dudes suppose to go in the 3rd round, but he seems like a total stud. why isn't he the #1 RB prospect and why is he projected to go that low. if we miss gio bernard would it be good if we tried to get him?
I'm interested to see what he runs in the 40. If its 4.45 or less i'm all for drafting him, but not earlier than the third. I'm impressed by the way he carried his team this year for sure, and his solid receiving skills would be welcomed.
just out of curiosity, what were the wisconsin backs that weren't that successful in the nfl? is it like USC and QBs?
Gritty back with good vision. On the downside, he's a workhorse who has a lot of mileage on him, lacks breakaway speed, and does not have the quick twitch moves of other guys like Foster and Morris whose 40 times weren't that great either. Should've come out in the 2012 draft. RevisFriend, remember former Wisc. Badger Ron Dayne? Still holds the NCAA rushing record, Heisman winner, NYG 1st rd pick. Had weight issues and ended up having a so-so pro career.
never judge a player based on the school they come from unless they're USC Quarterbacks Ball is a beast, I'd draft him but only in the 4th or if we traded back and picked up additional 2nd and 3rd round picks
I wasn't suggesting it, was just answering RevisFriend's question to Br4dw4y5ux regarding his observation. Myself I like Ball, good redzone nose for the endzone but I also wonder about the mileage on those legs. As for grabbing him in the 4th, didn't Tannenbaum throw that pick away to Denver for Tebow?
Brian Calhoun Michael Bennett Ron Dayne Terrell Fletcher It *is* like USC QB's at this point. The Wisconsin system makes RB's look better than they'll be in the NFL. Iowa is the same way with Shonn Greene, Ladell Betts, Tavian Banks and Sedrick Shaw all looking good and then not as good once they hit the NFL. I think it's a Big Ten phenomenon. There's such a premium on being able to run the ball well in the cold weather in the Midwest that teams build around that ability. Then a guy gets to the NFL and he doesn't have great offensive linemen in front of him, because the salary cap tends to break up great offensive lines, and he is in trouble. No salary cap in the Big Ten and they have a LOT of offensive linemen taken in the 1st round.
You mentioned it a little bit at the end of your post, but Wisconsin is an offensive lineman power house. That certainly helps a RB out. I like Ball, but I don't like him for the Jets. The Jets do not need another big physical RB who can just grind out yards. They have had that guy for the past few years, and he has really been underwhelming. They need a playmaker type like Gio Bernard who has a little bit of power, but also has the big play ability that Greene didn't have. We simply need playmakers. I don't see Ball as a bust or anything, but he is not a playmaker. I just don't think he is a good fit for the Jets, and neither is Lacy. This team had very few big plays from RB's, WR's, and TE's this year, and that contributed to why the offense was so bad. Sanchez was a bigger part of it, but he had very few weapons. Thats not an excuse though. He needs to go, but whoever is the new QB needs some weapons.
He certainly passes the eye test for me; explosiviness and playmaking ability on display every game...generally players that can dominate high level college competition the way he does find a way to produce at the next level. I know all the chatter about the workload he's had or the Wisconsin backs, but I'm still a big fan. Would love to draft him.
I'm with you here. Ball shows the vision to find the hole and burst to get through it for positive yards. He is not a explosive back, but will be a successful guy in. The mold of ( mold, not talent level) emmitt smith or Curtis Martin in that the things he does best show up on tape not at the combine. He does have a lot of miles on him but would be a good pick up in the third round.
We are going to have to replace Shonn Greene (I think he wants more money than he deserves, so I want another back to go with Powell. Ideally Bernard or Ball, and as crazy as it sounds I would also like L'eveon Bell too, because you can never have too many backs, and Bell is a Bruiser who can wear down a Defense
Bell is ideal for the type of offense that Rex wants, a power running ball controll team, but who knows what direction we are headed in this offseason.
Yes very valid concern I like Ball, I dont think he is a back capable of making a lot of amazing runs at the next level, but he certainly can contribute
