Has the staff FINALLY inserted Felix?

[JBS]

Seems as if Felix is finally starting to get more playing time. Looking at his stats, he had the most carries of the season in yesterdays game. It was probably the first game I remember where I was not asking for more Felix. Has the staff finally got it through their brains to get this guy the ball more often?

 

[CATCH17]

I think it was forced on Garrett.

Its obvious it needed to happen.

 

[theogt]

It seems to me that the defense absolutely keys on Felix when he's in. I'd like to see the number of times we pass when Felix Jones is in the play. It seems to me that if we're passing, Choice or Barber is in. And when we bring Felix in, it's obvious he's getting the ball.

 

[superpunk]

Insane throw and catch early in the game to Felix. For a guy who we've heard isn't a great receiver, or isn't used to it, or whatever they say, he looks fantastic.

 

[Yeagermeister]

There was a few times he needed to come out of the game. He had some JJ moments.

 

[newlander]

theogt is right: he needs to be in the game MORE and not NECESSARILY EVEN get the ball: that's right as a decoy because they have to respect his speed. What happened to all the talk about getting him in the slot? My gosh, say goodbye once and for all to Crayton and his slow feet: throw Felix in there and watch the defenses back WAY off. Same with Ogletree: put him in and good things seem to happen.....

 

[CATCH17]

It seems to me that the defense absolutely keys on Felix when he's in. I'd like to see the number of times we pass when Felix Jones is in the play. It seems to me that if we're passing, Choice or Barber is in. And when we bring Felix in, it's obvious he's getting the ball.

Last night though we were hitting them with the Playaction when he was in the game.

We also didn't try and get him outside every single time too.

Felix is no longer a liability as a blocker so with him in the game we could keep teams extremely off-balance.

 

[newlander]

I think they trust him to run up the middle/between the tackles now "catch17" ......he had a propensity to put the ball on the ground for a while. seems that red and co. are saying screw it: he needs his touches regardless..

 

[superpunk]

I don't like him returning kicks, though. He isn't tentative, but because of how he runs, he waits for a hole to be blocked open and then goes. That's not always there on a kickoff, you just have to go and get the 20 yards that are there sometimes.

 

[CATCH17]

I don't like him returning kicks, though. He isn't tentative, but because of how he runs, he waits for a hole to be blocked open and then goes. That's not always there on a kickoff, you just have to go and get the 20 yards that are there sometimes.

I think someone else would do it if there was anyone as good as him.

Outside of Austin and Felix I wouldn't want anyone else doing it.

 

[dguinta1]

I LUV the Cat!! He always looks like he smiling too!

Sometimes to much foot pitter patter but yea I like the Cat starting and Barber coming in when necessary. Actually I luv em both!!!!

 

[casmith07]

I wouldn't say it is too far a stretch that Felix's playing time was forced on the staff, and it worked for the better this week.

Also, Marion Barber looked much more fresh down the stretch. Coincidence? Hmmmmm....

 

[superpunk]

I think someone else would do it if there was anyone as good as him.

Outside of Austin and Felix I wouldn't want anyone else doing it.

True. I was hardly impressed with Ogletree when he got his opportunities. And there's no way we can put Austin back there.

 

[EPL0c0]

I still don't get why Choice gets so little chances in the offense. I think among the RBs, he's the best all-around athlete. Maybe Garrett's saving him for the last few games.. I doubt Garrett's that smart though.

 

[dguinta1]

I still don't get why Choice gets so little chances in the offense. I think among the RBs, he's the best all-around athlete. Maybe Garrett's saving him for the last few games.. I doubt Garrett's that smart though.

I think Barber and Felix are better blockers in passing situations, IMO.

 

[alohawg]

I think Barber and Felix are better blockers in passing situations, IMO.

Choice absolutely whiffed on a backside rusher and Romo got nailed on a critical 3rd dn. On the other hand, if you pay attention, Jones consistently did a great job in recognizing the rush and picking up the right guy. So much for Felix is too fragile, can he block, can he catch blah, blah, b.s. Yes he can do those things and he's the most dangerous guy on the field everytime he sets foot on the field.
I'll say it again, given the same play and opportunity on any given play Jones will make more of it than Choice with one exception, the 'razorback' formation, which Choice is very good at.

 

[Thatkidbob]

I'm glad to see Felix showing some durability... I was beginning to wonder if he'd spend his career as a change of pace guy, but if this is what we can expect from him in the future we've got a dangerous weapon.

Oh... and I'd love to see him split out wide.

 

[Eskimo]

Trust me as an MD who practices musculoskeletal medicine: his injuries are flukes and not a sign of lack of durability. It may be true that he is fragile, but there is no evidence to support this notion at all, IMO.

I do think Felix needs to be in there a minimum of 50% of plays because I really bellieve his explosiveness and versatility is what this offense needs to get it to the next level - where the Saints and Chargers are. He spreads the defense horizontally because they have to respect his ability to turn the corner. He also forces the safeties to inch up because they don't want him to get on them with an open field and a full head of steam. He forces the LBs to delay their drops because they want to make sure Felix isn't coming on the draw. This is the threat we have been lacking in the running game to really make the passing offense go. These changes the defense has to make will create room for Witten and Austin to do their damage.

Now just when the defense sees it is a pass and they are rushing to get into position for Witten and Austin we can unleash Felix on a swing pass or circle root when he gets isolated on a LB. Or if the rush is too strong, drop it off to him on a screen.

I like Barber and I think he has a role here so long as there is no salary cap and Jerry is content to keep paying him $8M/yr but he needs to be used as a situational RB. I really think we are better off with Felix and Choice getting the majority of playing time with Barber in at the goalline, short yardage and closing out the game with physicality.

Garrett just needs to be bold and courageous and make the change. Yesterday was a good start but I want more Felix and I want the gameplan centered around him with Austin and Witten feeding off the opportunities he will create.

 

[craig71]

I think part of the reason that Felix hasn't seen the field as much as some wish is because of the staff seeing how he responds to more touches.If I remember correctly Felix has never had more than 10-12 touches a game going back to his days at Arkansas.I think the plan with Felix going into the season was to gradually increase his role in the offense as the season progresssed,a couple of fluke injuries I think derailed that plan to an extent.

Just a theory.


Craig

 

[tunahelper]

Anyone notice the defense is hesistant to run blitz the middle with Felix in the game? Conversely we have less people to block up when Felix runs between the tackles.