San Diego Chargers by Position: RB
by John (obviousman) on Aug 19, 2009 8:48 AM PDT
in Training Camp/Preseason
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Same as I did with the WRs, I'm going to take a look a the Chargers' current crop of RBs and try to figure out who will make the team and who won't. Let's start by looking at how the team managed their crop of HBs and FBs in 2008.
- Started the year with LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Jacob Hester and Mike Tolbert.
- Claimed Michael Bennett from the Tamp bay Bucaneers during Week 11
It's my opinion that the Chargers started the season a little light at RB, but I think the idea was that Hester was a jack-of-all-trades. Hester would be the third (and goal-line) HB and the backup FB. Hester made it known, through his play, that he wasn't much of a goal-line HB but made a fine FB. When Tolbert was hurt, Hester took his spot. Bennett was signed to keep everyone fresh and add another weapon, but left the team without a power RB.
I think 5 RBs will be kept this year instead of 4. Tomlinson has shown himself to be a little bit more injury-prone than in the past, Sproles risks injury by returning kicks and Hester is not an option as a starting RB should anything happen to LT.
The common perception seems to be Tolbert getting cut and Gartrell Johnson making the team. I can't argue against that. The Chargers could use Brandon Manumaleuna and Kris Wilson as backup FBs. If Hester gets hurt, they move one of those guys to the backfield and sign Kory Sperry or Charles Davis (I suspect at least one of them will be on the practice squad). That's a safer bet than moving Hester to FB last year was.
This would give the team two legitimate starting RBs (LT and Bennett), an incredible weapon in Sproles (who wouldn't be forced to run 25 times a game under any circumstance) and a powerhouse in Johnson (who can run the clock and wear down a defense, or just be a goal-line back). There's two things that AJ Smith seems to love in a roster: depth and versatility. This group of 5 RBs provides both. Here's the RBs that will make the cut:
- Tomlinson
- Sproles
- Bennett
- Johnson
- Hester
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That sounds about right.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by Zach (maestro876) on Aug 19, 2009 9:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I liked Bennet in the game on Saturday
It’s nice to have that vet back there who knows what to do. He made some good runs and some good blocks. Should be solid in blitz pickup if he is in the game.
Too bad for Tolbert, a good guy and a good story. Hopefully he will catch on somewhere else.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 19, 2009 9:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I suspect that this will be the case
It is a bummer for Tolbert in this scenario. He’s a good player who I think was not given enough credit. Everyone said that he couldn’t black as good as LoNeal. Well, of course not. Tolbert = rookie from a tiny school. LoNeal = beast.
I sure liked him and hope that he ends up having a good career, I agree however, that it probably wont be here in SD this year
If I agreed with you, we would both be wrong
by Diesel85 on Aug 19, 2009 9:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." - Earl Weaver
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Aug 19, 2009 10:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree on who will stay.....But
Hester with his added weight better be able to block out of the I , or his days are numbered. And as far as last year goes, Tolbert sucked. He was indecisive, and when he did figure it out he whiffed
by RTChargerfan on Aug 19, 2009 11:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think it's a mistake to let go of Tolbert
Anyone remember his 67 yard catch and run last year? The dude has some talent. Let him practice his blocking skills and maybe we could utilize Hester more as a backup HB. I’d rather keep Tolbert than a 31 year old back up RB [Bennet].
by SJO on Aug 19, 2009 4:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you!
Can’t we agree having three talented RBs (Sprouls, LT, & Johnson) is enough (nice balance of age as well).
Keep Tolbert and let Bennett go – he’s not likely to get much playing time any way and I definitely believe Tolbert has better potential esp long term!
by SanJoseBolt on Aug 25, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its either Tolbert or Hester
I am not really drawn either way. I was disapointed in Tolbert last year, but who’s to say he can’t learn. Hester is not an NFL running back in my opinion. An NFL running back makes the first person miss,and he often fails at this. I personally don’t like either one of these guy at fullback either. To be a fullback in this league you need to be what 6’3" , 6’4" and 240, 245 LBS. and meaner than shit. I want a fullback that can do 10 yard head ons with Urlacker. Neither can do it, neither will make me happy so pick your project Tolbert or Hester
by RTChargerfan on Aug 19, 2009 8:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Name 3 FBs
in the NFL that can do this. You can’t. There’s only one and his name is Lorenzo Neal. We’ve been spoiled into thinking that there’s more than one player like him out there.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Aug 20, 2009 3:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats probably who they will keep, But
I am a little worried that the running game could struggle again without a true lead blocking fullback. Hester is very versatile and will add something to the passing game coming out of the backfield, but I am not sold on him being a true lead blocker (I hope he turns out to be one). I guess the problem is if they keep a lead blocking fullback like Tolbert in my mind that means that they have to get rid of either Bennett or Gartrell and I don’t think they are willing to get rid of either. Lets hope that a healthy McNeil and Hardwick will allow the ground game to rebound with Hester at the FB position.
While Neal was one of the all time great lead blockers there are still a few around the league that are getting the job done. Here is a partial list of FBs that I would love to have leading the way for LT:
Ovie Mughelli, Mike Karney, Tony Richardson, Brad Hoover, Leonard Weaver, Ahmard Hall and Vonta Leach.
by JeromeB on Aug 21, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Neal's available
Screw throwing to the FB Norv! Their job is to lay people out – not catch and run!
As if SD doesn’t have enough talented hands (I think they do!)
Bring Neal back and let’s run over the Patriots to get and take the Super Bowl!
PS – Yeah… the fact that Neal wasn’t resigned in Baltimore and that even Oakland cut him does point to the possibility that his ability to play at a high level in the NFL may be over :-(
by SanJoseBolt on Aug 25, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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