2005 hailRedskins Position Analysis: Running Backs

[Spence]

The latest installment in our position analysis is running backs and you can read at War Cry, the official weblog of hailRedskins.com. Read it now! (http://www.hailredskins.com/blog/index.php?p=118)

Then take the poll.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Nemo. He's bigger, stronger, just as fast. Where's the debate?

[redskin_rich]

Nemo and Rock share similar skills but Nemo has the better size and he appears to be the better blocker. Rock may be the better special teamer but that won't be enough, IMO. Nemo stays and Rock goes.

[CNYSkinFan]

I remain convinced that the Skins will keep both Nemo and Rock. I think Rock's main competition for a spot though is not NEMo, but Omar Stoutmire , Jared Newberry, and Shadeeg Shabaz. Only 2 of 3 will make it depedning on ST play

[IowaSkinsFan]

BTW, nice synopsis Tom.

[IowaSkinsFan]

I remain convinced that the Skins will keep both Nemo and Rock. I think Rock's main competition for a spot though is not NEMo, but Omar Stoutmire , Jared Newberry, and Shadeeg Shabaz. Only 2 of 3 will make it depedning on ST play

I am thinking the nagging injuries at CB and DT, along w/ desired depth at OL will preclude the team from keeping 4 RB's as we need depth more desperately at those positions.

[dj_stouty]

Great job, Spence.

I really like the diversity Gibbs has between his RBs and H-Backs. Very unique to today's NFL...

[PennSkinsFan]

in the end, I think they keep both for special teams purposes, but for short yardage and goal line situation, I would suspect, barring we have no more fumbles, that Nemo will take that role. Imagine on goal line or short yardage lining both up in the backfield. Talking about making defenses guess.

[Battle Cat]

I am thinking the nagging injuries at CB and DT, along w/ desired depth at OL will preclude the team from keeping 4 RB's as we need depth more desperately at those positions.
It will depend on who gets cut from other teams in the cut down coming up soon. I don't think we will keep the depth at those positions that we have on the roster now, ala CB Jimoh, C Raymer, I think we only have 4 DT's so no depth available there. I think Rock will make it before all of these guys.

[flave1969]

I think they both make it. In a 53 man roster I think they both make it.

[CNYSkinFan]

What certain people keep forgetting with Rock is he lost 20 lbs and changed his running style after 2003 to become more of a Gibbs type back and less of a fullback. He really is no longer a viable goalline guy. But he is one hell of a special teamer and could be a competent backup running back in the league. I really believe he could eventually become our long term #2 back behind Portis. Betts will be traded next year to a team where he can compete for a starting spot, and rightfully so. If not he will leave after next year to find his fortune.

Rock has become a very good all around back and in the event BEtts and Portis go done NEMO may not be the best option at #3. But in a goalline situation or 3rd and 1, NEMO is the guy to go to.

[skins lady]

I picked both if we have enough roster spots available. If we don't then my guess is that Nemo stays and Rock's cut.

[Spence]

Thank you, Robert and Mark. I never how many people just take the poll and don't read the article. Glad to see some do both.

[The Skinsinator]

It will be difficult to keep Nemo and Cartwright, but it may even be more difficult to release either of them if they both are impressive. I think we would regret it. Plus, offense was the problem last season not defense although we need more dline depth unquestionably. Very tough decisions in the next few weeks for Gibbs and co. to make.

[inevitable]

Rock is a solid enough ST player where I think it would be ridiculous to cut him, regardless of his ability on offense. That being said, he is also having one hell of a preseason, and that has to be taken into account. I just don't see Joe Gibbs cutting someone who personifies the work ethic that is Joe Gibbs Football being cut. However, we shall see. I voted both.

[Biggie]

I'm praying for both, as I like the both of them far too much.

As CNY said, we would probably need four backs because we are, no matter the number of tweaks, a run-first offense and the chance of injury may be high. If Portis goes down and Betts needs help, Nemo can't be expected to be a long-down back. Besides, I don't think lack of roster space would be that bad.

[KMDeMuth]

if we can keep both, great. but, i dont see it happening with our depth at so many positions. i think rock will have to find another team :eek:

[PennSkinsFan]

and the one thing that continues to echo in my mind, giving all things equal, Rock was not a Gibbs pick, Nemo was.

[CNYSkinFan]

and the one thing that continues to echo in my mind, giving all things equal, Rock was not a Gibbs pick, Nemo was.

Rock did beat put Simon last year though and that is something for him.

[bwparker]

I think the thing that makes this decision tough is that Nemo has failed to hang on to the ball twice now. Once Vs. Cincy and once on his TD run against the Kittens. I know that he had scored the TD before he fumbled so it didn't count, but something tells me when Gibbs is reviewing the film he doesn't say, "oh we'll forget that one because he'd scored"...I think he's saying "Damnit, what if that was 3rd and 1 on our own 20 yard line? Can I trust this guy to hold onto the ball?" Best Case for Nemo: he will probably only touch the ball a few times this year, and it will be in tough short yardage situations. If he's a fumble liability he will not even get those opportunities.

If Nemo can't secure the ball and Rock continues playing like he is, we keep both. If Nemo gets a better grasp on the ball and Rock's production falters, Rock goes bye bye. Special Teams will be a big part of the equation as well, because these guys may only get a couple of carries this year.

[IowaSkinsFan]

It will depend on who gets cut from other teams in the cut down coming up soon. I don't think we will keep the depth at those positions that we have on the roster now, ala CB Jimoh, C Raymer, I think we only have 4 DT's so no depth available there. I think Rock will make it before all of these guys.

Raymer has been getting major props from Bugel and Gibbs, and Friedman has played the entire preseason at 2nd string LG. It looks as if both will stick.

[Ibleedburgundy]

and the one thing that continues to echo in my mind, giving all things equal, Rock was not a Gibbs pick, Nemo was.


Technically, Nemo was an Ernest Byner pick. Gibbs said Byner gets al the credit on that one.

[Ibleedburgundy]

I'm not even going to be logical here. I just think Gibbs find a way to keep Rock. I've been saying it all offseason and I'm sticking with it. Nemo might displace Rock next year but not in his rookie season especially if we see another fumbleiah.

[ihatedallas]

Nemo or both...he is definitly going to make the roster...

[J-Rod]

... but Omar Stoutmire , Jared Newberry, and Shadeeg Shabaz.

Does anyone else just love him for his name?

[superbowl06]

I think one thing that people are forgetting is the presence of Manuel White on the team. I know he's being converted to H-back, but his experience running with the ball might come into play in the case of an injury. For this reason, the need to keep four running backs is minimized.

That being said, I believe that it would be incredibly hard to cut either one if they keep playing like this... I'd much rather hold onto both than a fifth or sixth safety who won't see much time and has value for only five or ten plays/game

[IowaSkinsFan]

Does anyone else just love him for his name?

No.