DJ not “special” anymore?

[Milgod]

The guy had 98 yards rushing and 85 yards receiving as well as 2 TDs and this is the time you choose to ask if he's not 'special' anymore . . .hmm. Odd timing to say the least. Especially as our OL is the worst in the league.

 

[Shane]

So in spite of the lack of talent around him you think he still looks like the guy that put up over 2,000 yards a couple seasons ago? That’s what I’m asking. I don’t think he looks like that guy. Not that level of dynamite.

I just think it’s too early... he hasn’t had a lot of opportunity in space. I think he looks good for a guy literally playing on arguably the worst all around O in football.

He has 8 TDS in 9 games... The elite like catch he made in this game on the back shoulder etc... It’s just to hard to judge in this offense even with the new OC which is def better.

That’s why I reference gurley in his 2nd year to me the similarities are eerily similar.

I don’t hate your opinion I just think I it’s jumping the gun.

Sorry for the repeat but forgot to quote you directly

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

On another note, can we relegate Chase Edmonds to about two downs per game. He is very “special”

 

[TJ]

There are a lot of problems with this team. David Johnson is not one of them, and certainly not after ~200 yards of offense bae.

 

[GoldGloveschmidt]

That’s not old he’s an elite athlete with very low miles on the tires... lol

DJ had a ton of volume in college - but even without that, studies have shown that RB decline has more to do with age than career carries. 27 is absolutely getting old for an RB. Very few RBs in history have continued to have elite production at age 27 and beyond. Look at the league's elite backs Elliot, Kamara, Hunt, Gurley, etc. DJ came into the league at 24, most of these are still younger than that and they're in their 2nd or 3rd seasons.

 

[Shane]

DJ had a ton of volume in college - but even without that, studies have shown that RB decline has more to do with age than career carries. 27 is absolutely getting old for an RB. Look at the league's elite backs Elliot, Kamara, Hunt, Gurley, etc. DJ came into the league at 24, most of these are still younger than that and they're in their 2nd or 3rd seasons.

Link to these studies that show 27 is old??? I’d argue it’s 30

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

Link to these studies that show 27 is old??? I’d argue it’s 30

On a related note, we should have kept Adrian Peterson. The guy is defying age

 

[GoldGloveschmidt]

Link to these studies that show 27 is old??? I’d argue it’s 30

Here's a good read, for starters:

https://subscribers.footballguys.com/apps/article.php?article=HarstadDiP18


PS I'm not saying DJ is "old" - but that 27 is "getting old" for a RB.

I think DJ has elite genetics and work ethic, and will be able to be a productive back until at least 30-31.

My point is that it shouldn't be a huge surprise that DJ looks like he's slowed down a quarter step.

 

[Cheesebeef]

There are a lot of problems with this team. David Johnson is not one of them, and certainly not after ~200 yards of offense bae.

Please find where anyone said DJ is a "problem".

Simply asking if he's an above average back now and not elite only equals "DJ's the problem" if you have an intellectual incapacity to have any kind of nuanced discussion and want to talk in absolutes bae.

 

[TJ]

Please find where anyone said DJ is a "problem".

Simply asking if he's an above average back now and not elite only equals "DJ's the problem" if you have an intellectual incapacity to have any kind of nuanced discussion and want to talk in absolutes bae.

We all know you and your brother are morons, but I never took you two as hypocrites. Absolutes?? HAHAHAHA

Minutes after he goes for 200 yards and we’re talking about how he’s not special. That’s....well.....special

 

[kerouac9]

We all know you and your brother are morons, but I never took you two as hypocrites. Absolutes?? HAHAHAHA

Minutes after he goes for 200 yards and we’re talking about how he’s not special. That’s....well.....special

KC is allowing 5.2 YPA on the ground.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

There are a lot of problems with this team. David Johnson is not one of them, and certainly not after ~200 yards of offense bae.

WHO SAID PROBLEM??? Nashman is the only one who used that word.

How come so few of you want to just dismiss this instead of actually addressing the question? I mean if you have no comment on the burst angle I get it, but then why respond at all?

So far this is what I see:

- A handful of people that agree with what I’m seeing.

- A handful of people that apparently don’t understand the question.

- Shane who apparently understands the question but doesn’t think there’s enough data given DJ’s surrounding cast of characters to make a judgment agreeing with my observation.




So for category #2 I’ll try to clarify again:

I am not saying DJ is a problem. I am not saying he lost us the game. I still believe DJ is an effective weapon in this league and our best weapon in offense. So please, no more responses trying to argue any of those points because they are not what this thread is about. I watch DJ and don’t see the following:

-the explosive jump cuts that made him elusive
-the breakaway speed that allowed him to pick up big chunk plays

Are you seeing those and I’m just missing it? If so, can you give me examples of them this year? Not being argumentative. Legitimately asking to be reminded if I’m having recency bias with my memory. That’s it. That’s all I’m asking.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The guy had 98 yards rushing and 85 yards receiving as well as 2 TDs and this is the time you choose to ask if he's not 'special' anymore . . .hmm. Odd timing to say the least. Especially as our OL is the worst in the league.

The timing is due to having keyed in on a couple plays where he had the. All in space and was caught by linebackers. Originally I thought they were db’s but reminded to see they were linebackers. That surprised me. And it made me think about whether I had seen the explosion at all this season. I know he hasn’t had much in the way of opportunities, but I thought back and couldn’t really think of an example in the few opportunities he’s had where I saw that. That’s the only reason I’m asking. I mean Ronald Moore has good games too without being explosive. So I recognize DJ had a terrific game, but I’m talking about explosiveness. And before anyone says anything, I’m NOT comparing DJ to Ronald Moore.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

We all know you and your brother are morons, but I never took you two as hypocrites. Absolutes?? HAHAHAHA

Minutes after he goes for 200 yards and we’re talking about how he’s not special. That’s....well.....special

You literally either have no reading comprehension or are an idiot.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

We all know you and your brother are morons, but I never took you two as hypocrites. Absolutes?? HAHAHAHA

Minutes after he goes for 200 yards and we’re talking about how he’s not special. That’s....well.....special

Btw jackass if you read through my entire history you will see me consistently arguing with people that live in black and whites and hyperbole. I have always looked to examine the gray areas. You know, looking at how DJ played (did he have explosiveness or not) instead of just stupidly saying “he had lots of yards so he must’ve been” - one doesn’t automatically equate to the other, idiot. I ask is he still explosive and you answer with “of course he’s good moron.” How do you not see that your response doesn’t answer the question?

 

[Cheesebeef]

We all know you and your brother are morons, but I never took you two as hypocrites. Absolutes?? HAHAHAHA

Minutes after he goes for 200 yards and we’re talking about how he’s not special. That’s....well.....special

So, you can't show me where Ouchie called DJ was a problem?

 

[DVontel]

Ugh.

 

[TJ]

You literally either have no

Btw jackass if you read through my entire history you will see me consistently arguing with people that live in black and whites and hyperbole. I have always looked to examine the gray areas. You know, looking at how DJ played (did he have explosiveness or not) instead of just stupidly saying “he had lots of yards so he must’ve been” - one doesn’t automatically equate to the other, idiot. I ask is he still explosive and you answer with “of course he’s good moron.” How do you not see that your response doesn’t answer the question?

Calm down, snowflake. I really don’t care that much. Tell your brother to not insult my intelligence and I won’t be so mean to you.

 

[Borderrat]

I don't remember where I read the stats and viewed the chart comparing NFL RB's where first contact by the defense was made with the RB. IF I remember correctly Arizona running backs had an average first contact rate 2.7 yards behind the line of scrimmage compared with 2 plus beyond the line of scrimmage for RBs like Elliot from Dallas.

Maybe that is why DJ is breaking any long ones. Total lack of opportunity.

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

Can we all just agree that Chase Edmonds is garbage and lock the thread

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Calm down, snowflake. I really don’t care that much. Tell your brother to not insult my intelligence and I won’t be so mean to you.

Lol. Tell me to calm down. Then call me a name again. You’re all class.


And of course never addressed any of the actual questions in the thread. Bravo.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I don't remember where I read the stats and viewed the chart comparing NFL RB's where first contact by the defense was made with the RB. IF I remember correctly Arizona running backs had an average first contact rate 2.7 yards behind the line of scrimmage compared with 2 plus beyond the line of scrimmage for RBs like Elliot from Dallas.

Maybe that is why DJ is breaking any long ones. Total lack of opportunity.

Yeah that’s a pretty awful stat. But it still doesn’t get to my question. I don’t think we can realistically say he’s had literally “no” opportunity. I’d say that the opportunities have been extremely slim, but saying “none” wouldn’t be accurate. The question I’m asking is in the admittedly very limited opportunities he’s had has anyone seen his trademark explosiveness? I can’t think of any.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Can we all just agree that Chase Edmonds is garbage and lock the thread

Haha. He’s actually not garbage, but he’s certainly not good.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Calm down, snowflake. I really don’t care that much. Tell your brother to not insult my intelligence and I won’t be so mean to you.

I'm sorry I insulted your intelligence.

Now, can you tell me where Ouchie called DJ a problem like you said he did?

 

[kerouac9]

This. This is the good stuff. The king of thing 4-12 seasons are made of. People passionately debating whether player X can be the 5th best player on a playoff team, even if he might be the best player on the Cards RIGHT NOW.

I need more of this.