Lance Dunbar coming back

[Idgit]

Why all the Dunbar hate/sarcasm?

Dude had limited opportunities last year but still had some good plays where he showed ability.

He could also take over as return man now that Dwayne is gone.

I don't get it, either. I mean, I get it, because he's not a highly drafted pick and his a situational player, but it's not logical. He's a nifty back who's a handful in the screen game. He's also too light to be really effective pass blocking and we've got better options for runs in between the tackles. But he's a guy we love to use in certain situations we just don't get to enough because we have other guys like Beasley and (had) Harris and Escobar who are in a similar boat. And Dunbar gives us very little on Teams. It puts him in a tough spot.

But he definitely gives us an aspect the other backs on the roster don't give us. He might not make it out of camp this year, depending on what we do with McFadden, but I'd be all for seeing us using screens a lot more consistently next season if we can do it without getting the dang holding calls so often. i think it's a really underutilized weapon for us, and we've got the personnel to do it really well if we just commit to it more.

 

[Idgit]

Williams can't block either. He's essentially the same exact back as Dunbar.

I don't see this comparison at all, either. They're very different players. Though pass protection is a liability for both of them. At leas, that was the knock on Williams coming out of school where he didn't do it often and at AZ when he fell out of favor with the coaches (though it didn't seem to be as much of an issue for them when they were so excited about him starting). In camp last season, I thought he was as good as Randle at the pass protection stuff, which wasn't that bad, overall.

In any event, I think all of the backs make it through camp until the final cut down. We'll make sure they can all stay healthy and see what we've got before moving on from any of them. Unless Joseph Randle has issues connected to his DV charges, in which case he could have put himself in trouble.

 

[Silver N Blue]

I don't think DMC changes anything. He has never had a decent season in the pros, and he was not even the best RB on s very bad a Raiders team last year. DMC has done nothing more than built up some hopes that are going to be crushed when reality sets in,

I agree with that but he is an upgrade over Dunbar and they are going to have the same role.

 

[visionary]

I don't get it, either. I mean, I get it, because he's not a highly drafted pick and his a situational player, but it's not logical. He's a nifty back who's a handful in the screen game. He's also too light to be really effective pass blocking and we've got better options for runs in between the tackles. But he's a guy we love to use in certain situations we just don't get to enough because we have other guys like Beasley and (had) Harris and Escobar who are in a similar boat. And Dunbar gives us very little on Teams. It puts him in a tough spot.

But he definitely gives us an aspect the other backs on the roster don't give us. He might not make it out of camp this year, depending on what we do with McFadden, but I'd be all for seeing us using screens a lot more consistently next season if we can do it without getting the dang holding calls so often. i think it's a really underutilized weapon for us, and we've got the personnel to do it really well if we just commit to it more.

Just making sure I have this right

Why all the hate for a guy who:

Can't run up the middle so not used on 1st and 2nd downs
Can't pass block so severely limited on third downs
Can be used in certain rare situations but is rarely used in those situations because we have better options

I agree
Our reaction should not be hate. It should be 'meh'

 

[big dog cowboy]

A lot of hand wringing in this thread over someone who might not even make the final 53 or will be buried on the depth chart if he does.

 

[jnday]

I don't get it, either. I mean, I get it, because he's not a highly drafted pick and his a situational player, but it's not logical. He's a nifty back who's a handful in the screen game. He's also too light to be really effective pass blocking and we've got better options for runs in between the tackles. But he's a guy we love to use in certain situations we just don't get to enough because we have other guys like Beasley and (had) Harris and Escobar who are in a similar boat. And Dunbar gives us very little on Teams. It puts him in a tough spot.

But he definitely gives us an aspect the other backs on the roster don't give us. He might not make it out of camp this year, depending on what we do with McFadden, but I'd be all for seeing us using screens a lot more consistently next season if we can do it without getting the dang holding calls so often. i think it's a really underutilized weapon for us, and we've got the personnel to do it really well if we just commit to it more.

I don't hate the guy at all, but I think he takes up a roster space that could be used on a player that offers the ability to contribute more snaps. Dunbar is not used much at all.

 

[jnday]

I disagree in part. He changes nothing in terms of us looking for a lead back. He isnt that or even close and anyone who thinks he is delusionaly drunk off of Zack Martin Kool Aide mixed with Travis Frederick vodka.

He does however effect the bottom of the rotation because while he isnt a quality runner, he is effective in blitz pick up and as a receiver making him a viable 3rd down HB. Something we dont have. I think he is a mortal lock to make the 53 based on that, even jf we get a 3 down guy like Gurley, Coleman or Ajayi

I agree. Your comments are makes some overlooked points.

 

[Idgit]

Just making sure I have this right

Why all the hate for a guy who:

Can't run up the middle so not used on 1st and 2nd downs
Can't pass block so severely limited on third downs
Can be used in certain rare situations but is rarely used in those situations because we have better options

I agree
Our reaction should not be hate. It should be 'meh'

I rarely get hating on players. He can chip in pass protection, and he's willing enough running between the tackles. But he's really effective with those screens.

He's a specialty player and a luxury we maybe shouldn't afford, that argument makes sense to me. But the guy obviously can play, and he's an interesting wrinkle to have at our disposal when we do use him in on those stretch plays or in the screen game or when we do manage to get the ball in his hands in space somehow.

 

[Idgit]

I don't hate the guy at all, but I think he takes up a roster space that could be used on a player that offers the ability to contribute more snaps. Dunbar is not used much at all.

Yeah, I feel about the same way. Though I do think we could use screens a lot more than we do and be really effective with it. In which case, his value increases for us and he could make sense. He's still one of those luxury players though.

 

[xwalker]

And once - after people suggested it was stupid to tender him - I suggested that exact thing might happen

Yes, I was providing supporting evidence that your suggestion was possible.

 

[DeaconBlues]

I rank them

Williams
DMC
Randle
Dunbar

Unless DMC tanks I see it as a battle between Randle and Williams with the rookie being the third. Dunbar is just depth.

Mighty big jump for a guy cut in favor of Randle and Dunbar last season, and didn't show enough to make the 53 at any point last year.

 

[jnday]

Yeah, I feel about the same way. Though I do think we could use screens a lot more than we do and be really effective with it. In which case, his value increases for us and he could make sense. He's still one of those luxury players though.

Yeah, you described it best . He is a luxury. They just don't use him enough to make keeping him on the roster worth it.