How do we feed the Four-Headed Monster
 

How do we share the rock when it comes to the RB's. I know how we are going to use Sproles and P.T., but how is it going to be with Ivory and Ingram. Ivory looked good against the Bucs and I know he is going to only get better. On the flip side Ingram looked really good before he got hurt. I know this is a good problem to have, but its a problem none the less. What do you guys think?

How do you feed our 4 headed monster?

Lower the amount of average attempts Drew is having per game.

-it will save the wear and tear on Drew's arm
-keep the defense fresh
-make our offense less predictable
-help decrease the amount of turnovers through the air
-utilize the best and most versatile weapons on our team(our backs)
-create more big plays down field with play action passes

Everyone wins. Drew could careless about breaking Marino's record if it helps our chances at another ring.

I dont see it as a problem...i think there is room..Look at it this way... say Ivory is struggling in a game.....and Ingram is running well?..you hope it would fire up Ivory or vice versa with Ingram....either way we have one hopefully getting the tough yards..along with P.T and Sproles.

Problem? No problem here. We keep sacrificing Sproles on kick returns for a net 4-yard gain and eventually someone is going to take him out at the knees while being held up.

THEN our problem will be how to keep up his production in its absence.

I say do whatever it takes to keep all four on the roster and active at all times.

Alaska

Agree with papz with the exception of one point: How would we keep Drew from connecting for at least one touchdown even with the monster? A Drew touchdown run will probably run as long as he is healthy.

Alaska

I don't think we activate 4 RB's on gameday so somone likely has to sit out.

I'd sit Ingram until he's 100%, then I'd sit Ivory until another injury arises.

But Ivory runs circles around Ingram. If we are going to bench someone let it be JJJUUUUUDDDD.

Alaska

Not sure about that one at all.

And both of our FB's are excellent special teams contributors. Neither Ivory or Ingram play ST's.

I agree with you on that. It would be hard to activate 4 rb's on gameday and your right about our two FB's. Our special teams are playing very well and i wouldn't want to mess with that. My only question is what if both back are healthy and Ivory is playing well. Would you continue to leave Ingram on the bench? I mean we spent a next years first round pick on him. I just can't see him on the bench. I have seen plenty of 3 rb's rotations never a 4 rb rotation. Thank god Payton is the coach.

what's truly ironic about this problem is that we don't even run the g-damn ball
The best blocker/receiver should get the most snaps

We have the 7th most rushing attempts in the NFL, and rank 9th in yards/game and 9th in yards per attempt.

That number is quite deceiving considering we've played one more game than 29 other teams.
Oh, and we average more pass attempts than any other team

This is a problem I am more than willing to have - Kindof like dating twins!! :hump:

But even if you factor that in we still rank 17th in runs per game.

Oneeyedmonster

If all these guys make it through the season fairly healthy one is going to get traded. I can't see us carrying all four next season.

I would normally agree with you.
The reason we have so many RBs is a reaction to last year's injuries.
I would have said that we had enough RBs until they ALL got hurt.
Bad luck makes you reactionary.
This year we (so far) have a glut of RBs.
Worst case scenario is, they all stay healthy and split carries.
That is also the best case scenario. They are all fresh for the playoffs, on the road, in bad weather. Lambeu Field?

The NFL is funny.......

point taken.
I guess I am still just pissed that I flew to St.Louis to watch us lay an egg against a really crappy run defense

I'm with you there Scott. I think they were dead last versus the run and we tried about 2 runs and then threw 900 times.

We did the same thing against the Bucs a few years back. They had a really bad run defense and we went down there in a monsoon and threw the ball the entire game, and lost.

With 4 backs and one on the P.S. we could definitely do damage late in the season, 2 bulls Ivory and Ingram, 2 versatile P.T and Sproles, you could game plan a lot of ways with all that talent. Bell waiting in the wings, I see no problem unless one gets unhappy with their playing time, Payton won't have any problem child on the team.

Do not see a problem here. We do not have an everydown back with any of our runners. It has been proven time and again that none of our backs have made a season without injuries and setbacks. In that respect I feel they compliment eachother. Also returning punts or kickoffs is one of things Sproles does best and should continue with these duties. Not waisting a roster spot for a returner that does nothing else. Unless Ingram seperates himself form the pack somehow. With ingram whom I think is good (somewhat above average good) but I don not see him being an elite runner yet pocessing power, breakaway speed , elusivness, and longevity I think is requried before you can be in that category. PT should be taking the majority of the snaps and spelled by the others. I hope he did not agravate that high ankle sprain. We are going to need some tough yards against hated Atlanta.