Corey Dillon is a bad comparison because he was NEVER healthy last year. He had a high ankle sprain during preseason, kept trying to play with it and was a shadow of himself missing games in October, November (3) and January and hobbling through the others. That's why he's spent most of this offseason with a personal trainer running up sand dunes in California to try to strengthen his ankles. Curtis had the knee problem, got it fixed and we'll see if either can perform up to their old levels now that they'll be healthy again. It's so easy to write off an older player as "done" when he gets hurt but how can you really evaluate their skills until they've recovered? If Vilma hobbled through this year and stunk up the joint while trying to play on one leg, would you pronounce him as "done"? Of course not because he's young. Why is it any different with an older player? Let Corey and Curtis step onto the field and THEN see if they can still play and still remain healthy through a season. If not, by all means move on but until then let's reserve judgement.
Dillon and Martin are done as premier backs age is something you can't recover from, there hasn't been an athlete in history to do it.
I agree. I just can't picture Curtis being the same type of workhorse that he was a few years ago. Eventually his age will catch up with him, and I see his carries this season being limited compared to years past. It's time to start sharing the load. His body isn't getting any younger, and if he wants to continue playing for the next couple of years, he needs to cut back on the physical punishment of being an everydown RB in the NFL.
Repeat it as often as you want but I've seen the Patriots go too far with players that other teams thought were all done to dismiss a player just because of age (seen Roman Phifer's rings? He played well until he was 37--and San Diego said that Rodney Harrison was washed up in 2002 as just a couple of quick examples). Even if you specify running backs, everybody's different. Eddie George was washed up at 28 while OJ Anderson was a 1000 yard back at 33 and a big part of the Giants Super Bowl team at 34. I think a big part of Martin's and Dillon's longevity is that neither has had the "devastating" injury that ends the careers of most backs at some point. We're just going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
I'm not dissmissing Dillon because of age at all. Dillon lost a great deal of his speed toward the end of last year when he was healthy. There is a reason the Pats took a RB with the No. 1 pick, BB knows Dillon isn't a premier back anymore. Maroney isn't sitting on the bench next year.
martin is a class guy.if he feels that he cannot regain his old form.he would announce his retirement.
When was he healthy last year? I watched him all year and you don't recover from high ankle sprains if you keep trying to play on them. That's why Dillon was ineffective from the beginning (he hurt the ankle in preseason) and missed games in October, November (3) and January. If they'd had ANYONE else healthy (they didn't with injuries to both Faulk and Pass) they would have shut him down. As it was they kept using him as a decoy so other teams would have to consider the run but it was a lost year for Dillon.
Why the hell is everyone so adamant about Houston being our feature back of the future? I think the guy is very limited personally. I don't get it.
With the roster that we have now, he deserves a shot at feature back. Then we'll find out what he can do.
Houston has alot of qualities you look for in a workhouse back, but b/c of his thyroid issues in college he wasn't on many team's radar. Now that he's getting this issue contained I think he can prove himself to be a valuable commodity to this team.
lol... And yet you turn around and say Brown is obviously better then Carnell becuase he was taken #2. Though I disagree (on both) and they Addai is more talented, WHERE you are taken has no effect at all on how you will do in the NFL. Players over perform, underperform, and are misevaluated all the time. IMO, Addai is better, but NOT becuase he was taken in the 1st.
This year will be Curtis's swansong, count on it. The other guys will pick up some garbage carries, but Curtis will be the feature back. Then, using our mid 1st round pick, and our two 2nd round picks, we'll get our RB for the next 10 years in the 2007 draft.
RB isn't set for this season at all. Right now based on pure ability and history I would rate our RBs at about c- Martin~ Father time catching up , god forbid he should get injured. Maybe we will have the 'QB injury situation' at RB next season. Blaylock~ Ditto martin and doesn't have the moves Houston~ If shown the ball more could developeand be a real threat Washington~ Could break out. he craves the opportunity so this could be his chance. Terry Butler and Luke Lawton , any ideas?
Hoston's best attribute is that he runs extremely hard. He breaks his share of tackles out of pure effort. Outside of that he is no more than average in everything else. Also, Houston's physical style would make him very susceptible to injury if he had to carry the full-time load.
IMO That's a Pure contradiction! You need to have a franchise back in order to gel. They must become a cohesive unit together. We had the RB situation in hand but Bradway "Gelled" all over it. I'd like to see what Houston could do before we commit but there is no way we should wait to get a franchise back since there isn't one on our roster.
Considering the Colts were willing to depart with James to keep Wayne, Harrison, and Manning proves that any running back can look good with a good passing game-of course it is great to have a legit top RB like Alexander, LT, or Johnson, but if Pennington/Ramsey can make some throws-the running game will come with that. Our biggest concern with our Oline is giving the QB some time. If we can do that-im confident any of our RBs can put up solid numbers
I don't understand why everyone must count out Martin. I know that he's getting older but just 2 years ago he won the rushing title and last year he gained 735 yards while he was injured and behind no OL. I want to know what NFL RB could've done better with our offense last year! I'm not saying that Curtis will win the rushing title but with a OL that's 150% better than last year, I think the JETS RBs will avg. close to if not over 100 yards a game, with Curtis gaining most of those yards.
There isnt a RB issue on this team this year. 1st our line will be new its not like DBrick and Mangold will step in and be all-pros right away this O line still stinks but will be better 07. We do have better deph, I will take Clement and Treague for a couple games if someone gets hurt. The FO is doing it right, position players are easy to find, line is hard... We drafted an O Line cause if Clement starts more than 7 games we are fucked...;and Treague dont get me started on that one but he will help for deph(Its not like he is starting 16). Now RB.....less than half the league has starting RB's that were 1st rnd picks. And I dont like any of the RB's drafted after LenDale White(our FO doesnt like him for a reason, We werent scouting him so I trust the FO until he lights up the league....rarely happens) Martin will be fine I think he will get his 4.1 yards per carry 1100 yards I think Blalock will be a capable backup(that wont be the 1st time I am wrong) Since we drafted Washington I guess Houston could see a position change(FB) He was formerly the #1 high school RB recruited but hasnt shown crap(even in college he was a tease), maybe it was the inexperience but he doesnt look like a good backup right now. And I dont get the Houston fanfare... all in all our rb situation is fine but we have no #3 Wr(and I hate the position) I think Dwight is a #4 and Cotchery? he better show something in TC he could be cut. Mc Cariens as a #2 looks bad We might really need a #2 but looking at the best FA's David Boston is the best available and Lelie(trade) stinks also so RB and Wr will be big priorities next yr. Rome wasnt built in one year. And the league isnt built on offensive skill positions.
