Deep thought: Would a better #2 running back have made a difference for the Rams?

by VanRam on Nov 16, 2009 1:51 PM CST in 2009 regular season Comment 32 comments

A deep thought...

Taking nothing away from the otherwordly Steven Jackson, but how much would a solid #2 RB have helped the Rams yesterday...and beyond?

Besides the obvious concern of not wanting to completly exhuast Jackson, it seems to me, that another competent runner would have opened up the playbook a little more, allowing the Rams to do some different things when Jackson was not on the field. Typically, in those situations team can be assured that the Rams will be passing, since Samkon Gado doesn't present much of a threat.

Darren Sproles is scheduled to be a free agent after this season; he's currently playing on a franchise tender. That might be a little pie-in-the-sky, but that's the kind of player I'm thinking of to complement Jackson. Leon Washtington would be another fit of that type. Of course, there's always a bruiser, short-yardage option type of guy, like LenDale White.

And, here's another question, what happened to Kenneth Darby?

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Sproles

could be a pickup to push our offense over the top, similar to when we signed Faulk. Sproles can also return punts and kickoffs I believe.

Jackson and Sproles would be a killer duo, however, will Sproles be willing to take a second seat to Jackson?

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi

by VTramsFan on Nov 16, 2009 2:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i doubt it

for that matter, would Leon Washington? Id be more inclined to see if lesser names were available. Its tough to find runningbacks who are good scatbacks to play for cheap.

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 16, 2009 2:26 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

i've said it before

sproles would be a perfect match. i even thought tatum bell or kevin jones if they were cheap.

by NICKSC on Nov 16, 2009 2:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

not happening

Sproles will command major free agent money this offseason, and the chargers are likely to look his direction in leiu of Lt’s diminishing skill set. We do need quality at HB beyond steven Jackson, but we should do it through the draft. There is still hope for Chris Ogoobogoyanana.

by gomer7 on Nov 16, 2009 3:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i like

ogbonnaya as long as he doesn’t get picked of the practice squad.

he’s quick and is a good pass catcher. plus he would require a very minimal investment, unlike sproles or lendale.

Future Redbirds! www.futureredbirds.net
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by jroman on Nov 16, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Can I ask

if Ogbonnaya is so good, why isn’t he on the roster in place of gado? That has always puzzled me. Hass GADO done anything? Why not give the kid a shot… get him in there.

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi

by VTramsFan on Nov 16, 2009 3:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Gado wasn't that bad in the preseason

He merited at least a roster spot from his play during the preseason. But it looks like he’s a scrub at best, unfortunately.

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 16, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And he did

get a first down on Sunday. Big Game Gado!

You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.

by 3k on Nov 16, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well then

It’s settled! Gado shall remain the Rams #2 option forever!

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 16, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

When they were earning their spots, I guess Gado played better

Its tough to move up the depth charts when you’re not getting any playing time, practice usually doesn’t mean as much as pre-season games. Not saying it’s impossible, just tough to do. As it stands right now I believe Oggie, if I can call him that, is on the practice squad and only Darby and Gado are active backup RB’s.

I also like the idea of keeping Oggie because as someone else said, it would be a low investment in a 7th rounder and he because did show some ability in the pre-season. He’s brand new and needs a little experience before he can be reliable. He looked pretty quick in the pre-season (yes, I know, preseason) and has good size at 6’, 220 pounds and comes from an good program at Texas.

I also think Gado is a little under-rated, at least around this board.

by CoachConnors on Nov 16, 2009 6:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The biggest problem

I saw in that game, was when SJ came out. We trampled them down to the 19, SJ leaves for a play, Bulger gets intercepted. I told my father-in-law we should run Jackson, run Jackson, run Jackson, run Jackson, kneel and lose a down, and run Jackson.

If we had a second back that was able to pick up some yardage and save some wear and tear on Jackosn, he could still be around and useful on a Superbowl run when we get this ship righted.

Not sure about Darby, though I haven’t been impressed by him since Linehan brought him in. Hopefully he’s falling down the food chain to give Ogbonnaya a chance.

THIS year's the year. I hope....

by thisguy on Nov 16, 2009 3:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

In the 2010 draft,

There will be a slew of these scat back, Darren Sproles types available in the 2nd -4th rounds, like Dexter McCluster of Ole Miss, Noel Devine of WV, Trindon Holliday of LSU, just to name a few. Power back Toby Gerhart of Stanford would also be a good complement to Jackson as well. We should pick up the #2 then, and save our FA $$ for some other needs like a veteran #1 or #2 WR to complement and teach our young group of WR’s. With the development and emergence of our very young WR’s, no sense drafting another one to add to the crew.

by Mean Machine II on Nov 16, 2009 5:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

As longs as we're discussing FA pipe dreams

What about Vincent Jackson, he is another player the Rams could really use. A big strong receiver that can do it all. If there is one premier player that I would prefer to give a huge chunk of cash to, it’s him.

by TheBirds on Nov 16, 2009 5:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I highly doubt the Chargers were let him become a FA

but I would love to have him. He is one of my top 5 favorite non-Rams.

The 53 as one have become the 53 that won.

by Carneros on Nov 16, 2009 7:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that situation will be interesting though...

…since Sproles is on their franchise tender this year the Chargers front office will have to work hard to sign one of them before thinking about using the franchise tag on the other.

by IrishRamsFan on Nov 17, 2009 2:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I sure like Sproles, and...

…I like the tandem RB theory like the Larry Czonka/Jim Kiick and Franco Harris/Rocky Blier duos of lore. Here’s another idea…. how about SJax and Mick Vick in the same backfield? Even if we kept Bulger, Vick could be used in the Wildcat or for option passes. There’s a real possibility that we might have some quality receivers next year with Avery, Robinson and Gibson. And, we badly need a TE to replace “stone hands” McMichael. On defense, we need to spend some high draft choices or big $$$ to get at least TWO high-powered D-Lineman. I cringe at how long Bartell, Otogwe, Butler, et.al have to stay glued to receivers cause we have NO pass rush.

by edpjr on Nov 16, 2009 6:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here is my suggestion

Mean Machine beat me two it but here’s what Walter Football has to say about my choice for #2 back, Noel Devine:

Noel Devine*, West Virginia
Height: 5-8. Weight: 175.
Projected 40 Time: 4.31.
Projected Round (2010): 3-4.
11/7/09: Someone will draft Noel Devine in Rounds 3-4 if he runs a fast 40. He’s averaging 6.2 YPC and 8.2 yards per reception this year. He’ll be seen as a Darren Sproles-type player.

2/6/09: There’s a chance Noel Devine runs a 4.2 at the Combine. If that happens, he could be selected on Day 1. As a sophomore, Devine rushed for 1,289 yards on a 6.3 YPC. He also caught 35 balls for 185 more yards.

7/25/08: Noel Devine might be exciting to watch because of his blazing speed. His yards-per-carry average (8.6) is also astonishing. Unfortunately, he’s nothing more than a third-down back and a kick returner, as his small size limits his NFL potential.

The 53 as one have become the 53 that won.

by Carneros on Nov 16, 2009 7:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

if he could be had in round 4

If it takes a third rounder I’d say maybe depending on what else is available. I think there is a chance we could end up with another 3rd rounder if we end up with a pick 4-10 overall.

The 53 as one have become the 53 that won.

by Carneros on Nov 16, 2009 7:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

second tier of free agency

there’s always a useful cog floating around FA, outside the biggest contracts. Justin Fargas could be guy like that..

Turf Show Times

by VanRam on Nov 16, 2009 9:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think free agency is the way to go for RB

First of all, Fargas is not exactly the change of pace we need.
Second of all and more importantly, what free agent is going to want to sign with the Rams and play behind Jackson where they’ll be lucky to ever get 10 touches a game. The draft is a better way because they have to sign with us and there are better speed backs in the late rounds of the draft than their is in FA.

The 53 as one have become the 53 that won.

by Carneros on Nov 16, 2009 9:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Too bad Chad Spann is only a junior and is staying for his senior year.

/off my fanboy soapbox……

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Nov 16, 2009 9:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

you and your

NIU peoples…

by 3k on Nov 16, 2009 10:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

anybody think

that Willie Parker is getting a crappy deal in Pittsburgh, and could be gotten for pennies on the dollar?

by mooseknuckles41 on Nov 16, 2009 10:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Meh

He seems to be injured too much.

I’d much rather go for a player in the draft.

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 17, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

didnt he

get injured frequently because he was getting the bulk of carries in the post-Bettis era, behind an abysmal offensive line in the run-first pre-‘Big Ben tries to be Manning’ era?

the guy’s gonna be 30 years old, two years removed from a pro-bowl, is totally bitter he’s been unceremoniously usurped by a snotnosed a-hole from the Big Ten, and probably looking for a situation where he can contribute as a legit second banana. he’s a FA at the end of the season, and I’d take him over obganwhaddya, fargas, or some clueless rookie we’d take in the top 4 rounds, when we really should be taking defense.

by mooseknuckles41 on Nov 17, 2009 2:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Parker's main asset the past few years has been opportunity

and he really didn’t do much with it. He’s been above average once in his career (2006) by DVOA, and barely made it that year (3.3%). Mendenhall, in contrast is 8th in the league in DVOA this year (15%). Parker hasn’t gotten anything close to a crappy deal; he just has a better back behind him.

As for how he’d fit on the Rams, I don’t really see the upside. As you say, he’s gonna be 30 years old (basically dead in NFL RB years), making him one of the oldest players on the team, and his value is probably inflated from starting on a good team for 3 years.

by brackenthebox on Nov 17, 2009 7:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

A good 2nd RB is a luxury at this point, in my opinion

A mid-round rookie or low level FA makes sense to me. Having a good backup RB could’ve helped us win last Sunday, but I don’t think it’s as likely to help turn the team around in the future as much as investing that money in core areas of need.

by brackenthebox on Nov 17, 2009 7:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

That's how I see it

When 90% of run plays are good because Steven Jackson is playing, I don’t really see the need to alleviate that other 10%. I feel like our Oline is improving and that might be just as valuable as a better 2nd string RB. I think defensive players should come first in both the draft and FA. Could go out and grab someone like Travis Laboy in FA and get some immediate production out of him for our playoff run :)

by kinzav29 on Nov 17, 2009 9:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The thing is

If you put too many miles on one guy, he wears out faster. Jackson is someone we’d want to extend the career of, if possible without sacrificing wins.

That, and if you put all your eggs in one basket, and that one basket gets an injury, you may not have a #2 who is good enough to make it work.

Obviously no one can just step in and be another SJ39, but if he were to go down today we wouldn’t have a prayer in hell of carrying out the run heavy offense they’re trying to roll with, and getting injured becomes more likely if he’s carrying the rock too many times.

Now that I said all that….I would not draft a RB too high. I think we other pressing needs. A solid, brickwall defender at DT…….a playmaking, ballhawk CB (assuming we sign Atogwe and don’t need a Safety)…….and maybe even an OLB who can support our pass rush and cover TE’s.

by CoachConnors on Nov 17, 2009 5:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the names being thrown out

from the draft. Noel Devine was somebody who caught my eye from the first time I watched him play, backing up Steve Slaton. I was immediately wondering how WV was able to get this guy out of Florida. I also like McCluster due to his versatility, although his stature is of some concern, may not be able to take the pounding in the NFL. The guy that I like more is Joe McKnight out of USC. The guy is so damn fast with quickness, would be a good change of pace back, in addition to his KR/PR abilities, he would fill multiple needs. I also love the fact that USC does RB by committee. This leaves lots of wear and tear for his NFL team, and also limits his injuries.
I am not on board with Sproles, not because of what he brings to the table, but because he is going to demand serious dollars. Don’t forget that SD franchised him because they see him as their future considering LT’s time is dwindling.

by CaliRamMan on Nov 17, 2009 12:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

or

jahvid best. he would add to our return game as well.

by giantdonkey on Nov 18, 2009 12:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Carnell Williams

He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season, and has shown he has the ability to play in this league after coming back from 2 horrific seasons as the poster boy for reconstructive surgery.

The fact that he’s playing well this year shows he’s up to the task. His old injuries don’t seem to be lingering or at least having a major effect on his play at this point. He knows what it’s like to share the ball and probably wouldn’t mind leaving the bottom-barrel Buccaneers for a team that’s really up and coming in the Rams.

If he can make it through the year healthy, he could be signed to work (I think) very well in part time relief duty for the beast also known as Steven Jackson. Probably wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, either.

by CoachConnors on Nov 17, 2009 8:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs