Bigger running backs

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:01 PM

valrod33
Hall of Small
Posts: 138,121

Originally posted by jimmythegreekjr:
Is it just me or do the 49er running backs look tiny. Yesterday Glen Coffee looked very small and fragile. Kory sheets, the other draft pick is also small. And then I looked at Steven Jackson, pretty strong physically.

If our OLine cannot "push" the defensive line back enough, a bigger and more explosive back might help a little.

what did that big strong man do against us?

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:06 PM

redrathman
Veteran
Posts: 6,019

Originally posted by jimmythegreekjr:
Is it just me or do the 49er running backs look tiny. Yesterday Glen Coffee looked very small and fragile. Kory sheets, the other draft pick is also small. And then I looked at Steven Jackson, pretty strong physically.

If our OLine cannot "push" the defensive line back enough, a bigger and more explosive back might help a little.

Kory Sheets wasn't a draft pick. He signed as an unrestricted free agent after going undrafted out of Purdue.

It's the play of the offensive line, not the size of the running back, that has caused concern. It won't matter if the 49ers have an defensive tackle running the rock; if running lanes and holes aren't opening up, backs can't gain yardage.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:09 PM

BobS
Veteran
Posts: 12,143

Originally posted by redrathman:
Originally posted by jimmythegreekjr:
Is it just me or do the 49er running backs look tiny. Yesterday Glen Coffee looked very small and fragile. Kory sheets, the other draft pick is also small. And then I looked at Steven Jackson, pretty strong physically.

If our OLine cannot "push" the defensive line back enough, a bigger and more explosive back might help a little.

Kory Sheets wasn't a draft pick. He signed as an unrestricted free agent after going undrafted out of Purdue.

It's the play of the offensive line, not the size of the running back, that has caused concern. It won't matter if the 49ers have an defensive tackle running the rock; if running lanes and holes aren't opening up, backs can't gain yardage.

Not always true Jim Brown, John Riggins, and Earl Campbell and a few others ran over people instead of around them.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:19 PM

bigmike55
Veteran
Posts: 3,474

When Gore is healthy, we'll be fine. Our offensive line needs to get more push off the ball. Now that Raye is mixing it up a little with quick screen passes, hopefully defenses won't be putting 9 in the box.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:19 PM

redrathman
Veteran
Posts: 6,019

Originally posted by BobS:
Originally posted by redrathman:
Originally posted by jimmythegreekjr:
Is it just me or do the 49er running backs look tiny. Yesterday Glen Coffee looked very small and fragile. Kory sheets, the other draft pick is also small. And then I looked at Steven Jackson, pretty strong physically.

If our OLine cannot "push" the defensive line back enough, a bigger and more explosive back might help a little.

Kory Sheets wasn't a draft pick. He signed as an unrestricted free agent after going undrafted out of Purdue.

It's the play of the offensive line, not the size of the running back, that has caused concern. It won't matter if the 49ers have an defensive tackle running the rock; if running lanes and holes aren't opening up, backs can't gain yardage.

Not always true Jim Brown, John Riggins, and Earl Campbell and a few others ran over people instead of around them.

Right. So clearly, we need a Hall of Fame running back from the 1970's.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:26 PM

dj43
Moderator
Posts: 38,465

Jackson is one of the very biggest backs in the league.

Gore and Coffee are fine. Better guard play will make them look a lot bigger...so will better play from the ROT...along with more diversity in play calling.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:27 PM

backontop
Veteran
Posts: 14,346

The issue isn't the running backs it is the blocking schemes that the offensive line is using. They are not getting any push and are not creating holes.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:28 PM

RichmondPete
Member
Posts: 682

Originally posted by redrathman:
Originally posted by BobS:
Originally posted by redrathman:
Originally posted by jimmythegreekjr:
Is it just me or do the 49er running backs look tiny. Yesterday Glen Coffee looked very small and fragile. Kory sheets, the other draft pick is also small. And then I looked at Steven Jackson, pretty strong physically.

If our OLine cannot "push" the defensive line back enough, a bigger and more explosive back might help a little.

Kory Sheets wasn't a draft pick. He signed as an unrestricted free agent after going undrafted out of Purdue.

It's the play of the offensive line, not the size of the running back, that has caused concern. It won't matter if the 49ers have an defensive tackle running the rock; if running lanes and holes aren't opening up, backs can't gain yardage.

Not always true Jim Brown, John Riggins, and Earl Campbell and a few others ran over people instead of around them.

Right. So clearly, we need a Hall of Fame running back from the 1970's.

lol seriously its not even the same game anymore there will never be another Jim Brown who can dominate 220 pound white defensive linemen.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:29 PM

nvninerfan1
Veteran
Posts: 2,601

Originally posted by jimmythegreekjr:
Is it just me or do the 49er running backs look tiny. Yesterday Glen Coffee looked very small and fragile. Kory sheets, the other draft pick is also small. And then I looked at Steven Jackson, pretty strong physically.

If our OLine cannot "push" the defensive line back enough, a bigger and more explosive back might help a little.

Yup, he looked like a lineman when about 5 of those defenders jumped him.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:32 PM

#10

76Razor
Veteran
Posts: 5,928

Originally posted by jimmythegreekjr:
Is it just me or do the 49er running backs look tiny. Yesterday Glen Coffee looked very small and fragile. Kory sheets, the other draft pick is also small. And then I looked at Steven Jackson, pretty strong physically.

If our OLine cannot "push" the defensive line back enough, a bigger and more explosive back might help a little.

it's yo ass, mister big man.

also, IMO, bigger backs tend to be prone to more injuries.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:33 PM

#11

kray28
Veteran
Posts: 12,955

Originally posted by jimmythegreekjr:
Is it just me or do the 49er running backs look tiny. Yesterday Glen Coffee looked very small and fragile. Kory sheets, the other draft pick is also small. And then I looked at Steven Jackson, pretty strong physically.

If our OLine cannot "push" the defensive line back enough, a bigger and more explosive back might help a little.

SJax is one of the biggest backs in the league (next to Brandon Jacobs)....next to them, everyone is tiny.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:36 PM

#12

Afrikan
Veteran
Posts: 23,703

I know of one RB available now we can get... he is 6-1 238lbs and runs a 4.5 40 time and is agile.

well, actually Barlow might be over 238lbs now and maybe not so 4.5ish, 40 time wise...

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:48 PM

#13

tohara3
Veteran
Posts: 30,966

Originally posted by backontop:
The issue isn't the running backs it is the blocking schemes that the offensive line is using. They are not getting any push and are not creating holes.

I tink our O-line should do more straight ahead blocking & cut down on all this pulling by the guards because they are getting blown up.

Oct 5, 2009 at 1:57 PM

#14

fzrdave
Veteran
Posts: 2,170

Originally posted by Afrikan:
I know of one RB available now we can get... he is 6-1 238lbs and runs a 4.5 40 time and is agile.

well, actually Barlow might be over 238lbs now and maybe not so 4.5ish, 40 time wise...

What used to drive me nuts about him was that he was a 235+ pound back who thought he was a 190 pound back. Instead of just bulling his way through and gaining yards (which he did well when he did it), he would instead just kind of dance around back there and get tackled. He had a lot of potential, but it was never realized.