Backup RB

Matt Forte could be available with our first pick in the third round. He seems to have all the tools to become a good choice as our "power back." Though I'm comfortable with sticking with what we have now...Williams and Toefield will probably be a great tandem if the O-Line works as it should.

 

That is the real key to it. We have to improve our run blocking. Hopefully the shift to using bigger guys inside will help.

 

Better blocking is necessary, yes. There's deviation as to who thinks what part of our blocking needs to improve, but we can stand to have better all around.

For me, part of the problem with our running game last year was that Foster just lacked burst anymore. Not getting through the hole fast enough meant some tough runs, which were appreciated, but runs that may not have needed to be so tough if he were able to break quicker.

At any rate, yeah, that's where I wanted this to go (to a point) - discussion of some of the smaller backs as viable options, since I think they are.


Slaton, to me, would have to have a bit of a last-ditch effort type situation to be picked. I don't like his character that much, he was being beaten in his final year there, and he's not that big either, which is just a bad combo. But, all that means for me is that I rate him after 4.

 

Theres a good history of excellent backs being taken later. Frankly, I just want value on the lines the best that we can get earlier, because that'll help everyone. ANd a saety would be peachy.

Slaton has some return abilities too, no? BUt honestly, I dont give much of a shit about him.

FOr me, its a guy like Choice, or even if we miss out on day one, a dude like Patrick from Oklahoma would be awesome. Didnt miss a beat when Peterson went out, is big enough, physical as hell, and is considered a team leader despite being a role player. Coaches talk about his intense work ethic....could work well with the Panthers.

 

Did Musa Smith ever sign anywhere?

 

To go back to Mag's point about smaller backs, I think absolutley they would be fine in our system. Going into the off-season we wanted to get better running the ball and add weapons. Chris Johnson, for example, would be a tremendous weapon. I think we would be able to use his assets, he played some WR at ECU and has good hands.
Slaton has had his injury issues in college but if he was available in the 4th or 5th I wouldn't mind picking him up and putting him some spot duty. Early in his career DW might have had some issues running inside but I think he really improved that over the course of the year last year.
Most of the people are against going RB in round one and 2, but assuming we get a starting Oline man in R1, and add a RB like Johnson or Rice imagine what the would do to our offense. I understand we have needs at Dline as well, but we could get some solid value in the 3rd as well. Is Pat Sims in the 2nd that much better than Dre Moore in the 3rd? Is Lawrence Jackson in the 2nd much better than Jason Jones in the 3rd? Its hard to say, but someone like Ray Rice or Chris Jonhson would be better in the 2nd than waiting to getting Tashard Choice in the 3rd.
Either way I think we'll have a better offense after the draft. I would love to wait until the 3rd to address RB but the draft doesn't always work out how we want.

 

Choice lead the ACC in rushing the last two years in a pound it out type running game. He doesn't have a ton of upside but you know what you are going to get. No character issues either that I can remember.