line up against first stringers they won't look nearly as dynamic. I think both are solid but neither are spectacular which is why we drafted Randle.

It would be sweet if someone came along and offered us a 5th or a 6th for either Dunbar or Tanner based on last night. But I don't see it happening just yet.

What would be a more interesting question is if someone came calling and offered a 3rd for Randle right before the season started ..... would you take it?

 

[FiveRings]

Not a bad problem to have, but a problem nonetheless

 

[Galian Beast]

I could see us going long and keeping 4 running backs. Randle looked like the most raw of the backs last night. I was a little bit disappointed in him to be honest. It was his first action so I am sure he was nervous and maybe a little rusty.

I have confidence in Randle long term and think he will turn into a player. I'm not nearly as high on Dunbar or Tanner as most of you are after last night. When Tanner and Dunbar line up against first stringers they won't look nearly as dynamic. I think both are solid but neither are spectacular which is why we drafted Randle.

It would be sweet if someone came along and offered us a 5th or a 6th for either Dunbar or Tanner based on last night. But I don't see it happening just yet.

What would be a more interesting question is if someone came calling and offered a 3rd for Randle right before the season started ..... would you take it?

If someone offered a 4th let alone a 3rd I would take it in a heartbeat. We drafted him in the 5th round.

 

[cbow44]

Right now I see us keeping 4 running backs instead of 6 wide recievers. Thats not to say one of the wideouts wont step up and make it hard to cut them. But after one game Tanner has more to offer.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I don't see it as a problem, you never know how the season will play out!

 

[NeonNinja]

We may keep 4 backs and only 5 wr. It's early and it should play out.

 

[Fredd]

we have no FB so I don't see the problem...Tanner is big/tough enough to play FB in some sets and having 4 TE means that we don't need 6 WR's as well

good problems to have....but, it was one pre-season game...

 

[rkell87]

am I crazy or was that not Miamis 1st D for the most part last night? I know ellerbe didn't play but wake, misi, grimes etc played I'm pretty sure on that first and second series against dunbar

 

[rkell87]

we have no FB so I don't see the problem...Tanner is big/tough enough to play FB in some sets and having 4 TE means that we don't need 6 WR's as well

good problems to have....but, it was one pre-season game...

tough enough sure but he is listed at 5'10" 208 and the broadcast last night said he lost ten pounds so the big enough is a stretch.

 

[Doomsday101]

No a bad problem to have. I think the main 3 will be Murray, Tanner and Randle. Lawrence I can see on PS

 

[Verdict]

If someone offered a 4th let alone a 3rd I would take it in a heartbeat. We drafted him in the 5th round.

The problem with that is the 4th rounder would be a pick next year, so the value of this year's 5th round pick is a 4th round pick next year...that is why I said would you trade him for a 3rd.

 

[Verdict]

We could easily go longer at one position if McCray is bumped off the roster by a very good special teams player who also satisfactorily fills a position on the regular offense or defense. In other words if a guy like Randle can play special teams well, then you could go long at RB and it wouldn't put you any shorter at another position if he bumped McCray off of the roster.

I doubt this will apply specifically at RB, but I think McCray's days are numbered for that reason. We will go long at some position at his expense.

 

[reddyuta]

I see somebody on ESPN already jumping on my bandwagon of keeping 5 TEs,which makes sense since none of the top 4 are good blockers.

 

[laythewood28]

I see somebody on ESPN already jumping on my bandwagon of keeping 5 TEs,which makes sense since none of the top 4 are good blockers.

Waste of a roster spot. Get rid of rasario and be done with it. Chances are he wont be active on gamedays anyway. Keep Smith for development purposes.

 

[Hailmary]

I admit Tanner looked good last night, but he's run well in the preseason before. When given the chance in the regular season, he hasn't made the most of his opportunities. There's something about his running style that bugs me also. He takes on too much contact. I'm just not sold on him.

I like Dunbar more, but more as an occasional change of pace guy and especially as a returner.

I may be in the minority here, but I think if given the chance, Kendial Lawrence will out perform them both. He is a Darren Sproles clone. Short, stocky and lightning fast.

 

[funkytown]

They will keep all 4 Running Backs. Last year we had four, and a Fullback. The top 2 suffered injuries (Demarco / Felix) and we had to rely on the Dunbar/Tanner two-some. Murray hasnt shown that he can stay healthy, thus almost forcing the team to go long on Running back.

Early camp reports state that Dunbar has looked the best out of all of them, I doubt he's going anywhere. Ditto for Murray and Randle. If anyone goes it would be Tanner, but I think his upside will keep him on the team.

 

[Doc50]

Would be nice to pair up with a team that is overloaded on the line, and work a trade before the final cuts.
Could see Randle being the guy, due to more upside.

 

[lkelly]

Seriously? Murray might fetch a mid round pick. The rest we might be able to trade for a box of Aaron Hernandez jerseys. Teams routinely throw undrafted free agents into the backup running back mix, and with the dominance of the passing game now it is becoming one of the lesser valued positions in football. A few teams will occasionally lose their cool and draft one in the top ten (see the Browns), but then they feel buyer's remorse when a late round rookie project like Alfred Morris eclipses his production. I would imagine that there aren't that many backs in the league with first or second round trade value, and many of those have albatross contracts hanging around their necks.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I don't see it as a problem, you never know how the season will play out!

Amens to that.