Who should be the new starting RB?

Originally posted by mayo49:

Originally posted by backontop:
WHAT!!! Why would you bring in the smaller back on 3rd down? Sorry but you start Westbrook and throw in some dashes of Dixon.

Westbrook is not an every down back anymore. He's perfect coming in on 3rd downs and catching those screen passes.

sure...but his 136 yards rushing yesterday say otherwise though

Originally posted by dj43:

Originally posted by mayo49:

Originally posted by backontop:
WHAT!!! Why would you bring in the smaller back on 3rd down? Sorry but you start Westbrook and throw in some dashes of Dixon.

Westbrook is not an every down back anymore. He's perfect coming in on 3rd downs and catching those screen passes.

I beg to differ. He looked as good last night as he ever has.

That said, it makes sense to split the duty if for no other reason than to get Dixon more experience. If Westbrook suddenly gets all the reps and is injured, things would look bleak with Dixon. He needs work and experience. He isn't playing against 3rd stringers in PS anymore.

Well, you guys just might have changed my thinking on this. Maybe going with Westbrook is the way to go. I thought Dixon might be ready for primetime, but his dancing has me concerned. Dixon should get his goal line touches and spell Dixon throughout the game, so he should be able to eat and not feel left out.

[ Edited by mayo49 on Nov 30, 2010 at 08:32:12 ]

Dixon tippy-toes to the hole WAY too much for my liking.

Should be 80% Westbrook, with Dixon only getting some short yardage action and giving Brian the occassional rest.

What game were you watching last night? 136 YARDS RUSHING!!!! nuf said

Both of them are going to get there touches but for the immediate future I'm hoping that Westbrook gets 2/3 of em. Dixon needs to trust what he see's inside before looking to bounce outside and I'm still seeing happy feet out there. Not good enough yet, but of course I'll have to look at the tape to confirm what I think, I think I think...I think that's right.

split time 50/50. We'll finally see what it's like to have fresh legs in the 4th now that Gore's out. Stupid coaches should of been cycling the other two all along.

Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
split time 50/50. We'll finally see what it's like to have fresh legs in the 4th now that Gore's out. Stupid coaches should of been cycling the other two all along.

maybe 70/30

Big daddy Dix dances in the hole to much, Westbrook and Gore hit that s**t right away

My question is just this,,,Why did the Niners sign B Westbrook? I mean I happy now they did because he will fill in for Gore...BUT what is wrong with this picture B Westbrook 5 carries in 10 games...I thought the Niners were going to use him to give F gore a breather but 1/2 a play per game...I guess the Niners brass hadn't figured out yet many teams use duo RBs and with good to great success.

Based on last night's performance, I'd say Westbrook. Dixon did OK, but Westbrook looked like the Brian Westbrook of old... and that's a premier back who can do it all. I'd try to share the load 70/30 to save some wear and tear on the 31 year old, and also provide opportunities for Dixon to develop... he looks to me like he's close to breaking out.

Another possibility is a "thunder and lightning" approach to provide change of pace and keep defenses off balance. Putting these two guys in the backfield together could be very effective. You've got an elusive guy who can run with power, and a bruiser with quick feet. Dixon is big enough to be a lead blocker, Westbrook is dangerous as a receiver. With both of them in the backfield, defenses would never know if they were going to get a power run, an edge run, or a screen pass.

Originally posted by mayo49:

Originally posted by dj43:

Originally posted by mayo49:

Originally posted by backontop:
WHAT!!! Why would you bring in the smaller back on 3rd down? Sorry but you start Westbrook and throw in some dashes of Dixon.

Westbrook is not an every down back anymore. He's perfect coming in on 3rd downs and catching those screen passes.

I beg to differ. He looked as good last night as he ever has.

That said, it makes sense to split the duty if for no other reason than to get Dixon more experience. If Westbrook suddenly gets all the reps and is injured, things would look bleak with Dixon. He needs work and experience. He isn't playing against 3rd stringers in PS anymore.

Well, you guys just might have changed my thinking on this. Maybe going with Westbrook is the way to go. I thought Dixon might be ready for primetime, but his dancing has me concerned. Dixon should get his goal line touches and spell Dixon throughout the game, so he should be able to eat and not feel left out.

As you said, use Dixon throughout the game. He needs to learn how to run in all areas of the field, not just the goal line.

His best run last night was one he popped to the outside, picked up the first down and stayed inbounds to keep the clock moving. While that was a good run, it was designed to go between guard and tackle, which was available for 4-5 yards. So in that case, he "made a mistake" by going outside but it worked out for the better. He needs to learn when to be patient and when to hit the hole hard and settle for 2-3 yards.

The veteran Westbrook should start and Dixon should back him up. Westbrook has been there, done that, and is much better at blitz pickup.

Dixon is especially effective on short yardage, goal-line scenarios.

Although losing Frank really hurts, I think this forces the offense to open up and be more versatile. Of course, we'll have to see if that actually happens...

Westbrook.

Westbrook can do all the things All-Purposed backs are SUPPOSED to do:

- Run inside and outside

- block

- speed to run from shot-gun formation

- catch passes outta the backfield

- he can line up in the slot when motioned to

Dixon needs to be worked in on 3rd downs. Hes slow to execute and doesn't hit the hole hard enough, does too much dancing.

Westbrook should start--that shouldn't even be a topic of discussion. The question is how much should Dixon get into the games? I liked how much Dixon was in the game at the end last night, just to get him some experience and to keep Westbrook fresh. In fact, I thought the split between them was pretty good last night and that's how they should be used. Maybe a 70/30 split...?

Moran Norris, he's got good speed and lateral quickness. Good coming out of the backfield too.

Both of them are going to get there touches but for the immediate future I'm hoping that Westbrook gets 2/3 of em. Dixon needs to trust what he see's inside before looking to bounce outside and I'm still seeing happy feet out there. Not good enough yet, but of course I'll have to look at the tape to confirm what I think, I think I think...I think that's right.