Best RB in the draft? Let the debate continue

[Russ Smith]

Benson said he'd rather win the Heisman than beat OU, he said later in the same interview he'd rather win a National Championship than win the Heisman. Benson doesn't have any dedication question marks as far as I'm concerned, he quit playing baseball this year because he decided football was his passion and his best chance at being a successful professional athlete. Russ mentioned on another thread that he thinks Benson will be run down, but actually if you look back at the last 4 yrs alot of the Longhorn games have been blowout wins in which CB didn't play much in the second half. I don't recall any injury issues the last 4 years either.

Im saying that on sheer carries. It seems to me off the top of my head that there aren't that many great RB's anymore that start from day 1, play 4 years and then have long NFL careers. Emmitt did, but in general guys play some as a freshman, start soph and junior year and then go pro. So Benson is going to wind up with more carries than your typical college player has before he's done.

Of course that theory is as full of holes as any, for example that was a popular theory on why Billy Sims would have such a great NFL career, OU ran the wishbone so he didn't get a ton of carries in college and would have a long NFL career, started great, blew his knee out, end of career.

I have no objection to Benson I just think that a guy with few carries less is less likely to have a short career.

Benson is a terrific RB and I think would make THIS years team significantly better, he's ready for the NFL right now.

 

[Poorknight1]

Mo C wouldn't be a bad pick in the 4th round. The only think that would suck about the pick is the fact that he might take a year to get into shape to really contribute depending on what he's chosen to do with his free time.

Carnell scares me because of injuries...and DG has had bad luck with that (re: Robert Smith & Michael Bennett).

Ronnie Brown runs real hard too and can catch. I believe he will actually time faster than Williams and plays faster regardless. He's big enough to pick up the blitz against anyone and should be hungry to prove himself since he's had to sit behind Carnell for no reason other than...well...Carnell can get it done too.

I like Benson but someone, I believe Section 11, said: There's a lot of tread on those tires. I think it's a proven fact that NFL backs usually only have so many carries. So how many of those have been spent at UT? Tomlinson is a recent exception to that rule and if Benson turns out anything like him he's the guy.

Davis...too little, always hurt.

Sproles...too little, developing a fumbling problem in his last few games.

Walter Reyes. This guy could be a stud but he's fallen off this year. Maybe losing focus because his team sucks so bad? Your guess is as good as mine...

DonTrell Moore. Great pick for the previously mentioned reasons (seperate thread). If he comes out (yeah right) he'd be another good 4th round pick that might end up our starter on Day 1.


I really don't believe we need a superstar. Once our line puts it together the system will spring the RB regardless of who we have back there.

Unfotunately you can't say the same for pass protection so I still say we go CB in round one and hope a good number of RB's fall.


PK1

 

[football karma]

There is also a kid from Minnesota whose name escapes me right now -- Marion Barber??

Very smooth and fast-- seems like he can radically change directions without slowing down -- a quality that Faulk and Priest Holmes have

 

[SoonerCard]

Others to consider

Take a look at Vernand Morency of OK State. Might be able to get him in round 3. Also, what about the guy who transferred out of Auburn to Div 1AA. Can't recall the name but I remember him being really big and fast. Don't know if he's productive though. There's more to being a RB that just athletic ability. As far as Adrian Peterson goes, he is very fast, runs upright. Comparison is to Eric Dickerson. He's pretty tough to bring down. Lately, he has me concerned with his style. He might be subject to injuries in the college game with his never give up attitude. He got his leg "tweaked" last week against TTech trying to break a tackle and then getting hit high when his legs were trapped.

 

[Russ Smith]

Take a look at Vernand Morency of OK State. Might be able to get him in round 3. Also, what about the guy who transferred out of Auburn to Div 1AA. Can't recall the name but I remember him being really big and fast. Don't know if he's productive though. There's more to being a RB that just athletic ability. As far as Adrian Peterson goes, he is very fast, runs upright. Comparison is to Eric Dickerson. He's pretty tough to bring down. Lately, he has me concerned with his style. He might be subject to injuries in the college game with his never give up attitude. He got his leg "tweaked" last week against TTech trying to break a tackle and then getting hit high when his legs were trapped.

Yeah the Dickerson comparison is obvious they run very similarly, he does run upright. FWIW Derrick Johnson said that Peterson is one of those farm kids who carried hay bales every day as a kid so he's not just fast he's strong. I don't know if he's just trying to psych him out before they play or not, but that's what he says.

Peterson is scary good though, he reminds me a lot of Portis but he's bigger, he has that same ability to change directions at high speed without slowing which very few REALLY fast players have. You always worry about injury with any player but if he stays healthy I think he's going to be an incredible player.

To tell you how good he is I was reading earlier today that the top 3 RB recruits OU is after this year are all leaning towards other teams specifically because they want to play right away and know Peterson is going to be there for 2 more years at least. You know you're good when other highly touted recruits are afraid they're not going to play because of you.

 

[az jam]

I like Ronnie Brown from Auburn. Bigger, stronger and faster than Williams.
(and Kiper rates him higher ) If Benson has a solid game against OK this Saturday; that may change my mind. Big test for him.

 

[earthsci]

Who's the starting RB for Miami? Frank Gore?

 

[Poorknight1]

Yup...Gore is Miami's guy though he's been splitting carries with Tyrone Moss since last year. He's excellent but has ripped both knees...then again so has Jamal Lewis. <shrug>


Good call on MBIII, Fuego. I would be happy with him in the 2nd or third as well. He's got it together for sure and seems like a pretty tough kid.


PK1

 

[WizardOfAz]

1) Cedric Benson - he looks the most NFL ready with the combo of size and speed.

I want to see Benson hang on to the football a bit better - he may have cost the Long Horns the game today with those drops.

 

[Duckjake]

I want to see Benson hang on to the football a bit better - he may have cost the Long Horns the game today with those drops.

True, that's 4 or 5 now in the last two games. On the other hand his receptions in the game may have added to his perceived value as a pro.

 

[clif]

I want to see Benson hang on to the football a bit better - he may have cost the Long Horns the game today with those drops.

no doubt he needs to improve with his handles, but the QB is the one who lost this game... man he was horrible

 

[Duckjake]

no doubt he needs to improve with his handles, but the QB is the one who lost this game... man he was horrible

You're right.

Vince Young needs to make a smart career decision and get the UT people to move him to WR ASAP. He'll never be a pro QB throwing like he does.

He could play for the Cardinals though. He's got the goofball lateral to an offensive lineman down fairly well.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

You're right.

Vince Young needs to make a smart career decision and get the UT people to move him to WR ASAP. He'll never be a pro QB throwing like he does.

He could play for the Cardinals though. He's got the goofball lateral to an offensive lineman down fairly well.

Duckjake,

you can take some pride in your defense this year. Kind of like the cardinals, they were really good in the redzone today. They played their tails off and UT had a chance to win this game.

AP is a great back. Something like 225 on 30 carries today. Still a little too early to call him special. But man. He looks like the total package. He looks like he's got a chance to be one of the all time greats.

max mojo vs. injuries for AP.