The Running Game

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

again!! I apologize

I probably posted at the same time you edited

[vallin21]

I voted Torain. Stick with the hot hand. I'm just not buying that Hightower was "banged" up. He showed no signs of being "banged up" (running and pass blocking). Shanahan's making an excuse as to why Hightower's been underachieving. He's done this before w/ Mcnabb. Torain had 135 yards, w/ the O-line opening the same holes yesterday, that Hightower couldn't hit consistently the last 3 weeks. Even when Hightower's been healthy, he just hasn't been effective. It's been 2 or 3 yards with him. On the flipside,Torain and Helu have gained 5,6,7 yards on the same stretch play. If we ran Torain against Dallas, we might've won that game. Torain should get most of the carries Wk 6, with Hightower coming in on pass blocking situations.

Bottom Line:
I just don't buy that Hightower's banged up. He's just been ineffective RUNNING the ball. Banged up or not.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by vallin21

I voted Torain. Stick with the hot hand. I'm just not buying that Hightower was "banged" up. He showed no signs of being "banged up" (running and pass blocking). Shanahan's making an excuse as to why Hightower's been underachieving. He's done this before w/ Mcnabb. Torain had 135 yards, w/ the O-line opening the same holes yesterday, that Hightower couldn't hit consistently the last 3 weeks. Even when Hightower's been healthy, he just hasn't been effective. It's been 2 or 3 yards with him. On the flipside,Torain and Helu have gained 5,6,7 yards on the same stretch play. If we ran Torain against Dallas, we might've won that game. Torain should get most of the carries Wk 6, with Hightower coming in on pass blocking situations.

Bottom Line:
I just don't buy that Hightower's banged up. He's just been ineffective RUNNING the ball. Banged up or not.

He was wearing some sort of brace or extra padding for his left upper arm.

[Chico23231]

I kinda dont understand why people dont want to believe he is injuried. rather just say, beast for giving it a go.

[skinsfan69]

I think everyone (including myself) got caught up in the pre season stuff and forgot just how good Torain can be. The guy was a beast last year. I'm not sure how long the guy's going to last running the way he does but if healthy he's our best back. It takes several guys the bring him down.

[Dirtbag59]

All I have to say about the upcoming Eagles game is this


Or is it diesel-hybrid in today's day and age?

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by diehard

+1

Would there be enough OLs to divide between among a league though?

Of course. 32 lines to choose from.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

Torrain was impressive, definately seems to be a Skins style back...I hope our FB get's well soon...imagine him power blocking for Torrain at the goalline.
I don't think Hightower can do "power rushing" the way Torrain can.

Oh yeah...after 4 games have you guys notices the dramatic improvement in the interior line?...particularly at Center?

Have you guys seen the Center pushed back 5-10 times a game this year?
The Skins addressed one of our greatest weaknesses and boy...what a difference!

yeah, I still don't think our backup OL or brown are all that great though.

I still think we need a #1 QB, 3 OL (ALL of our backups are trash from what I know/have seen), a better #1 CB, and another ILB (for when fletcher finally quits). I like where we're at, though hasslebeck or luck or cam would look pretty nice in a skins jersey right now... no world beaters at WR, but we're good enough, have great depth, and no one's being paid obscenely, which tends to happen at WR.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

You know who else was pretty solid today was...well, I guess it's were not was...Kory L. and Chris Chester.

Chester doesn't get a lot of pub but he was a great pick up for us. Definitely helped solidify the o-line.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

I truly love what they have done with the line in two years.

Chester= another great under rated FA pickup in the offseason.

Kory L and Montgomery great additions playing the right place. (By additions I do not mean just joined the team , but finally put in the right places to make plays.)

Brown= a piece that I may want to upgrade soon. He has played well at times and been torched at times.

As far as the ATV v TH argument, the results of yesterday may be skewed in that we were playing a pretty bad Rams team. I like what ATV gives us as a power back, and I believe that he seems to be a better fit for the system.

TH gives you speed, possibility of a big play, and great pass pro. We cannot discount what TH has done in our scheme thus far after one big game from ATV. Last Monday night he dominated on our touchdown drive and never got another real chance to impact the game. We can't forget what he has done all season after one poor game. He had his moments in the first three games.

BTW having this argument is a good thing to have. Three capable backs, all of which have different strengths and weaknesses.

[GusFrerotte]

I voted Torain. I have TH for my fantasy team as my flex option, and he is only worth a damn if he scores a TD. He did have nice games weeks 1 and 2, but his ypc is not even 3 or a straight up 3. I can see him being banged up, but his ineffectiveness was quite apparent during MNF. I did not see why we needed to pick up Hightower, with Helu, Torain, and K Williams in the fold. Williams was serviceable. Thank God I have Darren Sproles as a backup RB.

[GusFrerotte]

I think TH is a good back, just think they need to give Torain the bulk of the carries and give HT and Helu 40-45% of the carries between them, or use TH as a 3rd down back to catch passes, although he had a couple drops I heard yesterday.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

What we saw from ATV yesterday was not based purely on talent. That helped.

BUT what I saw from Ryan yesterday was a guy fighting to get his job back, he was full of fire during his runs, he held that all the way through while he was in, and just ran with anger and a ton of emotion.

I like your train of thought Gus in having them split carries with your percentages. It keeps guys fresh, and like I stated in the Kerrigan/Rak thread, they can help feed off of each other.

[SirClintonPortis]

I wish we'd mix in a little man-on-man(aka power) blocking at points in the game other than just the final minutes. One of our TDs against the Sheagles last year came on a power run.

[skinsfaninok]

Hightower is the better Back IMO, when healthy that is