Backup RB

Certainly going to be a point of influence over the offense and what we do, since the other pieces are in place for the most part. I agree with those that state that Fox always has two backs and will use them. Maybe DW's ready to be the vet back.


I don't personally see us as a 'big back' team right now. I don't see us looking for Stephen Davis 2003 - we won't turn that down, but how many big backs are that good? It's rare. So, IMO, I see them wanting Stephen Davis 2005. Get you some tough carries inside, fall into the endzone. If that's what they want, they have Toefield. It's the whole "hey look, here comes Hangartner in as eligible and Toefield's the back" thing, IMO. Situational, plus some carries normally.

Will the other back be a big back because he's a big back? Or would we get the best young runner for our buck?

i.e., would a Chris Johnson be considered too small to be a backup runner? I don't initially believe so, being that he'd take 10 carries and 3rd down time (if he shows he can block).

But otherwise, what about a Ray Rice? Here's a guy who's legitimately small, not just a little short (5'9, 200). I'm not heavily in his corner, but he's remarkably productive, has all the tools, and essentially is everything you'd want (including a good inside runner, and a guy who gets yards after contact), except he doesn't weigh enough.

Anyway, let's write off the top four, and after that, who do you like?

 

I honestly think Chris Johnson is legit person to team of with DW. The guy is fast, yes. But that's not all he is. This isn't Trung Candidate. He has actual RB skills like vision and cutback ability. You mentioned Ray Rice who is another very solid back he isn't quite the homerun hitter but a very solid back. More and more I can understand spending a 2nd on these guys because they do have the talent. I would love to go Oline/Dline in the 1st and 2nd. Hoping someone like Rice falls to us. Though I doubt it happens.

 

Spending a second rounder on a running back is too high! The only guy I would consider taking in rnd 2 is Oregon's Stewart (unlikely he'll fall THAT much) otherwise Im sure they'll be a good back available with one of our 2 3rds.

 

if Felix Jones went in the 2nd, I'd be all over that. But I have no reason to expect that to come anywhere near happening.
But fair point, yes. Negating the top four backs does put us in the 3rd round, which is about as early as I'd be comfortable taking a back. I would not want Forte or Kevin Smith in 2.

 

Ray Rice would be a good #2 back, but I wouldn't spend a second round pick on a RB this year...other needs are more important and with Toefield on board it allows the Panthers to wait til day 2 to look for depth.

Which points towards Mike Hart, who I don't ever see as an everydown player...but certainly someone who can handle some carries. Cory Boyd would also fall into that second day, but I haven't seen him play much. A Rice/Hart type of back who is well rounded but lacks top end speed might be a good compliment to D-Dub, considering there isn't a stock pile of big backs in the lower tier of this draft.

 

Exactly! Forte' or Kevin Jones as our 2nd round pick would be a reach!
Now, Matt Forte' or Kevin Jones as one of our 3rd round picks would be an excellent selection!

 

oops my bad! I meant RB Kevin Smith!!........fom Central Florida

 

Theres Slaton, who was supposed to be a bigtime kid coming out. Rice is cool with me, but we'll probably have to burn a second on him---although, with his size, Im not entirely sure thats true. Regardless of talent, dudes with that size tend to slip a lot. He's a good blocker though for his size, can catch, and has really good vision. And with Toefield playing the pounder, that could be a really nice combination- Williams/Toefield/Rice.

I'd imagine though, with the depth, we'll wait till third or fourth to draft a back. Forte, a lot of people keep bringing him up. Hart could last till late third, and he's perfect for the redzone, and short yardage. A warrior. Hes a guy who could just move the fucking chains, you know? A think a true find too, could be Choice from GT, who was a badass even when the receiver from Detroit left there---shit, whassisname? Johnson? Tough as nails, and could be a steal. See him as a kind of guy who could come in, work for a year or two and become a starting power running back in the NFL. He's a guy who I think could mature into a really, really good player, and overall, thats my pick, at least the dude I hope we'd be able to score in the third round. Tashard Choice, of GT. Local enough, too, which isnt all that important, but kinda nice.


edit: Fwiw, I dont think Chris Johnson would fit with Carolina. We arent the kind of team that would really utilize his talents, and use everything he has. He would shine in another system, even a WCO, or one that utilizes the back in motion more than we do....but if we drafted him, he'd be just another guy, only fast, IMO. He's not a hard enough runner to shine in our O. Eh...some would say thats true with DW, too, to which I would disagree, but anyway, thats just my opinion.

 

Starters and back ups... Let's bet the season that our new "starter" will all of a sudden consistantly make 4 yards per carry through the first half, keep the defense off the field and will never have anyone hit him at an unexpected angle that would take him out. Oh wait a minute, we have Toefield !!!

http://www.nfl.com/players/labrandontoefield/profile?id=TOE080750

If that doesn't work we always can rely on our stellar scouting department to bring us those 2nd day steals they are known for.

If I was a coach that's what I'd do, because this team rarely has injury issues.

 

If we get a chance to get a good running back in the draft in the later rounds then I am happy with that. If we do not it is not that important. We have DW and Toefield and we can always add a guy later on. There will be some veterans available after the draft. If the Raiders were to take McFadden then Lamont Jordan probably gets cut or is available really cheap (that is just one example). Finding capable backup running backs is not all that hard. Finding a legit feature back is pretty hard but I think we already have that guy in DW.