Running backs

[HellMarine]

Originally Posted by Carolinabengalfanguy

What if La'Veon Bell is sitting there in the middle or late third round? Would you look at him if we havent drafted anyone yet? He was a pretty sexy pick early on, but his stock on the boards has dropped significantly. Personally I love that power and ability to catch although he's super slow at the position (4.6), which worries me.

I think at this point, I'd rather have Barner. He's just a big play guy, fastfastfast, 4.38. Can catch, return kicks/punts and a talented runner. Ellis and Barner would be a good combo, it'd take a TON of pressure off of Ellis.

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Carolinabengalfanguy

What if La'Veon Bell is sitting there in the middle or late third round? Would you look at him if we havent drafted anyone yet? He was a pretty sexy pick early on, but his stock on the boards has dropped significantly. Personally I love that power and ability to catch although he's super slow at the position (4.6), which worries me.

No.....I think there is too much talent at that point in the draft, especially at RB, to burn a pick on Bell. If he was sitting there in the 6th I would consider it.

[OSUfan]

Seriously guys. I understand what you are saying about the "legit homerun guy" and the 4.3 edge guy but I think this stuff is thrown around way too much on these boards.

What this team needs is a complete back. Keep The Firm for his strengths:
1) Short yardage and tough yards. The guy does not take negative plays. He may only get a couple three yards but many times he gets those when many would take a loss.

2) Redzone...the guy knows how to find the endzone when you are inside the 10.

3) Relief back ......give him 10-15 carries a game to spell your lead back.

The fact is that there are several backs in this draft that can play inside and out. The fact is that these same backs have the speed to go to the house when you get them in the open field. The fact is that most every long yardage run in the NFL is not the result of 4.38 speed rather they come down to good blocking at the point of attack, good blocking downfield by WRs, and or a defensive breakdown.

I believe this is a good year to get that complete back. I think there are many guys in the early to mid rounds that can be that guy.

[OSUfan]

I would have to say after extensive research and watching video until my eyes are ready to pop out of my skull that my top 3 in order would be:

1) Giovanni Bernard-North Carolina

2) Mike Gilleslee-Florida

3) Joseph Randle-Oklahoma State

Honestly, I have Bernard and Gilleslee pretty much neck and neck and would like to have either guy. One thing I am super impressed with when it comes to Gilleslee is picking up the blitz in the backfield. He looks absolutely fearless in this regard and have seen him take on DTs head on in many cases and do a nice job doing it.

[Lolli]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

I'm definitely liking Barner as a change of pace back in 3 or 4. And maybe a big thumper in 2 or 3 as well. Fix the running game and the whole team will get better.

We have to come away with 2 RBs this off-season. We need a 1A primary 3 down RB and a change of pace guy (prefereable that does KR as well).

[Lolli]

Originally Posted by Carolinabengalfanguy

What if La'Veon Bell is sitting there in the middle or late third round? Would you look at him if we havent drafted anyone yet? He was a pretty sexy pick early on, but his stock on the boards has dropped significantly. Personally I love that power and ability to catch although he's super slow at the position (4.6), which worries me.

I do not know if he has the speed. If he has the power, beef him up and call him a FB.

[Carolinabengalfanguy]

Dang 6th round? Is his stock really that far down. I'd love him there as well. I also would love to get two backs this offseason with at least 1 through the draft.

Barner and Gilleslie are the only combine burners in the draft that should run probably between 4.3-4.4

There are others with some good game speed like a Ellington or Randle. We need one of these guys:

Lattimore, Randle, Ellington, Barner, Gillesli, Franklin, Bernard

Besides them we should take another if theres good value in that round there are loads of lower ranked RB's I'd love to see us get like:

Dyer, Stacy, Ford/Ware, Redd, Lacy, Burkhead, Ball, Talor, and Bell.

If we could get one guy out of each of those and keep BJGE and Leonard I think we'd have a running back stable to take pressure off of Dalton. IMO we keep Ben and help him relieve some carries off of the young guys. I mean what's the average carries per team in the NFL I figure

Top draft pick 15-20 carries
BJGE 5-15 carries (mostly goal line and short yardage carries)
2nd pick 5-15 carries
Leonard 5 or so carries catches

Keep all our guys fresh and healthy.

[Carolinabengalfanguy]

Originally Posted by Lolli

I do not know if he has the speed. If he has the power, beef him up and call him a FB.

You know he might make a great FB. He can run okay and I know he can catch pretty well. How is his blocking? That would add another guy to take some carries in a stable.

[bfine32]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

Seriously guys. I understand what you are saying about the "legit homerun guy" and the 4.3 edge guy but I think this stuff is thrown around way too much on these boards.

What this team needs is a complete back.

I would not be opposed to both. Daft a Gilleslee or equivalent early (2A). Then pick up a Barner type later (4-5th)

Originally Posted by OSUfan

I would have to say after extensive research and watching video until my eyes are ready to pop out of my skull

If you haven't done it yet, watch a couple Barner interviews. Kid has it together and I come away impressed after every interview. Bengal Dude says he (Barner, no BD) is constantly receiving requests for interviews.

Here's one with him sporting a Red's Lid. Foreshadowing? I hope so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=vdnSw2W-Wz8

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Lolli

We have to come away with 2 RBs this off-season. We need a 1A primary 3 down RB and a change of pace guy (prefereable that does KR as well).

Disagree....we need a complete back not novelties.

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

Disagree....we need a complete back not novelties.

I'd like to see both. One complete, three down back, and another, "specialty" i.e. scat back.

[Lolli]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

Disagree....we need a complete back not novelties.

I meant a complete back with the 1a (primary) 3 down (runs, catches, pas pro) not a 3rd down back (do not see the need, I would let Leonard go).

But you also need a pure burner to change the tempo.

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Lolli

I meant a complete back with the 1a (primary) 3 down (runs, catches, pas pro) not a 3rd down back (do not see the need, I would let Leonard go).

But you also need a pure burner to change the tempo.

My bad misunderstood what you were saying. I would be alright with that. If we manage to get Gilleslee or Bernard I really do not care what they do after that.

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by BBlesmiley

Another back to keep an eye on

Benny "Beast" Cunningham MTSU

Nice call on Cunningham. It is difficult to find much video on this guy but what I have seen I really like.

[Funkysylvanelf]

I'm looking closely Wisconsin Football right now. How about their second back, James White? He's a Junior, but seems like a good threat at 5,8 yards per carry.

[Carolinabengalfanguy]

Originally Posted by Funkysylvanelf

I'm looking closely Wisconsin Football right now. How about their second back, James White? He's a Junior, but seems like a good threat at 5,8 yards per carry.

The other Wisconsin back always looks real good.

Side note Clemson's Andre Ellington is looking real good against Virginia Tech. He just might pass C.J. Spiller 3rd all-time on career rushing yards.

[Funkysylvanelf]

Holy....Not ready to give up on Ball yet!

[Carolinabengalfanguy]

Originally Posted by Funkysylvanelf

Holy....Not ready to give up on Ball yet!

Lol I just came back to say Wisconsin's Ball looks really good :P

He's broken some long runs the last couple of weeks. If he keeps it up I might put him back as a draftable player.

Edit: BTW the female sideline announcer at the Clemson sounds like a female Obama :P

Edit2: Zac Stacy is so fast the moment he gets the ball I need to watch him more. He could be that final pick as a second running back taken or maybe even an UDFA?

[Funkysylvanelf]

Originally Posted by Carolinabengalfanguy

Lol I just came back to say Wisconsin's Ball looks really good :P

He's broken some long runs the last couple of weeks. If he keeps it up I might put him back as a draftable player.

If he's available in the 5th I'm all for it at this point. His crucial game at this point will probably be the bowl they will play. The big ten defenses aren't exactly good this year. We'll see. He'll probably break the TD record by a RB, so we need to look at him, no choice!

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Carolinabengalfanguy

Lol I just came back to say Wisconsin's Ball looks really good :P

He's broken some long runs the last couple of weeks. If he keeps it up I might put him back as a draftable player.

Edit: BTW the female sideline announcer at the Clemson sounds like a female Obama :P

Edit2: Zac Stacy is so fast the moment he gets the ball I need to watch him more. He could be that final pick as a second running back taken or maybe even an UDFA?

I think someone tried to tell you about Zac Stacy earlier in this thread!

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Funkysylvanelf

Holy....Not ready to give up on Ball yet!

Way better options than Ball or White in the draft.

[Carolinabengalfanguy]

Originally Posted by Carolinabengalfanguy

Decided to make this a full-fledged post so we cam center on the specific topic of running backs.

Marcus Lattimore South Carolina (1st): Yes so far he is the one and only first round worthy running back to me. Loved this guy since day one and he's a complete AFC North running back. He's a complete player with good speed, top of the line power, and above average receiving skills. Concerns are his carry load although this year he's getting used much more appropriately and knee injury. If he makes it through than he should be fully healed going into next season. My hope was he'd look less than spectacular while trying to get back to 100% health and would drop into the 2nd round, but it didn't happen.

Joseph Randle Oklahoma State (2nd-3rd): Big play back who I want to see produce without stars Weeden and Blackmon taking most of the pressure off of him. He's got good game speed and fairly soft hands. Decent size at 6'1" 200 lbs. I think he'll stay at this #2 RB prospect until the draft barring injury or a bad year.

La'Veon Bell Michigan State (2nd-3rd): He's the sexy pick right now. I definitely love him because I like my Bellcow backs. Issues are overuse evident by his 50 game 1 touches. If they slow him down a bit I'd definitely consider him late second early third depending on where we are.

Montee Ball Wisconsin (3rd-6th): Already has a concussion. He's on pace for 400 carries after 307 last year. Maybe the head injury will lighten his load if he misses some games. Issues he's slow and a Wisconsin RB, which never seems to succeed in the NFL. Possibly will have close to 700 carries in two years. He has decent hands for a big guy, but he's a pure power back which lessens his versatility. I say look at him in the 3rd of 4th as I see him as a big time faller after a disappointing season. He should have known to come out last year while his stock was as high as it would get and the fact he knew they would over use him.

Knile Davis Arkansas (3rd-UDFA): Don't know where he'll be. Lots of talent and little production on a disappointing team after a lost year to injury. Worth a look as he'll be a value pick from the disappointments. Dont know if I really want him though.

Spencer Ware/Michael Ford LSU (3rd-7th): Talent in an overcrowded backfield. LSU has produced low end NFL talent. Wouldn't mind one of these guys in the middle of the draft. Positives is that they won't get overused because there are plenty of guys to take carries and they'd fit in a RB stable as they are in probably the biggest one in football.

Eddie Lacy Alabama (3rd-5th): Nowhere near the talent of Richardson or even Ingrim. More of a solid power back with little receiving skills. Behind Heisman front runners equals few carries so a fresh body. In a decent stable this year so low carries should continue. Good for a stable, but probably isn't and all around starter type.

Silas Redd USC (3rd-6th): Not a big fan. Could have a huge year and probably wants to be out of the college game after all this. Good talent and not overused, but doesn't have soft hands. Worthy of a look in the middle rounds.


Change of pace guys (although I'd love Lattimore if the price is right) and Ball in the later rounds if he drops fairly far. This is one of the slowest drafts I've seen in a while with no one for sure in the 4.3 speed range. Mostly mid 4.4's and a ton of 4.5's. More game speed here than clock speed.

Andre Ellington Clemson (3rd): He plays fast and has dramtatically improved from last season. Only thing I worry about with him is nagging injury past. I'm thinking 3rd if he falls as good running backs can be had in the later rounds. He could be an all around type back and would fit perfect in a RB stable system. He can catch some, but it's not a strength.

Kenjon Barner Oregon (4th or 5th): Oregon's produced Blount, who can do only one thing but does it very well and LaMichael James who looks like a change of pace guy himself, but he hasn't done anything with the 49ers and their extremely deep stable of running backs. He's got that Oregon speed and has some pretty soft hands. I think he's limited in the number of touches he can sustain without injury so middle rounds he'd be a nice pick up.

Jonathan Franklin UCLA (3rd or 4th): He's going to be a mover. Might be 2nd round material by the end of the year. He's a senior with some mileage on him although he's heading to by far his most carries this year. Doesn't have blazing speed like most on the list, but he's hands looked to be really improved. If he continues to impress and catch balls I'd like him in the early middle rounds.

Zac Stacy Vanderbilt (6th or 7th): Late round guy out of a smaller program talent-base-wise. He's got some blazing in game speed although I'd like to see him have softer hands. Widths late look.

Mike Gillislee Florida (4th-7th): Another speed Florida guy. Unlike Demps and Rainey though he hasn't shown the soft hands. He has had very few carries in four years because of being behind guys like Jeff and Chris. If he shows softer hands and has a big year I can see him rising. Probably one of the faster backs in one of the slowest drafts I've seen in a while.

Michael Dyer Ex-Auburn (7th-UDFA): He'll be out of football, but he has a ton of talent and is worth signing if he decides to go to the NFL next year. If Auburn still had him they would be half way respectable on offense. See what happened to the program that lost him.

Washaun Ealey Ex-Georgia (UDFA): A total undrafted player. He's got good speed and good hands, but a really bad off-the-field issues. Worth brining in training camp maybe. I like his skill set, but he's one of the really bad apples.

My original post. Already had Stacy on my radar as well as Gillislee, which I can never spell his name lol. And I was starting to get low on ball already, but I'd gander at him in the 5th-6th roundish although there will probably be others there I'd prefer.

We both been high (as can be) on Stacy lol. He did fumble on a key play in the wildcat giving Auburn a futile attempt to win the game at the end.

[Funkysylvanelf]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

Way better options than Ball or White in the draft.

I know that. I never said to take him at all cost. Actually i like Randle, Franklin & Barner better.
Heck, I would draft Venric Mark from NW probably before, but somes here want to stay
away from Ball because of his workload and MINOR injuries like he's already washed up. He deserve a shot I think.

[berserkerone88]

Jamison and Bernard might be the two best backs in the draft.

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by berserkerone88

Jamison and Bernard might be the two best backs in the draft.

Right now my watch is in the following order:

1) Giovanni Bernard-N.C.

2) Mike Gillislee-Florida

3) Benny Cunningham-Middle Tenn. St.

4) Zac Stacy-Vandy

5) Joseph Randle-Oklahoma St.