Josh Alper linked in today’s one-liners to an item from Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository regarding Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty, a second-round pick in the 2010 draft.
Doerschuk compares Hardesty to various other second-round tailbacks, some of whom thrived and some of whom failed at the NFL level.
But while it’s interesting to see the names of second-rounders who became Pro Bowlers (Clinton Portis, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice) and those who may now be carrying the bags of professional bowlers (Eric Shelton, Kenny Irons), the article fails to attempt to account for the differences between those who made it and those who didn’t.
We think it boils down to three factors: blocking, ball security, and health. And it doesn’t apply only to round two. It applies to every round of the draft — and it applies to players who aren’t drafted at all. But for the extremely rare Barry Sanders-type, who can gain yards in large chunks even without a decent offensive line, the success or failure of virtually every NFL tailback comes down to whether they have holes through which to run, whether they can refrain from putting the ball on the ground at a level where defenders routinely focus on prying it free, and whether they can remain healthy after being hit repeatedly by men, not boys.
For guys taken in round three or later, the opportunity to move the chains usually comes only after demonstrating an ability to shine on special teams, as a gunner in punt coverage or as a human missile during kickoff returns.
Still, the basic formula remains the same: hope for blocking, don’t fumble, and stay healthy.
Many college football players have the basic skills and vision to hit a hole and push a pile. Those who enjoy good blocking, know how to hold the ball, and find a way to lace them up every Sunday and take their touches will become the best of the best.
It’s far easier said than done, and as Jones-Drew recently pointed out it requires a burning commitment to be great. But it also requires plenty of other things, some of which fall beyond the player’s control.
As to Hardesty, we’ll find out whether he can become one of the greats. But it’ll all come down to blocking, ball security, and health.
I thought you were talking about their blocking… which you weren’t…. that is one ,major aspect that you forgot about is pass blocking. Rbs can’t be trusted on the field if they can’t pass block or figure out the scheme, no coach puts an RB on the field that is going to get his QB killed.
He will be a dynamite runner.
This is the first somewhat knowledgeable PFT article I’ve read in a long time. Why don’t we get this kind of stuff more often???
So basically the conclusion is that you shouldn’t pay a large salary for a runningback because all you really need is a guy with basic skills that will hold onto the ball and hopefully not get hurt…
I think the position is a bit more complicated that that. I seem to think I read somewhere that there are different running styles that might be better fit to zone/one cut schemes or something like that. Again I am not a pro but being able to block a blitzing lb or run a good route (like Faulk) or be able to push a pile may be things that are worth considering when picking the right back for you.
The players at that level are very close in terms of athletic talent really what you are screening for are the players that “get it” versus the ones who don’t. Leaf, Russel, etc… are examples of players that had the talent but not the mental discipline, and let’s face it LT (RB) in his prime was not THAT much better athletic talent than Michael Bush is now. The biggest difference in my opinion between “great” and typical is the Jerry Rice work ethic. So yes, great blocking, health and ball handling matter alot. But they are necessary but not sufficient to aquire and sustain great-ness. I argue the biggest component, which often is all you need, is the jerry rice quality work ethic/discipline/intelligence. Rice himself was not the greatest physical specimen…
Are you sure John Madden didnt right this article.
Uh, the team that scores the most points will win…
As opposed to every other running back…
I think you missed a major differentiator: The ability to catch the ball. A big difference between college and pro ball is that every RB in the pros will need to demonstrate that they can catch. Otherwise, the defense can change the way they play.
Consider Roger Craig, 3rd rounder, not even first string at Nebraska. And now, in consideration for the Hall of Fame. He was a decent runner, but an exceptional pass-catcher. IIRC, the first back to get both 1000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
Two out of your three criteria for running backs are, in a large part, not attributes that a player can control. To a certain degree, a player’s health involves a lot of luck, and the ability of his teammates to create running holes is not of the player’s making. I would suggest, as other bloggers have, that his own ability to block is much more crucial, especially in blitz situations. He also cannot make many, if any, mental errors. His ability to run routes and catch the ball out of the backfield is extremely important also. And, his ability to make yards after contact and/or make defenders miss is important. The work ethic is pretty much a given with almost all rookies.
BTW, you don’t usually see too many RB’s playing the role of a gunner (primarily wide receivers and defensive backs). But I agree with you as to the other roles on special teams.
“We think it boils down to three factors: blocking, ball security, and health.”
Really?!?! How are you not employed by an NFL team as a special offensive consultant?
Cordially yours,
LeBron is a Free Agent. Team With the Most Points Wins. & Jerome Bettis is From Detroit.
1) Browns have a very good OL *See last 4 games of 09′
2) Notes from OTA’s sessions & minicap says Hardesty catches the ball very well out of the backfield
3) Has the ability to be a HR hitter.
4) Had injuries concerns coming out of UT, but Browns Team Doctors have cleared him to Not be an injury risk. That doesn’t mean somebody cannot knock the shit outta you & take you out
4a) On a good note, the guy who ran for all those yards in the Browns last 4 games of 09′ will be there to take the full load off of a young guy like Hardesty to keep them both fresh & health. I am hoping for an MJD / Taylor combo that worked so well for Jax-ville
Kid is a good blocker & it is said that he holds onto the ball pretty well. #1 report that I am excited about, Hardesty works hard on & off the field. Says he and his teammates do a lot of homework on the playbook & additional work on the field after practice. Carlton Mitchell, Colt McCoy, Joe Haden, Shaun Lauvao, & Larry Asante are all getting these same type of reviews on their workethic. The only one I have heard little about is TJ Ward, what I have heard is the team is pleased & he will start & is much better in coverage than anyone ever let on to be during draft discussions (former CB converted to safety @ Oregon).
For those like lil purple penis muscle & oki doki squealin boner 4 my sister, please relay to your favorite players to go ahead & take this team lightly…. We beg you to!
What are the three things again?
He’d better pan out. The team burned three draft picks on the guy. Then again, they drafted a safety in the 2nd round who would’ve been there in the fifth, so whatever.
HereThere says:
He’d better pan out. The team burned three draft picks on the guy. Then again, they drafted a safety in the 2nd round who would’ve been there in the fifth, so whatever.
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Wrong. The Pats were going to draft TJ Ward. Check it.
Blocking, Health, and Ball Security? I’ll agree on the health one, but not the others. There are a lot of fullbacks out there who don’t fumble and have good offensive lines. I don’t see any teams knocking down the doors for them. I’d rather a powerful back with good hands who can cut on a dime and blow past any safety in the open field.
I mean, imagine if Madden were real life (it’s close enough). Wouldn’t you rather someone with 99 acceleration, agility, speed, and BTK instead of someone with 99 Carrying and a 99 Offensive Line rating?
i think he will be a good back
I think its sad how Jerome Harrison is constantly overlooked. Look in the record books. 3rd most rushing yards in a NFL game EVER! Not only did he help me win my fantasy Superbowl but he has produced every time he was given the opportunity to.
Several common threads with Hardesty and ALL the draft picks and FA signings:
Intelligent
Hard workers/football rats
Good character guys
Good teammates
This criteria separates the Mangini/Holmgren regime from the aborted attempts to build an organization since 1999.
And whether you like Mangini or not, he changed the culture in the locker room and that is not easy to do (see 1-11 to start 2009).
This isn’t the same ‘ole Browns. Time will prove it.