RB position depth?

benchmobbin02 · Post #1 » by **benchmobbin02** » Mon Jun 1, 2015 10:54 pm

With the late season emergence Latavius Murray and the signing of Roy Helu to play on 3rd down and in passing heavy sets the battle for the 3rd HB spot should be worth watching this yr.

The Raiders brought in under performing Trent Richardson and the oft troubled Louisville product Michael Dyer to compete with recently reconverted cornerback Taiwan Jones and practice squader George Atkinson III. My thinking is we will keep either Jones or Atkinson and either Richardson or Dyer based on body type, running style and special teams needs.

Thoughts on the backs and who makes the roster?

Post #2 » by **FNQ** » Tue Jun 2, 2015 2:49 am

Occam's razor

Murray as lead back, Helu as 3rd down passing back, T-Pain as COP/backup RB. I imagine that Taiwan is also safe because he's a special teams ace. I think it would take a monster preseason from Atkinson or Dyer to even have a prayer.. I also think TPain has a shot to start if he starts realizing his potential (cutting weight and learning the playbook)

benchmobbin02 · Post #3 » by **benchmobbin02** » Tue Jun 2, 2015 6:25 am

FNQ wrote:Occam's razor

Murray as lead back, Helu as 3rd down passing back, T-Pain as COP/backup RB. I imagine that Taiwan is also safe because he's a special teams ace. I think it would take a monster preseason from Atkinson or Dyer to even have a prayer.. I also think TPain has a shot to start if he starts realizing his potential (cutting weight and learning the playbook)

Every non silver and black fan seems to think that T-Pain (I couldnt fight it) is a lost cause and will be cut. For us, its a case of if he is that bad then how bad are the guys he beat. We refuse to believe Dyer or Atkinson can beat Richardson out but I wouldn't be surprised is one of them just makes a few play on special teams and doesn't fumble the ball and gets the spot. Rischardson's vision seems so shoddy to the rest of the league and his legs go dead on contact.

Post #4 » by **FNQ** » Tue Jun 2, 2015 11:25 pm

Lots of fans think Richardson is going to be a forever-bust.. I don't. He won't ever justify his selection, but he looks like someone who's just a little too slow at this point. If he can drop some weight, pick up some speed, and retain his college toughness, I think he could be a late bloomer type. Don't forget too - he's great in space, and he can pass block pretty well too.

I dont think Dyer has much of a chance. He's also a headache of a person. Atkinson likely to be squadded again if he shows out in preseason. Ultimately, even though its small, I think T-Pain's guaranteed money makes him unlikely to be unseated as our #2/#3 back (depending on where you rank 3DRB Roy Helu).

As far as the talent Richardson has.. a couple of mass-circulated still-shots where he made the wrong call are all the rage. But truthfully, especially in Indy, they tailed the running game to a different style of runner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuO_cRWvfvw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlRLdCCsb1M

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1823 ... -the-colts

Just some things to consider. Richardson has far more potential than the 2 camp invitees, has guaranteed money... if he wasn't drafted with the #3 pick, and was instead a 3rd round pick, the hate subsides more IMO. He's become a trendy guy to hate. Personally, i love that.. maybe a chip on his shoulder will get him to lose the extra 5-10 lbs he needs to. Coming to a true PBS will be very beneficial for him as well. I think he makes the roster, and contributes to the tune of 500 yards from scrimmage this year.

benchmobbin02 · Post #5 » by **benchmobbin02** » Wed Jun 3, 2015 7:37 am

I hope your right! I would love to have a two headed hammer in him and Murray just smashing the league behind our huge line. Helu can play in shotgun and some third downs and be a special teams captain. Jones keeps his role as a gunner and special teams player with the bonus that he can play corner in a pinch.

benchmobbin02 · Post #6 » by **benchmobbin02** » Wed Jun 3, 2015 3:21 pm

I wouldn't doubt by mid season Helu is on the field for more then 50% of snaps in Musgrave's offense. Just seems like a perfect marriage of style for him.

Neddy · Post #7 » by **Neddy** » Thu Jun 4, 2015 12:42 am

its a modern day version of thunder and lightning. the size difference between Richardson and Murray isn't exactly that of Wheatley Kaufman but speed wise I think they can co-exist and compliment each other.

Helu is your average Charlie Garner and a lock for the 3rd down plays.

I feel like this upcoming season we finally have some balance and hope on both sides.

Post #8 » by **FNQ** » Fri Jun 5, 2015 9:08 pm

benchmobbin02 wrote:I wouldn't doubt by mid season Helu is on the field for more then 50% of snaps in Musgrave's offense. Just seems like a perfect marriage of style for him.

Agree... I've always been a big Helu fan. I tend to think that if Murray goes down or doesnt win the gig, Helu will get the majority of the snaps before Richardson will.. Helu's been cast as a scatback but has the size of a 3 downer.

benchmobbin02 · Post #9 » by **benchmobbin02** » Mon Jun 8, 2015 10:44 pm

FNQ wrote:
benchmobbin02 wrote:I wouldn't doubt by mid season Helu is on the field for more then 50% of snaps in Musgrave's offense. Just seems like a perfect marriage of style for him.

Agree... I've always been a big Helu fan. I tend to think that if Murray goes down or doesnt win the gig, Helu will get the majority of the snaps before Richardson will.. Helu's been cast as a scatback but has the size of a 3 downer.

He also seems like a team guy (great in the locker room and community). Just love the signings that Reggie made this year (Helu, Hudson, Willaims and Lofton, even Ponder and Allen). All seem like solid pieces. Next yr I hope he gets the chance to add a few more studs to the mix and this team will really look good.

Post #10 » by **FNQ** » Mon Jul 6, 2015 8:40 pm

Tice said that T-Rich has *finally* lost some weight and is looking good w/o pads. Which means little right now, but if he's cutting well, he could challenge for some snaps..

Tice also called Gabe Jackson a rising star at LG.

benchmobbin02 · Post #11 » by **benchmobbin02** » Tue Jul 7, 2015 2:40 am

That is good news! we need to be deep at all spots and if Trich can be a positive for us its a huge bonus.

Post #12 » by **FNQ** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:19 pm

Vic Tafur throwing water on the T-Rich party, saying it's not going well. If so, only cost us 600k to see if we could find a use for him. Gives a chance to Dyer and Atkinson, or maybe someone who doesn't make the cut somewhere else.

benchmobbin02 · Post #13 » by **benchmobbin02** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 5:33 am

FNQ wrote:Vic Tafur throwing water on the T-Rich party, saying it's not going well. If so, only cost us 600k to see if we could find a use for him. Gives a chance to Dyer and Atkinson, or maybe someone who doesn't make the cut somewhere else.

Could you elaborate on Trent Richardson not doing well?
Obviously, what he does in camp and preseason games will determine his fate … but I get the sense that coaches and teammates don’t really expect big things based on what they have seen so far in his time here. He has lost some weight. That’s a start. Let’s see what he does when the pads are on.

WAY WAY WAY too early to count him out. This is all based on Vic's "sense". He had to learn the offense and lose weight. He hasn't had pads on or completed the training staffs fitness goals for camp yet. Let's slow the roll throwing him out. Whoa nelly!!!!

Post #14 » by **FNQ** » Thu Aug 6, 2015 5:14 pm

T-Pain still sidelined.

Thank god the idea of him sharing with Murray is dead and gone already. Murray is looking like he can have a breakout stud type season.. he's now garnering all the 1st team reps, we have a great running OL and 2 heavy blocking TEs.. the road is paved for Murray to be a top 10 RB this season.

Post #15 » by **FNQ** » Thu Aug 6, 2015 6:05 pm

T-Puff activated from NFI list today. Must have gotten below 220 finally, good for him. Let the roster push begin

benchmobbin02 · Post #16 » by **benchmobbin02** » Fri Aug 7, 2015 5:16 am

FNQ wrote:T-Puff activated from NFI list today. Must have gotten below 220 finally, good for him. Let the roster push begin

http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2015/8/6/9114137/trent-richardson-returns-from-bout-with-pneumonia-says-he-came-in-under-weight-oakland-raiders

Post #17 » by **FNQ** » Fri Aug 7, 2015 5:44 pm

Good to hear. Media jumped the gun and assumed it was weight based on JDR's comment. Now he has to unseat Dyer who's broken big runs and shown good vision in practice. T-Rich has the advantage of guaranteed money, but little else going for him right now. No pads practice today so he'll have to make it up next week

Post #18 » by **HMFFL** » Fri Aug 7, 2015 8:29 pm

I didn't take the articles I read about T-Rich last week very serious that suggested that he'd be waived.
The guarantee money was the main reason and the fact that we could utilize him in a couple of different ways.

Twinkie defense · Post #19 » by **Twinkie defense** » Sat Aug 15, 2015 3:59 am

Has Richardson even played? He may be odd man out.

Twinkie defense · Post #20 » by **Twinkie defense** » Sat Aug 15, 2015 4:03 am

benchmobbin02 wrote:
FNQ wrote:Occam's razor

Murray as lead back, Helu as 3rd down passing back, T-Pain as COP/backup RB. I imagine that Taiwan is also safe because he's a special teams ace. I think it would take a monster preseason from Atkinson or Dyer to even have a prayer.. I also think TPain has a shot to start if he starts realizing his potential (cutting weight and learning the playbook)

Every non silver and black fan seems to think that T-Pain (I couldnt fight it) is a lost cause and will be cut. For us, its a case of if he is that bad then how bad are the guys he beat. We refuse to believe Dyer or Atkinson can beat Richardson out but I wouldn't be surprised is one of them just makes a few play on special teams and doesn't fumble the ball and gets the spot. Rischardson's vision seems so shoddy to the rest of the league and his legs go dead on contact.

I think he will be cut. Dyer, maybe not"