DJ is back - but we got Drake

[Crimson Warrior]

I can only imagine what a DC might be thinking with DJ & Kenyan both on field while accounting for K1 sprinkled in with those Isabella decoys

Sure we could come out flat for an east coast road game. That's definitely possible.

But against a dreadful TB pass defense, this is also a chance to for the offense to put it all together. Maybe get into the 40s.

 

[BigRedRage]

Suddenly putting both Johnson and Drake on the field at the same time isn't really doable if the playbook isn't designed for both to be on the field at the same time and when was the last time you saw both Johnson and Edmonds in the backfield at the same time this season?. They are not going to rewrite the playbook just to add another RB onto the field. In all likely hood Johnson and Drake will split time at RB. Asking Johnson to suddenly be a slot receiver when he hasn't been one isn't realistic either. He doesn't know the routes the slot receiver needs to know and the times he has been in the slot are few and limited to the ones designed for him in that role.

we ran 2rb sets with those two a bit in previous games before Djs injury.

 

[BigRedRage]

Should be interesting. Not sure about DJ playing WR as he seems to make his plays against linebackers

Of course, this is what people miss when they say to put DJ at WR. He is a great receiving running back . He is not a WR.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The same guy that had 600 yards of offense and 5TDs prior to the ankle in 6.5 games wasn’t producing? Rigghhhht!!!!

Not much in the running game. And he is still a running back, right?

 

[BigRedRage]

Not much in the running game. And he is still a running back, right?

That kind of production is vital to success regardless of what position they play IMO. If all he does is catch passes out of the backfield and it means lots of yards and touchdowns...sure.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Of course, this is what people miss when they say to put DJ at WR. He is a great receiving running back . He is not a WR.

Exactly. He’s a load for linebackers or safeties. Corners likely blanket him.

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

Put DJ in the slot.


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DJ can't be converted to WR full time. Reason is because we would lose the mismatch of a LB'er covering him. If he's a full time WR, a DB will be covering him.

 

[iLLmatiC]

Why can't both be on the field? Kyler needs as many weapons at his disposable as possible.

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

I think y’all read me wrong
Love DJ but he hasn’t produced in years
Now with drake he’s feeling the heat and I hope he can return...I highly doubt it...his speed is 1/2 of Drake and he’s had 1/3 the heart drake or Edmonds has shown

They gotta use em both now, but I’m not tied to DJ like o was when the year started
I can see his as past tense very soon

DJ has to come from the backfield on wheel routes or from motion, he's too good at catching passes & is a nightmare for a LB'er to cover. The TD catch he made against the Lions & the big gainer on the final drive against the Bengals proved his value this season for me. Drake had a good game against SF & earned more touches. Chase is hurt so right now it's a 2 headed monster, when he gets back, they could all line up in a diamond formation & run many exotic plays. Imagine the diamond formation with jet sweep motions, the plays could get very confusing for a defense right there. They all need to play.

 

[Mainstreet]

I used to like having two having two quality running backs in the backfield. The defense can't ignore the fake handoff.

 

[ARZCardinals]

is DJ a RB? - his stats and the eye ball test say no ...he's a good pass catcher out of the backfield. He need A LOT of space, he can't run past anyone with that speed and he falls on first contact

Edmonds and Drake ARE actually RB's who go North and take contact while moving forward.

If DJ wasn't being paid $10 mill a season this year AND next I highly doubt he'd be the 1st string RB.

We will see Sunday - my money is on Drake showing he's heads and shoulders better than DJ - that is unless Keim and Mr. B force KK to run DJ all day

 

[Ronin]

I don't know why we have to like player x and hate player Y.

Can't we appreciate both?

 

[ARZCardinals]

I don't know why we have to like player x and hate player Y.

Can't we appreciate both?

Appreciate - not sure what there's to appreciate when watching DJ on the field so far. As a guy that's paid as the #3 RB in the league and plays like the 35th...there's a disconnect.
Watch him Sunday...I mean really watch him and look for the following

Compare DJ's speed vs. Drake

Compare DJ's decision making vs Drake after they get the ball. You'll see DJ waits to see if a hole opens up and Drake plows through where the play is designed

Compare DJ and Drake catching the ball

lastly

Compare DJ and Drake breaking tackles - you'll see DJ goes down on first contact ALWAYS....even if a hand hits his thigh ...he drops down on his own whereas Drake will plow through guys and get to the next level

After Sunday come back and report what you saw

 

[oaken1]

Appreciate - not sure what there's to appreciate when watching DJ on the field so far. As a guy that's paid as the #3 RB in the league and plays like the 35th...there's a disconnect.
Watch him Sunday...I mean really watch him and look for the following

Compare DJ's speed vs. Drake

Compare DJ's decision making vs Drake after they get the ball. You'll see DJ waits to see if a hole opens up and Drake plows through where the play is designed

Compare DJ and Drake catching the ball

lastly

Compare DJ and Drake breaking tackles - you'll see DJ goes down on first contact ALWAYS....even if a hand hits his thigh ...he drops down on his own whereas Drake will plow through guys and get to the next level

After Sunday come back and report what you saw

When your chargers move to london you're going with them right?

 

[dscher]

Drake is in the same spot as I wanted to see Edmonds. More touches in between the tackles and use dj in more passing situations..

 

[Jetstream Green]

When your chargers move to london you're going with them right?

Don't they have a vacancy in the Tower of London now

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[Chopper0080]

Should be interesting. Not sure about DJ playing WR as he seems to make his plays against linebackers

View David Johnson in the Charles Clay role.

 

[Chopper0080]

Exactly. He’s a load for linebackers or safeties. Corners likely blanket him.

DJ is a faster, smaller Charles Clay

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Johnson is averaging 3.9 ypc on 77 attempts

Drake 4.6 ypc on 62 attempts (7.3 on 15 attempts vs. the niners).

Edmonds 5.1 on 58 attempts.

Weird.

Generally, DJ has probably gotten the most carries in traditional run downs (thus the defense would be keying on him).

But man Chase just torched the giants as the every down back. Does DJ record 3 20 yard + TD runs in that game if he stays in? Even if he's at 100%?

 

[Russ Smith]

DJ is our 2nd or 3rd best receiver so if he can play, you play him.

Play them both. Drake was hot last week, we can use DJ as a receiver and short yardage guy.

 

[Shaggy]

I'm going to say it, between Drake and DJ, they will have over 350 all purpose yards.

 

[Zeem_Freeze]

I'm going to say it, between Drake and DJ, they will have over 350 all purpose yards.

that would be awesome. I think the minimum number those 2 need to combine for to secure a Cards W is around 225 all purpose.

 

[swagron]

I think DJ is finally feeling the heat with Drakes performance

Hopefully he steps up - or I hope they put DJ to bed

At this point I see NO reason to start DJ over Drake

Drake had an AMAZING, again AMAZING performance vs. a stout 9ers team. He was breaking tackles, running 2X's as fast as DJ and looks like a REAL RB.

I have NO ISSUE sending DJ to pasture other than Keim's contract he gave him

Feel the heat DJ - feel it!

I'll take Edmonds and Drake as our 1 and 2 punch next year and be happy as can be....then build the O line.

Some are acting like Drake is the second coming of Walter Payton. There is a reason he was available for a fifth round pick. He had a great game, but let’s pump the brakes on this.

 

[PACardsFan]

Some are acting like Drake is the second coming of Walter Payton. There is a reason he was available for a fifth round pick. He had a great game, but let’s pump the brakes on this.

Yep. Way too soon to crown him. He's been the definition of inconsistent in his relatively short career. I hope he continues to perform well, but let's not forget that the Niners didn't game plan for him at all. That being said, wow, it was fun watching a Cardinal RB play with attitude.

 

[Russ Smith]

Appreciate - not sure what there's to appreciate when watching DJ on the field so far. As a guy that's paid as the #3 RB in the league and plays like the 35th...there's a disconnect.
Watch him Sunday...I mean really watch him and look for the following

Compare DJ's speed vs. Drake

Compare DJ's decision making vs Drake after they get the ball. You'll see DJ waits to see if a hole opens up and Drake plows through where the play is designed

Compare DJ and Drake catching the ball

lastly

Compare DJ and Drake breaking tackles - you'll see DJ goes down on first contact ALWAYS....even if a hand hits his thigh ...he drops down on his own whereas Drake will plow through guys and get to the next level

After Sunday come back and report what you saw

The fact that you seem to think your 2nd comment is good for Drake and bad for DJ concerns me. Patience at RB is a huge deal. yes it's great to follow the blocking and hit the right hole but the truly elite RB's are the ones that find the hole no matter where it is. DJ in his great year was really good at that, now he just seems to have no suddenness so even when he does find a cutback or a different hole it takes too long to get there.

And catching the ball look Drake looks to be good at that but DJ is one of the best receiving backs in the NFL and has been since we drafted him, he is probably our 3rd best receiver.