I didn't see a lot of him in college, but I've noticed this guy creeping up draft boards. He's going in the first on a lot of mocks.... Alvin Kamara 5'10/ 215 Tennessee projected 40 time; 4.55
Some people think RB's are a dime a dozen, and that you can always find them late in drafts or after as UDFA...No doubt, our recent experience with Trent Richardson and Isaiah Crowell would lend credence to that...I believe there is some truth to it. You might find a tough RB that other scouts missed, but you don't find talent's like Curtis Samuel after the draft. He may seem like a guy without a position, but he needs to be on the field. Get him the ball. He will create the space....I always thought at Ohio State they just didn't get the football in his hands enough...
Bama's OL has been so good over the yrs they have dominated college football..these RBs(T-Rich, Yeldon, Henry, etc) make it look easy running through gigantic holes...we all know those holes are few and far btwn in the NFL so these guys struggle...over the last 10-15 yrs which Bama RB has excelled at the next level?
So, their oline is SO GOOD, we should see the NFL All Pro list littered with Alabama offensive linemen... You asked the question "over the last 10-15 yrs which Bama RB has excelled at the next level?" ~Well, Eddie Lacy had a helluva year in 2013 before his weight started fluctuating and he basically stopped caring about his career. He was a Pro Bowler and 2nd team all pro in 2013. I'll ask you the question...Over the last 10-15 yrs which Bama O-lineman has excelled at the next level? Different from a RB, which is a single position, you get 5 positions to choose from here...The fact is, nearly every tackle to be drafted out of Bama has had to be moved to G in order to salvage them as a pro..
Mark Ingram, who plays in a pass-first / pass-happy offense, would be another obvious choice. He's logged 3,645 yards from scrimmage his last three seasons (in only 33 starts, actually). Richardson's struggles have been well-documented. He was insulated at Alabama where Saban's structure was nothing like he encountered upon reaching the NFL. His hangers-on and buddies burned through his money, and even before being drafted, he had damage to his meniscus that permanently stunted his speed and agility, as well as limiting his body from both a conditioning and durability standpoint. When Bill Polian says it, people tend to take notice: Richardson wasn't a reach or an "oops" move... he's a cautionary tale that even the most sound NFL prospect can fail. Check out his Draft Profile for a look at what could have been. Interestingly enough, that last segment in his "weaknesses" is exactly what I'm knocking Cook for (that, and fumbling like crazy). He turns a lot of his runs outside which leads to big gains... he can do that at the NCAA level because he's not playing against 11 elite defenders.
It does seem like it's a dangerous thing trying to assess an Alabama player these days. They are coached well. Their schemes are tried and true. They have talent everywhere...Ya better do your homework. It does seem like they produce more than their share of over-hyped players...
LIke I said he looked good cause of his OL...me and you culd run through huge holes....on the contrary, Cook is not even close to just an outside runner...have you watched his film??
Evaluating a RB is relatively easy (based strictly on what's on the field). As far as what they can do at the next level, watch a given play, determine where the defense had the opportunity(ies) to stop the ballcarrier, and determine whether or not an NFL defense would've made that play. For example, in the above instances given on Cook, you watch as a defender is already closing the hole he would take to cut upfield, inside the tackles. In either instance, he'd be meeting the defender and trying to get a few yards upon contact. Instead, he gets outside and turns it into a touchdown. Now, I'd you ask me, having a player who can do that, and chooses to do so... I'm fine with that. Is it likely that an NFL defender has the speed to close him down on the outsides, and prevent the big play? Sure. But odds are that he's getting at least as many yards as if he had just run into the defender in the interior hole, and he's definitely creating the opportunity for more. I'll take that.
Exactly...whats Cook suppose to do run inside just because and get tackled when he can get the corner and score...watch his goal line runs vs Clemson and Mich and others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNUtCR9m178
I know I'm guilty of it as well, but I really don't like the comparing an NFL prospect to a legendary HoF'r like Marshall Faulk...I think a better comp for Dalvin Cook would be LeVeon Bell or LeSean McCoy. A lot depends on where these guys go as far as expected production.. If Cook winds up in a happy place like Bell, look out. He will be a dynamic RB that will light up the scoreboard and the stat page...I believe as far as running the football, the same will be true for Fournette, but I don't feel he will be as effective as a receiver, and as I mentioned, his style of always dropping that shoulder will likely lead to a shorter career and possibly more injuries.. They both have vastly different styles, and both are gonna be fun to watch on Sunday's. Why can't we like 'em both?....Favoring one doesn't mean ya have to rain poo on the other.
I used Faulk cause he has that same acceleration once he hits the hole and its bye bye...also their size are very similar and both guys can be a huge weapon in the pass game.
lol! I know. Faulk is the first guy that I think of too...I said, I'm just as guilty. There is going to be a ton of options available at #12, and it is really hard to say which direction the Browns will go. Excellent cases can be made for a number of different positions that we should address...I want an offensive playmaker, but the most important thing is that they get a difference maker, whichever direction they go...Defensive back, linebacker, Tackle, O-line, WR, RB, QB, you name it, a case can easily be made for it...Just don't screw it up. That #12 pick is a huge commodity....
I agree but can u really list OL as a playmaker...their needed but I can't categorize them w positions that actually scores TDs
lol! Cmon...I didn't list O-line as a playmaker...I listed it as an option they could go with at #12, and that an easy case could be made for it...Like you, I want a skill position guy that will score touchdowns...We need playmakers! I was just saying that you could make a case for virtually ANY position...The important thing is to get immediate impact. We can't afford another "Justin Gilbert" like bust....
In 2009, as a juvenile, Cook was arrested and charged with robbery.[/*] In 2010, he was arrested and charged with firing a weapon and possessing a weapon at an event on school property.[/*] In June 2014, he was charged with criminal mischief after a bb-gun shooting that caused property damage. He failed to appear in court for this.[/*] In July 2014, he was cited for animal abuse and neglect after chaining puppies up outside and left them choking.[/*] In 2015, Cook was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery after punching a woman in the face several times.[/*]
