Jonathan Cooper on track for a starting job

[Tabascocat]

Morris looked pretty good during the preseason last year then really sucked surprisingly badly during the season when he played against NFL quality competition. He is a one trick pony at RB which also makes him less desirable.

I know that you know Morris needs significant carries for his game. He did not get that last season and I am afraid it will be more of the same......if he stays on the roster.

He could start and be the primary RB on quite a few teams out there. He needs the bulk of the carries to be efficient.

 

[Stash]

My prediction is that once fans see Green in there with the starters, they are going to be impressed. But then we'll be disappointed when his next injury sidelines him.

At least you're realistic about it.

 

[Stash]

It makes it a question of whether you keep Morris just in case only if you're wrong and believe McFadden is the more capable starting RB.

McFadden is a 3rd down back. Morris is the guy who will pound the ball between the tackles and wear out defenses.

I like Morris better as the 20-carry guy as well if he were needed for that. But the team seems to love McFadden as the backup to their starter, spot-duty guy.

I think Morris' downfall is in the passing game and needing a volume of carries to get warmed up and be effective.

 

[Verdict]

I know that you know Morris needs significant carries for his game. He did not get that last season and I am afraid it will be more of the same......if he stays on the roster.

He could start and be the primary RB on quite a few teams out there. He needs the bulk of the carries to be efficient.

I have heard people say that but I don't really buy into that narrative. I think that is more of a function of the offensive line wearing teams down. It's a bit of a cop out to say a player can't play on carry number one and we are going to write off his first 10 carries to get him going. I'm not sure who came up with that theory but as it pertains to the running back himself, it is somewhat idiotic.

It might take some time for the OL to wear on a defense, or even to set up a defense with anticipatory play calling, but does not affect a running backs skill level from play 1 to play 15.

 

[dallasdave]

M

I like Morris better as the 20-carry guy as well if he were needed for that. But the team seems to love McFadden as the backup to their starter, spot-duty guy.

I think Morris' downfall is in the passing game and needing a volume of carries to get warmed up and be effective.

Morris looked so much better than last year !!! Keep this guy !!!!

 

[Verdict]

I like Morris better as the 20-carry guy as well if he were needed for that. But the team seems to love McFadden as the backup to their starter, spot-duty guy.

I think Morris' downfall is in the passing game and needing a volume of carries to get warmed up and be effective.

He is limited in the passing game, blitz pickup, and his lack of ability to play special teams and maybe most importantly he lacks top end speed so he is not a home run threat whatsoever.

 

[Verdict]

He looked ok in pre season last year too. So we want to say he is back based on a preseason game against sisters of the blind?

 

[Tabascocat]

I have heard people say that but I don't really buy into that narrative. I think that is more of a function of the offensive line wearing teams down. It's a bit of a cop out to say a player can't play on carry number one and we are going to write off his first 10 carries to get him going. I'm not sure who came up with that theory but as it pertains to the running back himself, it is somewhat idiotic.

It might take some time for the OL to wear on a defense, or even to set up a defense with anticipatory play calling, but does not affect a running backs skill level from play 1 to play 15.

But that has been Morris' MO for his caree, it is not like this is a new trend. Believe what you think, doesn't bother me....we just disagree

 

[Stash]

He is limited in the passing game, blitz pickup, and his lack of ability to play special teams and maybe most importantly he lacks top end speed so he is not a home run threat whatsoever.

Yeah, but neither was Emmitt Smith as a runner. Not comparing receiving and blocking between the two, but Morris reminds me a bit of Emmitt's downhill style. Not flashy, just effective. And a guy who will wear out a defense with 20-plus carries.

 

[Stash]

He looked ok in pre season last year too. So we want to say he is back based on a preseason game against sisters of the blind?

Just that he looked good. If he didn't, he'd sure be getting dogged for it, so why not give him credit for having a good game?

 

[dallasdave]

Yeah, but neither was Emmitt Smith as a runner. Not comparing receiving and blocking between the two, but Morris reminds me a bit of Emmitt's downhill style. Not flashy, just effective. And a guy who will wear out a defense with 20-plus carries.

Morris is a good inside runner, and can make moves inside and evade people.

 

[gimmesix]

It makes it a question of whether you keep Morris just in case only if you're wrong and believe McFadden is the more capable starting RB.

McFadden is a 3rd down back. Morris is the guy who will pound the ball between the tackles and wear out defenses.

I don't agree that McFadden is a third-down back. He's a different type of back than Morris, but he can play every down if needed. The better role for him, though, is certainly being a complimentary piece.