LT's Touches
by Zach (maestro876) on Nov 25, 2009 10:40 AM PST
16 comments
We've talked a lot about LT, his age, the wear on his body, and his effectiveness. Before the season, John argued strongly for Turner to adopt a true multi-back attack so as to preserve LT and have him be fresher towards the end of the season. However, Turner publicly stated Ladanian would remain the featured back, getting enough carries to "compete for a rushing title". So what's really happened? Let's see.
Here are LT's touches for the season:
135 carries, 9 receptions. 144 total touches.
Having played in only 8 games, that means LT has touched the ball, on average, 18 times a game. About 17 rushes and about 1 reception per game.
Using that number, and assuming he plays the remaining 6 regular season games, LT will rush 237 times on the year, and catch the ball 14 times. That means that, at the close of the regular season, LT will have touched the ball a little more than 250 times (251-252).
Let's look at his touches from previous seasons:
2001: 339 carries, 59 catches. 398 total touches.
2002: 372 carries, 79 catches. 451 total touches.
2003: 313 carries, 100 catches. 413 total touches.
2004: 339 carries, 53 catches. 392 total touches.
2005: 339 carries, 51 catches. 390 total touches.
2006: 348 carries, 56 catches. 404 total touches.
2007: 315 carries, 60 catches. 375 total touches.
2008: 292 carries, 52 catches. 344 total touches.
2009: 237 carries, 14 catches. 251 total touches (extrapolated).
As we can see, LT is on pace to touch the ball the fewest times ever in his career by FAR, almost 100 times fewer than his previous low in 2008.
What does this mean? It means that by the time the season finishes and the post-season rolls around, LT will have taken far fewer hits than ever before. He will be the freshest he has even been for a playoff run. At a time when the offensive line is playing better and teams are finally backing off the line of scrimmage out of respect for Philip and his receivers, LT may be poised for his best post-season yet.
This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.
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I agree
and I think we can all see that he’s got that little LT jump in his step again, if Norv can continue to get him enough touches to keep him effective but few enough touches to keep him fresh, maybe just maybe the Bolts will be a little bit healthy heading into the post-season. Obviously that’s if we make the post-season ;).
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The only caveat
Is that part of the reason he gets less touches is that he’s missed games to injuries, which didn’t happen earlier in his career. So while he may be taking less hits, some of the hits have been more serious than ones in the past.
Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.
Bennett
Man I wish he was dressed last week, I wanted to see him get some touches in garbage time.
I suppose he should be active against the Chiefs assuming Runyan is inactive, and Dumbo and Clark suit up.
There's no reason
We already have 4 guys that can run the ball just fine. Bennett will never be active unless LT or Sproles have an injury that Norv thinks will keep them from playing.
Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.
by Wonko on Nov 25, 2009 2:33 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
This was the 1st week in a couple weeks he hasnt dressed; the reasons for that is STs and LB/OT injuries. (really had nothing to do with LT or Sproles)
inactive vs denver were buster, v martin, whitehurst, spillman, green, hardwick, and hughes
assuming we dont carry 8 olinemen on the 45 (which we usually dont) one of the above should be active, which takes me back to my original question.
So with Clary on IR
and Runyan inactive, then either Hardwick with be active (because he’s starting) or Spillman will be active (for special teams). Special teams trump garbage time RB. Say it with me now: “Bennett will never be active unless LT or Sproles have an injury that Norv thinks will keep them from playing.”
Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.
by Wonko on Nov 25, 2009 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
except....
Bennett has been on the 45 covering kicks for multiple games, go back and check if you wish
oh and chargers v raiders Bennett was active over spillman ;)
http://www.chargers.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Inactives-for-Raiders-Chargers/fee7b92f-049b-4e73-b52a-c44cee7d82db
I know this is a bit off topic
but WHY IS BUSTER DAVIS INACTIVE VERY F-in WEEK? If he isn’t good enough to play, cut him. If he isn’t good enough to even dress for the games, why was he drafted? Can he tackle? Can he at least play Special Teams? It has worked for Osgood. There are guys that are hungry for a roster spot in th NFL, give someone else a chance. They should have waived Davis instead of Gartrell Johnson earlier this year. Nobody would have picked him up, and he could’ve been signed to the practice squad. What kind of blackmail does he have on AJ?
He’s inactive because he’s behind Naanee on the depth chart and Kassim Osgood is a Pro Bowl caliber special teams player.
He’s still on the team because his contract is relatively team friendly and the front office clearly still likes his potential. They liked him enough to draft him in the first round and he’s still only 24. He’s two years younger than Jackson and four years younger than Floyd.
Also, this idea that he wouldn’t have been picked up and they could have signed him to the practice squad strikes me as absurd.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Nov 25, 2009 11:39 PM PST up reply actions
To add to that, wide receivers tend to take a while to adapt to the pro game and Buster Davis was younger than most when he was drafted and lost an entire season to injury, so it’s not like he’s had time to prove himself yet. There’s no need to cut him, so why do so before you know what you really have?
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Nov 25, 2009 11:41 PM PST up reply actions
After two accrued seasons I dont believe a player can be signed the practice squad. Considering Spillman (a 5th S) has been activated instead of Buster, obviously he isnt a favorite of the STs coach. If you’re a backup and dont cover kicks well, you could easily become irrelevant. Ask Chambers.
As to why he’s on the roster, Rich points economics; that combined with risk/reward and the WR position turnover in 2010 means he should be on the squad next year.
You are killin me. Use the reply button.
by BORTZ on Nov 26, 2009 7:11 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
14 catches????
i mean, i know sproles is the “designated screen pass guy” but still, this is a man who once caught 100 in a season. i know too, its a different OC, but again, HUH???
by $#%@ eli and his daddy on Nov 27, 2009 1:28 PM PST reply actions
This team has way better receivers than that team. Also, Sproles isn’t the only other back capable of making plays out of the backfield. Both Tolbert and Hester are competent receivers.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Nov 27, 2009 1:45 PM PST up reply actions
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