Should Henderson Be Our #1 Back?

[mgteich]

Henderson is clearly (at least to me) our best back. And I think that he can handle at least as many snaps as Stevenson.

Vrabel has decided that we have two top backs and they will be in a rotation of some sort. Gibbs is an afterthought and an emergency backup. So be it,
==========
On Sunday, Stevenson was in on 65% of the reps, with Henderson on 35%. I think that the ratios should be reversed. I think that having Henderson on the field on first down would open up the Offense.

 

[signbabybrady]

Probably. But no need to rush into it. Pun intended.

I'm not trying to save him either you can't really do that with backs. More just not fully ready to give up on Rham. Not that Rham shouldn't be able to handle being RB2 and still be expected to contribute. I guess it's just typically in the thunder and lightning duo the bigger guy is the lead. And let's just see how this goes.

After a few weeks hopefully Henderson just blows up and it's not even a question but he is a rookie and if Rham gets going before Henderson blows up then we're probably better for not having pulled the trigger too quickly.

 

[JayNM]

Well this only matters if we run the ball at all.

Im still pissed about the gameplan and execution by Josh McD. Maye is getting hotter, but boy

How uncreative can this guy continue to be?

 

[Zuma]

We shouldn’t be changing the starting RB after one game because the OL did not help with run blocking much. It should be the other way around…kinda. The OL needs to perform better when run blocking. This was the universal belief that we would run heavy and give Maye and the WR’s time to learn the system and gel. IMO Stevenson should remain in there for 1st downs. Henderson will run on 3rds. And both can duke it out for 2nd down.

 

[mgteich]

We shouldn’t be changing the starting RB after one game because the OL did not help with run blocking much. It should be the other way around…kinda. The OL needs to perform better when run blocking. This was the universal belief that we would run heavy and give Maye and the WR’s time to learn the system and gel. IMO Stevenson should remain in there for 1st downs. Henderson will run on 3rds. And both can duke it out for 2nd down.

How can this believe be a universal belief if it is not at all certain that Josh has that view?

To run heavy is more than a couple of words. It is a commitment and system. Sure, we should run lots more, but that doesn't make us a running team or a team that emphasizes the run. If Vrabel were committed to that Offense, he would have acquired a veteran FB and we would have another veteran RB either on the 53 or on the Practice Squad.

And yes, if we were to be a running team, we would need OL's that were much better at run-blocking. Obviously, we shouldn't expect to pass 45 times a game going forward. However, it is NOT likely the universal position of staff that we will run more than we pass. As an aside, we'd need a couple of TE's who were skilled at pulling and blocking on the opposite side; think Gronk.

 

[Zuma]

How can this believe be a universal belief if it is not at all certain that Josh has that view?

To run heavy is more than a couple of words. It is a commitment and system. Sure, we should run lots more, but that doesn't make us a running team or a team that emphasizes the run. If Vrabel were committed to that Offense, he would have acquired a veteran FB and we would have another veteran RB either on the 53 or on the Practice Squad.

And yes, if we were to be a running team, we would need OL's that were much better at run-blocking. Obviously, we shouldn't expect to pass 45 times a game going forward. However, it is NOT likely the universal position of staff that we will run more than we pass. As an aside, we'd need a couple of TE's who were skilled at pulling and blocking on the opposite side; think Gronk.

How often did the OL work as a unit in the same starting 5 at any point in the camps for any duration? Very little. Clearly not enough…we knew it then and we know it now. This is a problem….along with the rookies Wilson and Campbell not getting nearly enough snaps in preseason. The lack of understanding McD’s offense better is also an issue with Maye and the WR’s. It’s all related.

I’m patient. In Vrabel I trust…for now.

 

[Clonamery]

How can this believe be a universal belief if it is not at all certain that Josh has that view?

Remember not every fart is a **** and not every **** is a fart.

Please go take a walk, smell some flowers, listen to the birds (the screech owl is particularly interesting).

 

[rkarp1]

starters snaps? what is that?
each game, each opponent, each set of circumstance will call for a different skill set. all 3 backs need to be ready when called, and should be called depending on the situation.
the Pats had trouble running the ball. where was the draw play? where was the screen pass? where was the play action?
does Josh need to step it up? or is Maye not yet ready to step it up?

 

[Clonamery]

starters snaps? what is that?
each game, each opponent, each set of circumstance will call for a different skill set. all 3 backs need to be ready when called, and should be called depending on the situation.
the Pats had trouble running the ball. where was the draw play? where was the screen pass? where was the play action?
does Josh need to step it up? or is Maye not yet ready to step it up?

Yup. Everyone looking for the "identity" of the 1st game problems when it's probably the 1st game problems. IDK.

 

[rkarp1]

I don't think the Pats offense is as bad as they looked at times in game 1. I also don't think that the Phins defense is as bad as they looked in game 1. that said, the Pats need to execute better, and they should, against the Phins. if the Pats are to win, they will need to put up 25+ points Sunday.

 

[Clonamery]

I don't think the Pats offense is as bad as they looked at times in game 1. I also don't think that the Phins defense is as bad as they looked in game 1. that said, the Pats need to execute better, and they should, against the Phins. if the Pats are to win, they will need to put up 25+ points Sunday.

Yup. 13 pts is going to get you an L 98% of the time.

 

[pazrul72]

No absolutely not. We see it all the time, the small,fast,explosive player gets 10-20 snaps a game and eats them up so everyone assumes more is better. Then with a larger load the explosive plays go away and they get injured. Henderson is perfect in the change of pace role where he an give you 3-5 "big plays" a game. Let rham take the abuse of slamming into a wall 4 yards at a time.

 

[Froob]

Well this only matters if we run the ball at all.

Im still pissed about the gameplan and execution by Josh McD. Maye is getting hotter, but boy

How uncreative can this guy continue to be?

Problem is this interior OL gets absolutely zero push up front. They have to figure out a way to run the ball.

 

[rkarp1]

Problem is this interior OL gets absolutely zero push up front. They have to figure out a way to run the ball.

the interior only needs push if running between tackles.
Bradbury and Wilson both move well enough to pull for outside the tackle runs.
get Westover on the field as the lead to take on the initial defender, and get Wilson/Bradbury to the 2nd level.
Henderson and Gibson are both fast enough to get to the edge. 1 block and they could be gone.

 

[Froob]

the interior only needs push if running between tackles.
Bradbury and Wilson both move well enough to pull for outside the tackle runs.
get Westover on the field as the lead to take on the initial defender, and get Wilson/Bradbury to the 2nd level.
Henderson and Gibson are both fast enough to get to the edge. 1 block and they could be gone.

It'll be depressing if they can't figure out a way to run the ball for the second season in a row.

 

[rkarp1]

It'll be depressing if they can't figure out a way to run the ball for the second season in a row.

I agree
but running the ball is not a RB issue only
replacing Stevenson with Henderson is not the simple answer

 

[doesntmatter1]

Henderson seems special but he is a rookie and should be used wisely imo. Not really sure how they should split the snaps but Rham cannot be the back in obvious short yardage situations. Rham has failed at that multiple years.

 

[Froob]

I agree
but running the ball is not a RB issue only
replacing Stevenson with Henderson is not the simple answer

RB isn’t the problem

 

[SacPete1]

I think the debate of the number 1 RB or Number 1 WR isn't relevant. Henderson and Stevenson are very different backs but both are talented and those specific talents should be profiled. If one of them distinguishes himself with productive yards per play then ride the hot hand for that game or until that productivity slows.

This may be moot however if they aren't productive on first down. If they are consistently gaining only a couple of yards at best, then this would be the reason to veer away from the running game or at least the running plays resulting in short pickups.

 

[mgteich]

Remember not every fart is a **** and not every **** is a fart.

Please go take a walk, smell some flowers, listen to the birds (the screech owl is particularly interesting).

I'll believe that we are a run-first heavy run team when I see ANY evidence of that being the case.