SacHawk2.0":2dod6czh said:
Rawls doesn't need a complimentary back. He's an every down back himself. Maybe someone to fill the Turbo/breather role. But he can do everything. That's become apparent.
Maulbert":2dod6czh said:
olyfan63":2dod6czh said:
What Kearly said. We need a bruiser back also, and Rawls doesn't bring that.
Except that going into today, Rawls was leading the NFL in average yards after contact with 2.73 per carry.
http://espn.go.com/blog/seattle-sea...awls-monster-game-carries-seahawks-past-49ers
Punishing backs get yards after contact.
Rawls doesn't quite have Beastmode move-the-pile strength and size. He relies on vision and quickness and finding the gap and darting through it before the defenders can get square. He will run right through arm tackles of defenders who are still engaged with blockers. What Lynch can often do is knock back a larger bodied squared-up-defender, DTs, LBs and such. Lynch routinely runs into and moves the pile of bodies that includes large-body guys, DTs and LBs. Rawls will knock back piles of secondary guys, CBs and safeties.
So if its one or two yards we need, and the blocking sucks, and he gets hit in the hole by a LB, Lynch is more likely to plow through and get those yards. A smaller back like Rawls tends to get stuffed and not get the first down. Rawls would typically have to cope with that situation by a quick cut, darting outside, etc. On 3rd and 1, Beastmode (healthy) is a higher percentage bet.
On the 3rd and short that put Rawls over 200, he showed what makes him special. He saw the designed hole was plugged, then darted outside and found space for about 10 yards, and was so quick in doing it that the gassed SF defenders had no shot. To the OL, TEs, and WRs credit, everyone seemed to have a hat on someone, stopping penetration and locking up defenders just enough for Rawls to do this.