honestly, I think alot of it has to do with the fact he didnt come here until what? the first preseason game? he basically missed our offseason, now halfway through the season I think hes just learning the playbook and blocking schemes better.[ either way, I always thought he could contribute, maybe now the Houston fan club will calm down.
Barlow had a terrific game. I think a lot of credit goes to the offensive line who seemed to push the line of scrimmage two yards forward on many of the running plays. Barlow just seemed to have better vision find the holes and creases. He even showed some surprising speed bouncing that one play to the outside on the final drive.
Which is very true! As much as I support Leon, I do realize the need for a veteran to carry the ball when the weather is horrible and you're on the road. Trust me, the only thing that I was thinking about when Leon had gotten the ball was DON'T FUMBLE!!! Leon's had trouble hanging onto the ball in the past, so I was o.k. with him not touching it as much in those weather conditions and on the road against a team like New England. Barlow has played at Pitt, so he knows how to handle the rock in the cold and rain; not to mention, San Francisco is hardly a dry city. Give Barlow his due.
I never understood all the hate on Barlow here. Washington had some nice games, but Barlow never really played poorly. Now that our line is coming together, Barlow will be more of the featured back. He will soften up the defense and Washington can be our 3rd down back. Great 1-2 punch. Huge win yesterday.
I think Barlow did great yesterday. But I still think he doesn't have the best balance. It seems like he's often getting tripped up close to the LOS, much sooner than it seems like he should... Maybe I'm wrong, and it's not his balance, and he can improve. Even though I love Leon, and dislike Barlow, I must admit I preferred seeing Barlow yesterday in the mud...
The offensive line was so dominant. The Pats d-line was totally driven off the line of scrimage on the Barlow TD. I love it. Our D line really got some pressure as well yesterday!
On a Muddy track, like yesterday, Barlow is the man. Noone is cutting outside with speed in that mud.
I just noticed what a back should do. Also, cant take away the work the OL did to open it up. But a much improved performace by Barlow and by the whole team.
Only thing i noticed about barlow is that he wasnt going down with the first hit...i still like Leon better because he hits the holes with authority( no pun intended) and he always falls forwards when he is going down....its all about keeping your weight in the direction of the 1st down marker
Like I said all day yesterday about Barlow: TOLD YOU SO! I knew the guy is better than how he's played. The key, as I said all along, was the OLine. When they don't protect, he can't be expected to make things happen. It's not about Martin making him somehow better. This offensive line has become better than we could have wished for this early. They blew holes wide open yesterday, that's why Barlow hit them. Until yesterday, we hadn't seen our line get push against a D like that. Now that's not to say that Leon doesn't have a place on this team, but Barlow is as close to a feature back as we have. As was mentioned earlier in this thread, Barlow on downs 1-2, and Leon for a 3rd down option is a good formula. (I'd be even happier if Washington could show that he won't fumble, and gets in on punt returns. I think that would be big for him. When he has some open field to work with, he is magical.) Sorry to the Cedric fans, he's got no spot on this team. And I concur on the Blaylock opinion. Thank God he has no place anymore. I was a Blaylock fan, and I am not too proud to admit it. I was wrong about him though. Then again, with the line improving, who knows? I'd rather not bother taking the chance though. We have our 1-2 punch with Barlow/Washington. Let's stick with it.
cedric does have a place on this team...just because barlow has 1 out of 9 good games doesnt mean cedric doesnt have a spot here....he clearly ran better in his one start then barlow did in 8 games, and possible all 9....i say he has a good chance to be part of that 1/2 punch, and definetely wont be left out to dry
Are you watching the New York Jets? Cedric ran better in his one game than Barlow in all 9? Please. Barlow got it done against the Patriots. Cedric's best performances have come in meaningless games last year. Not to mention that Cedric is fragile on the "Chad Pennington" scale. (Basically, if you are sick/injured at least once in consecutive years, you are fragile.) I swear there are only like 10 other people actually watching Jets games on this board, and they are almost all referred to as Darksiders.
whats wrong with having cedric around...if one of those goes down, what next?? im happy with leon, kevan and cedric on the roster.
Cedric is down. And when he was up, he did nothing to impress me. He warrants a trip to TC next year, but he has a lot to prove to make me say I want him wearing a green jersey next September.