O.J. Anderson & Jonathan Stewart....

SuperSpck

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I only had the chance to watch 2 Ducks games this year.

Really, really liked what I saw.

Same with Mendenhall (who I got to see a touch more, thanks Big Ten network scam).

I'd rather have a tackle, but I think there are a lot less mistakes to be made at 16.
 

SuperSpck

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It's not that many backs are not fast enough. Rather, the way defenses now play in the NFL, coupled with the speed of the OLBs and safeties, there is hardly ever a corner to turn.

I can't remember the last time I saw a RB turn the corner and go for a long TD. Even the long Willie Parker TDs looked to be a result of a quick inside cut, after a horizontal start to the plays.

Well, the only benefit to living in this forsaken territory is that I've got to see what a combination of excellent blocking and running can do.

I'll use AP's career day against the Bears as an example:

Most of his big runs came from exceptional blocking on off tackle-type runs.

At the second level, untouched, AP'd then make a hard cut back toward the middle of the field after the defender has committed to his angle. The defender, now badly out of position, gets burnt.

Another example would be when the Bears lined up in an Under with Briggs on WLB on the play. Peterson starts off like he's going for the B gap. Briggs reads and barrels in from the 9, just as Peterson makes a hard cut toward the sidelines. Peterson timed the cut to leave Briggs flat and breaks a big run to the outside.


My point is, inside or outside can work equally well if the RB has the time (and sense of timing) to get the defender out of position.

I use Peterson as an example because he does a great job (especially for a rook) AND he can do it without worrying about contact behind the LOS.
 

WildBB

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Madcard almost got it right when he said very few backs can get to the corner in the NFL. Almost.

It's not that many backs are not fast enough. Rather, the way defenses now play in the NFL, coupled with the speed of the OLBs and safeties, there is hardly ever a corner to turn.

To me, the stretch run blocking scheme came about in acknowledgment that turning the corner was an obsolete, unproductive way to run the football.

I can't remember the last time I saw a RB turn the corner and go for a long TD. Even the long Willie Parker TDs looked to be a result of a quick inside cut, after a horizontal start to the plays.

Terelle Davis ran like that. So too did Priest Holmes and LaDainian Tomlinson.

I'll concede that sometimes inside the 5 yard line or so, defenses do get sucked in to the middle and RBs do make the corner untouched. That may never change.

Great post, thanks.

OJ Anderson?:)
 

WildBB

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Well, the only benefit to living in this forsaken territory is that I've got to see what a combination of excellent blocking and running can do.

I'll use AP's career day against the Bears as an example:

Most of his big runs came from exceptional blocking on off tackle-type runs.

At the second level, untouched, AP'd then make a hard cut back toward the middle of the field after the defender has committed to his angle. The defender, now badly out of position, gets burnt.

Another example would be when the Bears lined up in an Under with Briggs on WLB on the play. Peterson starts off like he's going for the B gap. Briggs reads and barrels in from the 9, just as Peterson makes a hard cut toward the sidelines. Peterson timed the cut to leave Briggs flat and breaks a big run to the outside.


My point is, inside or outside can work equally well if the RB has the time (and sense of timing) to get the defender out of position.

I use Peterson as an example because he does a great job (especially for a rook) AND he can do it without worrying about contact behind the LOS.

All the great ones have VISION, POWER AND SPEED. Deadly combination.
 

WildBB

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Well, the only benefit to living in this forsaken territory is that I've got to see what a combination of excellent blocking and running can do.

I'll use AP's career day against the Bears as an example:

Most of his big runs came from exceptional blocking on off tackle-type runs.

At the second level, untouched, AP'd then make a hard cut back toward the middle of the field after the defender has committed to his angle. The defender, now badly out of position, gets burnt.

Another example would be when the Bears lined up in an Under with Briggs on WLB on the play. Peterson starts off like he's going for the B gap. Briggs reads and barrels in from the 9, just as Peterson makes a hard cut toward the sidelines. Peterson timed the cut to leave Briggs flat and breaks a big run to the outside.


My point is, inside or outside can work equally well if the RB has the time (and sense of timing) to get the defender out of position.

I use Peterson as an example because he does a great job (especially for a rook) AND he can do it without worrying about contact behind the LOS.

All the great ones have a combination of varying degrees of the qualities of VISION (the ability to see things developing and to think ahead), POWER and SPEED (in it's various forms). The three together are a deadly combination.
 

Shogun

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I'm going on record now of predicting this as my bust candidate.

I think he's a system back who will struggle outside of the weird, Oregon offense.
Proof you've never seem him play.
 

Shogun

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did you ever make a bet with Cbus as to the Stewart/Mendenhall draft order?
I don't think I did, but I sigged it anyway. With Stewart's toe surgery deal he's bound to "win" anyway. Take away the toe and it'd have been more interesting.

I still think Stewart is the better back. Whether he's taken third or not.
 

SuperSpck

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I don't think I did, but I sigged it anyway. With Stewart's toe surgery deal he's bound to "win" anyway. Take away the toe and it'd have been more interesting.

I still think Stewart is the better back. Whether he's taken third or not.

I think it'll be an interesting race. I'm reminded of the 2000 and 2005 RB draft classes.
 

TigToad

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wrong

Proof you've never seem him play.

Actually, I almost never watch college football, but I did see 4 Oregon games last year. I have zero problem with you disagreeing with me however. I just wanted it stated for the record. I could be wrong, its not like I get payed to scout pros. I've had pretty good luck with my busts in the past.
 

Krangodnzr

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Heh

The "system back" argument reminds of the argument that many people were making when Tomlinson came out....

Sure Tomlinson had size, speed, strength, and vision, but he ran out of a funky system. Sound like any back that some people are arguing against?
 

Cbus cardsfan

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All the great ones have VISION, POWER AND SPEED. Deadly combination.
you hit on the most important part of being a RB, vision. They all pretty much have size and speed that are similar. THe great one's have the vision. It's too bad there isn't a combine test for that. With todays defenses, the RB is counted on to beat the extra defender at the LOS. That's the difference between a LT and a Cedric Benson.
 

Stout

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Stewart reminds me a little of Tomlinson. There I said it.

Actually, Stewart doesn't remind me of Tomlinson--not as fast--but C. Johnson reminds me of him a lot, both in play and in coming out of a small school. If Stewart didn't have any injury concerns, I'd be all over him as our pick, but I don't want us to touch him in the 1st unless we trade down.
 

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