Who's the best RB on the team the next 6 weeks?

[fifaguy]

Dunbar

What about Tashard Choice or Joseph Randle?

 

[Stash]

agreed i'd like to see rod as well but not sure how to start; maybe he could be a change of pace/ breather for alf until we see more? alf and dmc are FAs at year end and i'd like to know how much we need to prioritize a back up rb in the offseason.

Yeah, start with the vets and give him a few carries. If he's productive, more the next week. And so on. He might factor into the future, the others don't.

 

[BourbonBalz]

McFadden had ball security issues this past preseason and imo is not as good as Morris in blitz pickup, but as far as speed and agility goes he is #1 there
Morris has good ball security, good blitz pickup / block skills, and the best vision, but lacks speed and agility, so I think he's our #1 short yardage back
Smith is the wildcard since he's had so few snaps we don't really know what we have, but in his flashes he looks to be decisive north /south and hard to tackle in the open field. jury still out on ball security and blocking

Actually, McFadden is light years ahead of Morris when it comes to blocking and blitz pickup. Not sure what you're been watching and listening to, but this isn't even in question. McFadden has always been acknowledged as an excellent blocking back (when it comes to protecting the QB). Morris not so much.

 

[mardwin]

I like Morris, he has looked explosive when he gets his chances (which have been very limited). But since Morris is a bruiser and a volume back the more he touches the ball the better he gets. I think we'll be ok for the next 6-weeks if the defense show-ups for a least 3 qtrs.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I have to believe McFadden has been inactive for the entire season as insurance for the Zeke suspension. I figure he'll get gradually worked in over the next game or two and will become the feature back until Elliott comes back. it's really the only thing that makes sense for him being inactive all season. He's better than Morris and is much more versatile.

 

[coogrfan]

It would not surprise me one bit for Dmac to be the lead back and morris to keeps his role pretty similar to what he does now and with more touches for Smith. Out of all the backs, Dmac is by the far the best running back we have not named Zeke.

One wonders why "the best running back we have not named Zeke" hasn't touched the ball once this season...

 

[IheartRomo]

I'm inclined to say Rod Smith but with the limited body of work, I'd say DMC. I really do not like the way Morris runs - never have. Hope we'll ride DMC/Smith.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

One wonders why "the best running back we have not named Zeke" hasn't touched the ball once this season...

Saving him for this role. Keep him Fresh. Morris has a different style of running and is better suited to be the #2 back to Zeke.. Dmac is best suited to be the lead horse.

 

[HanD]

Saving him for this role. Keep him Fresh. Morris has a different style of running and is better suited to be the #2 back to Zeke.. Dmac is best suited to be the lead horse.

not sure how much i buy that. if a rb needs to be saved from 5 carries a game to remain fresh or injury free when it is his turn....he might have some issues...

 

[coogrfan]

Saving him for this role. Keep him Fresh. Morris has a different style of running and is better suited to be the #2 back to Zeke.. Dmac is best suited to be the lead horse.

Fresh...or rusty? Dude hasn't played since August.

 

[CowboyStar88]

DMC and Smith

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Fresh...or rusty? Dude hasn't played since August.

He plays every day. Just not on Sunday. I remember the way he ran the ball last year, especially in the Washington game.. he was knocking people out. We will be fine. He will be fine. Its' six games.

 

[BourbonBalz]

not sure how much i buy that. if a rb needs to be saved from 5 carries a game to remain fresh or injury free when it is his turn....he might have some issues...

McFadden and Zeke are similar backs as far as their roles go. Morris, at least at this stage of his career, is more of a short yardage back that does not catch the ball out of the backfield. It has made perfect sense for McFadden to be inactive with Zeke on the roster. He wasn't going to get the carries with Zeke playing. There was no reason to have him active over Morris considering their roles. With Zeke suspended, McFadden should assume the lead role after he knocks some rust off. It's not like he hasn't been practicing with the team all season.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Jamiell Showers

 

[HanD]

McFadden and Zeke are similar backs as far as their roles go. Morris, at least at this stage of his career, is more of a short yardage back that does not catch the ball out of the backfield. It has made perfect sense for McFadden to be inactive with Zeke on the roster. He wasn't going to get the carries with Zeke playing. There was no reason to have him active over Morris considering their roles. With Zeke suspended, McFadden should assume the lead role after he knocks some rust off. It's not like he hasn't been practicing with the team all season.

i don't necessarily disagree about the roles thing, but what changed from last year to this year? why was alf immediately demoted when dmc came off of pup?

 

[BourbonBalz]

i don't necessarily disagree about the roles thing, but what changed from last year to this year? why was alf immediately demoted when dmc came off of pup?

Elliott was a rookie last year and we rode him pretty hard. I would suspect the staff wanted to take a bit of a load off of him in the latter part of the season and McFadden can do the same things Elliott can do (obviously not as well, but he's just as versatile). I know he only played the first half against Detroit and not at all against the Eagles. Plus, McFadden played VERY well the season before and was obviously very fresh after coming off PUP. I think that's exactly why he's been inactive all season, so he would be fresh if and when Elliott was suspended. It's the only thing that makes sense.

 

[Nightman]

I have to believe McFadden has been inactive for the entire season as insurance for the Zeke suspension. I figure he'll get gradually worked in over the next game or two and will become the feature back until Elliott comes back. it's really the only thing that makes sense for him being inactive all season. He's better than Morris and is much more versatile.

That really makes no sense........ you activate your best players

Plus we have to change all of our OL scheme for DMC

 

[BourbonBalz]

What I'm going to post next should not in any way be construed to mean that I think the Zeke suspension is a good thing for us. That would be just stupid!!!! However, if (and this is a great big ole If) we can ride out the next six games and stay in playoff contention, getting a fresh and hungry Zeke back for the last three game playoff push and possibly for the playoffs could end up being beneficial. Plus, if we do win enough games to stay in contention, it would most likely mean that the passing game is functioning very well and that McFadden, Morris, and even Smith have filled in sufficiently in the run game. It would just give us more depth for the final push and hopefully the playoffs. I realize all of this is predicated on us winning enough games over the next six to keep us alive, but it can definitely be done. Whether it will be done remains to be seen.

 

[BourbonBalz]

That really makes no sense........ you activate your best players

Plus we have to change all of our OL scheme for DMC

Actually, it makes complete sense. Active/gameday roster spots are extremely valuable. You don't double up on similar types of players that are used in exactly the same manner. With Zeke healthy and playing, he's going to get 90% of the carries. It makes no sense to have McFadden active when he brings the same skillset to the table. Morris is a different type of back from those two, so having him active with Elliott makes perfect sense. You're only looking at talent and not tactics. It's the same reason teams don't like to have three possession receivers or three speed receivers on the field at the same time. You need different types of players with different skill sets. McFadden is a more talented and explosive player than Morris. I don't see how anyone can argue otherwise.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Both about the same.