ESPN: Cards Lose SB Shot With Loss Of CJ

[Shane]

Time for David Johnson to show up
Also anyone know if any ok fa rb are avliable? Ray rice? Lol just jkin

8 TD's on 54 offensive touches.. Ide say he has shown up just fine.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Whine-Puss is a dolt... I really miss Sando.

 

[Darkside]

I don't agree with the article, but I don't agree with many of you either, unfortunately. If anything, CJ is undervalued on this board. DJ may have a better ceiling at this point in their lives, but he isn't as good as Chris Johnson this year, right now. And in all honesty, Ellington isn't as good as CJ now and will never be as good as CJ was then. Ellington is a smaller and lighter version of Beanie Wells with his constant foot issues. Everyone raves about Ellington and I have no clue why. At this point in their careers, "Beanie" Wells was a better RB than Ellington and played through the pain and injuries. Whisenhunt ran Beanie into the ground and played him hurt in a preseason game--he hated the kid, for whatever reason, and ground him into the dirt.

CJ is much better than DJ, Ellington, and Beanie combined.

As far as CJ's game slowing down, that isn't because of age or tired legs, his game and average started to drop when Cooper went out. It's not because Cooper was exceptional, it's merely because he could pull on one play and the next play power forward, which granted CJ misdirection cut-back lanes he doesn't have now. The playcalling and formations changed when Cooper went out.

I'm a huge DJ fan though and hope he tears it up.

Having said that, I'm concerned because I think if teams take the run away early and then pressure Palmer, that seems to be when we have issues. I liked CJ so much because he could convert 2 and 10's to 3rd and 4s or 1st and 10's to 2nd and 6's, that's such a huge advantage. It opens up our entire playbook and with our weapons that's really hard to stop. If we don't have that, we're going to be in 2nd and 3rd and longs all game and that spells disaster when teams can simply disregard our run and focus on pressuring Palmer.

And no, I don't think DJ can replace Chris Johnson, not this year. He holds the ball too loose and is too careless with the football. The football is everything, it's all that matters, but he treats it like a baton. And for his size, he shouldn't be worse at blocking than guys who are much lighter than him, he can't pick up blocks and despite how good he is, nothing is worth Palmer getting pummeled.

Having CJ out limits our options bigtime, because you don't want DJ blocking, but you can't bring in Taylor instead every time you want to pass. As far as Ellington, I don't really care. Having a few big runs over the entirety of his career doesn't excite me like it does some of you. I want consistency. Beanie Wells, and hell, Tim Hightower were better RB's than Ellington. Both RB's were probably better than what we have left. They weren't better than CJ though.

 

[Buckybird]

I luv hearing this!!! Perrrrrrfect just the way I like it.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Can't argue with you here, Darkside...

 

[TJ]

Yes.



If we only gave him 25 carries a game, then you would see he is HOF worthy.

And get 53 yards off of those 25 carries?

 

[Covert Rain]

I don't agree with the article, but I don't agree with many of you either, unfortunately. If anything, CJ is undervalued on this board. DJ may have a better ceiling at this point in their lives, but he isn't as good as Chris Johnson this year, right now. And in all honesty, Ellington isn't as good as CJ now and will never be as good as CJ was then. Ellington is a smaller and lighter version of Beanie Wells with his constant foot issues. Everyone raves about Ellington and I have no clue why. At this point in their careers, "Beanie" Wells was a better RB than Ellington and played through the pain and injuries. Whisenhunt ran Beanie into the ground and played him hurt in a preseason game--he hated the kid, for whatever reason, and ground him into the dirt.

CJ is much better than DJ, Ellington, and Beanie combined.

As far as CJ's game slowing down, that isn't because of age or tired legs, his game and average started to drop when Cooper went out. It's not because Cooper was exceptional, it's merely because he could pull on one play and the next play power forward, which granted CJ misdirection cut-back lanes he doesn't have now. The playcalling and formations changed when Cooper went out.

I'm a huge DJ fan though and hope he tears it up.

Having said that, I'm concerned because I think if teams take the run away early and then pressure Palmer, that seems to be when we have issues. I liked CJ so much because he could convert 2 and 10's to 3rd and 4s or 1st and 10's to 2nd and 6's, that's such a huge advantage. It opens up our entire playbook and with our weapons that's really hard to stop. If we don't have that, we're going to be in 2nd and 3rd and longs all game and that spells disaster when teams can simply disregard our run and focus on pressuring Palmer.

And no, I don't think DJ can replace Chris Johnson, not this year. He holds the ball too loose and is too careless with the football. The football is everything, it's all that matters, but he treats it like a baton. And for his size, he shouldn't be worse at blocking than guys who are much lighter than him, he can't pick up blocks and despite how good he is, nothing is worth Palmer getting pummeled.

Having CJ out limits our options bigtime, because you don't want DJ blocking, but you can't bring in Taylor instead every time you want to pass. As far as Ellington, I don't really care. Having a few big runs over the entirety of his career doesn't excite me like it does some of you. I want consistency. Beanie Wells, and hell, Tim Hightower were better RB's than Ellington. Both RB's were probably better than what we have left. They weren't better than CJ though.

Let's not also forget this team has benefited GREATLY with the depth. Now all the depth has dried up. Especially if even one player doesn't do well. I can't think of a single team that has regularly gone into the 3rd, 4th and 5th on the depth chart at RB and had any sustained success on the ground.

 

[Russ Smith]

I don't agree with the article, but I don't agree with many of you either, unfortunately. If anything, CJ is undervalued on this board. DJ may have a better ceiling at this point in their lives, but he isn't as good as Chris Johnson this year, right now. And in all honesty, Ellington isn't as good as CJ now and will never be as good as CJ was then. Ellington is a smaller and lighter version of Beanie Wells with his constant foot issues. Everyone raves about Ellington and I have no clue why. At this point in their careers, "Beanie" Wells was a better RB than Ellington and played through the pain and injuries. Whisenhunt ran Beanie into the ground and played him hurt in a preseason game--he hated the kid, for whatever reason, and ground him into the dirt.

CJ is much better than DJ, Ellington, and Beanie combined.

As far as CJ's game slowing down, that isn't because of age or tired legs, his game and average started to drop when Cooper went out. It's not because Cooper was exceptional, it's merely because he could pull on one play and the next play power forward, which granted CJ misdirection cut-back lanes he doesn't have now. The playcalling and formations changed when Cooper went out.

I'm a huge DJ fan though and hope he tears it up.

Having said that, I'm concerned because I think if teams take the run away early and then pressure Palmer, that seems to be when we have issues. I liked CJ so much because he could convert 2 and 10's to 3rd and 4s or 1st and 10's to 2nd and 6's, that's such a huge advantage. It opens up our entire playbook and with our weapons that's really hard to stop. If we don't have that, we're going to be in 2nd and 3rd and longs all game and that spells disaster when teams can simply disregard our run and focus on pressuring Palmer.

And no, I don't think DJ can replace Chris Johnson, not this year. He holds the ball too loose and is too careless with the football. The football is everything, it's all that matters, but he treats it like a baton. And for his size, he shouldn't be worse at blocking than guys who are much lighter than him, he can't pick up blocks and despite how good he is, nothing is worth Palmer getting pummeled.

Having CJ out limits our options bigtime, because you don't want DJ blocking, but you can't bring in Taylor instead every time you want to pass. As far as Ellington, I don't really care. Having a few big runs over the entirety of his career doesn't excite me like it does some of you. I want consistency. Beanie Wells, and hell, Tim Hightower were better RB's than Ellington. Both RB's were probably better than what we have left. They weren't better than CJ though.

100% agree. Ellington is great off the bench late in games where teams are tired and keying on certain plays, same with DJ, we cross them up and the fresh legs take it to the house.

Neither of them have had to what CJ does in the first 3 quarters, move the chains. Get 5 when there's only 3, get 3 when there's 1.

I think he WAS slowing down though, remember he was recovering all offseason he wasn't in great shape coming in and you can't get into great shape during the season IMO.

That and the OL problems

 

[Krangodnzr]

I don't agree with the article, but I don't agree with many of you either, unfortunately. If anything, CJ is undervalued on this board. DJ may have a better ceiling at this point in their lives, but he isn't as good as Chris Johnson this year, right now. And in all honesty, Ellington isn't as good as CJ now and will never be as good as CJ was then. Ellington is a smaller and lighter version of Beanie Wells with his constant foot issues. Everyone raves about Ellington and I have no clue why. At this point in their careers, "Beanie" Wells was a better RB than Ellington and played through the pain and injuries. Whisenhunt ran Beanie into the ground and played him hurt in a preseason game--he hated the kid, for whatever reason, and ground him into the dirt.

CJ is much better than DJ, Ellington, and Beanie combined.

As far as CJ's game slowing down, that isn't because of age or tired legs, his game and average started to drop when Cooper went out. It's not because Cooper was exceptional, it's merely because he could pull on one play and the next play power forward, which granted CJ misdirection cut-back lanes he doesn't have now. The playcalling and formations changed when Cooper went out.

I'm a huge DJ fan though and hope he tears it up.

Having said that, I'm concerned because I think if teams take the run away early and then pressure Palmer, that seems to be when we have issues. I liked CJ so much because he could convert 2 and 10's to 3rd and 4s or 1st and 10's to 2nd and 6's, that's such a huge advantage. It opens up our entire playbook and with our weapons that's really hard to stop. If we don't have that, we're going to be in 2nd and 3rd and longs all game and that spells disaster when teams can simply disregard our run and focus on pressuring Palmer.

And no, I don't think DJ can replace Chris Johnson, not this year. He holds the ball too loose and is too careless with the football. The football is everything, it's all that matters, but he treats it like a baton. And for his size, he shouldn't be worse at blocking than guys who are much lighter than him, he can't pick up blocks and despite how good he is, nothing is worth Palmer getting pummeled.

Having CJ out limits our options bigtime, because you don't want DJ blocking, but you can't bring in Taylor instead every time you want to pass. As far as Ellington, I don't really care. Having a few big runs over the entirety of his career doesn't excite me like it does some of you. I want consistency. Beanie Wells, and hell, Tim Hightower were better RB's than Ellington. Both RB's were probably better than what we have left. They weren't better than CJ though.

I don't disagree, but I think Ellington can be really effective if used in spot duty. Give him a carry late in games and he will take it to the house. It's not like he hasn't done it a few times this year already.

Just like others, I think Ellington needs to move to a RB/WR hybrid and just be a gadget player. Quit trying to make him an every down back and he is instantly more effective.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I think the 49ers game was a top three worst called Arians game since he has been coach. It was obvious from the 1st quarter that the Niners were NOT going to let the Cardinals run at all cost, yet Arians continued to try OFTEN.

I think if Arians called more pass plays, the score isn't within 6, I think we would've won by 14+. Just a stinker of a game plan.

 

[Shane]

I think the 49ers game was a top three worst called Arians game since he has been coach. It was obvious from the 1st quarter that the Niners were NOT going to let the Cardinals run at all cost, yet Arians continued to try OFTEN.

I think if Arians called more pass plays, the score isn't within 6, I think we would've won by 14+. Just a stinker of a game plan.

Considering Carson Palmer couldn't hit the broadside of a barn during that game I doubt it ...

 

[eastcoastSUN]

100% agree. Ellington is great off the bench late in games where teams are tired and keying on certain plays, same with DJ, we cross them up and the fresh legs take it to the house.

Neither of them have had to what CJ does in the first 3 quarters, move the chains. Get 5 when there's only 3, get 3 when there's 1.

I think he WAS slowing down though, remember he was recovering all offseason he wasn't in great shape coming in and you can't get into great shape during the season IMO.

That and the OL problems

This Completely. I think alot of us are undervaluing CJ's role here. He grinds out 3-5 yds for us to get us those tough 1st downs or a short third down attempt. Take a look at our blowout wins. Who was our leading rusher and how many yards did he have?

Chi 48-23 (Johnson 72 yds)
SF 47-7 (Johnson 110 yds)
Det 42-17 (Johnson 103 yds)
Balt 26-18 (Johnson 122 yds) - not a blowout but CJ was key in sustaining our drives
Cle 34-20 (Johnson 109 yds)

In the last three games, we won by an average of ~5 pts and no individual RB rushed for more than 63 yds. CJ is key in sustaining our longer drives.

I'd describe my current feelings as cautiously optimistic. True, we have depth at RB (thank goodness), but I think people are overly-confident that we can just plug DJ in this role and we'd be fine. If he does so, then I'm all for it. I think we just need to see he can control his fumbling issues. Remember, he is just a rookie so he may not have the same patience or see the same holes as CJ does. Time will tell...

 

[eastcoastSUN]

I think the 49ers game was a top three worst called Arians game since he has been coach. It was obvious from the 1st quarter that the Niners were NOT going to let the Cardinals run at all cost, yet Arians continued to try OFTEN.

I think if Arians called more pass plays, the score isn't within 6, I think we would've won by 14+. Just a stinker of a game plan.

One may also think it was by design? Perhaps he kept the plays somewhat vanilla (the crappy CP as wideout play, notwithstanding) because he doesn't want too much stuff on film? For every crappy vanilla play, I'm sure BA has 10 complex large chunk plays in his arsenal ready to unleash in week 17 and on...

 

[8ndkorner]

They had us out of the playoffs not to long ago. They can kiss my.... well Fisher.

"....kiss your well fisher"?

 

[conraddobler]

It's a long long season and you have to think no matter what he said BA didn't want to do much that could come back to haunt him on film.

I expect the same thing with the Rams game myself and it sucks but I understand.