silverbear;1542827 said:
I like Stewart, but think he's being a bit overhyped... for openers, he hasn't gained 1000 yards rushing yet in any season, but more important, I'm pretty sure that 4.4 speed is a joke... a football site I've found to be pretty good, Walters Football Site, lists him at a 4.56, which would still be good speed for such a big back...
Stewart's a physical freak, both in strength and speed (for his size). Oregon timed him in 4.34 seconds a year ago, and he ran a 6.88 60 meters on the Oregon track team this year, which corresponds to a sub-4.40 at the Combine -- or a sub-4.3 hand-timed. (Sinorice Moss' PR in the 60m was 6.89, and he ran a 4.38 at the 2006 Combine.) So Stewart's 4.4 speed is legit. And remember, he led the nation in kickoff returns as a freshman (33.7 ypr), with two touchdowns out of 12 returns.
Stewart also has a 38.5-inch vertical and smashed the school records for running backs in weightlifting (the only guys ahead of him at any position are Haloti Nagata and Igor Olshansky).
On the field, he just has to avoid the nagging ankle injuries that slowed him down last year. If he stays healthy this season and turns pro, he'll almost certainly be a first-round pick -- probably in the top 20, and possibly in the top 10.