Scud's Studs (12th off the bench): Cards vs. Skins

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

Not that I advocate trading Cooley but most of our pass catchers are possession first guys. Armstrong is the only real deep threat thats regularly on the field. Moss these days is more quick and smart then he is fast. Kind of wish they would give Austin more playing time just to stretch the field a bit.

My guess is that he will see Austin next week, my gut tells me Stallworth was being showcased today and maybe Austin next week for when Moore and Buchanon return from injury/suspension. One of those guys will probably be traded, just guessing. I hope it's Stallworth who they get rid off.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

My guess is that he will see Austin next week, my gut tells me Stallworth was being showcased today and maybe Austin next week for when Moore and Buchanon return from injury/suspension. One of those guys will probably be traded, just guessing. I hope it's Stallworth who they get rid off.

It would be nice to get a replacement for Golston. Still I have to admit, I flat out love this receiving corps, namely Moss, Armstrong, Gaffney, Davis, Cooley. None of them are selfish, they're all willing to block, and they all have some sort of chip on their shoulder.

Vinny tried to build a group like this for 10 years and couldn't do it. Shanny did it in two years. lol. Lot of credit for the success of this unit has to go to both Kyle and Keenan.

[vallin21]

Am I the only one that thinks Hightower is slightly overrated as a runner? It took Hightower 20 carries to get to 96 yds, while Helu had 10 carries for 74 yds. The only knock on Helu is that he's not a good pass blocker.

Also, I'm not buying Shanahan's comment that Hightower was "tired". TH didn't play at all in the 2nd half, but for a couple of plays. I think Shanahan's seeing that Helu, with the exception of Pass Pro, is a more productive running and pass catching back than Hightower is.

[12thMan]

We don't know what Helu is like starting the game and getting the bulk of the carries. While Helu is a good change of pace back, Hightower is the pacesetter, if you will. He gets the offense in a rhythm, which helps Rex out a lot.

Not to suggest that Helu isn't starting material, but I think for now the combination is right.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by vallin21

Am I the only one that thinks Hightower is slightly overrated as a runner? It took Hightower 20 carries to get to 96 yds, while Helu had 10 carries for 74 yds. The only knock on Helu is that he's not a good pass blocker.

Also, I'm not buying Shanahan's comment that Hightower was "tired". TH didn't play at all in the 2nd half, but for a couple of plays. I think Shanahan's seeing that Helu, with the exception of Pass Pro, is a more productive running and pass catching back than Hightower is.

Yes. Also, running backs do get tired. But even if they didn't, it doesn't hurt to change it up once in a while. Especially when you've got two different backs that complement each other like Hightower and Helu do. Not only does it keep both of them fresher, it's harder on the defense since they are getting more tired in the second half and the running back has fresh legs. The concept of one back being your workhouse for the entire game has been proven outdated. This league is an adapt or die league.

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by vallin21

Am I the only one that thinks Hightower is slightly overrated as a runner? It took Hightower 20 carries to get to 96 yds, while Helu had 10 carries for 74 yds. The only knock on Helu is that he's not a good pass blocker.

Also, I'm not buying Shanahan's comment that Hightower was "tired". TH didn't play at all in the 2nd half, but for a couple of plays. I think Shanahan's seeing that Helu, with the exception of Pass Pro, is a more productive running and pass catching back than Hightower is.

Not really. I think he does a good job on finding holes and falling forward for yards. You need a bruiser and a scat back to have a great offense, and we now have both.

You kinda pound them with Hightower, and then when the defense is tired.. Let Helu run around them. It's a big difference when you are out there attacking the same guy all day, and then a quicker/faster guy comes out and you feel like you have cement shoes.

I'm speaking from experience though.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by vallin21

Am I the only one that thinks Hightower is slightly overrated as a runner? It took Hightower 20 carries to get to 96 yds, while Helu had 10 carries for 74 yds. The only knock on Helu is that he's not a good pass blocker.

Also, I'm not buying Shanahan's comment that Hightower was "tired". TH didn't play at all in the 2nd half, but for a couple of plays. I think Shanahan's seeing that Helu, with the exception of Pass Pro, is a more productive running and pass catching back than Hightower is.

I think TH may be a bit overrated...but I think the Cards were a bit too focused on him during the game (esp the likes of Darnell Dockett). On the Davis TD, I think the Cards were too sure of themselves that TH was going to run it. In the 2nd half, I think Shanahan went with the more productive RB, but also I think he wanted to go with the RB that didn't have the target on his back as well.

I like the way MS used two RBs this week and that's the way it should be. I think this should be an offense where it doesn't matter who is the #1 RB, because both should play.

[12thMan]

Who would have thought we wouldn't be missing either Clinton Portis or Ryan Torain going into the third game of the season.

[GTripp0012]

Here's the difference between Helu and Torain on a screen pass with identical blocking: there are defensive lineman in pursuit who will catch Torain after 14-16 yards. With Helu, good luck big guys. He's not slowing down to make his cuts, so chase him all you want, he's going to be running away from you,

Breakaway speed is so novel in this offense.

[GTripp0012]

Man coverage was really working for us in the first half, but we went away from it in the second half because of the injuries. That created lanes on the draw, and a number of quickly defined throws for Kolb who beat the pressure a number of times. There was also far less blitzing in the second half than the first, after the Cardinals showed a credible threat of a run.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

CC isn't going anywhere. No sense in even discussing it.

But this is a lesson on GMing greatest....

[diehard]

I didn't like the word chosen to describe Hightower's reason for being spelled. Guys are "tired" all of the time.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by vallin21

Am I the only one that thinks Hightower is slightly overrated as a runner? It took Hightower 20 carries to get to 96 yds, while Helu had 10 carries for 74 yds. The only knock on Helu is that he's not a good pass blocker.

Also, I'm not buying Shanahan's comment that Hightower was "tired". TH didn't play at all in the 2nd half, but for a couple of plays. I think Shanahan's seeing that Helu, with the exception of Pass Pro, is a more productive running and pass catching back than Hightower is.

No, you are not the only one. I am glad that we have Hightower and he is a good banger as a runner. Plus you need multiple backs in the NFL. But he is good only, not great. I hope we see more of Helu as time goes by.

[MTK]

Helu is a nice change of pace, but TH is still a baller too. They're a nice duo.

[MTK]

How about that 4th and 3 call at the 18 when Rex hit Moss for the TD? Love the balls of that play call and the decision by Rex. That's why I can't fault us for not running the clock down at the end. I think the coaches have sent a clear message, we're going down swinging no matter what.