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Mark Ingram is an absolutely tremendous all around Running Back. He commands an extraordinary fusion of Burst, Power, Fluidity, and Lateral Agility. He runs with Vision and with amazing Instincts. He is clearly the Alpha Running Back of this Class.
The Great Wes Bunting describes him as "more quick than fast" as if that were a bad thing, signally a very rare divergence in perspective between that venerable Analyst and myself: For me, that makes Ingram all the more alluring a Talent, because I am absolutely convinced that it's the incessant 5 and 10 yard gashes ~ not the occasional High Light Reel 80 Yard Blast ~ that Move The Chains, take control of games...and forge Championships.
He's a decent Blocker and an adequete Receiver.
In my efforts to organize RB's by their styles, I've invented the terms "Smashers", "Slashers", and "Thrashers" as what I hope will be easy references, respectively, to Power Backs, 3rd Down Backs, and Hybrids. "Tail Back" and "Half Back" are used too interchangeably, and in any case, a 3rd term is need, for there are at least 3 distinct types.
In that vein, I consider Mark Ingram a Thrasher, as he commands a fusion of skills that make him equally adept between the Tackles or outside them.
I do NOT countenance drafting Running Backs in the 1st Round...But if you absolutely had your heart set on it...you could do one hell of a lot worse.
Beast!!!
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As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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Ryan Williams may very well be the most dangerous Running Back in the entire Class. He has an excellent initial Burst to the Line, and his powerfull Core allows him to run with exceptional Fluidity, amazing Lateral Agility, and absolutely explosive Lateral Velocity. He runs with tremendous Vision, and Navigates with outstanding skill.
He's does need work as a Blocker, but he's already a dangerous Receiver.
In my efforts to organize RB's by their styles, I've invented the terms "Smashers", "Slashers", and "Thrashers" as what I hope will be easy references, respectively, to Power Backs, 3rd Down Backs, and Hybrids. "Tail Back" and "Half Back" are used too interchangeably, and in any case, a 3rd term is needed, as there are 3 distinct types.
Ryan Williams is what I call a Thrasher, as he's equally deadly both between the Tackles and beyond them.
Beast!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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Shane Vereen offers a really nice blend of Burst, Fluidity, Lateral Agility, and explosive Lateral Velocity. He commands exceptional Processing Speed + Vision, working with his Line to set up Blocks. He's not overpowering, but has enough strength that he's not a liability on inside Runs.
He's not a very good Blocker, yet, but is already a dangerous Receiver.
In my efforts to organize RB's by their styles, I've invented the terms "Smashers", "Slashers", + "Thrashers" as what I hope will be easy references, respectively, to Power Backs, 3rd Down Backs, and Hybrids. "Tail Back" and "Half Back" are used too interchangeably, and in any case, a 3rd term is needed, for there are 3 distinct types.
Shane Vereen seems to be equally adept both between and outside the Tackles, so I call him a Thrasher.
Beast!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
***
DaRel Scott is an hidden gem: the consummate blend of Power + Speed, DaRel Scott has the Power to blast through tacklers, yet the Speed to make one cut and simply EXPLODE.
MIND you: He is not without concerns. His Lateral Agility and Fluidity are both lacking, and he's had fumbling concerns in the past. But he is actually a very technically adept Runner, which I actually find quite shocking, in conjunction with his exceptional blend of Speed + Power: He runs behind his pads, as Wes Bunting likes to put it, and he runs low. More importantly, he has that rare Gift that many talented Runners lack ~ Patience ~ which not only allows him to make the most of the blocks that his Grizzlies have laid out for him, but makes them more likely to complete them, human nature being what it is. In my experience, great natural tools tend to dilute the cerebral side of most players' Game, and to find a pronounced measure of both, in one player, is pretty damned exciting.
He's a decent Blocker, and shows very good potential as a Receiver.
In my efforts to organize RB's by their styles, I've invented the terms "Smashers", "Slashers", and "Thrashers" as what I hope will be easy references, respectively, to Power Backs, 3rd Down Backs, and Hybrids. "Tail Back" and "Half Back" are used too interchangeably, and in any case, a 3rd term is needed, for there are 3 distinct types.
Be warned: I am all frothy about DaRel Scott. If he gets together with a Line of Grizzlies that consistently opens up decent holes for him, he could be a FORCE. He's projected for the Late Rounds, mostly because he's shared the load, and because he's had injuries and fumbling problems. Well, this student of the Game appears to've obviated those fumbling problems in his senior year, his injuries were freakish, as his running style is a compact one that portends good health, going forward...and his having shared the load is actually a point in his favor, because college miles count as much as Pro miles, baby!!
I call DaRel Scott a Thrasher: His blend of Speed + Power is potentially devastating, and he is most clearly a Threat on the entire Front, both within and without.
SUPER Sleeper!!
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As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.