Does Dorsett know running backs?

[rcaldw]

Yesterday I posted a thread where Dorsett weighed in on Julius Jones and keeping two hands on the ball too much in traffic.

Found this in a 1986 SI article when Herschel was in his first year with the Cowboys. Talk about prophetic? Realize, this was when everyone in Dallas was singing Herschel's praises.

And btw, Herschel was still a great back for some seasons, but I found this interesting.

"Tony Dorsett eats dinner at a Dallas restaurant and thinks about Herschel Walker. "I worry for him," he says. "He is a great talent, but he isn't as fluid as other runners. He runs kind of up-and-down, and he takes a lot of shots. You can be as strong as you want in this business, but you still better be elusive.

"How long would I last if I ran like that? Ask Wilbert Montgomery. Ask . Larry Brown. Even ask Earl Campbell, a big man. I remember calling Earl one time and saying, 'Why don't you let one man tackle you sometime?' "

Dorsett has zeroed in on the criticism that has dogged Walker from the start: He runs like a mechanical man. Herschel may get yards, but some people just don't like the way he gets them. It's an odd rap that lingers on. Running back coach Al Lavan admits Herschel "needs to let go of some of that analytical, technical stuff and be more instinctive," but then he compares Dorsett to a cheetah and Walker to a lion and says, "Which is better? I guess it depends on how you want to die."

Dorsett thinks for a while, then says, "I wish I could be his coach. To have that many tools. . . . Jesus! I've always wanted to be six-one, 220-230 pounds. It's always been my dream.'"

 

[Justis]

Walker could've had the rushing title if we had kept him. The Vikes used him wrong. I think Dorsett worries to much about other running backs. This pretty well proves he thinks to much about Julius too.

 

[Doomsday101]

Walker could've had the rushing title if we had kept him. The Vikes used him wrong. I think Dorsett worries to much about other running backs. This pretty well proves he thinks to much about Julius too.

True but we got so much for Walker and then ended up getting Walker again later on

 

[Rack]

Walker could've had the rushing title if we had kept him. The Vikes used him wrong. I think Dorsett worries to much about other running backs. This pretty well proves he thinks to much about Julius too.

Dorsett has/had an opinion and voiced that opinion. Nothing wrong with that. I'd say he knows a thing or two about RBs too so his opinion is worth listening to.

 

[joseephuss]

Walker could've had the rushing title if we had kept him. The Vikes used him wrong. I think Dorsett worries to much about other running backs. This pretty well proves he thinks to much about Julius too.

The Vikings didn't use him. That was the problem. He should have touched the ball at least 400 times a season rushing and receiving.

 

[scottsp]

Yeah, I'm inclined to at least listen to TD's take on this. Regardless of my feelings, he knows tons more about what it takes to play the position in the NFL than most people I come across.

 

[Justis]

Dorsett has/had an opinion and voiced that opinion. Nothing wrong with that. I'd say he knows a thing or two about RBs too so his opinion is worth listening to.

You know the saying, "Those who can't play coach" it sorta works both ways. Players opinions are to personalized to their abilities. Only someone who can step back and realize the attributes of each player can do a great job exploiting that talent. Just read what this guy said, he's asking Hershel to play like him. Hershel can't play like him, and how he played worked very well. I'll love Dorsett till the day I die, but I'd rather not have him as our Running-backs coach.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

Yep Rack, he has his opinon...I thought he was the best, so smooth so fast...

 

[rcaldw]

Actually, my point was, I think Dorsett was RIGHT about Herschel, and I think time proved that out. Herschel had great speed, but in time his lack of elusiveness proved to be something that teams thought outweighed his positive attributes.

I also happen to think Dorsett is right about Jones and his need to let his "natural instincts" rule a little bit more in his running style.

So, either way you go on it, or whatever your thoughts about Jones, TD was giving his opinion way back then (1986) just like he is now.

 

[Martice]

You know the saying, "Those who can't play coach" it sorta works both ways. Players opinions are to personalized to their abilities. Only someone who can step back and realize the attributes of each player can do a great job exploiting that talent. Just read what this guy said, he's asking Hershel to play like him. Hershel can't play like him, and how he played worked very well. I'll love Dorsett till the day I die, but I'd rather not have him as our Running-backs coach.

I don't think TD was speaking from a "coaching" perspective. I believe he was speaking from a RB's perspective and that gives him a birds eye view of the mechanics that are involved. Couple in the fact that he was very successful at what he did makes his opinion even the more valuable.

 

[Justis]

Actually, my point was, I think Dorsett was RIGHT about Herschel, and I think time proved that out. Herschel had great speed, but in time his lack of elusiveness proved to be something that teams thought outweighed his positive attributes.

I also happen to think Dorsett is right about Jones and his need to let his "natural instincts" rule a little bit more in his running style.

So, either way you go on it, or whatever your thoughts about Jones, TD was giving his opinion way back then (1986) just like he is now.

Those teams were wrong. I think Walker was misused and could have run his way into the record books if he had been allowed. His lack of elusiveness didn't stop him from averaging over 4 yards a carry his entire career. He just wasn't given enough carries.

 

[zagnut]

I don't know about Dorsett's opinion on Jones, but I feel his take on Walker is/was dead on. Herschel had no lateral quickness and no "juke." Very powerful going straight ahead. Spectacular athlete. Terrific receiver. Not a natural runner. If a defense could get him going sideways he was done. He was always frustrating to watch. One run could go for 30 yards and the next five could go for -2 yards.

Minny used him as much as he deserved to be used. They gave up a bus load of draft picks and then "didn't use him enough." Huh? That makes no sense. Minny looked at Walker as the last piece of their attempt at a Super Bowl team. They had a great D and a good OL. That would be tailor made for a RB to get a ton of carries and yards. The problem was he kept putting them in 2nd and 13. I liked Hershel a lot, but he was an overrated back.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Herschel Walker, .. over-rated ??

Ridiculous !

Under-used maybe, wrongly used, .. but not over-rated.

Tom Landry was the only one who was wise enough to see what Herschel could do, if put in the right offense, ... and he rushed for over 1,500 yds and caught passes for 500 more.

Had Herschel fallen into the situation that Emmitt did, he would have been a "Triplet", and would have had 3 rings.

 

[zagnut]

Herschel Walker, .. over-rated ??

Ridiculous !

Under-used maybe, wrongly used, .. but not over-rated.

Tom Landry was the only one who was wise enough to see what Herschel could do, if put in the right offense, ... and he rushed for over 1,500 yds and caught passes for 500 more.

Had Herschel fallen into the situation that Emmitt did, he would have been a "Triplet", and would have had 3 rings.

1500 yards and 5 TDs on a 3 and 13 team. Outside of Washington Commander Clinton Portis, what top back produces so little in the way of points. Walker = 1 carry for 30 yards, next 5 carries for -2 yards each. Liked him. Extremely nice man. Only player worth watching on those later Landry offenses. One of the top 5 college RBs ever. Overrated at the time we traded him.

Maybe it was just a coincidence that four different teams under-utilized him virtually every year he was in the league. Because coaches in the NFL have no idea how to use a great runner who is also a great receiver. Yes, that's probably it.

 

[Chief]

Actually, my point was, I think Dorsett was RIGHT about Herschel, and I think time proved that out. Herschel had great speed, but in time his lack of elusiveness proved to be something that teams thought outweighed his positive attributes.

I also happen to think Dorsett is right about Jones and his need to let his "natural instincts" rule a little bit more in his running style.

So, either way you go on it, or whatever your thoughts about Jones, TD was giving his opinion way back then (1986) just like he is now.

I agree with Dorsett, too.

Regarding Herschel, that's just who he is ... a guy can't really change his natural running style. Herschel could be an amazing weapon, but some people (Jimmy Johnson among them) hated Herschel's style of running.

Regarding Julius, I noticed that too on Sunday. After he fumbled, he ran very tentatively and conservatively the rest of the game, clutching the ball with both hands. He can't let that fumble rob him of his instincts.

 

[WV Cowboy]

1500 yards and 5 TDs on a 3 and 13 team. Outside of Washington Commander Clinton Portis, what top back produces so little in the way of points. Walker = 1 carry for 30 yards, next 5 carries for -2 yards each. Liked him. Extremely nice man. Only player worth watching on those later Landry offenses. One of the top 5 college RBs ever. Overrated at the time we traded him.

Maybe it was just a coincidence that four different teams under-utilized him virtually every year he was in the league. Because coaches in the NFL have no idea how to use a great runner who is also a great receiver. Yes, that's probably it.

Yes, 5 TD's, the team only rushed for 10 total.

So he played on a bad team, does that mean the yards came any easier ?

Does that mean we shouldn't count Emmitt's yards from the 5-11 seasons ?

Does it diminish what Walter Payton did just because his teams sucked ?

1,500 yds rushing is 1,500 yds no matter what.

And talk about coincidence, is it a coincidence that when his strengths were used in the right way he had over 2,000 yds of offense ?

You can say what you want about Herschel Walker, but he was a great RB.

So much so that it seems a little silly to be having this discussion.

 

[Alexander]

No offense to any of our former greats, but since none of them are coaching, I really don't have much to comment about their analyses.

When it comes down to it, they are fans like the rest of us and if they are still involved in the day to day operations of a team, I don't pay much attention to what they say.

They all have their opinions.

Aikman said this, Irvin said that, Tony said this, Roger said that.

A big deal about nothing if you ask me.

 

[Irving Cowboy]

I will always remember an article I read about Herschel back in 1988 in one of the preview magazines where they said "The next time you see Herschel juke a linebacker or wrinkle the knees of a defensive back it will be his first, as he is a straight-ahead, plowhorse type runner with breakaway speed." Running with Herschel was like drilling for oil... after a while you'd hit a gusher, but you had to be patient and let it happen.

Also, to rush for 1,500 yards on a 3-13 team IS a feat in itself... they had NO passing attack to speak of, Dorsett was gone, and the receiving corps?? Scott Ankrom? Everett Gay? Ray Alexander? The only one who was worth a spit was K-Mart... and Walker still gained almost 100 yards a game even though defenses KNEW he was the only bullet in the gun. Is he HOF material?? Well, not a shoe-in, but he should be considered, and heavily.

 

[jem88]

You know the saying, "Those who can't play coach" it sorta works both ways. Players opinions are to personalized to their abilities. Only someone who can step back and realize the attributes of each player can do a great job exploiting that talent. Just read what this guy said, he's asking Hershel to play like him. Hershel can't play like him, and how he played worked very well. I'll love Dorsett till the day I die, but I'd rather not have him as our Running-backs coach.

The problem is that Dorsett was just about the smoothest RB ever (perhaps tied with Eric Dickerson.) So he probably places somewhat unfair standards on other RBs. Nevertheless, his opinion is certainly worth hearing and I for one, love hearing a legend weighing in on the current state of affairs, as Dorsett has done recently with JJ.

 

[jem88]

I will always remember an article I read about Herschel back in 1988 in one of the preview magazines where they said "The next time you see Herschel juke a linebacker or wrinkle the knees of a defensive back it will be his first, as he is a straight-ahead, plowhorse type runner with breakaway speed." Running with Herschel was like drilling for oil... after a while you'd hit a gusher, but you had to be patient and let it happen.

Also, to rush for 1,500 yards on a 3-13 team IS a feat in itself... they had NO passing attack to speak of, Dorsett was gone, and the receiving corps?? Scott Ankrom? Everett Gay? Ray Alexander? The only one who was worth a spit was K-Mart... and Walker still gained almost 100 yards a game even though defenses KNEW he was the only bullet in the gun. Is he HOF material?? Well, not a shoe-in, but he should be considered, and heavily.

He should also be remembered for his excellent kick returning skills. Herschel was a great Cowboy (although trading him was the best move we've ever made.)