Now we all know Boylhart is crazy, but even crazy men can sometimes have a point. He grades players in a system where the lower the number, the better the player, and he gives Fournette a 1.69 and Williams a 1.45, both first round grades.
I thought it was a silly proposition that Williams of Utah, who I had thought of as marginal, might possibly be better than Fournette of LSU, a possible top 10 pick. I checked their 2016 stats and Fournette didn't get as many touches as in 2015 but posted an impressive 6.5 yard average, and added 15 receptions for 145 yards to his total. Williams got a lot more touches so he had over 1,400 yard. And a 6.7 average. Not much receiving, but, hmm . . . ?
I believe my eyes more that statistics so I went back to the Draft Breakdown website where I could watch plays of each RB for a whole game over multiple games, and what I found surprised me; I must have caught a really crappy game from Williams when I dismissed him, because after watching multiple games, he's a hell of a runner! Just a pure runner. But he doesn't have any real power to his game, though others disagree, he really can't catch, and his blocking is silly.
Then I watched Fournette. Fournette's got true power, and he's both quick and fast for a man his size. Has good vision and balance, and can sometimes make a defender miss. He can catch a little, and has a better chance of blocking than Williams, but isn't particularly good at it either. But if I have to compare him as a pure runner to Williams, I can't honestly say he's a better runner. He is likely a better player, and even if lazy, likely won't retire the day after he's drafted. And depending upon how each RB is used, he probably will be more versatile than Williams, because Williams isn't going to be a 3rd down option, or useful in short yardage.
But what this exercise DID do is alter my perception of each back. If Williams has his head straight, his prodigious running ability probably deserves a pick anywhere from the 4th round on. And while I think Fournette has a good shot at being a fine NFL RB, I don't think he's talented enough to deserve a top 10 pick. And while he turns in some eye-popping runs, watching multiple whole games of his makes me wonder just how good he's going to be.
Boylhart on Williams - (
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THR - ( New Window )
Wouldn't touch this guy
Now, i can't say it's 100% true, but it's true then he deserves the right at his second chance.
Now, i can't say it's 100% true, but it's true then he deserves the right at his second chance.
Thanks, hadn't read any of that, can't say if it is, or isn't, factual.
Did read that he retired after a poor game, but I never attempted to verify if true, and if so, how it weighed in his decision making.
I'm really hoping for a big-play offensive guy and my early pick is Njoku, the TE from Miami. But if Fournette were somehow available, I don't know how the Giants could pass on him.
I'm really hoping for a big-play offensive guy and my early pick is Njoku, the TE from Miami. But if Fournette were somehow available, I don't know how the Giants could pass on him.
Everyone can predict, but no one can know. He could, and he might slip to the 2nd. Or, a club may fall in love and take him at the top of the draft.
But I'm coming around on Perine, and think I might very much prefer him later in the draft to Fournette at 23.
But in terms of pure power/speed combo running ability, he has the biggest wow factor since Peterson.
I do think there is a strong chance he is there at 23.
Boylhart is a joke.
What do you think of Joe Williams, Sy?
If he's there in the third or fourth would you take him or is he too big a risk?
The more I watch, the better I like him. Today I was watching Draft Breakdown video of Baker Mayfield and another player kept catching my eye. He was consistently successful and effective in his assignments. And this player was Samaje Perine. He may not be able to do everything, but what he can do, he does very well. And he does some very useful things. He hits the hole with authority and without wasted motion. He follows his blocks VERY well. And he finishes every run. When he supposed to block, he blocks. And very well. When he is thrown an outlet pass, he catches it. None of this stuff is going to get put on a highlight reel, but it's stuff a team needs to win.
The more I watch, the better I like him. Today I was watching Draft Breakdown video of Baker Mayfield and another player kept catching my eye. He was consistently successful and effective in his assignments. And this player was Samaje Perine. He may not be able to do everything, but what he can do, he does very well. And he does some very useful things. He hits the hole with authority and without wasted motion. He follows his blocks VERY well. And he finishes every run. When he supposed to block, he blocks. And very well. When he is thrown an outlet pass, he catches it. None of this stuff is going to get put on a highlight reel, but it's stuff a team needs to win.
Big OU fan and have seen Perrine in person and in lots of TV games. He was great at OU. How that translates to the pros is above my pay grade but I'd love to have him here.