Bye, Bye Hambone!

[jstadvl]

Actually

I'm a very big fan of "Hammer" and D.A. As for bringing either up, it's been done before, and then it turns into an insult thing and how "this guy sucks" and "I'll take anyone over him", by all of the NFL talent evaluators.

So one last time, Hodgins is a very good FB. Can he be the #3 short yardage or goal line guy? I don't know.
D.A. has had two years to come back from a car accident that should have killed him. He wants to be here and I don't think Green would take him into camp if he wasn't looking for something out of him. Can he be the #3? Again I don't know.

All I agree with, so far, is Hambrick sealed his fate. Too bad, I thought he'd have a good year. Another victim of the "legend in his own mind" thing? I don't know. And, we are going to need soemone to spell both Shipp and Arrington and be our #3. Hopefully he's already on the roster.
Alot of "I don't knows". So there you go.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

A short yardage back doesn't use a lot of "moves" or do a lot of your so-called "catching" (witchcraft)!!

Well, if reading blocks and moves in the hole are incosequential; why not save the $1,250,000 the CARDS are paying Hodgins, and give the job to one of the backup o-lineman who are paid 300K?.

That reading blocks and moves are not that important would come as quite a surprise to defenses who had to stop E. Smith, a relatively small but quite good short yardage back.

I'd see what JJ, Shipp and Obafemi A.can do in short yardage situations before I'd turn to Hodgins.

 

[BigDavis75]

Well, if reading blocks and moves in the hole are incosequential; why not save the $1,250,000 the CARDS are paying Hodgins, and give the job to one of the backup o-lineman who are paid 300K?.

That reading blocks and moves are not that important would come as quite a surprise to defenses who had to stop E. Smith, a relatively small but quite good short yardage back.

I'd see what JJ, Shipp and Obafemi A.can do in short yardage situations before I'd turn to Hodgins.

On 3 & 1 a guy finds a hole and goes. You don't want him pulling a Thomas Jones and trying to run all the way across the line and bouncing around blocks. I said Hodgins would be a good idea because we don't risk Femi (starter at FB) or JJ/Shipp getting hurt.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

On 3 & 1 a guy finds a hole and goes. You don't want him pulling a Thomas Jones and trying to run all the way across the line and bouncing around blocks. I said Hodgins would be a good idea because we don't risk Femi (starter at FB) or JJ/Shipp getting hurt.

We don't risk our starting FULLBACK on a 3 and 1.

Then pray tell: What the hell's he for?

 

[vince56]

Alot of "I don't knows". So there you go.

My apologies for taking this out of context dvl, but I find it funny you say there are a lot of "I don't knows", when in fact our RB situation is the most stable it's been in years.

Arrington starting with Shipp backing him up and two excellent fullbacks, each with their own strengths. Femi's a great all-around player, good runner and good receiver. Hodgins is a bowling ball with arms, just don't get him the ball 'cause he has cement shoes

If that revamped line can block and Warner can be enough of a threat to get 8 out of the defensive box, we're gonna run like crazy on some teams this year. I can't remember a time I was more excited about our running game.

 

[slanidrac16]

To me Obafemi is a stud. He can do exactly what we were hoping to get out of Hambrick.
If we are successful this year Obafemi will contribute a more than fair share to it.

 

[BigDavis75]

We don't risk our starting FULLBACK on a 3 and 1.

Then pray tell: What the hell's he for?

Then why do we need a short yardage back if we can just use Femi like you said, DG obviously doesn't like the idea of using Femi there.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Then why do we need a short yardage back if we can just use Femi like you said, DG obviously doesn't like the idea of using Femi there.

Obviously?

Green has had as much to say about Femi as a short yardage back as he has had about Hodgins... precisely nothing.

If I follow: With no on field evidence in support, you believe that Hodgins who rarely touches the ball is our best choice presently in short yardage. And the reasons include size and protecting the health of our RB's and starting FB.

Effective short yardage backs come in a all sizes.

To reiterate; I'd prefer to see what our no. 1 and no. 2 RB's can do in these particular situations, followed by Femi because he's simply a better ball carrier than Hodgins.

By-the-way, when was the last time you saw a RB seriously hurt is a short yardage situation?.

 

[BigDavis75]

You know what Canuck you're right we should use our starters on short yardage, why should we do that? Explain it to me instead of simply trying to argue with my idea of using Hodgins.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

You know what Canuck you're right we should use our starters on short yardage, why should we do that? Explain it to me instead of simply trying to argue with my idea of using Hodgins.

For example: (On a 3 and 1) - With Hodgins it's essentially a head down run between the centre and guard against a stacked D.

With JJ or Shipp, even Afemi... it could be a run between the Centre & Guard or Guard & Tackle or Off Tackle or a pass in the flat.

Our top three runners give us more options.

More options potentially creates confusion in the Defence.

Confusion in the Defence is a good thing.

 

[jstadvl]

Not necessarily Craze

In the Green Bay game Hodgins was a decoy for Smith, faked the block, ran into the flat, caught a pass thrown a bit behind him, and scored what turned out to be the winning T.D.
Both scenarios should be used. Starters and #3 used in the same situations. I think that would put the D on it's heals a bit more.
Alot of RB's have probably been hurt in short yardage situations. I say probably because I don't have those stats nor am I looking them up. But, alot happens at those points of contact with alot of weight. Foot gets caught, ankle turned, big man steps on foot, tackled and rolled over on ankle and leg, side shots on knees.
Again, I don't think we pull our starters and tip our hand either.

 

[BigDavis75]

In the Green Bay game Hodgins was a deoc for Smith, faked the block, ran into the flat, caught a pass thrown a bit behind him, and scored what turned out to be the winning T.D.
Both scenarios should be used. Starters and #3 used in the same situations. I think that would put the D on it's heals a bit more.
Alot of RB's have probably been hurt in short yardage situations. I say probably because I don't have those stats nor am I looking them up. But, alot happens at those points of contact with alot of weight. Foot gets caught, ankle turned, big man steps on foot, tackled and rolled over on ankle and leg, side shots on knees.
Again, I don't think we pull our starters and tip our hand either.

Thank you. Also until JJ proves to be reliable in the NFL I would want Hodgins to have the rock I mean he's been in a lot more pressure situations than has any back on our current roster.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

In the Green Bay game Hodgins was a decoy for Smith, faked the block, ran into the flat, caught a pass thrown a bit behind him, and scored what turned out to be the winning T.D.
Both scenarios should be used. Starters and #3 used in the same situations. I think that would put the D on it's heals a bit more.
Alot of RB's have probably been hurt in short yardage situations. I say probably because I don't have those stats nor am I looking them up. But, alot happens at those points of contact with alot of weight. Foot gets caught, ankle turned, big man steps on foot, tackled and rolled over on ankle and leg, side shots on knees.
Again, I don't think we pull our starters and tip our hand either.

And I recall him dropping the pass on a similar play that I believe would have led to a victory. If, short yardage situations are inherently more dangerous than other plays at the line, don't you think we should avoid a QB sneak at all times?. He's certainly the most valuable player on the field.

If Hodgins gets an opportunity to punch in the 3rd and one, I'll be rooting for him, but I somehow doubt he'll be taking those touches away from our top RB's and starting fullback, To the best of my knowledge, he's an experienced blocking back, although less than stellar in his one year on the field for the Cards, and has carried the ball less than Shipp over his career.

Thanks for pointing out that you wouldn't "pull our starters and tip our hand either."

 

[joeshmo]

Also until JJ proves to be reliable in the NFL I would want Hodgins to have the rock.

Either you forgot the, , smiley, or you have completely lost it if you would rather have Hodgins have the ball rather then J.J. no matter how inexperienced he is.

Hodgins has a total of 15 carries his whole career. Thats 3 carries per season he has been healthy. Hodgins is here to BLOCK and catch or run the ball once in a blue moon.

 

[BigRedFan]

Youre right, here are the stats

| Rushing | Receiving |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| Year TM | G | Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| 1999 ram | 15 | 7 10 1.4 1 | 6 35 5.8 0 |
| 2000 ram | 15 | 1 3 3.0 0 | 2 5 2.5 0 |
| 2001 ram | 16 | 2 5 2.5 0 | 4 24 6.0 1 |
| 2002 ram | 9 | 3 7 2.3 0 | 9 47 5.2 0 |
| 2003 ari | 16 | 2 6 3.0 0 | 14 58 4.1 2 |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| TOTAL | 71 | 15 31 2.1 1 | 35 169 4.8 3 |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

Either you forgot the the, , smiley, or you have completely lost it if you would rather have Hodgins have the ball rather then J.J. no matter how inexperienced he is.

Hodgins has a total of 15 carries his whole career. Thats 3 carries per season he has been healthy. Hodgins is here to BLOCK and catch or run the ball once in a blue moon.

 

[kerouac9]

I would rather anyone carry the ball in short yardage situations that Marcel Shipp. Why? Because he either fails to get the yardage (what was our % on 3rd and short in 2003? It seems like we were in a lot of positions to have to go for it on fourth down that year...) or he fumbles the ball (especially in the red zone).

J.J. Arrington may not be strong enough yet to run the ball down close to the line, and Shipp is neither consistent nor strong enough to do it. I'm not sure that Hambrick is really out yet--but if he is, I really like Russ's idea of calling Stacey Mack.

Another dark horse option is Jonathan Wells being released in Houston (no one's saying anything, but they have a lot of 1st-day RBs there). He'd be a great addition/replacement for short-yardage carries, and he's money on special teams.

 

[Assface]

I would rather anyone carry the ball in short yardage situations that Marcel Shipp. Why? Because he either fails to get the yardage (what was our % on 3rd and short in 2003? It seems like we were in a lot of positions to have to go for it on fourth down that year...) or he fumbles the ball (especially in the red zone).

J.J. Arrington may not be strong enough yet to run the ball down close to the line, and Shipp is neither consistent nor strong enough to do it. I'm not sure that Hambrick is really out yet--but if he is, I really like Russ's idea of calling Stacey Mack.

Another dark horse option is Jonathan Wells being released in Houston (no one's saying anything, but they have a lot of 1st-day RBs there). He'd be a great addition/replacement for short-yardage carries, and he's money on special teams.

What happened to him in Houston? When he was drafted wasn't he supposed to be "the man" there? I know they also spent a high supplemental draft pick on Hollings but Davis stepped up so neither of those 2 got to show what they have. Did Wells have injury problems? That's obviously something you want to avoid in a starter but it's not a big deal with a 3rd RB.

 

[BigDavis75]

Either you forgot the, , smiley, or you have completely lost it if you would rather have Hodgins have the ball rather then J.J. no matter how inexperienced he is.

Hodgins has a total of 15 carries his whole career. Thats 3 carries per season he has been healthy. Hodgins is here to BLOCK and catch or run the ball once in a blue moon.

And JJ has a total of 0 NFL carries, let him prove himself to be a short yardage back by not fumbling and being able to convert b/w the tackles. Also, did Hodgins fumble on any of those carries?

 

[joeshmo]

And JJ has a total of 0 NFL carries, let him prove himself to be a short yardage back by not fumbling and being able to convert b/w the tackles. Also, did Hodgins fumble on any of those carries?

He better not have fumbled he only touched the ball 15 times in 6 years.

 

[BigDavis75]

He better not have fumbled he only touched the ball 15 times in 6 years.

Thanks for proving my point

I'm not saying Hodgy is a friggin' monster with the rock I'm saying he would be a pretty good option with some work.

 

[jstadvl]

No Craze

A sneak and the QB is only going a yard most times from under center. A RB is moving a few more yards to get what they need.jmo.
I meant it about using everyone we can on certain plays. I wasn't trying to be rude.

 

[joeshmo]

Thanks for proving my point

I'm not saying Hodgy is a friggin' monster with the rock I'm saying he would be a pretty good option with some work.

And what point did I prove. I really dont hope you are resting your arguement on the fact that Hodgins has only run the ball 15 times his whole 6 year career. And the fact that he hasnt fumble in those great amount of carries proves nothing. He only had 15 freakin chance.

There is a reason he has spent 6 years in the NFL and only run the ball 15 times, 7 of which by the way were in his rookie year and failed horribly at it. 8 more the next 5 years. Thats a whopping 2 runs per year the next 4 years(not counting his injury year). The guy is a wealth of experiance running the ball. So much experience at it is negligible compared to JJ's experience.

Hodgins has had 6 years to get that so called work needed. 6 years of coaches thinking he isnt even worth that work. Why has he been in the league for years and not be used as a short yardage back, yet?

The only reason you think Hodgins would be a good short yardage is becuase he is big with absolutly nothing else to back you up. Zero.

You would think a 270+ lb FB would get more looks on the goal line and 3rd and shorts wouldnt you think. But There is a reason he or other FB's like him havent been given that opportunity more often. People make the big mistake by thinking that if a runner is big it automaticlly means they are good short yardage backs. Far from the truth.

Goal line and short yardage situations is all about a mix of power (power doesnt mean just weight, far from it), hitting the hole fast before it closes, and finishing with leg drive, and in goal line situations sometimes the ability to bounce it to the outside.

By the time Hodgins gets his 270 lb butt to the line of scrimmage the hole will have already been stuffed with LB's in the backfield becuase the line is stacked and it wouldnt matter how big he is or how good the oline is. There is only a small window of opportunity for a RB to run through his hole.

As for JJ converting between the tackles, that was his bread and butter in college and were he had most of his success, beucase he didnt dance in the backfield, he hits the hole hard and fast then makes his move in the second level.

I find it pretty funny that someone actually wants the ball in Hodgins hands instead of JJ(rookie or no rookie doesnt matter) in critical running situations. No matter what the situation is. Hodgins as a surprise play a few times a year I am all for it, but other then that he will be the blocker trying to open the hole for Shipp, Femi or JJ.

Hodgins is a blocker and a blocker only. But hey, with "some work" he can be a pretty good runner.

Dont know what the arguement is anyways since Shipp, Femi, JJ and most likely who we bring in to replace Hambrick will all be the first options way before the coaches think of Hodgins.

 

[BACH]

Thanks for proving my point

I'm not saying Hodgy is a friggin' monster with the rock I'm saying he would be a pretty good option with some work.

Hodgins - No way! He's a blocker and a blocker only.

Femi on the other hand...

 

[kerouac9]

What happened to him in Houston? When he was drafted wasn't he supposed to be "the man" there? I know they also spent a high supplemental draft pick on Hollings but Davis stepped up so neither of those 2 got to show what they have. Did Wells have injury problems? That's obviously something you want to avoid in a starter but it's not a big deal with a 3rd RB.

A career 3.0 YPC average will do that to you. He averaged 2.7 YPC as a rookie, and then they brought in Stacey Mack (who was Marcel Shipp before there was a Marcel Shipp) to supplant him, and then what's-his-name (sorry, this is a drunk post) supplanted him and became The Man.

The good news is is that Wells' YPC has increased every year since he came into the league. The bad news is that last season it was 3.6, which was still better than Shipp's the last two seasons. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tony Hollings or Wells as a Cards' backup this season, if not next.

 

[BACH]

The good news is is that Wells' YPC has increased every year since he came into the league. The bad news is that last season it was 3.6, which was still better than Shipp's the last two seasons. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tony Hollings or Wells as a Cards' backup this season, if not next.

Hollings??

He's entering his 3rd season on a 4 year deal, so he's not going anywhere. He was a 2nd round pick...

He has been hampered by injuries in his two first season, but that's not a reason for releasing him IMO. Maybe you have heard something that I didn't???