Jonathan Stewart

[Doomsdayblitz]

The more I consider the top two RBs in the 2008 Draft, the more I lean toward the smaller of the two. Sure, McFadden has more size & yards, but when you look at the running backs that have gone the long haul, most are under 6'0", 220 lbs.

Take Jonathan Stewart for example. He's 5'11", 220 lbs. with 4.34 speed. If that's not enough, here's a snipet from the Oregon Duck's web site:

OREGON — Big things were expected from one of program’s highest profile recruits in recent years and he didn’t disappoint, leading the country in kickoff returns as a true freshman (33.7 avg.). Seldom has the program benefitted from a talent at such an early age as he combines the best of size, speed and tremendous strength. Not only did he surpass school record for top power clean by a running back, his 385 lbs. during winter testing was bettered only by pair of program’s former defensive linemen now in the NFL (Haloti Ngata, Igor Olshansky). Also bested career positional bench press record (410 lbs.) while 38.5 vertical leap stands second all time. His 4.34 40 hand time ranks as school’s fourth-fastest all-time among running backs. Has displayed exceptional intelligence to complement his natural talent, possessing knack to avoid tacklers in the open field, game-breaking speed as well as the power that makes him hard to bring down from the first hit, sometimes to a fault. Maintains the uncanny balance to fall forward when finally brought down. Also benefits from dependable hands as a receiver and utilizes great strength to develop into a very good pass blocker. Yet perhaps his greatest asset is a drive to settle for nothing but the very best. Led all rushers with 74 yards and one touchdown in the 2006 Spring Game.

So, just to rap it up, here's a guy that led the country in kickoff return average as a true freshman, power cleans more weight than anyone in Oregon history except for two of the strongest men to ever play college football, AT ANY POSITION! He has the size of a FB with the speed of a WR, and can leap almost 40 inches in the air, so I'm sure he can stay in on 3rd down to take dump off passes the distance.

If it only takes our two #1 picks next draft, then I think that's a small price to pay for a player with the skills & power of a Jonathan Stewart. It's time someone take the torch that was passed over 5 years ago. A great back means the Cowboys go back to their next dynasty run.

 

[silverbear]

The more I consider the top two RBs in the 2008 Draft, the more I lean toward the smaller of the two. Sure, McFadden has more size & yards, but when you look at the running backs that have gone the long haul, most are under 6'0", 220 lbs.

Take Jonathan Stewart for example. He's 5'11", 220 lbs. with 4.34 speed. If that's not enough, here's a snipet from the Oregon Duck's web site:

OREGON — Big things were expected from one of program’s highest profile recruits in recent years and he didn’t disappoint, leading the country in kickoff returns as a true freshman (33.7 avg.). Seldom has the program benefitted from a talent at such an early age as he combines the best of size, speed and tremendous strength. Not only did he surpass school record for top power clean by a running back, his 385 lbs. during winter testing was bettered only by pair of program’s former defensive linemen now in the NFL (Haloti Ngata, Igor Olshansky). Also bested career positional bench press record (410 lbs.) while 38.5 vertical leap stands second all time. His 4.34 40 hand time ranks as school’s fourth-fastest all-time among running backs. Has displayed exceptional intelligence to complement his natural talent, possessing knack to avoid tacklers in the open field, game-breaking speed as well as the power that makes him hard to bring down from the first hit, sometimes to a fault. Maintains the uncanny balance to fall forward when finally brought down. Also benefits from dependable hands as a receiver and utilizes great strength to develop into a very good pass blocker. Yet perhaps his greatest asset is a drive to settle for nothing but the very best. Led all rushers with 74 yards and one touchdown in the 2006 Spring Game.

So, just to rap it up, here's a guy that led the country in kickoff return average as a true freshman, power cleans more weight than anyone in Oregon history except for two of the strongest men to ever play college football, AT ANY POSITION! He has the size of a FB with the speed of a WR, and can leap almost 40 inches in the air, so I'm sure he can stay in on 3rd down to take dump off passes the distance.

If it only takes our two #1 picks next draft, then I think that's a small price to pay for a player with the skills & power of a Jonathan Stewart. It's time someone take the torch that was passed over 5 years ago. A great back means the Cowboys go back to their next dynasty run.

Oh, please... Stewart's good, but he ain't THAT good... he only averaged 75.5 yards per game last year, and gained less than 1000 yards... there isn't a GM out there who'd trade two first round picks for a shot at the guy, indeed he's almost certain to still be on the board when the Cowboys' second first round pick rolled around... if he doesn't put up better numbers this year (I expect he will), he might even be on the board when their second round pick rolled around...

 

[locked&loaded]

j stew. Hopefully he can stay healthy, he looks like emmitt.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Oh, please... Stewart's good, but he ain't THAT good... he only averaged 75.5 yards per game last year, and gained less than 1000 yards... there isn't a GM out there who'd trade two first round picks for a shot at the guy, indeed he's almost certain to still be on the board when the Cowboys' second first round pick rolled around... if he doesn't put up better numbers this year (I expect he will), he might even be on the board when their second round pick rolled around...

A lot goes into why a RB has the stats that he does. A poor offensive line is one factor, a below average passing game another. What I look at is what Stewart did when he had to create his own yards, which seems quite a bit to me. When I watch video of Stewart, I can't help but think of Emmitt when he breaks 2-3-4 tackles before going down. I can't help but wonder what Stewart could do running behind a decent Oline, or with a quality passing game. Even an excellent defense has a mighty effect on how many yards a RB gets. (He can't get too many yards if his offense is playing catchup all of the time).

The stats I look at are 5'11", 220, 4.34, 385 Power Clean, 400+ Bench Press. These are numbers from a 20 yr. old kid. Just think how powerful he will be when he really grows up......haha. Of ALL the players that have EVER played at the U. of Oregon, only Haloti Ngata & Igor Olshansky power cleaned more weight than Stewart's 385 lbs.!!!.....and they have 100+ pounds on him, for gosh sakes.

Put this kid in a Cowboy's uniform & get him behind Gurode & Co., and wait to see what happens. I believe what happens is that Stewart makes his offensive line as good as they make him. Kinda like another kid I use to watch who came from the SE corner of the country.

 

[locked&loaded]

i really like the guy, and am on board. but im not sure i believe that 40 time.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

You do have a point, especially when I just saw that Stewart is 5'11", 230 lbs. If a player that stout can run a 4.35 40, with the tackle-breaking ability he possesses, I think you've really got something there. Obviously, his 40 time will come out in the wash during testing.

Adding to the point I was making about the variables that affect a runner's stats, I took a look at Darren McFadden's stats from last year. As great a year that he had, he averaged 5.8 a carry. That's pretty good, until you look at his backup, who not only gained over 1,200 yds., but also averaged 7.8 a carry. In fact, the two players behind McFadden's backup also averaged at or over 7 yds. per carry.

Now, I'm not saying just anyone can run behind last year's Arkansas offensive line, but more than a couple RBs ran very effectively for that offense. It just makes you wonder what kind of average per game & per carry Stewart would have had running behind that line.

The Razorbacks also had an excellent defense that kept the offense from having to play catchup very often.

Just something to think about.

You did make me think about where Stewart would go in the 2008 Draft. It all depends on what kind of year he & others have. If we could get Limas Sweed with the Brown's pick, then take Stewart with our 2nd #1 pick & our 2nd rd. pick, that would make for a nice beginning. We would still have a pick in the third rd. If we could grab one of the top NTs in the draft with that pick, I feel you could already call it a winner.

Of course, if JJ ends up having an MVP year & runs for 1,800 yds., then that would make Stewart a moot point.....or would it just make JJ a more valuable chip on the table?

 

[silverbear]

A lot goes into why a RB has the stats that he does. A poor offensive line is one factor, a below average passing game another. What I look at is what Stewart did when he had to create his own yards, which seems quite a bit to me. When I watch video of Stewart, I can't help but think of Emmitt when he breaks 2-3-4 tackles before going down. I can't help but wonder what Stewart could do running behind a decent Oline,

Look at the numbers of the other running backs, and tell me that offensive line isn't a good run blocking unit... Stewart averages 5.4 yards per carry, but Johnson averaged 6.3, even QB Dennis Dixon averaged 4.7 (remember, in NCAA ball sacks are considered running plays)...

When all of your backs put up very good yards per carry averages, it suggests that the common denominator is good run blocking...

As for the claim of a "below average" passing game, the Ducks averaged 241.2 yards per game passing...

Nope, you can't make the case for Stewart being some one man gang on an otherwise mediocre to bad offense... they were in fact a very efficient offense, racking up over 420 yards a game of total offense, averaging 29.5 points per game...

or with a quality passing game. Even an excellent defense has a mighty effect on how many yards a RB gets. (He can't get too many yards if his offense is playing catchup all of the time).

Of ALL the players that have EVER played at the U. of Oregon, only Haloti Ngata & Igor Olshansky power cleaned more weight than Stewart's 385 lbs.!!!.....and they have 100+ pounds on him, for gosh sakes.

And of course, great running backs always have impressive power clean numbers... as for the claim of the 4.34 40, I'll just note that on the Walter's Football Site website, they list him at 4.56... which is eminently acceptable speed for a back that size... Emmitt was no faster than that...

I believe what happens is that Stewart makes his offensive line as good as they make him.

The numbers would suggest that's not the case... not when his backup had a higher yards per carry average...

 

[jchocolate82]

I've been falling Stewart since he was in high school and broke the Washington State rushing record. The kid has the entangibles to be a good back if not great. Hopefully he's able to put up some big numbers this year but you cant argue that the kid isnt impressive. I heard his 40 was in the 4.4 range but regardles even if it is in the low 4.5 range that still damn fast for a back that big with his power. Dont get me wrong I would love to have McFadden but if he still plays at the same level he played last season I dont think he's gonna be in our reach even with Clevelands pick. I hope we do get stewart