Originally posted by English:Originally posted by TheGoldStandard:Originally posted by English:Originally posted by Old_school:
I think that RB is a priority in this drft, but not a first round priority. Gore is playing on two surgically repaired knees and we are only one cheap shot away from having a mediocre running game.
Priority? Running backs can pretty much start on day 1, if they are any good. So why spend a high(ish) draft pick on a running back when Gore could (could) be good for another four seasons. And we have no idea if we have anything in Coffee or nor.
5th round or later? Fine
another 4 years? he's turning 27 has had surgery on both knees and shoulder blades, ankle problems, hasn't played a full season since 2006. If Gore misses time which is a high probability based on his injury history we are gonna need someone to carry the load.
Priorities. Gore is an excellent rb. Other positions? Not so much. So we can either take a back who might sit on the bench behind Frank for 2 or 3 years, or we can take a guy who will likely be needed to start this year.
Yes, Gore won't last forever. But why rush to replace him when other priorities are so demanding. And like I said, we have no idea if we have anything in Coffee or not
Another back who can carry the ball will prolong Gore's career, and not just by allowing him to play more years, but to continue playing at a high level. And over the course of a season? He will be fresher down the stretch, especially for a playoff run that we all hope takes place next year. And again if Gore were to go down for extended time, and he has missed games the past 3 seasons, we are gonna need someone who can come in with little to no drop off or we risk being caught in a bad situation if and when he goes down.
But that's just looking at it from one perspective. The real benefit of Spiller or someone of that ilk is that they would provide a different dimension to the offense, speed. We don't need another Gore which is essentially what Coffee is, but we do need someone who defenses have to respect as a deep threat.
The whole idea that Spiller wouldn't or couldn't get on the field because of Gore seems misguided, Reggie Bush isn't the primary ballcarrier for the Saints, Pierre Thomas is, but Reggie still plays a lot. Rather it be in the slot, out wide, or in the backfield Spiller would be able to play and defenses would have to account for him, opening it up for everybody else, including Gore.