every single time we need a huge return. he delivers right up the sideline
every single time
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LaMichael James was a Niner (CUT!)
Jan 5, 2014 at 7:17 PM
- jonesadrian
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Jan 5, 2014 at 7:20 PM
- DelCed2486
- Veteran
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The only small gripe I had was thought he could've done a little more on the short KO that came down at the 10, he seemed to hesitate and brought down at the 20. But still, considering the conditions and magnitude, it was an excellent game by LMJ, including yet another good return (37-yd) that set up a TD drive.
I know this was a week to play it pretty close to the vest, so I won't complain that he didn't get any touches from the LOS. Hopefully he gets a few next week.
I know this was a week to play it pretty close to the vest, so I won't complain that he didn't get any touches from the LOS. Hopefully he gets a few next week.
Jan 5, 2014 at 7:22 PM
- SanDiego49er
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He's done pretty well. From his first preseason until now I can't believe how much better he is at catching and securing the ball. He's also way better at covering it up in traffic. He's pretty sure handed back there. Makes you forget Kyle Williams.
Jan 5, 2014 at 7:23 PM
- Cjez
- Hall of Fame
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he's done an excellent job. much better than I had anticipated.
Jan 5, 2014 at 7:25 PM
- buck
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James is doing fine.
Jan 5, 2014 at 7:33 PM
- Gore_21
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Originally posted by dtg_9er:
It's 30 degrees in New Boston Texas today, so James isn't from the warmer So Texas. Still a difference between 30 and 6 degrees. But 6 is much better than 20 below! If you have never been in that weather, at 20 or 30 below you can feel the warmth being sucked out of your body by the weather vampires! After ten or fifteen minutes it's really hard to get warm again...even sitting in a warm locker room. So, as cold as 6 degrees is...much better than sub arctic!
Agreed. Yep a big difference between like 5 and -10 wind chill and 30. We had a stretch of -5 to -10 for a week or so a few weeks back and then it warmed up to 20's and it felt like it was spring out. I'm out there in my shorts and t-shirt like jeez it's nice out here. And like you said when its gets cold enough it's hard to breath and it sucks the air out of you.
As for James he's done a heck of a lot better than Williams but hard not to do better than 1 yard average a return. He's doing a good job of securing it so far (knock on wood) but just not sure he has td return potential. Pretty easy to take him down too, especially up the middle. Some times he heads in the wrong lanes or runs into our guys even when it's just 1vs1 ahead of him. Hopefully he gets better with time. His best bet is to hit the sidelines. Wish we would pass to him out of the backfield and use him on offense but at least we are getting some use out of him and he isn't as disgruntled anymore.
Jan 5, 2014 at 8:20 PM
- dtg_9er
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Originally posted by Gore_21:
Agreed. Yep a big difference between like 5 and -10 wind chill and 30. We had a stretch of -5 to -10 for a week or so a few weeks back and then it warmed up to 20's and it felt like it was spring out. I'm out there in my shorts and t-shirt like jeez it's nice out here. And like you said when its gets cold enough it's hard to breath and it sucks the air out of you.
As for James he's done a heck of a lot better than Williams but hard not to do better than 1 yard average a return. He's doing a good job of securing it so far (knock on wood) but just not sure he has td return potential. Pretty easy to take him down too, especially up the middle. Some times he heads in the wrong lanes or runs into our guys even when it's just 1vs1 ahead of him. Hopefully he gets better with time. His best bet is to hit the sidelines. Wish we would pass to him out of the backfield and use him on offense but at least we are getting some use out of him and he isn't as disgruntled anymore.
I notice him taking some peculiar routes. Sometimes runs right into guys--blockers and tacklers, but all in all I think he is in a learning process and he does have speed on his side. Not a natural return guy jitter bug but should be steady and love his ball security...after the first week or so. Also love his not running backwards! Ginn use to drive me nuts with that.
Jan 5, 2014 at 8:21 PM
- jreff22
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Not sure what his role will be next year...?
Jan 5, 2014 at 8:24 PM
- dtg_9er
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Originally posted by jreff22:
Not sure what his role will be next year...?
Waiting for Godot...er...Gore to go.
Jan 5, 2014 at 8:56 PM
- Gore_21
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Originally posted by dtg_9er:
I notice him taking some peculiar routes. Sometimes runs right into guys--blockers and tacklers, but all in all I think he is in a learning process and he does have speed on his side. Not a natural return guy jitter bug but should be steady and love his ball security...after the first week or so. Also love his not running backwards! Ginn use to drive me nuts with that.
Yeah I don't think he is a natural return guy but he's still doing pretty good for now.
Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Waiting for Godot...er...Gore to go.
I'm hoping Lattimore is who we think he is because Hunter has disappointed me. Not sure if it's the playcalling and us calling those sweeps to the outside so much but he just doesn't seem to be his 2011 self. He was a lot better in 2011 and 2012 than this year. I just hope Lattimore is really good because I think Gore should be splitting more carries. Gore has a lot of 0-1 yard runs but that has to do with the OL and play calling being predictable. Wouldn't mind Lattimore getting in there next year and changing it up a bit. Just some fresh legs. I think he should have no problem passing up Hunter and James. Hunter is a FA after next season nto sure if he will be back. Gore is too but I'd probably re-sign Gore through 2015 (add 1 year) and lower his 2014 cap number from 6 mil. Wish we'd use James more especially in the catching out of the backfield area. Not sure Hunter will have role on this 2015 team, might not be re-signed after next year... who knows maybe James won't either although I believe he is signed through 2015. Hopefully Lattimore can be a feature back to take over for Gore because I don't think Hunter or James are.
[ Edited by Gore_21 on Jan 5, 2014 at 9:03 PM ]
Jan 5, 2014 at 9:19 PM
- dtg_9er
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Originally posted by Gore_21:
Yeah I don't think he is a natural return guy but he's still doing pretty good for now.
I'm hoping Lattimore is who we think he is because Hunter has disappointed me. Not sure if it's the playcalling and us calling those sweeps to the outside so much but he just doesn't seem to be his 2011 self. He was a lot better in 2011 and 2012 than this year. I just hope Lattimore is really good because I think Gore should be splitting more carries. Gore has a lot of 0-1 yard runs but that has to do with the OL and play calling being predictable. Wouldn't mind Lattimore getting in there next year and changing it up a bit. Just some fresh legs. I think he should have no problem passing up Hunter and James. Hunter is a FA after next season nto sure if he will be back. Gore is too but I'd probably re-sign Gore through 2015 (add 1 year) and lower his 2014 cap number from 6 mil. Wish we'd use James more especially in the catching out of the backfield area. Not sure Hunter will have role on this 2015 team, might not be re-signed after next year... who knows maybe James won't either although I believe he is signed through 2015. Hopefully Lattimore can be a feature back to take over for Gore because I don't think Hunter or James are.
I'm hopeful for Lattimore as well, but James may be more in the mix when Gore is gone. Not sure about Hunter...seems like more of a receiving threat. He has some success running but not nearly Gore's level. So I agree Lattimore and James may be the one two punch in a year or two. Not sure how long Gore will play, but he's out lasted my expectations so...
Jan 5, 2014 at 9:29 PM
- LifelongNiner
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Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Originally posted by Gore_21:
Yeah I don't think he is a natural return guy but he's still doing pretty good for now.
I'm hoping Lattimore is who we think he is because Hunter has disappointed me. Not sure if it's the playcalling and us calling those sweeps to the outside so much but he just doesn't seem to be his 2011 self. He was a lot better in 2011 and 2012 than this year. I just hope Lattimore is really good because I think Gore should be splitting more carries. Gore has a lot of 0-1 yard runs but that has to do with the OL and play calling being predictable. Wouldn't mind Lattimore getting in there next year and changing it up a bit. Just some fresh legs. I think he should have no problem passing up Hunter and James. Hunter is a FA after next season nto sure if he will be back. Gore is too but I'd probably re-sign Gore through 2015 (add 1 year) and lower his 2014 cap number from 6 mil. Wish we'd use James more especially in the catching out of the backfield area. Not sure Hunter will have role on this 2015 team, might not be re-signed after next year... who knows maybe James won't either although I believe he is signed through 2015. Hopefully Lattimore can be a feature back to take over for Gore because I don't think Hunter or James are.
I'm hopeful for Lattimore as well, but James may be more in the mix when Gore is gone. Not sure about Hunter...seems like more of a receiving threat. He has some success running but not nearly Gore's level. So I agree Lattimore and James may be the one two punch in a year or two. Not sure how long Gore will play, but he's out lasted my expectations so...
Hunter has just declined this year. I'm not sure what the deal is. But I would like to see a commitment to working him into the game like a true #2 back as opposed to a true backup. Basically give him 10-15 carries a game as opposed to 5-8. Give Hunter a chance to get in rhythm. I'd like to know can he consistently gain yards (like he did in 2011 and 2012) or is he a boom or bust type of player the way he has been in 2013.
LaMichael James on the other hand is/was a little bit behind Hunter as a runner, definitely behind him as a pass protector, but can return kicks and punts. Would like to see his speed used more, but we've called for that all season long.
Jan 5, 2014 at 9:37 PM
- TheGoldDiggerrrr
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- Posts: 5,073
Well hoping Gore returns for one more year but actually get's spelled for more than 5 plays a game to keep him fresher. Hunter is coming off that injury, so I'm hoping that he's just not 100% mentally like he's worried about getting hurt again. James should see return duties again some plays to use his speed as a miss match. Dixon will be gone no way we keep him on the roaster if marcus is health and active, all those guys have more talent than Dixon so he's odd man out and most likely wont be resigned.
Jan 5, 2014 at 9:57 PM
- ninerjok
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If Lattimore's knees will hold up as good as Gore's have then he's gotta be the future workhorse. He was easily a top 10 draft pick without the gruesome injuries.Originally posted by dtg_9er:Originally posted by Gore_21:Yeah I don't think he is a natural return guy but he's still doing pretty good for now.
I'm hoping Lattimore is who we think he is because Hunter has disappointed me. Not sure if it's the playcalling and us calling those sweeps to the outside so much but he just doesn't seem to be his 2011 self. He was a lot better in 2011 and 2012 than this year. I just hope Lattimore is really good because I think Gore should be splitting more carries. Gore has a lot of 0-1 yard runs but that has to do with the OL and play calling being predictable. Wouldn't mind Lattimore getting in there next year and changing it up a bit. Just some fresh legs. I think he should have no problem passing up Hunter and James. Hunter is a FA after next season nto sure if he will be back. Gore is too but I'd probably re-sign Gore through 2015 (add 1 year) and lower his 2014 cap number from 6 mil. Wish we'd use James more especially in the catching out of the backfield area. Not sure Hunter will have role on this 2015 team, might not be re-signed after next year... who knows maybe James won't either although I believe he is signed through 2015. Hopefully Lattimore can be a feature back to take over for Gore because I don't think Hunter or James are.
I'm hopeful for Lattimore as well, but James may be more in the mix when Gore is gone. Not sure about Hunter...seems like more of a receiving threat. He has some success running but not nearly Gore's level. So I agree Lattimore and James may be the one two punch in a year or two. Not sure how long Gore will play, but he's out lasted my expectations so...
Jan 10, 2014 at 8:41 AM
- GhostofFredDean74
- Hall of Fame
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Originally posted by jreff22:
Not sure what his role will be next year...?
Not sure they would ever consider it, but why not a hybrid RB/Slot WR role? He's got good enough hands to play some WR, would definitely be great after the catch and would be a threat to run the ball from the slot on jet sweeps, end-arounds, etc. Would add another dimension to the offense and one more thing for opposing defenses to scheme for. Plus, it gives flexibility to the roster, having a guy on the active list that can handle all special teams returns, play some in the backfield and in the slot.
I personally think he'd be a terror playing out of the slot, but I doubt they'd do it or that he'd want to.