Sproles is underused

by SJO on Jun 18, 2009 5:05 PM PDT Comment 14 comments

With only 61 carries, and 29 catches in 2008, Darren Sproles accumulated 672 yards from scrimmage [7.5 yards per touch], while LT had 292 carries, and 52 catches totaling 1536 scrimmage yards [4.5 yards per touch]. Even with kick and punt return duties, for the entire season Sproles accumulated only 165 touches. However, recent quotes of Norv Turner indicate he plans on giving LT 320+ carries in 2009, totalling a very likely 370 touches for a 30 year old back. This will leave Sproles with a similar looking ~90 touches. Looking at many of the two-back systems in the league, the more balanced the touches are, the more effective each RB generally becomes. I would like to see the Chargers implement more of a split back system. Yes LT will carry the load, but we need to see more from Sproles. Lets compare the averages (yards from scrimmage using rush attempts + receptions):

2008

Sproles: Average of 5.6 touches per game for 7.5 yards per touch
LT: Average 21.5 touches per game for 4.5 yards per touch

Career

Sproles: Average 3.2 touches per game for 6.3 yards per touch
LT: Average 24.9 touches per game for 4.9 yards per touch

I believe if you balance the amount of touches each RB gets, they would both increase their average yards per touch. I would like to see Sproles get 160 carries on the ground (8-10 per game) to go along ~50 catches. This gives LT about (17-20 per game) and ~30 catches. Sproles has much more big play potential, but has only been given 10+ carries per game during the regular season twice in his entire carer:

2007 Week 15 vs Detroit [25 rush for 122 yards, 2 TD]
2008 Week 17 vs Denver [14 rush for 115 yards, TD]

Given the game breaking ability of a back like Sproles, we will definitely want to preserve him for KR/PR, but there other very effective returners touching the ball at least 7-8 times per game, and still being very productive in the return game (scrimmage yards only):

2008 ATL RB, Jerious Norwood [Average 8.2 touches per game for 6.3 yards per touch]
2008 NYJ RB, Leon Washington [Average 7.7 touches per game for 6.5 yards per touch]
2008 NO RB, Pierre Thomas [Average 10.7 touches per game for 5.7 yards per touch]

Bottom line, lets see the little guy. You paid him enough, and it also allows LT to extend his career. We know the split back system works extremely well, and we are not utilizing Sproles nearly enough. Gartrell may be helpful getting the tough yards between the tackles, but I think 2009 is the year for Sproles. It's quite possible though by allowing him to get enough touches, the Chargers in no way could sign him to a long term contract. They would almost be guaranteed to lose either LT or Sproles if Sproles gets the chance on the field he deserves.

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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Agreed

for LT to stay healthy he can no longer be a 350-400 touch back. And as we all saw last year Sproles just has “it”, it being the ability to take it to the house from anywhere on the field he has that one in a mllion talent that cannot be taught, you either have it or you do not. I think 8-10 touches a game plus return duties would do him quite well.

by GABOLT on Jun 18, 2009 8:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I would love to see this pan out. But if LT is really back to form, he may figurtively (and maybe literally) demand more carries. I think the coaches would tend not to over think it too much and give LT 25-30 touches a game. I think that course of action would hurt our chances in the postseason since LT would wear down.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jun 18, 2009 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's really no good reason

Not to use our full stable of backs more effectively. LT will remain the workhorse – right or wrong, of that I feel certain. But, as others have already stated, a worn-out LT does us an injustice when the playoffs roll around.

I sincerely hope that both LT & the coaching staff take this all into consideration this year.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jun 19, 2009 2:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, but....

I have been shouting this from the rooftops for months now. Somebody needs to take some of those touches away from LT so that he can stay healthy and rested, and while I agree Sproles should get Leon Washington-like numbers (2 more touches per game), my argument for Gartrell getting a heavy workload is that Sproles is an injury risk. If he’s getting more touches and gets hurt, that takes away a playmaker from the offense and severely hurts the Chargers’ return game.

Also, a flaw in your argument is that Sproles returns punts and kicks. Norwood and Thomas return only kicks. Last year Sproles had 75 returns combined, Norwood had 51, Thomas had 31 and Washington had 77. Washington is also 2 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than Darren.

That’s the odd thing about Sproles. He’s a fantastic weapon in the return game and on offense, but how much is too much? It’s a question the Chiefs faced with Dante Hall, the Rams faced with Az Hakim and now the Bears are facing with Devin Hester. Too many touches and you remove all productivity (like Hall) or risk injury (like Hakim).

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Jun 19, 2009 5:37 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

I really want to see what Gartrell can do.

Drama is an a-hole.

by Dalton on Jun 19, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rumor has it

that Buster may field punts this year, lowering some of Sproles’ touches.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jun 22, 2009 5:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But, unless Sproles isn't backing up Davis

Then Sproles with be returning punts for the 16 games that follow Davis’ first injury of the season.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Jun 22, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd and corrected

Then Sproles with be returning punts for the 16 games that follow Davis’ injury of the pre-season.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Jun 22, 2009 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s true, Norwood and Thomas return kick offs only, however look at the overall number of touches including KR/PR, and compare this to a back like LT’s 370 touches:
Leon Washington 200
Pierre Thomas 191
Jerious Norwood 182
Darren Sproles 160

by SJO on Jun 19, 2009 10:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Correction Darren Sproles [165]

by SJO on Jun 19, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lighter workload for LT

is essential for his career at this point. Sproles, Johnson, Tolbert, Hester, whatever; just as long as LT is good for the playoffs(or at least the end of the season) is all I’m worried about.

Altho fumbles could also dictate playing time. LT doesn’t fumble(i think 2+ seasons w/o losing 1) and if Johnson and Sproles cough it up then LT will get those 300 carries and make this his final year.

"Dwight Howard couldn't score 40 points in a game if he was going against Yi Jianlian's chair." Bill Simmons chat 5/20

"I don't feel this team can beat us four times," Mo Williams 5/21

by L Magico on Jun 19, 2009 11:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t Like LT and Sproles in the same back field

I’ve seen it – it didn’t look as good as either guy by himself.

I think Turner & LT was quite a combo, but my "way back" machine is broken right now.

Sproles is a scat back. And he’s VERY strong and VERY tough. But I’ve stood next to him in person, and I gotta say I’ve known grade-school aged children that were bigger and heavier than Darren. He has had some success between the tackles. And Darren is heroic for getting out on the field – not get killed, and then in fact excelling at the High School, College, and now Professional levels. All that said we can’t expect him to succeed in every situation.

LT does everything but run people over (well he does run people over when he get’s stiff arm in!).

Basically LT & Sproles have a closer match in skills than either would have with a power back. If Gatrell can match Turner’s level of performance, I think it would best for rotating either LT OR Sproles with Gatrell. But yeah I do think Sproles could have been given more reps in years, past and should definately get more in the future

by Trendsearcher on Jun 19, 2009 11:52 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Sporles is still trying to prove he isnt injury prone

You have to remember that last year was his first season without injury. Its true he is an electrfying player but he is a very small guy. I dont agree with Norv much but i agree on how he is using Spoles you dont want this guy carrying the ball between the tackles and getting injured. The loss of his skills on special teams would be a huge loss.

by DARKRAIDER on Jul 16, 2009 6:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs