therealjohncarlson":24hy4njz said:
In my opinion we should be less concerned with "finding the next Lynch" and more concerned with finding the next unique running back that makes our offense explosive and unpredictable. Finding someone of a similar profile is like digging for gold. Will Michael be that guy? It seems doubtful but only time will tell.
Agreed. All backs are unique.
There are however consistencies that I think we specifically do need.
1. Pass protection. Seattle, if they remain a predominantly 11 personnel type team require that the RB be able to pass block very well. Players that don't block well, haven't broken our lineup. And we're not a timing pattern/quick hitter type of passing team. So this has to be a strength.
1a. Ball security. It's all about the ball. Pete is every bit the stickler for this that Holmgren was. You can't be a fumbler and see the field.
2. Power back. Seattle's ZBS system is designed to more or less shield off defenders from the carrier. And when they can't shield defenders (i.e. lose the shoulder they are supposed to block), then they are supposed to ride out that defender and create a cutback lane. We aren't a man on man drive blocking team. It's more of a system that makes it difficult for defenders to get a clean shot on the ball carrier. A scat back type of runner like a Giovanni Bernard can't really succeed at this scheme. The power of the rushing attack is provided by the carrier. Not the blockers. Limiting the defense to arm tackles is the goal by design. The back needs to be powerful enough to power through and break those by himself.
3. Receiving skills. Seattle uses our RBs a lot in the passing game. All three of our backs are excellent receivers (Lynch/Turbin/Michael). I don't believe it's a coincidence. One could even add Coleman/Robinson to that.
In all, Seattle's scheme needs power backs that are well rounded. They don't have to be Lynch clones. There are plenty of players in the league not named Lynch that could excel here at a championship level.
This draft is interesting, in that you have a lot of unique ball carriers that provide some or all of these traits. Gurley undoubtedly fills all of these aspects at a high level. Gordon has less power, but enough to run through tackles, and the ability to cut and explode through cut back lanes. He doesn't really demonstrate at a high level, the ability to turn negative plays into neutral plays. The kinds where a sure 4 yard loss ends up a no gain type situation. But definitely could succeed here no question.
Ameer Abdullah is an interesting prospect for me. Smallish in stature, he has an amazing cut back ability as well. Has intriguing power and incredible acceleration. Has a knack for not getting hit squarely. Obviously he's not an alpha kind of choice based on his size. He is a smaller rusher that I could see having enough power to succeed in this scheme.