Vela - why Felix should start

[MichaelWinicki]

I agree there is a differance. J. Jones was very quick through the hole on draw plays and used his speed to break it. What I see in Felix is a guy who knows how to use his blockers and run off the blocks. Like J. Jones, Felix has the speed.

Very true. And you stated the big difference between the two backs-- Julius relied entirely on speed. Felix does use his blockers. He even stated in interviews that once he touches the ball he's thinking about how to avoid guys once he breaks the line of scrimmage and looking for the best route available.

Wayne Gretzky was great because like he said, "He went where the puck was going to be". I think Felix will be great because he goes where the least resistance is going to be.

 

[theogt]

Felix Jones actually has vision and he is just a much better natural runner than Julius ever was.

Plus he is a much more natural receiver as well.

And the leg strength to break a shoe string tackle from a quadriplegic dwarf. Julius, not so much.

 

[Doomsday101]

Very true. And you stated the big difference between the two backs-- Julius relied entirely on speed. Felix does use his blockers. He even stated in interviews that once he touches the ball he's thinking about how to avoid guys once he breaks the line of scrimmage and looking for the best route available.

Wayne Gretzky was great because like he said, "He went where the puck was going to be". I think Felix will be great because he goes where the least resistance is going to be.

It is a subtle difference but a big one. J. Jones was just running up the backs of the blockers where he hoped the hole would be open. Felix allows the blocks to be made then sees the hole and hits it be it the hole the play was designed to go or not. He is looking for the day light and allowing the big guys in front to set it up. I really would say the same for Choice who may have less speed but does a great job or allowing the blockers upfront to make a block before he accelerates into the open lane

 

[viman96]

IDK J.Jones was awesome his 1st year. BP got in his head and permanently changed the way he runs. He was breaking ankles left and right his rookie season. I have high hopes for F.Jones to be a great back years to come but I love Barber. He runs with authority and just hammers through the opposing D.

 

[theogt]

IDK J.Jones was awesome his 1st year. BP got in his head and permanently changed the way he runs. He was breaking ankles left and right his rookie season. I have high hopes for F.Jones to be a great back years to come but I love Barber. He runs with authority and just hammers through the opposing D.

Go back and watch his videos. He had one move -- a sick side-step to the left. That's all he had. He made the majority of his yards off draws. Once teams figured out his side-step, it was game over.

 

[Dodger]

Good points Alexander. I would like to see us not name a starter for the season but use whoever is playing well and whoever matches up best with the team we are facing that day and then utilize them to their fullest advantage by calling plays that fit their skillset.

If it's the Eagles and Felix running to the outside on tosses or inside on draws works best then let's do that. If Barber is the better choice on trap plays or sweeps then let's use him that way.

Garrett is supposed to be a smart guy so let's see some of that intelligence in the play-calling this year. He did well in 2007 but really fell off in 2008. It had better improve in 2009 or he will be gone.

I mostly agree. To me, it doesn't matter who the starter is as much as focusing on which back can do the most damage to the team their facing that week. Now that doesn't necessarily mean that you stick to Barber against the Eagles because that's how it was planned, and that's how it was supposed to work. If Barber is having some unexpected trouble but you throw Jones or Choice in and one of them starts breaking off big runs, well, you go with what works.

Belichick has this down to a science in New England...situational football. The game plan is never the same from week to week, and adjustments are made on the fly...it seems to work pretty well for them.

 

[zrinkill]

I do not care who is considered the starter as long as all 3 are utilized.

 

[UnoDallas]

Jones thus far appears too injury prone to be trusted with a starter's role, plus you don't pump 42 million into Marion Barber and bench him for two thirds of a game.

exactly you give the guy Starter money he should be starting

I knew Jerry jumped on MBIII to soon should have franchised him last year - would have got him a lot cheaper

 

[odog422]

How anyone can argue that Felix should started based on those #s is silly. I love Jones and think he will eventually be THE guy here.

First, the #s are wrong. Jones had 30 carries total over the year for 266 yards. Vela has 17-133 and 11-178. The 2 missing carries inflate the averages. Similarly, Felix is credited with 45 more yards than he actual ran for.

Second, the #s are WAY thrown off by his awesome 60 yard run. That becomes a big issue b/c we are talking only 30 carries total.

Third, what the #s really tell us is that Choice can flat out play as every down back. When you consider that he got 5.2 YPC against Pit, NYG, Bal, and Philly it says that kid can call.

Fourth, about Barber... what I've said consistently about the guy is that his gaudy #s were likely the result of playing against worn down D's. This last season suggest that argument is correct. (Save your whiny "but he was hurt" arguments - that's part of being a starter).

Conclusion: Felix should get the ball more. Choice and Barber should legitimately battle for PT.

I'm amazed how in this thread this stat got no response. IMO it's about production. Add the fact Choice did this with our broken down offensive line and it's even more of a statement as to the talent of this guy.

Everyone has preferences, but I think many get enamored with the idea of the big play. You make another great point about Choice being the only one of these guys to be a full-time starter in college and Jones and Barber have never had that role.

 

[UnoDallas]

Felix had in

06 - 154 carries for 1168 yards avg 7.6
07 - 134 carries for 1160 yards avg 8.7


seems to me if you can get a guy with that much speed making SEC defenders missing - I say he got a lot less wear a tear on his body than Choice

Choice - 4th in Tech history for career rushing attempts (675)

06 - 297 carries for 1473 yards
07 - 249 carries for 1310 yards

Felix in two years 288 carries for 2320

while choice in 06 297 carries had only 1473

its a no brainer to me Felix should get the starting job when they find out MBIII can't do it

IMO

 

[Hostile]

I do not care who is considered the starter as long as all 3 are utilized.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I start Tash. he has wiggle and can run between the tackles.

I bring in Felix both as a single back, or with full back or with Tash.

Get a lead. Then bring in Crash and have Barber play clock control in the fourth.

Imagine a 10 point lead starting the fourth and Barber does to a team what he did to the Giants in the second quarter of the 2007 play-off game.

He drives for 14 minutes and scores and the other team, doesn't get the ball back with enough time to do squat.

 

[Four]

If you can't tell the difference between the two players, I don't know what to tell you. Probably "stop watching football" would be a start, though.

That's all well and good but, fans over valued julius after a stellar showing in his rookie season.

We have a limited number of games to judge Felix on, and frankly, maybe it was his role that allowed him to succeed.

If he can stay a 7-9 yarder(not likely) as a change of pace back I would prefer that to a 4.5 average every down back.

Mostly because I think Barber is about a 4.3-4.4 rb and that last year was his first year as a starter and he was hurt so in the same vein it's stupid to write him off already.

I would also add, I am not sure jones can hold up, I think the injury last year to Barber was an aberration(all the injuries I hope actually). Anyone who has seen how barber is built should have faith that he is built to take the pounding, felix isn't there and may never be.

 

[adzrne7]

Let's first see how Felix looks after his toe injury. If he is 100% he should get at least 50% of the carries. He is too much of a game breaker to leave on the sidelines.

 

[zrinkill]

Let's first see how Felix looks after his toe injury. If he is 100% he should get at least 50% of the carries. He is too much of a game breaker to leave on the sidelines.

I think he should get less percent of that in carries ...... but she be utilized more in both the run and passing game.

The kid's skill set is perfect for the screen.

If we learn how to run a good screen ...... he will be a threat to score every time he catches it.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Nooooooo.

The stats are based on Marion having 10 times as many runs as Felix.

Felix has had no semblance of consistent running.

So when they both have roughly the same amount of runs, then compare.

I do believe MB should start and pound the defense into submission shortly into the 2nd half. Then start MB again in the second half. Then go to Felix for the lions share of carries to the end of the game.
This gives rest to both and it makes the defense play different games up front, at least.
Pay attention to this, Jason!!!!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Get a lead. Then bring in Crash and have Barber play clock control in the fourth.

Of course, you know, all this goes out the window if the Cowboys are playing catch-up.

 

[EPL0c0]

for the sake of their health, I think an even rotation does help

I think it helps keep a defense off-balance as well if you don't settle them into specific roles. I think if you can bring any of them in on 1st and 10 just as easily as on 3rd and 1, with their different running styles, it can really help the offense overall.

 

[adzrne7]

I think he should get less percent of that in carries ...... but she be utilized more in both the run and passing game.

The kid's skill set is perfect for the screen.

If we learn how to run a good screen ...... he will be a threat to score every time he catches it.

Definitely agree with you about using him more in the passing game and on screens. You give him a little crease and he is 5 yards up field before you can even blink. I think maybe 10-15 touches a game should be about right.

 

[Jay]

Felix had in

06 - 154 carries for 1168 yards avg 7.6
07 - 134 carries for 1160 yards avg 8.7


seems to me if you can get a guy with that much speed making SEC defenders missing - I say he got a lot less wear a tear on his body than Choice

Choice - 4th in Tech history for career rushing attempts (675)

06 - 297 carries for 1473 yards
07 - 249 carries for 1310 yards

Felix in two years 288 carries for 2320

while choice in 06 297 carries had only 1473

its a no brainer to me Felix should get the starting job when they find out MBIII can't do it

IMO

Can't compare that together.. Felix would often be in the same backfield as Darren McFadden. Choice was doing it all by himself.