RB Situation

[Feva]

Listen fellas, this issue isn't about Buckhalter. Buckhalter is gone for the season, he is done. Now I am only using Buckhalter HYPOTHETICALLY. You can assume he will be healthy when you are talking hypothetically. We need a back that we can bring in, that would give us the same production Buckhalter would give us if he was healthy. Do you understand what I am trying to say?

If you can't understand that still then the only left thing I can say is. We need a RB who can get 800 yards and 9 TDs, that can break a big run in a 3 back rotation.

Dude, we didn't have anybody to get 800 yards and 9 TD's on the roster even before Buckhalter got hurt.  If we did, you can bet your ass that it was Westbrook... not Buck.

But, since we're talking HYPOTHETICALLY, I'm gonna assume that Levens is gonna come in here and run for 1500 yards and 14 TD's.  How's that?  Hypothetically, of course.

You can't assume that because he hasn't done that, I don't think ever. Buckhalter would've matched his 2003 numbers this year if he was healthy. What would've stopped him? The 800 was a typo by the way I meant 700, but I think a healthy Buck would've given us something like 670 rushing yards and 8 TDs. With 2 or 3 30+ yard runs. I have no reason not to believe it. He looked great in camp. He showed no signs or lingering from the injury. The only issue with Buck is staying on the field. The previous injuries don't hurt his game. If they did, then how did he bounce back in 03 from a torn ACL?

Not true.  In 1997 he ran for 1435 yards and totaled 12 TD's.  Hypothetically, he can repeat that performance right?  Doesn't mean he will.  Why?  Because it was almost a decade ago.  Similar situation with Buck.  Not that he's a decade older but trying to have the same production on what's now to two busted knees... you can't just expect that not to hamper a guy's production.  If we were talking about him breaking his hands or forearm or something, then I maybe I can see where you're coming from.  But this guy's knees are SHOT.  Plain and simple.  He's NEVER gonna get that type of production again.  Well, at least untill Dorsey puts up 1500 more yards.

[WEST is GOD]

Running for 1500 yards and 14 TDs, it a lot different than having 1800 yards and 12 yards total man. You didn't say total yardage.

[MURP]

lol, you act as if big play RB's who are young, healthy, and are good in every phase of the game are just all over the place.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

It is rare to find a guy that is both big in size, an excellent blocker and runner between the tackles, AND a "big play threat".  That's what Merril Hoge(kins Disease) would call a "factor back".

The Eagles already have one proven "big play threat" at RB in Westbrook and another they drafted to be just that (but not quite as good a receiver and a better runner between the tackles) in Moats.  So, Monster, who would you have them bring in to be more of a "big play threat" that is available?

P.S.  MURP's making the exact same point more concisely.  Feel free to answer either him or me.  I can't wait to see what gems you come up with.

[rjs246]

lol, you act as if big play RB's who are young, healthy, and are good in every phase of the game are just all over the place.

Thanks for saving me the keystrokes.

[WEST is GOD]

Listen fellas, this issue isn't about Buckhalter. Buckhalter is gone for the season, he is done. Now I am only using Buckhalter HYPOTHETICALLY. You can assume he will be healthy when you are talking hypothetically. We need a back that we can bring in, that would give us the same production Buckhalter would give us if he was healthy. Do you understand what I am trying to say?

If you can't understand that still then the only left thing I can say is. We need a RB who can get 800 yards and 9 TDs, that can break a big run in a 3 back rotation.

Dude, we didn't have anybody to get 800 yards and 9 TD's on the roster even before Buckhalter got hurt.  If we did, you can bet your ass that it was Westbrook... not Buck.

But, since we're talking HYPOTHETICALLY, I'm gonna assume that Levens is gonna come in here and run for 1500 yards and 14 TD's.  How's that?  Hypothetically, of course.

You can't assume that because he hasn't done that, I don't think ever. Buckhalter would've matched his 2003 numbers this year if he was healthy. What would've stopped him? The 800 was a typo by the way I meant 700, but I think a healthy Buck would've given us something like 670 rushing yards and 8 TDs. With 2 or 3 30+ yard runs. I have no reason not to believe it. He looked great in camp. He showed no signs or lingering from the injury. The only issue with Buck is staying on the field. The previous injuries don't hurt his game. If they did, then how did he bounce back in 03 from a torn ACL?

Not true.  In 1997 he ran for 1435 yards and totaled 12 TD's.  Hypothetically, he can repeat that performance right?  Doesn't mean he will.  Why?  Because it was almost a decade ago.  Similar situation with Buck.  Not that he's a decade older but trying to have the same production on what's now to two busted knees... you can't just expect that not to hamper a guy's production.  If we were talking about him breaking his hands or forearm or something, then I maybe I can see where you're coming from.  But this guy's knees are SHOT.  Plain and simple.  He's NEVER gonna get that type of production again.  Well, at least untill Dorsey puts up 1500 more yards.

Oh, cmon man let's get real here. If Buckhalter stays on the field, him repeating those numbers are a lock. 2003 is not the "same thing" as 1997. One is 7/8 years ago and the other is 2 years ago. It's much easier to shake off an injury year and come back and play great than it is to shake off veteran rust.

[MURP]

We need more than that. We need dual threats at RB to break big runs. Especially a guy who is good between the tackles.

yeah, Andy Reid is an idiot for not trading for Ladainian Tomlinson.

[MadMarchHare]

And Reid has publically stated he wants to throw as many "Westbrooks" as he can at a defense.  So he clearly could give a rats ass about a "big-play RB" because what he really wants out of his RBs is to create mismatches against LBs and S in the passing game.

Reid will never willing be a 50:50 mix of run:pass.  He did it in 2003 out of necessity.

[Beermonkey]

Dorsey is a guy who you bring in on short yardage situations and he'll give you a first down. We need more than that. We need dual threats at RB to break big runs. Especially a guy who is good between the tackles.

I thought the issue was that we wanted someone for those short-yardage situations, not to break "big runs" since we have that already in Moats/Perry?

[Sgt PSN]

I don't even really care about Buck, I just want a big-play threat a RB. It just so happens I think Buck would've given us that. Rjs, I understand your frustration, but with the Eagles supposedly adding a bunch of new running plays to the play book, combined with me thinking they will run more this year than last year, I think 670 and 8 TDs, it obtainable. If you don't agree, then fine, but I am extremely high on the guy's ability.

So forgetting about Buck for a sec, Sarg, I don't think Dorsey gives us enough. Westbrook can get dinged up as well. If he goes down, I don't like Levens being the guy. We need one more big-play threat in there. Moats is only a rookie, he has the potential, but we need a sure thing in there right now. Dorsey Levens doesn't have enough big play ability for my liking. By big play I mean breaking long runs. Dorsey is a guy who you bring in on short yardage situations and he'll give you a first down. We need more than that. We need dual threats at RB to break big runs. Especially a guy who is good between the tackles.

Dude, it's called depth.  As you progessively go down the depth chart you are going to lose something at each position.  NONE of the available runningbacks will bring the "homerun" threat that you are looking for. 

Sure Westy could get hurt.  He did last year and missed a few games and some guy named Dorsey Levens filled in and the Eagles didn't skip a beat.  What do you want the Eagles to do, trade for Priest Holmes? 

[General_Failure]

GET PRIEST HOLMES!

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

It's a shame Cedric Benson still has not signed.  Otherwise, the Eagles could make a trade for Thomas Jones and URLAKKER!!  w0ot!  holla!

[MadMarchHare]

Nah, Priest is just a "scatback".  Not big enough, or nearly as productive as Buck would've been.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I don't know why we don't just admit to ourselves that Buckhalter is the best overall RB in the NFL.

[WEST is GOD]

You honestly think the Eagles just planned on using Buck for short yardage situations? I think they planned on using him a ton this season running the ball. I know we aren't bringing any big name players in, but Gordon is a better big play threat than Dorsey, and so is Morris. Heck, even bringing Ricky frickin Watters back would have more big play potential than Dorsey. Don't get too carried away with that, I don't want Watters back. Gordon on this team I think could give us 470 yards rushing, 6 TDs, and one or two 30+ yard runs. They aren't huge threats, but better threats than Dorsey. We just need a RB with some juice and some youth. I'm not talking LT here. The Levens story has been read twice already. We know how it ends.