Bilal Powell hasn't practiced this week and he'd be the first player to play under Bowles who hasn't practiced during the week. He'a listed as questionable, but I'm really concerned. Powell has been such a huge part of the 5 game win streak and Fitzy's play. Who steps up in the passing game? Can Ivory handle the screen game, which may be even more important to have against Ryan's aggressive defense?
Hopefully with 2-3 more days of rest he'll be good to go Sunday, I'm pretty confident he will (considering he's questionable). Too bad Stacy is on IR.
I got a notification that he was unlikely to play, but got another saying he's being listed as questionable. If he is out, it'll be more Ivory, and Ridley will get more action. It would be a loss, but no death blow. I think we'll be on a more pass heavy game plan anyway, but that's just my guess.
This one is gonna hurt us Sunday. He's been so good the last few games and with Ivory not being 100%, despite what he says. and Ridley being meh, this sucks.
I know he's been awful, but he was a little better last week. I agree that it's a big blow losing Powell though.
One aspect of Powell's game I like better than Ivory's is the way he protects the ball when he senses contact. When he gets to the end of a run with defenders closing in on him or he hits a scrum at the LOS he always seems to cover the ball with both arms. Ivory IDK I almost always get the feeling that ball is about to get punched out. His biceps are so big it's like he can't fully secure the ball. I have no idea what they're actual fumble stats are, but I never feel like Powell is going to fumble whereas Ivory I'm always a tad nervous. Even in the OT the other day the ball came out on his second fun. That could have been disastrous. _
If he doesn't play, I hope he is taking some more PEDS like last time he sat to get better, so he can have even more of a burst for the playoffs.
Cold atmosphere against a defeated team , I think running Ivory to a win sounds like a decent plan. Id guess Powell will give it a go though. Not like whoever dresses in his place would contribute much if they rule him out.
After checking with the experts and the professional analysts, this may be his chance of a life time. It isn't every year you get a chance to make the playoffs, so I would think if there's any possibility of playing, Powell will be on the field.
Our offense has really progressed by being more pass heavy. It would be a mistake to abandon that. Our pass game has become really dynamic and it is beyond Decker and Marshall now. Enunwa, Thompkins and Powell have all played key roles. Nothing wrong with giving Ivory carries, but the team's success is in the spread short passing game.