Pherein, given your obvious feel for the position, I'm be very curious for your impartial take on the Pats' RBs. (And for that matter, on Mark Ingram, too, as "the guy the Pats traded away.")
Ok, but its not going to be popular. Even to our fans,lol.
Stevan Ridley does not have the forsight to be a good RB. He needs support. He is a 3 year back at most. He cant see the field and got his position because he has the power and emotion to do it. Not the talent or mental ability. We call them bruisers. Guys born with power, speed , size, but no insight.
E. smith is probably one of the best bruisers to play the game. No one would know Smith if he was drafted by the lions. But he had power,speed, and a perfect OL.
Ridley's problem is he cant see the pocket #1, and thats just the beginning of what a good RB knows. A good RB knows the field better than a QB. You have to fight all 3 layers. You should never be caught in the backfield if your great.
#2 the best thing ever told to be was "if you cant beat the 1st guy your no running back" , and its true.
Riddley gets lucky on some plays and defenders fall off , but he never does it on his own. I don't think he sees it. Personal opinion.
His highlights look great until you see his supporting cast, or that he powers it and dosnt know where anyone is.
Stevan Ridley Highlights - YouTube
Stevan Ridley Vs. Oakland 2011 - YouTube
No. 34 RB Stevan Ridley LSU vs Texas A&M Cotton Bowl 2011 - YouTube
hes a bruiser. you can see he worries about fumbles, both hands on the ball.
And his balance is not the best, so he's no E. Smith. Im not high on Riddley even though he has the talent.
Shane Vereen is different
I like this guy. Everyone has potential, but most can not see the field with out seeing. Condition their body to keep up. Vereen has it from what I have looked at, and done well when hes alone and the OL folds. I true RB needs a OL but knows how to manipulate them in seconds to get free. Like sanders always did.
The OL are not important to great running backs, they manipulate them. The OL is only important to bruisers, because they can not do much with out it.
Earl Campbell was one of the few Bruisers and RB's like Jim Brown. But this kids can see it and has all the mental abilities to be a good RB.
Shane Vereen Cal Highlights - YouTube
Shane Vereen 2010 Highlights - YouTube
If you watch Shane, he knows ,somewhat, to do when theres no pocket. No one should ever look at great blocking. The worst circumstance in any situation is what your looking for to find a solid RB. Some, see faster or more than others.
Look at PT. Slow, stocky like a E.Smith, but has foresight. He's nothing special on paper, but on the field PT is all heart because he hates being tacked like the good ones do. Granted our OL is good, but he moves on his own. PT has the sight, but nothing else, except durability. Theirs no reason PT should be in the NFL. He doesn't measure up to our standards and not better than Vereen even. But watch him move. Thats a all mental RB without the gifts of speed, height, strength, and etc..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii1ntdMyjsA
Thats how important foresight and the mental part of running is, I believe.
Shane Vereen is going to be something, because he has it. To what extent he develops it, like Payton, or understands his body is always behind his mind I don't know, but I love this kid as much as I loved P. Thomas. I really think Vereen deserves a shot.
Only problem is he's not built for longevity. I mean PT is stocky. So was Sanders, Smith, and etc..
Id make Shane Vereen a starter. Release Ridley, sorry going to catch hell for that, and take Ivory from the Saints sable. Ivory is not going to survive in the saints camp. We have to many good runners, and Ivory is better than BJGE and Ridley will ever be as a bruiser.
Brilliant question. I think anyone thats not on the fence about Ingram doesn't know RB's, and you don't even have to be interested in NO. Like Dixon on SF, Im watching. Dixon might be really good.I think he is, but never get the chance to show it. Im still on the fence about Ingram. Your talking about a Smith type durable body with foresight. I don't see Ingram as a great, even if he last, but he has what Smith doesn't, better foresight.
I 100% believe Ingram will make a solid mark in the league and NE was wrong for letting us take him. The kids a bruiser with speed and has foresight built like a brick house like E. Smith. When have we seen that except earl campbell?
But small to fit within tackles. Great RB's do it NOW they don't care about who they face or the NFL. There mark is Immediate or next season. Like Peterson did. I dont think Ingram will be close to AP's level ever, but hes a improved Deuce, better than gore will ever be on the right team.
Truth is a offense that doesn't relay on his abilities will make him play cold, and no RB wants that. NO could be hurting him by drafting him. Hes a workhorse, but Ingram will never be a great RB, especially in NO. He'd be great for NE.He also has limited balance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkau0tE-PaY
RB's worst enemy is doubt. That they are better or your not, it eats you up, because your stuck out there with mostly yourself , your reads and your moves to move the ball. SLowly you deal with the beating threw out the year. 200-300 lbs guys, 4 at a time, knocking the wind out of you every play, but you get used to that. RB's might be the most used to being hurt and playing than any other posistion.
You put yourself into a 3 point stance behind the QB, know its a run play, and so does the defense, your hand planted, 8 in the box on defense with a medium OL?
Thats when RB's are decided.
I see doubt in Ingram, not in vereen, and I don't care about all I said about all you need be a good running back. You doubt your abilities your dead. IF Sanders ever thought he wasn't better than the entire defense he never would have done anything, even with his ability. Sanders doubted some times but mostly never. No one was tackling him or could. Im sure that was his mind set.
