When Camp Started I Thought...But Now...

[FRPLG]

I think Reid has some level headed stuff here, via Danny Smith about Mason.

Redskins Insider - Pass Protection Is Mason's Big Deficiency

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I think Reid has some level headed stuff here, via Danny Smith about Mason.

Redskins Insider - Pass Protection Is Mason's Big Deficiency

Randy Moss sucks at run blocking, who gives a crap? Note: I am not saying that Mason is the same caliber as Randy Moss. A running backs primary job is to carry the rock and get yards. Where Mason has been really impressive to me is around the goal line. We have struggled with running it in short yardage situations on the goal line in recent years, but he seems to have a knack for it. I think that he would be worth keeping for that ability alone. He can be taught to pick up the blitz eventually. Then again we did cut McCants because he was only good at catching TD passes.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Angry

Randy Moss sucks at run blocking, who gives a crap? Note: I am not saying that Mason is the same caliber as Randy Moss. A running backs primary job is to carry the rock and get yards. Where Mason has been really impressive to me is around the goal line. We have struggled with running it in short yardage situations on the goal line in recent years, but he seems to have a knack for it. I think that he would be worth keeping for that ability alone. He can be taught to pick up the blitz eventually. Then again we did cut McCants because he was only good at catching TD passes.

And to protect the QB when needed.

Comparing a WR's job to a RB doesn't really make much sense. Moss doesn't have to pick up blitzing LB's for Brady.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

And to protect the QB when needed.

Comparing a WR's job to a RB doesn't reall make much sense. Moss doesn't have to pick up blitzing LB's for Brady.

yep, on some plays the rb has a TE role since they have to block LBs that usually outweigh them by 20 - 50 lbs. Big part of the passing game.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

And to protect the QB when needed.

Comparing a WR's job to a RB doesn't really make much sense. Moss doesn't have to pick up blitzing LB's for Brady.

No but WR's are also supposed to run block on the perimeter for RB's, are they not. Some are good at it and some aren't, that is the comparrison that I was trying to make. I think that he could make a living in the goal line package and learn pass protection as he goes. That's just my opinion though. I just think that a TD VS. a field once or twice a game would be beneficial. Other teams use a short yardage back why shouldn't we?

Edit: This is not a knock on Portis or Betts though, personally I think that Portis would be good, but he constantly gets pulled out in goal line and replaced by Betts. Betts is not suited for the goal line or has not been as successfull as I would like. Sellars does not run like a big man down there. I think that Mason could fit.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

And to protect the QB when needed.

Comparing a WR's job to a RB doesn't really make much sense. Moss doesn't have to pick up blitzing LB's for Brady.

For the record; when Campbell scrambled for the touchdown, Dockery completely whiffed on Richard Seymour and Mason picked him up to spring Campbell. I know it's just one play, but I think it shows that Mason is at least and average blocker. I think we're all a bit spoiled by the fact that Portis is arguably the best blocking halfback in the league.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

For the record; when Campbell scrambled for the touchdown, Dockery completely whiffed on Richard Seymour and Mason picked him up to spring Campbell. I know it's just one play, but I think it shows that Mason is at least and average blocker. I think we're all a bit spoiled by the fact that Portis is arguably the best blocking halfback in the league.

You are right about that play and Mason deserves props for that. But there were two other times the other night when he whiffed his blocks.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Angry

Randy Moss sucks at run blocking, who gives a crap? Note: I am not saying that Mason is the same caliber as Randy Moss. A running backs primary job is to carry the rock and get yards. Where Mason has been really impressive to me is around the goal line. We have struggled with running it in short yardage situations on the goal line in recent years, but he seems to have a knack for it. I think that he would be worth keeping for that ability alone. He can be taught to pick up the blitz eventually. Then again we did cut McCants because he was only good at catching TD passes.

I think the requirements are more complex than you've stated. Danny Smith said it best. He's been on three teams and never played a down in a regular season game. Maybe there's a reason. Maybe he can't really play.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I think the requirements are more complex than you've stated. Danny Smith said it best. He's been on three teams and never played a down in a regular season game. Maybe there's a reason. Maybe he can't really play.

Danny is upset because he doesn't play special teams. That's how ST coaches are.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Angry

Danny is upset because he doesn't play special teams. That's how ST coaches are.

Jesus...how is he pissed off? He's never played in a game. You don't think that might say something about his abilities? Even a little?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Angry

Randy Moss sucks at run blocking, who gives a crap? Note: I am not saying that Mason is the same caliber as Randy Moss. A running backs primary job is to carry the rock and get yards. Where Mason has been really impressive to me is around the goal line. We have struggled with running it in short yardage situations on the goal line in recent years, but he seems to have a knack for it. I think that he would be worth keeping for that ability alone. He can be taught to pick up the blitz eventually. Then again we did cut McCants because he was only good at catching TD passes.

I understand that you're not trying to compare the players in quality or total value, but I think this argument would be better invoked on a guy like Adrian Peterson. AD is a major limiting factor on the quality of his team's passing game, but despite that, OH MY GOD LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE GETS THE BALL.

It's because Mason isn't going to start for us (unless you think of him as a future starter) that he has to do the small things well to have value. If he's being kept as the 3rd RB, he's probably only going to find his way into the game situationally, in which case, he's a liability if he can't do simple blitz pickups.

So while it's true that a running back's primary job is to carry the football, the only time Mason is a primary running back is during the preseason. You know, before the cuts.

Now, if you want to keep him on the roster and invest in him for future value and try to improve his pass blocking over time, that's a completely different perspective. Players like Mason take a lot of coach hours to turn into that kind of player, but I think the guy has the potential to be an elite runner. He's no older now than Willie Parker was in 2005, so that's probably his upside.

Of course, Willie Parker is one of the weakest players who is still a Steelers regular, so you have to keep everything in perspective. If the fruits of your labor is to develop Mason into the starting RB in 2011, and by 2013, he's a liability that we need to spend a draft pick on to replace (either partially or completely) is it really worth it?

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I understand that you're not trying to compare the players in quality or total value, but I think this argument would be better invoked on a guy like Adrian Peterson. AD is a major limiting factor on the quality of his team's passing game, but despite that, OH MY GOD LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE GETS THE BALL.

It's because Mason isn't going to start for us (unless you think of him as a future starter) that he has to do the small things well to have value. If he's being kept as the 3rd RB, he's probably only going to find his way into the game situationally, in which case, he's a liability if he can't do simple blitz pickups.

So while it's true that a running back's primary job is to carry the football, the only time Mason is a primary running back is during the preseason. You know, before the cuts.

Now, if you want to keep him on the roster and invest in him for future value and try to improve his pass blocking over time, that's a completely different perspective. Players like Mason take a lot of coach hours to turn into that kind of player, but I think the guy has the potential to be an elite runner. He's no older now than Willie Parker was in 2005, so that's probably his upside.

Of course, Willie Parker is one of the weakest players who is still a Steelers regular, so you have to keep everything in perspective. If the fruits of your labor is to develop Mason into the starting RB in 2011, and by 2013, he's a liability that we need to spend a draft pick on to replace (either partially or completely) is it really worth it?

..............................................Yes.

Well GTripp, here's the deal. When Mason wakes up in the moring he pisses excellense, he's just a big harry winning machine. You know....if you aint first your last.

[FRPLG]

He isn't a change pace back and we have at least two guys who'd get snaps in front him based on running skills alone. If he can't play teams and could get our QB killed then I am sorry but Mason will be looking for his 4th team.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

He isn't a change pace back and we have at least two guys who'd get snaps in front him based on running skills alone. If he can't play teams and could get our QB killed then I am sorry but Mason will be looking for his 4th team.

He's shiftier than both Portis and Betts. He doesn't run as hard as either of them, but he's seems more elusive than at least Betts at this point in his career. And Betts isn't exactly a beast in pass protection either.

My main point isn't as much about Mason, but the fact that a committee of three older backs is a role of the dice. They need to start grooming a younger back, whether it be Mason, Alridge, or Dorsey. Otherwise you end up with a used up Shawn Alexander on the roster when one of them goes down.

[NYCskinfan82]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

He's shiftier than both Portis and Betts. He doesn't run as hard as either of them, but he's seems more elusive than at least Betts at this point in his career. And Betts isn't exactly a beast in pass protection either.

My main point isn't as much about Mason, but the fact that a committee of three older backs is a role of the dice. They need to start grooming a younger back, whether it be Mason, Alridge, or Dorsey. Otherwise you end up with a used up Shawn Alexander on the roster when one of them goes down.

Where did i see this happen, oh yeah last season on the Redskins. We need backs that will push for playing time not sit on the bench and be official bench warmers.