Really strange tale.
He had a respectable rookie season. 112 carries for 456 yards (4.1 yards per carry). He started the regular-season finale in 2016 and the playoff game. Arrow seemed to be pointing up.
He starts the first four games of 2017 and is really disappointing. He hurts his ribs and never gets his playing time back from Darkwa and Gallman. Ends up with just 41 carries for 90 yards (2.2 yards per carry).
There are indeed similarities in terms of productivity and playing time.
How much of that was due to the running backs?
This is why I wanted Perkins to play later in the season again.
Gallman is much better, Darkwa is better also.
I would grab another RB, have Gallman and Darkwa splitting backup duties
Get rid of Vareen and Perkins can compete for 3rd/4th RB
Perkins appears to lack any ideal speed, vision, and even toughness possibly. Not good things to lack as an NFL RB.
I think running behind an abysmal OL configuration and horrendous playcalling before he got injured played roles in his disappointing year.
I would give him another shot before I wrote him off. He had a couple of impressive runs in pre when he had a little room. When the season started, he was routinely getting hit behind the LOS.
Let him get healthy and compete for a job next season. Too early to give up on him and this season made it very difficult to evaluate players.
YouTube - ( New Window )
https://youtu.be/4gTXUyL5niE?t=8s - ( New Window )
He looked gun-shy this season compared to last. Thinking too much? No confidence in the OL? Got hurt and doesn't like it? Inhaling Giants' negativity in the locker room? Crappy position coach who hadn't yet worked his magic on Gallman?
Not ready to give up on him, but Gallman is much more sudden with the same size, also seems to be more tenacious.
In short, not a fan of the athleticism and may not have the mindset to compete with adversity. Seems like a Reese/Ross pick.
That said, he is more of a backup than a starter. About what you would expect from a fourth round pick.
Don’t see him unseating Gallman, who played very well
I suppose with an improved OL maybe he improves. But, I wouldn't have him in my plans for next year right now.
Darkwa looked good because he ran straight at it. Gallman ran hard and was a very one cut up the feild and accelerate type.
Think Perkins would benifit from running out of a deep set and getting the ball at full speed instead of standing next to the qb.
He is more of a slide and slash type back which could be the complement to Gallman. I think a line that drives guys off the ball would help him too. the line he played behind at best just turned guys away from the play
We'll find out how good he is during camp.
We need to stop evaluating young players based on their performance this year in this dysfunctional environment. Except for Snacks, even our best players had a down year.
This is my thought. He has a lot of the same traits. Vereen may run better routes (he's one of the best at the position) but in a short time Perkins has shown an ability to make plays in space and has good hands. I think he is a natural fit as the 3rd down/receiving back.
Gallman strikes me as the change of pace guy right now, who could be an every down back of he got stronger in the lower body and worked on some minor ball security issues.
He may be a light weight Ron 'Straight Ahead or Bust' Dayne..or a prime years Vereen.
I hope he gets a fair shot at our new O...or find a way to use him; though as a 4th round pick it doesn't hurt nearly as much as the lackluster play of Flowers and Apple.
Remember, football players struggle at work for the same reasons anyone else does: Family trouble (see Apple, Eli), relationship trouble, depression, disappointment with the job, bad relationship with co-workers or bosses... plus all the football-only things.
It should. Just like Simmons for Denver was passed up at S and we took Thompson. All GMs Miss. But the rarity of success outside Rounds 1 and 2 by Reese over his tenure should have been an issue
Addressed years ago.
I thought he was going to be a nice player looking at last year and then he got hurt. It was good to see what Gallman can do and Darkwa is still young enough to give him the carries that he got.
I was a big Vereen fan but I think he is about done. I really wanted to see if Perkins (was great in pass pro last year) could at least serve that niche. If he was able prove it this year, I don't think a rb group of Gallman/Darkwa/Vereen would be that bad.
He just wasnt' given that opportunity for whatever reason.
Now he has a poor sophmore slump (not uncommon for players) and suddenly hes not athletic enough. Suddenly its some physical quality that has magically disappeared since his rookie season.
I think its more likely mental than physical. Perkins, like some other young players on this roster last season, just didnt care. Wasnt hungry. Didnt want it anymore because it was HANDED to him in training camp with no competition. Then unceremoniously taken away during the season. His head wasnt in it this year.
I think we will see a new man in 2018.
IMHO, Perkins can only start on an NFL team with a very strong OL. I thought he was running timid this year, but I am no expert. My feeling is Perkins has 3 down capabilities but 1 or 2 down durability.
I always felt he was best suited for a Vereen or Sproles like role and I think he can excel in that regard.