McCarthy: John Kuhn is an excellent comp for Hunter Luepke

[BigD_95]

Was in Golds Gym in York, PA years ago when John was in for a workout.

I'm taller than him but he was just...W-I-D-E. Not overly muscular but looked country strong, but it was this dudes body width that really caught your attention. He's one of those guys that was just straight-up different from birth.

I live in york pa area

 

[InPhiltraitor]

I live in york pa area

Small world. Im right off the Susquehanna Trail couple miles north of Rt. 30.

Sorry everyone for posting this. Just excited to see a fellow local on the board.

 

[gimmesix]

No way we suit up 4. Seems crazy considering some of our situations at other spots where you need multiple bodies

The 48-man active roster, plus not having to count the emergency QB, makes it easier to go heavier at a position if a team wants.

 

[Chuck 54]

If they are playing Special teams, I can see all 4 RBs active.

 

[Cowboys5217]

Do you really think you know better than someone who actually coached both players?

He's upset that Luepke made the team.

 

[1time4urMind]

I don't have a problem with that, but I'm not sure how the coaching staff feels about that. My point wasn't really Dowdle vs. Deuce, because I agree with you; it's more about roles. If Dowdle's role is a backup/direct sub for Pollard, and Deuce is seen more as a specialty back, then Dowdle has to be active.

Frankly, I almost wrote in that earlier post that I think Vaughn can be the backup/direct sub for Pollard. I'm just not sure the coaches would be comfortable with that without more evidence ... which may be a good reason to carry all four at the start of the season. Give Deuce a shot at the primary backup job and if he can't handle it, they have Dowdle to use.

I just want Luepke carried because I think he offers size and power for certain situations that the others don't possess. He also should be a special-teams stalwart in coverage and protection.

The coaching staff has emphasized that Deuce is NOT a specialty back or gadget back. So, we know that about how they view his role.

Their has also been talk from the coaching staff that he has handled everything put on his plate. One thing I like about McCarthy/Quinn is that they find these young guys edges, just keep giving them more and more on their plate until they hit their edge. Deuce has not hit that edge, yet.

Watch the tape, and his pass blocking amazingly looks better than most rookies of any size at his position, that's so unexpected and even funny to watch sometimes.

Some actual quotes that sum up how the staff feels about him starting with a McClay quote that is also a very accurate height-to-weight comparison.

Watching him run the football in the run-game aspect, you see a 6-foot, 230-pound running back. - Will McClay

His negative is his height, but it’s really his super-power because of all the other things about his game that have gotten better because he’s lacking something. - Will McClay

He's the best gap-scheme runner in the draft – regardless of size.
- Jeff Blasko, Dallas Cowboys Running Back Coach

I think we all smile when he does pass protect because you talk about instincts, awareness, and most importantly, the footwork, he has that. - Mike McCarthy

I’ve been very impressed, he understands protections very smart player. Right now, we’re just rolling him in there, he’s doing all the other things that the running backs are asked to do. I’ve been very pleased with his pass protection. - Mike McCarthy

He’s pro-ready, I have no concerns about Deuce. - Mike McCarthy

They may be right, may be wrong. But, we know exactly how they view him and his role. They view him as no different than any complete running back who is capable of playing 3 downs and doing everything that they ask of any running back regardless of size.

He and Dowdle are competing for the same snaps with little difference between down or situation. And, yes, that's true even if Pollard misses time. Until, he hits that edge, anyway.

 

[Ken]

Funny because I was listening to Love of the Star and BB was just saying Hunter is nothing like John Kuhn.

All anyone has to do is put on Khune highlights and they should see it. Only difference is Hunter is faster.

 

[OmerV]

Funny because I was listening to Love of the Star and BB was just saying Hunter is nothing like John Kuhn.

In his first couple of years in the NFL John Kuhn was nothing like the John Kuhn that became a big part of the Packer offense.

Just as it took Kuhn a few years to make his way, it may also with Luepke.

In the near term, Luepke is probably not the blocker Kuhn was, but is probably capable of more running & receiving.

 

[gimmesix]

They may be right, may be wrong. But, we know exactly how they view him and his role. They view him as no different than any complete running back who is capable of playing 3 downs and doing everything that they ask of any running back regardless of size.

He and Dowdle are competing for the same snaps with little difference between down or situation. And, yes, that's true even if Pollard misses time. Until, he hits that edge, anyway.

I'm not sure we'll know exactly how they view him until they play him. What is said and what is done can be two different things.

 

[BigD_95]

Small world. Im right off the Susquehanna Trail couple miles north of Rt. 30.

Sorry everyone for posting this. Just excited to see a fellow local on the board.

You are 15 mins from my house. I live in Dover.

 

[gimmesix]

The coaching staff has emphasized that Deuce is NOT a specialty back or gadget back. So, we know that about how they view his role.

Their has also been talk from the coaching staff that he has handled everything put on his plate. One thing I like about McCarthy/Quinn is that they find these young guys edges, just keep giving them more and more on their plate until they hit their edge. Deuce has not hit that edge, yet.

Watch the tape, and his pass blocking amazingly looks better than most rookies of any size at his position, that's so unexpected and even funny to watch sometimes.

Some actual quotes that sum up how the staff feels about him starting with a McClay quote that is also a very accurate height-to-weight comparison.

Watching him run the football in the run-game aspect, you see a 6-foot, 230-pound running back. - Will McClay

His negative is his height, but it’s really his super-power because of all the other things about his game that have gotten better because he’s lacking something. - Will McClay

He's the best gap-scheme runner in the draft – regardless of size.
- Jeff Blasko, Dallas Cowboys Running Back Coach

I think we all smile when he does pass protect because you talk about instincts, awareness, and most importantly, the footwork, he has that. - Mike McCarthy

I’ve been very impressed, he understands protections very smart player. Right now, we’re just rolling him in there, he’s doing all the other things that the running backs are asked to do. I’ve been very pleased with his pass protection. - Mike McCarthy

He’s pro-ready, I have no concerns about Deuce. - Mike McCarthy

They may be right, may be wrong. But, we know exactly how they view him and his role. They view him as no different than any complete running back who is capable of playing 3 downs and doing everything that they ask of any running back regardless of size.

He and Dowdle are competing for the same snaps with little difference between down or situation. And, yes, that's true even if Pollard misses time. Until, he hits that edge, anyway.

I want to add that I think Vaughn can be an every-down back. I think he differs from smaller backs who've been gadget backs. He's just a short running back, not a small or frail one. His body is fairly compact and he has topnotch make-you-miss ability. So I agree with you, but in a league where players his size do not succeed that often, I want to see if the coaches actually do view him that way.

 

[AbeBeta]

He's upset that Luepke made the team.

He should be. Knowing more than the coach and seeing him make these comparisons must be maddening for the delusional.

 

[Fletch]

Funny because I was listening to Love of the Star and BB was just saying Hunter is nothing like John Kuhn.

BB dislikes MM. So he’s going to downplay or at times go the opposite direction of the HC.

 

[Typhus]

Kuhn is the baseline and Alstott is the ceiling.

 

[MWH1967]

Deuce is playing every game if I'm making the call. Rico Dowdle is just a guy.

why do you still surprise me every now and then? Are you the " camelina" of the forum?

 

[CATCH17]

The coaching staff has emphasized that Deuce is NOT a specialty back or gadget back. So, we know that about how they view his role.

Their has also been talk from the coaching staff that he has handled everything put on his plate. One thing I like about McCarthy/Quinn is that they find these young guys edges, just keep giving them more and more on their plate until they hit their edge. Deuce has not hit that edge, yet.

Watch the tape, and his pass blocking amazingly looks better than most rookies of any size at his position, that's so unexpected and even funny to watch sometimes.

Some actual quotes that sum up how the staff feels about him starting with a McClay quote that is also a very accurate height-to-weight comparison.

Watching him run the football in the run-game aspect, you see a 6-foot, 230-pound running back. - Will McClay

His negative is his height, but it’s really his super-power because of all the other things about his game that have gotten better because he’s lacking something. - Will McClay

He's the best gap-scheme runner in the draft – regardless of size.
- Jeff Blasko, Dallas Cowboys Running Back Coach

I think we all smile when he does pass protect because you talk about instincts, awareness, and most importantly, the footwork, he has that. - Mike McCarthy

I’ve been very impressed, he understands protections very smart player. Right now, we’re just rolling him in there, he’s doing all the other things that the running backs are asked to do. I’ve been very pleased with his pass protection. - Mike McCarthy

He’s pro-ready, I have no concerns about Deuce. - Mike McCarthy

They may be right, may be wrong. But, we know exactly how they view him and his role. They view him as no different than any complete running back who is capable of playing 3 downs and doing everything that they ask of any running back regardless of size.

He and Dowdle are competing for the same snaps with little difference between down or situation. And, yes, that's true even if Pollard misses time. Until, he hits that edge, anyway.

People want so badly for Deuce to be a gadget player but his game is very traditional.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Really excited for him I hope he makes the most of his opportunities

Same here. It's nice to see the FB becoming part of the offense again.