Late Round Running Back
 

I don't think Stecker is going to be a great backup. We've tried Keaton, Fenderson, Smith, and even McAfee. Now we're going to try Stecker. He really didn't do too much for the Bucs, why do they think he'll be good here, other than on special teams?

So we know they won't spend a real high pick on RB. Who would you like to see drafted in later rounds. Right now I would like to see Quincy Wilson of West Virginia in about the 6th round.

Late Round Running Back
 

Derrick Knight, Boston College, 5th round

[Edited on 25/3/2004 by rAge]

Late Round Running Back
 

Derrick Knight is a good choice too. He\'s a little faster than Wilson, but Wilson is tough as nails.

Hey Pakowitz, can you give us a little something on Wilson and Knight?

Late Round Running Back
 

Julius Jones...I doubt he slips that far though...I\'d like to get Jarrett Payton maybe

Late Round Running Back
 

He better not fall that far. Me being an ND fan, I wanna see him somewhere were he could have a shot to start. I think the guy could be the most talented RB in the draft, but because he has only played one full year...he isn\'t as talked about as the others.

Late Round Running Back
 

Julius Jones had a great combine. He showed the best receiving skills out of the backfield. He also has a great head on his shoulders. I don\'t think he\'ll fall past the 3rd round.

Payton didn\'t have the best numbers, but he played behind Magahee (sp?) and Portis and Frank Gore. He played well when they needed him and I wouldn\'t mind seeing him drafted late.

Late Round Running Back
 

a-train is still out there, i bet he\'s not lookin for much money either at this point

Late Round Running Back
 

Anthony Thomas? He\'s still w/ da bears.

[Edited on 26/3/2004 by turbo_dog]

Late Round Running Back
 

yeah but they have given him permission to talk trade, i\'m sure chicago would part with him for a 4th or 5th rounder

Late Round Running Back
 

Personally I\'m happy with Stecker as the backup. I think he\'ll have much more success behind our o-line than he did behind the bucs.

I wouldn\'t mind Payton though, although more for the heritage than the ability.

Late Round Running Back
 

As far as trading for Thomas or any other back, I\'d rather pass on that. I think we can fill our needs well with a late round running back. Look at what Dominick Davis did with the Texans. I honestly can say I don\'t know where all the running backs are projected. I know Kevin Jones and Steven Jackson are the top two. Then there\'s like Chris Perry maybe. I heard that Tatum Bell and Julius Jones did have good work outs. I also think Mewelde Moore would be a great pick-up. He might not have the best hands, but at Tulane he was a 4,000 yard rusher and a damn good reciever out of the backfield. I don\'t know where Greg Jones fits in the equation, but that guy is a beast. There is 7 good running backs right now and I am not sure if any of them will slip, but it will be nice if we can snag one of them. I would think the Patriots, Steelers, Raiders (even though they drafted Fargas), Cowboys, Lions, and maybe the 49ers all needed running back help. That\'s six teams so maybe one running back might slip. Who knows though, the Bills surprised the world when they drafted McGahee last year when they had a good rb in Travis Henry

Late Round Running Back
 

I watched every game Payton played..........he can flat run you over. Remember Payton also missed a year durin his father\'s illness and also he did not have the opportunity to run with the offensive front that had played together since their freshman years. He would be a good pick.

Late Round Running Back
 

First off let me start with this, Payton wasnt even the best rb on the hurricanes, the starter was hurt. Payton didnt impress me at all, he isnt half as good as the back from W. Virginia. I watched him a couple games this season and he was awesome. We better start looking for someone to replace Deuce, the way the saints been going the last couple of decades, they will trade him for like a 7th round pick because they are retards, look they still sticking with brooks go figure.

Late Round Running Back
 

I agree, subguy. I would love to see us pick up Payton with a sixth rounder. He would be a very nice third stringer this year and a solid backup for years to come.

He\'s got a great build for a NFL back, 6-2, 224 lbs; he\'s also had plenty of experience returning kicks. Would be a very nice pick.

Late Round Running Back
 

THE HUDDLE REPORT

Julius Jones RB Notre Dame

Strengths
Julius is a lot stronger runner then he looks. He catches the ball well and has good special teams potential. He has decent hands and quick feet. He has good mental strength and can take a hit. Julius runs well between the tackles and has enough speed to turn the corner.

Needs to Improve
His work ethic has improved and his priorities on and off the field seem to be in order. He must work on his running back skills: his vision, lateral movement in the hole, setting up his blocks, catching the ball and blocking. That\'s about it. Not much, right? Julius has a lot of work to do.

Bottom Line
Julius is still developing, but every time I see him, he gets better and better. He reminds me a little bit of Brian Westbrook of the Eagles. You can see the talent and the lack of development. If you pick him, cross your fingers and hope he will have the work ethic to continue to get better. He could become an important part of your offense, but for me, I think that he is a 2nd day pick because of the work ethic question. To me, academically ineligible means a lot when you are getting something for free (scholarship) and you don\'t bother to appreciate it.

Drew Boylhart

Late Round Running Back
 

Quincy Wilson RB West Virginia



Strengths

Quincy has very good upper and lower body strength for his position. He is a solid back and although he is small in height, his body style is solid. This would lead me to believe that injuries will not be a problem. Quincy runs with his knees high and this, along with his small stature and muscular body, makes him very hard to tackle.



Needs to Improve

Right now, Quincy has not developed the running back skills that he needs in the NFL. He lacks good lateral movement and vision in the hole and the speed to turn the corner at the next level. Quincy benefits by being more powerful than his opponents and from the lack of good tackling techniques at the college level.



Bottom Line

It is very hard to say that Quincy will have, or show, the ability to impact at the next level like he did in college. Yes, he can run over players and break tackles, but that’s not what it’s all about in the NFL or every team would just put the biggest guy on the team at the RB position. He has a long way to go in learning how to set up blocks, hesitating to find a hole, cutting in the hole with quickness, the use of good vision. In addition, he needs to work on catching the ball out of the backfield, picking up blitzing LB’s etc, etc. His lack of true speed makes it necessary to learn all of these skills and right now, he doesn’t show that he has them. If he learns all these skills, he could be a back similar to Travis Henry- but Travis had these skills already when he came out of college.



Drew Boylhart

Late Round Running Back
 

Jarrett Payton RB Miami

Strengths
Jarrett has good size, good strength and good speed for his position. He has excellent mental toughness. He has enough speed to turn the corner and enough strength to run between the tackles. He will also be an asset on special teams for the team that drafts him.

Needs to Improve
Jarrett needs to improve his RB skills. He lacks good vision in the hole, good lateral cutting ability and does not change speeds very well at this time.

Bottom Line
Jarrett is determined to make it as a RB in the NFL. He loves the game and has an inner need to play. I believe that if Jarrett stays injury free, he will be a RB that will succeed in the NFL. I don’t know where he will be picked. I would guess sometime on the second day, but that really doesn’t matter. Jarrett will be a star. I’m not saying this because of his father. I am saying this from what I see on film. I see a running back with speed. I see a running back with power that makes it difficult to tackle him. I see a running back that makes first downs on third and one. I see a RB that is almost fully recovered from a very bad knee injury and has not yet reached his full potential. I see a player that
listens to his coach and is a great teammate. Yes, I know his running back skills are not as developed as others in this draft. That\'s why Jarrett is a 2nd day pick. I have no doubt that he will learn. I also see a running back that is being compared to his father. I won’t do that. Jarrett Payton is the type of back that if he is selected and gets a chance to get on the field, you won’t take him off. He is the Chris Spielman of the RB’s of this draft. Now, we all know that Chris was a LB. We all also know that if you look at Chris you would say that there is no way he was a successful NFL player. You look at Chris and say, ‘No way…I can beat that guy on every play. Chris Spielman willed himself to be a good football player. Jarrett Payton will do the same. Jarrett is not a boom or bust player he is pure boom. Jarrett (Boom, Boom) Payton…I like it.


Drew Boylhart

Late Round Running Back
 

Cedric Cobbs RB Arkansas

Strengths
Cedric has very good size, strength and speed for his position. He runs with good lean and is quick. He has good lateral movement and vision in the hole. He runs strong between the tackles and has plenty of speed to bounce the play outside. Cedric is a natural at setting up his blocks for the offensive lineman.

Need to improve
Cedric needs to be kept on a leash. The off field concerns for this talented player and injury concerns make you think that there are serious problems with this kid. I\'ll take the injured shoulder, but the length of time to heal, along with toe and other problems add up to somebody pulling somebody\'s appendage. Cedric could dominate at the college level if he had one leg and a seeing-eye dog with arthritis.

Bottom Line
I don’t know if I have seen a more natural RB then Cedric. That being said, I don\'t know when I have seen a more screwed up RB then Cedric. Please, somebody get a hold of this kid and knock some sense into him. Cedric doesn’t even try and he runs better then most of the backs in this draft. What really amazes me is his ability to set up his blocks and to
use his stiff arm. It is hard to teach these things without a lot of repetitions -- unless it is natural. Well, it doesn’t take a genius to know that in Cedric’s case, it is not repetitions- so it must be natural. Let\'s see…speed, strength, vision, good body lean, ability to break tackles, set up blocks and even catch the ball. Where would you think this kid should be selected in the draft? First round or second round? In this case, not until the second day, unless there is a team out there who needs a running back and doesn’t care about character. I can\'t imagine that happening! (Yeah, right.) Cedric has the talent of a 1st round pick and the brains of a twit. I’m sure by the time draft day comes, some team will be overlooking Cedric’s off field concerns because of his talent and I’m sure that Cedric will run right to the bank with his signing bonus and save it for a rainy day. (YEAH, RIGHT.)

Drew Boylhart

Late Round Running Back
 

Thanks Pakowitz. Does anybody know if Cedric Benson of Texas is coming out this year?

Late Round Running Back
 

No. He\'s back at Texas.

Late Round Running Back
 

I like Stecker... he is a great back-up. Was great in Tampa! I think we are set at RB but I like after the second round drafting for depth and best available player so if it be a RB than so be it.

Late Round Running Back
 

Great??? What are you talking about? He had 125 yards rushing last year.

Late Round Running Back
 

well you have to look more than just stats... he is a great player and not only is a RB. He can fit in anywheres as well. Keep in mind we are looking for a back up to Deuce not a starter.

Late Round Running Back
 

You sure are throwing that \"Great\" term around loosely. Stecker is a good special teams player and may be a good utility player, but I wouldn\'t call him great.

Late Round Running Back
 

Well, if Deuce goes down (and I pray he doesn\'t), the next game you can\'t start Deuce for a play and bring in someone. You have to start someone. And do I feel comfortable with Stecker in the backfield? hell no. Sorry, just an opinion. I know it gets rowdy up here sometimes

[Edited on 29/3/2004 by Boogro]

Late Round Running Back
 

Deuce, Stecker, Tavian Banks, and I\'m forgetting someone else. 4 RBs is enough. Stecker will not put up Deuce numbers if forced to start, but take away the top five or ten RBs in the league and NO ONE would. Stecker is a fine backup who will contribute. If Banks can recover from his knee injury and be 2/3 the player people thought he could be before he got hurt Stecker will be third in line. We are fine, more pressing needs elsewhere (i.e. LEAD BLOCKER - AKA Fullback).