Why Lamar Smith should be Foster's backup

[meatpile]

Foster has the potential to be a star. He's got the speed, balance, and the elusive style to gain 200 yards from scrimmage. He has question marks, such as durability hands, and if these problems arise, who could be a better backup than Lamar Smith?

When Foster hits his rookie wall, who better to back him up than Smith?

Smith's not a threat to break the big run. He's 32. He's never been the game breaking kind of guy the way Foster has the potential to be.

Why not start Foster? What's the argument for Foster backing up Smith?

 

[Piper]

Expierence. Consistancy. He's been a 1,000 yard rusher.

It's Foster's to win, but there's definately a competative atmosphere here. I just tend to believe we will work Foster in slowly, sort of like Green Bay did with Green and Levens in 2000. Levens was not the back he was, but they fed him until Ahmed slowly overtook him.

 

[PantherMills]

Of any position (minus Special Teams) rookie RB's have the best chance to make an immediate impact. But, for us, I like the idea (ala Oakland and others) of a running back by committee this year, 2 starters in a sense.
My gut tells me, though, that Foster is going to show something special in training camp and pre-season. He very well may be our starter.

 

[Y2Buddy]

...and he will be.

It would not surprise me to see Foster in the starting role by the 1st game of the season.

But don't forget, the last game our offensive line coach and Smith had together was a play-off game in which Smith ran for over 200 yards. So I'm sure Smith has a cheering section.

Foster is the man though. Depending on how long it takes him to learn the play book, and get up to speed, he should be the starter. I like that we have such a good back like Smith as a back-up though. Besides, look at the contract Smith was givin. Not starter money. I don't think it was ever the intention of Fox to bring him in as a starter. Much like the veteren QB, Smith is also getting paid to teach how to run behind a Paul Boudreau coached OL.

 

[PantherMills]

Good point, Y2. Peete, if I'm not mistaken, has played under Henning, hence the perfect mentor for Weinke and Fasani (sorry Lytle). Could Smith be viewed the same way? As Y2 said, he's not getting paid starting $.

 

[Piper]

Not quite the same, in that Smith will contribute, wheras Peete will hopefully be riding the bench.

But yeah. Really, it all depends on Foster, and how he performs, what we do to "correct" his fumbling problem, how quickly he picks up the O. I imagine though, initially, duties will be largely split.

 

[meatpile]

I'm looking forward to the 3 week minicamp.

Foster looked SO GOOD in mini camp. He really stood out.

 

[PantherMills]

There's got to be something wrong with me. I'm pumped and it's only May.

 

[magnus]

best back wins, best back starts. Both will see their share of the time regardless.

 

[SandMan]

Smith has been a better NFL back - better than any we have had, over a few year stretch.

Smith needs to start... let the rookie watch our first several offensive series from the sideline. I don't care if Foster comes in the first game, but lets let him work his way in. If he steals the start from Smith anytime during the year... great, good for him. Either way, unlike the last few years, I don't see a need to rush the rookie in... His odds of starting with Tim B here would have been better IMO.