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For Raheem Mostert, Is It FINALLY Breakout Time?

Gary Mialocq
Sep 11, 2019 at 7:00 AM


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I have been a fan of RAHEEM MOSTERT'S for a long time. Few would listen, and I was told a dozen times that "he's nothing but another undrafted free agent RB, and not good enough for the varsity." I was asked what I saw in him. So, I decided to investigate and find out why my immediate gut-felt support was so strong for THIS guy. I thought the answer was simple. A major reason, of course, is his blazing speed (4.28), he was called "the fastest player in the NCAA" by NFL.com the same year as Tyreek Hill. But, that wasn't it. There was something else. Why was THIS guy so special?

Every game, he seems to get stronger as the game progresses. You definitely want him in there in the 4th quarter. Then I realized that his special toughness is what sets him aside. He won't quit. Not by being cut by five other teams despite his excellent return record with them. In his heart, he is HUNGRIER than anyone else…and tougher. He is the first one downfield and a vicious tackler as the special teams gunner.

Then it hit me; it's like it's 1958 and seeing the late J.D. Smith all over again. He was also a tough 205-pound back who like Mostert, had come to the 49ers from the Bears and starred on special teams for two years until he bugged them into starting him at RB vs. the Packers at Kezar in the next to last game of the season.

It was Pearl Harbor Day (Dec.7). Having played golf with a 49er exec who rewarded me with bench passes in 1958 and 1959, I found my 16-year-old self sitting on the end of the 49er bench next to LEO NOMELLINI. Leo was HUGE, had no front teeth, and a deep roaring voice that was belting out some of the worst profanity I had ever heard. Boy, Leo could cuss. Then, J.D. Smith takes an end-run down the sidelines for an 80-yard touchdown with 49er guard Al Carapella panting behind him and screaming "slow down you s.o.b." Leo was bellowing with laughter and saying unkind things to Carapella. It was J.D.'s first game as a starter. In 1959, He supplanted Hugh McElhenny, finished second to only Jim Brown in the NFL rushing stats, and led the 49ers in rushing across the next five seasons!

Back to the present...Is RAHEEM MOSTERT the next J.D. Smith? I believe he can be. It's up to Kyle Shanahan now. I think he needs to ask his dad about J.D.

As a running back, RAHEEM has a talent for finding small holes and making big gains. In the short time they have given him reps, I have seen him go 87 yards with a screen pass in a preseason game and score from 52 against the Raiders, just for starters. The most revealing stat is that of the 40 yards he gained against the Buccaneers from scrimmage, 38 were AFTER the first hit. THAT is incredible. That tells me that he's a punishing runner who isn't fun to bring down. Combine that speed with his 205 lbs, and he hits hard. His straight arm last Sunday was a classic. That also tells me that MOSTERT IS A MONSTER!

Mostert needs more carries. He keeps trying to show us that he's ready to break out. Imagine what this guy could do as the No. 1 running back getting 20-plus carries per game. What a luxury to have a dominant feature back with a backup like Breida. Kyle?
  • Gary Mialocq
  • Written by:
    Native of SF. Attended Washington HIgh, CCSF and SF State University. Investor & Startup Business Consultant, Former Juvenile Detention Counselor, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Self-employment Specialist, Real Estate Investor, Genealogist. Senior Pro Golfer.


Poll

  • Will Raheem Mostert Become the Next Great 49er RB?
  • Yes
    69%
  • No
    31%
  • 500 votes
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


2 Comments

  • agreen
    I've always liked Mostert as well & have honestly wondered why we keep bringing in RB's to supplant what we have already. I think Breida & Mostert should be our 1/2 punch with Wilson jr as the 3rd back. I'm not knocking McKinnon or Coleman but think we have our backs of the future for Shanny's offense in these 3 guys without the big contracts & injuries (Mckinnon) that go with the other two. I could be wrong!! I'm all the way on the east coast & never get to really see these guys practice, their work ethic & etc. However when I see However when I see them on the field I don't think they disappoint given the small sample of reps they get.
    Sep 12, 2019 at 7:06 AM
    0
    Response: I admire Mostert's determination. After he fumbled before game 5 last season, Shanahan challenged him to learn to hold onto the ball and every day in practice, the defense tried to punch the ball out of his hands on every carry. He has worked hard, even meditating, to hold onto the ball. Hasn't dropped anything since...
  • mbniner
    I have shared your enthusiasm for Mostert since the first time I saw him in a preseason game. He was being used as a power back against the opponents backups. He plowed over people but also showed a tremendous burst. For some reason he was regulated to special teams. Maybe the coaches questioned his pass protection skills or some other reason. Last year when he got the chance he was great. The injury came and he was back to square one. He should get a lot of carries the next few games.
    Sep 11, 2019 at 10:31 AM
    0
    Response: Thanks for the reply. It has become apparent that GMs around the league use undrafted RBs in that way. If a guy is drafted he's above the undrafted player -- guaranteed. I think it 's because they don't want to look bad. In Raheem's case he has been an excellent kickoff returner everywhere he played and not allowed to run the ball on offense. He has gone beyond proving himself and I believe that only his broken forearm prevented him from having a breakout season last year. Hopefully, Mike will have a talk with Kyle and the ghost of JD will reappear.

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