Nice article on Addai, seems like he may rise into late Rd 1, Jets seemed interested. Addai is probably the most well-rounded back in the draft.....fast, catches the ball, and a very good blocker. I really like Addai, but we have more needs at #29 and #35. http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/9371407
Cool, but i don't think we need to draft a HB in this draft. Martin, blaylock, houston. Finesse, speed, bruiser.
i rather have maroney if he is there. people that call him overrated has no idea what there talking and proably really didnt see him play.
Well, I like Maroney as well, but in fairness to people who call him overrated, they have legitimate gripes. Minnesota may have a very back friendly offense. -X-
running was there entire offense. how many games did maroney have 30 carries for 200+ yards. if his Oline was so great why arent there any 1st rd prospects on his line? why wasnt caddilac and Ronnie not called overatted they both had 1,000 yards behind there oline? Mcneil is more coveted than any guy on minnesota Oline.
It's more because Minnesota has a zone blocking scheme similar to Denver's, focuses on OL movement and opening holes that way. They're just really effective with that, and have a history of inflating RB's numbers. The reason the OL players aren't necessarily top prospects is because of the fact that they are more mobile than anything else, don't really have the size/strength to match up in the NFL (I think even Eslinger played sub 290). As for Maroney, I'd love to get him at 29, system or not, kid knows how to hit a hole quickly and has gamebreaking speed. Addai is a fine player too, I could very easily see him go late first, though I believe the fact that he never really stood out from the other LSU backs until they were injured will concern enough people to keep him Rd 2.
Good stuff, GH, I agree completely about Maroney. As for Addai, I know Curtis is the exception tot he rule, but I want durability more than anything out of my backs.
I totally agree with you. Maroney is the real deal. I would say that Minnesota isn't a back friendly offense at all because their passing game was terrible. Bryan Cupito, the QB for Minnesota, shouldn't start for many high school teams let alone in the big 10. So that means every defense did nothing but key on Maroney and he still ripped off huge yardage.
If you like durability then you should love Maroney. Laurence Maroney 281 carries, 1464 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 10 TD's. Now that is a workhorse!
If we don't trade down from #4 for DeAngelo and we don't take Maroney at #29, then I'm all for Addai at #35.
How has Minnesota produced running backs with inflated numbers? Can you give me an example of a running back who was projected high but flopped because his numbers were in large part due to his OL? Because the only guy I can think of is Marion Barber and he did pretty well in Dallas last year.
Not saying Maroney's going to fail because of it, but the backs definitely had inflated numbers. This past year Maroney had his 1400 yards, but also his backup, Gary Russell had over 1000 and 18 TDs, and the third stringer Amir Pinnix had nearly 500 with a 6.0 ypc. A few years back, Terry Jackson was running all over people, then Barber and Maroney came in 03 and both got over 1000, pushing Jackson out; even Thomas Tapeh was putting up some #'s. And last year Barber and Maroney combined for 2600 yards.
I haven't seen Addai enough to make a call on him. I like Maroney's talent, but I worry about his ability to break arm tackles in the hole. He's not very strong. He reminds me of Michael Bennett. Game breaking speed, but easy to bring down. I'd love to see Lindell White slide to us at #29. I think he can be a Jamal Lewis type bruiser. How great would be to have a guy who could convert on 3rd and short everytime?
I love Addai, IMO other then Bush he's the 2nd best running back in the draft. With that being said, he's had so many injury problems and he's a running back that I would not draft him unless he fell until the third round.
You're joking right?? Houston is NOT a Bruiser and For Martin, finesse is a shampoo right now. We need a HB that can make things happen on his own, right now the closest one to that is Blaylock cause of his speed and I would not Consider him a full timer.
I rank these year's RBs: 1) Bush 2) Williams 3) White 4) Maroney 5) Addai I'd be very happy with either Maroney or White at 29, or Addai at 35. I think RB is one of our biggest remaining needs, but if it's not one of these 5 I don't want one because it wouldn't be an upgrade over what we have now.
I would have to disagree with your opinion. Cedric Houston is a tackle breaking down hill running kind of back. I would definitely fit him under the description of a bruising back.
