DMN Blog: Felix = Reggie Bush?

[DFWJC]

Though I'd have preferred not take any running back at 22, it's certainly a persuasive reason to have taken Jones over Mendenhall.
.

Yeah, it does make sense. In techie terms, they could call it "overlapping resources"--so there is a broader range of coverge as far as needs, versatility, and OC creativity...barring major injury (maybe that's were Choice comes in).

Aside from that, I checked in with Steelers camp reviews and they seem to think Mendenhall is a freak....so good that he may displace Fast Willie. But that truly is anpother issue aside from Felix/Marion. Anyway, it' way too early.

 

[DFWJC]

it was a joke...geesh

reggie so far has been a bust...people are comparing felix to him...get it or was it really that bad?

Bush has not been a bust as an NFL player, just as a top 3 pick.....huge difference. The guy has averaged 80 receptions the last two years plus about 550 rushing and another 550 receiving. If Felix does that, we are freakin' golden!

 

[DFWJC]

He ran a 4.47, let's not get crazy. He's got great acceleration and above average top end.

If we wanted really fast and with great hands, we could have gotten Chris Johnson. Just kidding guys, really.

 

[Tobal]

Bush has not been a bust as an NFL player, just as a top 3 pick.....huge difference. The guy has averaged 80 receptions the last two years plus about 550 rushing and another 550 receiving. If Felix does that, we are freakin' golden!

We drafted Felix as a complimentary guy at 22, not number 2, If those are Mcfaddens numbers he'll be called a huge disapointment

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yeah um, I am a huge SEC fan and have seen many Arkansas games. While Felix is fast, he isn't blazing saddles fast. He does have great acceleration though, but he can be caught after he reaches his top end speed. The best thing about Felix is that he is patient and will explode through the slightest hole.

In that aspect, he will succeed where Julius often failed. Julius was not patient enough to let the hole develop and often accelerated right into his own blockers and didn't have the tight-space wiggle to get through small holes. Felix can spot the smallest hole and get through. The good thing about Jones' acceleration is that he eats up chunks of yardage when he explodes through the holes. The average 3-4 yard gains are normally 7-10 yard gains for Felix.

But don't be fooled; he will be caught at times or run out of bounds after he gets in space. He doesn't have the speed to beat good angles like Chris Johnson or McFadden does.

Good post.

I do think that a couple of times, like in that Kentucky game when Felix had the long run with several great moves but got caught at the end, it was more a case of conditioning than raw speed -- it looked like he simply got tired. And maybe a higher level of NFL conditioning will help that.

 

[percyhoward]

Felix can spot the smallest hole and get through. The good thing about Jones' acceleration is that he eats up chunks of yardage when he explodes through the holes. The average 3-4 yard gains are normally 7-10 yard gains for Felix.

Felix was asked what impressed him the most about Barber, after seeing him up close. He just said "footwork." It's good to see that he gets that Barber isn't just a pounder, and that there's more to running than just hitting a hole.

 

[DFWJC]

We drafted Felix as a complimentary guy at 22, not number 2, If those are Mcfaddens numbers he'll be called a huge disapointment

Thank you. That is exactly what I'm saying.

 

[28 Joker]

I don't think Felix Jones is Reggie Bush. I view him as a Brian Westbrook or Marshall Faulk type of a player. Tiki Barber could make that jump cut like Felix Jones, too. Felix Jones runs outside and is a threat on the perimeter for sure, but he hits it up inside very fast and hard. He gets to the second level fast and has the wiggle to make people miss when he gets there. He is an explosive player. He explodes through the hole, and he isn't afraid of contact. Jones will lower his shoulder and get what he can before he goes down. He finishes runs very well. He is a humble person and has very high character. Jones studies the game well, and it will pay off for him.

This past year, Bush either didn't see the inside holes or he didn't want to take it up in there, because I saw Jawarski and Hodge break him down, and they were showing him bounce the ball outside when he had running lanes inside. Bush had a nice year in 2006.

Felix Jones has great vision. That adds to his natural quickness and speed. That is why he averaged about 9.0 YPC in the rugged SEC. People couldn't get their hands on him. Felix sees it fast and hits it fast, inside or outside. He didn't take nearly the amount of hits that McFadden took. Arkansas didn't give him the ball nearly enough. Everyone better be glad Florida didn't have him.

 

[tyke1doe]

I don't think it matters whether they have similar speed. Both are going to be among the fastest players on the field at any time. Whether you break off a 40 yard TD in 4.20 seconds or 4.3 seconds makes no difference to me.

I agree.

The speed comparisons are silly, IMO.

If you give Felix open space similar to Reggie Bush, I'm sure he can juke a few defenders and take it to the house. Besides, you don't return kicks if you don't have some moves, and Felix did just that.