Last year to look like bandits in the Bills/Cowboys trade of 2 years ago

[baj1dallas]

I can't believe a player who started 10 games as a rookie is thought of as a disappointment by so many. You do realize that the defensive rookie of the year only started 10 games last year?

I'm not convinced that JJ will ever have a 1200 yard season, which is what I think you need from him to say the move was worth it. I like Spears but I think his impact going forward is yet to be determined.

 

[ravidubey]

Spears has been average, certainly no better than Coleman or Raitlif. Canty has been better, but that's what you'd expect from a guy who is a natural 3-4 DE vs a 4-3 DE retrofitted into the 3-4. Spears is going to be a 3 year guy.

 

[Vintage]

Spears has been average, certainly no better than Coleman or Raitlif. Canty has been better, but that's what you'd expect from a guy who is a natural 3-4 DE vs a 4-3 DE retrofitted into the 3-4. Spears is going to be a 3 year guy.

3 years to adjust? Or 3 years and done?

 

[SkinRamon]

It was no secret that I was a big Jackson fan, although I did predict we would take Julius...

In the end I think we could end up with the better end of the deal. I believe I read a couple of days ago that Jackson is having some knee issues in camp, which is usually a sign of a short career for a RB...

I've also heard that due to injury issues Julius Jones has never played an entire season, which is usually a sign of a short career for an RB.

Jones is a talent, no question about it, but if you want to cite Jackson's knee "issues" as translating into him having a short career, then by that logic I have no idea how Julius Jones' career is supposed to last into his 30's.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Spears has been average, certainly no better than Coleman or Raitlif. Canty has been better, but that's what you'd expect from a guy who is a natural 3-4 DE vs a 4-3 DE retrofitted into the 3-4. Spears is going to be a 3 year guy.

How so? Even with the injury last year, he ended up starting towards the middle of the season, beating out Coleman, at least w/Rat being on IR.

Rat's making a push this year, so we'll have to see if Spears can withstand that push when he gets back from his injury.

I've also heard that due to injury issues Julius Jones has never played an entire season, which is usually a sign of a short career for an RB.

Jones is a talent, no question about it, but if you want to cite Jackson's knee "issues" as translating into him having a short career, then by that logic I have no idea how Julius Jones' career is supposed to last into his 30's.

I'm not willing to anoint Julius the next big anything. But I think lingering injuries vs a broken shoulder and a high ankle sprain are a little different beings. Broken shoulder after a bad hit...not normal. High ankle sprain affecting the ability to cut regularly is not a normal thing.

Jackson's been battling *minor* ankle and knee injuries since his rookie season. He almost reminds of Fred Taylor. Good when he's on the field, but will have to constantly battle the nags and bruises.

 

[ravidubey]

How so? Even with the injury last year, he ended up starting towards the middle of the season, beating out Coleman, at least w/Rat being on IR.

Starting means nothing, you still have to do something with the time you spend on the field (a little Lord Of The Rings-sounding I know).

Where was the penetration and playmaking you expect from a 1st round draft pick? One lumbering, stumbling fumble recovery from a guy who's supposed to have been athletic enough to play TE?

And make no mistake-- Spears started because he was a first round pick; I highly doubt he'd have beaten out Coleman otherwise, especially after having missed so much of camp.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Starting means nothing, you still have to do something with the time you spend on the field (a little Lord Of The Rings-sounding I know).

Where was the penetration and playmaking you expect from a 1st round draft pick? One lumbering, stumbling fumble recovery from a guy who's supposed to have been athletic enough to play TE?

And make no mistake-- Spears started because he was a first round pick; I highly doubt he'd have beaten out Coleman otherwise, especially after having missed so much of camp.

It seems your expectations of Spears are that of a 4-3 DE, not a 3-4 DE. I believe the penetration and playmaking you expect should come from the LBers in this scheme.

Spears flat out beat Coleman in camp and during the season...and not because of his status. He had already beaten Coleman in camp BEFORE the injury. The injury set him back...and took him several weeks into the season before he could fully overtake Coleman again.

Everything I've read from Parcells and Spears himself said he didn't totally come on until the mid to late part of the season...

I think he does it again, no matter who he starts the season behind...

 

[Established1971]

This trade also ended up delivering us Drew Bledsoe, the best quarterback in Dallas history since Troy Aikman...

wow, that sentence looks funny, yes hes the "best in history" if you define "history" as Leaf, Stoerner, Testeverde. Wright, Hutchinson and Carter.

 

[Tuna Helper]

It was no secret that I was a big Jackson fan, although I did predict we would take Julius...

In the end I think we could end up with the better end of the deal. I believe I read a couple of days ago that Jackson is having some knee issues in camp, which is usually a sign of a short career for a RB...

Not to mention Jackson's upright running style. He takes too many hits. Reminds me a lot of Eddie George. I had to think that this was a factor in not drafting him.

Eddie George could barely run after 5 years in the league. When he got here a couple of years ago (after his 7th year as a pro), he was a mere shell of his former self...2 yards and a cloud of dust!

 

[dboyz]

I think Spears is going to impress this year once he gets a chance to get on the field.

 

[trickblue]

I've also heard that due to injury issues Julius Jones has never played an entire season, which is usually a sign of a short career for an RB.

Jones is a talent, no question about it, but if you want to cite Jackson's knee "issues" as translating into him having a short career, then by that logic I have no idea how Julius Jones' career is supposed to last into his 30's.

You are missing the point...

True, Jones has been injured, but rarely is a shoulder blade issue or ankle sprain career threatening. The knee is...

Now.. reading back I see Jackson has an achilles problem. Still not good news...

If Portis were to go down, you would rather see just about any injury except for the knee wouldn't you?

 

[SkinRamon]

You are missing the point...

True, Jones has been injured, but rarely is a shoulder blade issue or ankle sprain career threatening. The knee is...

Now.. reading back I see Jackson has an achilles problem. Still not good news...

If Portis were to go down, you would rather see just about any injury except for the knee wouldn't you?

Knee injuries are the worst no question about it.

I found it odd, and still do, that the gentleman whom I was quoting seemed to be pessimistic about Jackson's career and I extended that logic to Julius Jones. It's very good that his knees have been injury-free but he's never played a full season due to other injuries that although aren't knee-related were still severe enough to curtail his play. If Steven Jackson is someone who deserves the label of a short-life RB given knee issues, then it makes sense to include Julius Jones given his assortment of issues.

Another thing when comparing Jackson's stats last year: Martz is an idiot with little or no committment to the run. Vitt tried turning that around but you can't change a team's offensive identity mid-season. Linehan will maximize Jackson's talents and use a more power oriented scheme. (yes, I'm in fantasy football mode, my draft's in two weeks)

Good talkin to you.