Is >>RUNNING<< Back a priority for next season?

With the emergence of Butler and Ryan as a great 1,2 CB combo (so far), all our best players under contract for at least one more season, don't you guys feel that our biggest need is a "running, RB"?

Blount is ok-ish, but he simply takes too much time to get into rhythm in any given play. He takes waay too long to hit the holes and has no outside speed at all.

White is the definition of a JAG, IMO. Mediocre speed, strength, agility, motor and separation. Heck, even Bolden looked better as catching RB.

With a legitimate running threat, plus the absolute daredevil that is lewis, we could realibly run the ball and take some of the steam of Brady (who, let's not forget, is 38 years old)

I'm more concerned about the running game in general than simply missing a skilled running back. I'm hoping this has more to do with the revolving doors on the OL and not a scheme problem that can't be rectified to at least a functional level 'til after the season. Our running game is really poor at the moment.

No doubt. A talented between the tackles RB and a talented depth LB in rounds 2 and 3 work for me. Blount is the most OL dependent RB in the NFL.

For anyone wanting a CB in next years draft:

Butler
Ryan
Roberts (slot)

That group is going to be awesome. We'll have Coleman for CB4 and really only need a veteran depth corner.

Tunescribe said:

I'm more concerned about the running game in general than simply missing a skilled running back. I'm hoping this has more to do with the revolving doors on the OL and not a scheme problem that can't be rectified to at least a functional level 'til after the season. Our running game is really poor at the moment.

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I don't know Tune. You have a point about the o-line stuff, but against Denver it was clear for me that some hole were there and we simply couldn't hit it with speed and consistency. Also, we have a pretty young O-line that should stick together for years to come and can improve. Plus, I've already felt they did better pass-protecting Brady this week.

They missed Lewis horribly last night. Shame.

Bolden is what he is.

Blount needs some room to operate. Was hoping this years line could provide a bigger push.

I'd really like to see them get a RB who has a quick burst and make his own yards. Of course, who wouldn't.

patsinthesnow said:

No doubt. A talented between the tackles RB and a talented depth LB in rounds 2 and 3 work for me. Blount is the most OL dependent RB in the NFL.

For anyone wanting a CB in next years draft:

Butler
Ryan
Roberts (slot)

That group is going to be awesome. We'll have Coleman for CB4 and really only need a veteran depth corner.

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I think we are relying waaay too much on Roberts to pan out. But, to add to your point, I would be more than ok with an improved Coleman (he was playing ok) and, more importantly, Terrel Brown, who was doing a good job as our number 2 CB before he went down, as our number 3.

Id say an in between the tackles RB might be right now the #1 priority.

Fortunatly, you can get decent ones later in the draft or even UDFA.

Solder, Vollmer, Cannon, and Flemming are fine at tackle, and we really cant get much younger at CB. Blount is upgradable.

I was very surprised they didn't grab a RB in the 3rd/4th round last year. This running game is becoming 1994 bad. I was never a Blount fan, but he's just not even close to what he was the last couple seasons. Like I said in a previous thread, he's running like he's protecting his knees. Clearly a lot of the blame falls on the OL too.

JayNM said:

I think we are relying waaay too much on Roberts to pan out. But, to add to your point, I would be more than ok with an improved Coleman (he was playing ok) and, more importantly, Terrel Brown, who was doing a good job as our number 2 CB before he went down, as our number 3.

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Fair point on Roberts. I will say he led training camp in PBUs and we got a glimpse of his coverage abilities vs. Jordy Nelson in the first preseason game. He could become a player for us.

I'll say this. Call me crazy, but I still have hope for Tyler Gaffney...

I am hoping there is free agent running back out there this year that can do little better running the ball than Blount, White and Bolden. With injuries to Edleman, Lewis and Amendola, there is no quickness or speed on offense to simply relie on the passing game.

Scott Chandler, what a waste of 6'8 frame, can't beat 5'9 guys in man coverage. He gets open across the middle in zone coverage and gets lit up and then ends up on IR

I think we need to seriously look into it. I know that we are pass first but a decent running game could still go a long way. LaGarette Blount is just average. That's all he has ever been. Sometimes he plays a bad defense and breaks some long runs. But that's all I see out of him.

Our running game frequently struggles to get 2nd/3rd and shorts. It's unacceptable IMO. Certainly OL blocking has something to do with it but so does the hesitancy and slowness to start the runs.

I still have corner as the top priority, even if Coleman pans out they still need two more decent ones to have enough depth.

Can we just sign Pierre Thomas...James White is next to useless thats a proven fact! And Dion Lewis might be a little fragile he has an injury history so Yes another proven Two way RB would be nice.

PatsFan2 said:

Can we just sign Pierre Thomas...James White is next to useless thats a proven fact! And Dion Lewis might be a little fragile he has an injury history so Yes another proven Two way RB would be nice.

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I agree, or Turbin would have been nice. This team could really use a tough hard nosed back. That is not a slight on Blount, he is his good back. His style requires some time to find the hole and solid footing. Geeze last night would have been a great night to have a develin.

James White seems to be the very last option on offense. He looked decent in pre-season but Brady hardly looks his way it seems. And he did make the most of his opportunities last week when he got the ball.

We need a repeat of the 2011 draft when we selected both Vereen and Ridley. Maybe pick just one RB, because we still have Blount and Lewis, but we definitely need a new feature back for the next few years.

Bolden is ST-only with a useful ability at wheel routes (but he can't do much else), and White is a sub-par JAG.

For the rest of the season Blount has to play every down, because White is no threat between the tackles and Bolden is only good for spot duty.

I like Blount overall but like someone said earlier, he is upgradeable. I realize we won't draft the next Adrian Peterson but we need a good RB with more speed/quickness than Blount that can take over a game when needed. Additionally though, I do think a lot has to do with the O-line

Having a Chris Ivory type of back would certainly help. I SO wanted BB to grab that monster when he was a FA!

Yes. Blount can be really useful when the OL gives him large gaps, because when he gets in the open he can be really dangerous. But when the OL can't open large holes, and he has to really use what little the OL can give him he struggles. He just doesn't hit the LOS fast enough, and can't seem to find the small holes.

I don't think that we need to grab a RB in the 2nd round as RBs can often be had later. But I would like us to use one of our 3rd round picks on a RB that can pound the ball. But not a 250lbs back, but one of those 220lbs guys that have some speed who can hit the hole quickly.