Jacquizz Rodgers..... Stud

[CanuckCowboysFan]

Lol, he is not better than LaMichael James.

The Cardinals weren't stacking the box the second half either as Oregon St. was way behind and was throwing the ball. Rodgers ran the ball just eight times the second half.

4.5 YPC? This is college football man, LaMichael James is averaging 6.3 YPC this entire season (6.7 last year!).

BTW, LaMichael James ran for 257 yards and 3 TDs against the same Stanford defense this season.

Yeah, but dude, Rodgers has been averaging 4.7 YPC the whole year. Teams generally due stack the box the majority of the game (hence the average). If O State had the weapons that Oregon has that average would be waaaaaaaaay up (close to James').

I'm not denying LaMichael is a beast. And I know he ripped about Stanford, but hear me out.

James has better numbers, no doubt. But how do you rate Oregons O line compared to that of O states? What about James' supporting cast? I know for a fact his supporting cast is much much better then Rodgers. I also think (based on watching a few games, his line is superior as well). For example, look at last year when Rodgers had his brother out wide. His numbers were much much better. James has had that type of supporting cast both years. Rodgers has nobody. He literally carries that team.

Secondly, look at what past scrubs have done in Chip Kellys spread option system. No running back hasn't thrived in that system. Jeremiah Johnson averaged 7.2 YPC in that same system in 2008. Thats what James is averaging right about now. Johnson is now with the Panthers, and has yet to have his 1st NFL carry.

Thirdly, theres a HUGE, and I mean huge difference in competition level each running back has faced this year. Rodgers, in seven games, has faced six run defenses ranked in the nation's top-53, including No. 2 Boise State, No. 6 Arizona, No. 9 TCU and No. 15 Arizona State.

James had 94 yards at Arizona State, the only team to hold him under 100 yards. Rodgers rushed for 145 yards against the Sun Devils.

The Sun Devils are the only top-25 run defense James has faced. He's played against No. 40 Stanford, No. 59 USC, No. 83 Tennessee, No. 108 UCLA and No. 119 Washington State. And an FCS school, Portland State.

Rodgers gets lots of yards after contact. He's a really strong dude. James doesn't get much yards after contact (although he is doing a better job at YAC compared to last year). Not to mention, Rodgers is a better receiver and pass protector.

I'm not so sure that if you got NFL managers and scouts, they'd want Rodgers over James. He's more of a complete back IMO. James' pure explosiveness does make it a tough decision though. He's so damn explosive.


So, as great as James has been this year, don't think he's left Rodgers in the dust, as he has most defenses. Educated, neutral observers don't share that take.

Both amazing backs and I'd love to see either in a Cowboys uniform.

Just some stuff to think about. It's not all about the numbers.

 

[CanuckCowboysFan]

This is where we disagree. I'd do bad things to add LaMichael James as a compliment to Felix.

see above post. lol

 

[realtick]

Yeah, but dude, Rodgers has been averaging 4.7 YPC the whole year. Teams generally due stack the box the majority of the game (hence the average). If O State had the weapons that Oregon has that average would be waaaaaaaaay up (close to James').

I'm not denying LaMichael is a beast. And I know he ripped about Stanford, but hear me out.

James has better numbers, no doubt. But how do you rate Oregons O line compared to that of O states? What about James' supporting cast? I know for a fact his supporting cast is much much better then Rodgers. I also think (based on watching a few games, his line is superior as well). For example, look at last year when Rodgers had his brother out wide. His numbers were much much better. James has had that type of supporting cast both years. Rodgers has nobody. He literally carries that team.

Secondly, look at what past scrubs have done in Chip Kellys spread option system. No running back hasn't thrived in that system. Jeremiah Johnson averaged 7.2 YPC in that same system in 2008. Thats what James is averaging right about now. Johnson is now with the Panthers, and has yet to have his 1st NFL carry.

Thirdly, theres a HUGE, and I mean huge difference in competition level each running back has faced this year. Rodgers, in seven games, has faced six run defenses ranked in the nation's top-53, including No. 2 Boise State, No. 6 Arizona, No. 9 TCU and No. 15 Arizona State.

James had 94 yards at Arizona State, the only team to hold him under 100 yards. Rodgers rushed for 145 yards against the Sun Devils.

The Sun Devils are the only top-25 run defense James has faced. He's played against No. 40 Stanford, No. 59 USC, No. 83 Tennessee, No. 108 UCLA and No. 119 Washington State. And an FCS school, Portland State.

James played against Arizona (No. 6) this season and went for 126 yards and 2 TDs. He's also played against some of the same competition that Rodgers did such as UCLA (James - 123 yards 2 TDs vs. Rodgers - 63 yards 0 TDs), USC, Washington, Washington St., et cetera.

So it's like he's darned if he does and darned if he doesn't.

The "he doesn't have any other weapons outside of himself" defense is sort like a convenient built-in alibi.

BTW, Rodgers played on a pretty good Oregon State team last year.

So really, how do we judge these two players if we can't look at the numbers?

So, as great as James has been this year, don't think he's left Rodgers in the dust, as he has most defenses. Educated, neutral observers don't share that take.
.

I have no dog in this hunt sorta speak, so I don't have any bias as in wanting one over the other (not saying you do either).

I really don't think either fits what the Cowboys need, at least in my eyes.

But if I'm trying to look at it from a scout's eye, I just don't see much upside in Rodgers. Is he a 5-7 190 lb power back? He's not explosive or exceptionally quick. He is a good receiver, but what dimension to his game does he bring that a bigger, quicker, faster back can't? His frame is maxed-out. Again, if a team can find a use for Danny Woodhead, I don't see why Rodgers couldn't find himself a niche.