Running Back

**camdenyard** · 10-03-2006, 11:12 AM

It's starting to piss me off that Jamal can't get anything done and we have a guy active on the bench that has skills...who can be a good change of pace at the minimum and brings a rep as a dangerous pass-catcher...and he never sees the field.

Why?

I don't want to hear about "personnel packages" or ridiculous shit like that. If you have a playmaker activated, you find a way to use him for at least a handful of plays. We can't gain 50 yards on the ground and MA is rotting on the vine. As it's been said, when Jamal is in the game, 90% of the time he gets the ball. Duh. Way to mix it up, Jim.

I gotta think MA is in someone's doghouse. There is no other explanation.

**flraven** · 10-03-2006, 11:30 AM

I believe I heard awhile back that they're "saving" MA for later in the season to have some fresh legs for November and December. Not sure how true that is.
I thought they got him to be a fullback to block for Jamal but that isn't happening either - they go with two tight-end sets to help the O-line out.

Lets see more of Musa and MA !

**Dusty728** · 10-03-2006, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by flraven

I believe I heard awhile back that they're "saving" MA for later in the season to have some fresh legs for November and December. Not sure how true that is.
I thought they got him to be a fullback to block for Jamal but that isn't happening either - they go with two tight-end sets to help the O-line out.

Lets see more of Musa and MA !

I hope this is the case. I hope they start using musa this week insted of JLew and then at the end of the year have MA block for both of them.

**ravensfan1996** · 10-03-2006, 01:39 PM

I can agree that the Ravens dont seem to be utilizing their players to the best that they can. Musa is still unproven, he had a great preseason, but thats like getting a hole in one on a mini golf course, its nice but lets see it when it really counts.

Im no expert but some anaylst said that jamal always has had the stutter steps even in the 2000 yd season, so we may just be trying to find anything for the reason for the decline. But i still think the reason is the o-line of course. A great running back of course can make a hole but i dont see musa or mike anderson doing any better with the line. The play calling needs to be off tackle more and not run it up the gut, it hasnt worked its not working unless their evil plan is to wear the other team down.

Jamal is still avg 3.7 yd per carry not great but no washed up either, he is ranked 15th in total rushing yds. With better play calling I still think jamal is the go to guy for now and musa is nice to have the option for passing or running.

**italianjoker** · 10-03-2006, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by ravensfan1996

I can agree that the Ravens dont seem to be utilizing their players to the best that they can. Musa is still unproven, he had a great preseason, but thats like getting a hole in one on a mini golf course, its nice but lets see it when it really counts.

Im no expert but some anaylst said that jamal always has had the stutter steps even in the 2000 yd season, so we may just be trying to find anything for the reason for the decline. But i still think the reason is the o-line of course. A great running back of course can make a hole but i dont see musa or mike anderson doing any better with the line. The play calling needs to be off tackle more and not run it up the gut, it hasnt worked its not working unless their evil plan is to wear the other team down.

Jamal is still avg 3.7 yd per carry not great but no washed up either, he is ranked 15th in total rushing yds. With better play calling I still think jamal is the go to guy for now and musa is nice to have the option for passing or running.

i know what you are saying, but do not agree with the bulk of it.

while Musa is unproven, there is only 1 way to become proven and it is not sitting on the bench watching "the dance machine." Musa can only produce when called upon and hope for more chances and he has done just that.

Jamal dances more now than he did before. i do not care about a media person's thoughts on the rb i have watched every day since he was drafted. while Jamal did "shuffle" his feet during the 2000 yrd season, it was due to all the cutback runs he had. it was a designed play for him to cutback and go against the grain of where the oline was blocking. designed to isolate him and a DB where he wins every time. now, the cutback is not there. in fact, the cutback is not what is called and he still dances before hitting the hole on a straight ahead, jam it up the middle run. there is a difference between now and then and the bulk of it is him.

the oline was bad then and the oline is bad now. when Musa or MA are in, they get the ball and run hard. they explode into the hole and if there is no hole, they explode into the pile. Jamal, dances and curls up waiting to be tackled. it is horrible for a guy of his size and ability to dance and pussyfoot around the field.

i will wait and see, but he is not showing any sign of life. not to mention the fact that Billick is way too loyal. he will stick with people even if it means us losing. the only time he was able to pull the trigger is when Tony Banks was allergic to the endzone for a month. finally he gave in, i do not expect that with this situation. i expect to see Jamal the entire year. then i expect to see him elsewhere. if we are lucky.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 10-03-2006, 04:33 PM

Sadly, I agree.

I still think jamal can be a good RB if you put a good OL in front of him and give him space.

But the days of him making something out of nothing just isn't there anymore.

**ChixDigLongBall** · 10-04-2006, 10:30 PM

Jamal is a has-been. He simply runs into piles now. He never had the best vision to begin with, and it's even worse with his diminished burst. This is the most stubborn coach I've ever seen. I think this is a reason why people hate Billick. Anyone can see that the guy just doesn't have the same burst, passion or hunger he once did. I'd be okay with Jamal if he was a pile driver.. a Bettis like runner who can move the chains and wear out a defense. But Jamal can''t run effectively with his pads and he can't seem to break the arm tackles anymore. I think Bettis is still a better back and he is retired right now. Jamal's body is shot and it's time to stop forcefeeding him down the throat.

The only way Jamal can be effective is for him to have a dominant FB and OL. But that is asking for too much because of his limitations. If we can split his carries with Musa, it would work very well.

I don't see the Pats being stubborn with the way they have assimilated Maroney in their offense. Both he and Dillon have enjoyed a great season in tandem. Jamal is much younger than Dillon but the stages are similar. I see no reason why Musa can't do some of the things Maroney is doing.

I'm not saying to get rid of Jamal this year. But they don't have to be afraid to hurt his feelings and play the younger, fresher legs. THis veteran stuff is being taken too far here.

When Musa got the ball, he hit the hole with authority and speed. He's not a power player, but he can cut quickly if the original hole closes up. It's so simple to let the guy see the field more. He is big, fast and quick. With Musa, e can be like a Julius Jone style of runner that can go inside out, so the defenses can't really compact itself inside.

The way Billick does things, you almost have to root for an injury or something, which is really folly.

This is a very easy situation to resolve, if only Billick would trust his younger players to come thru. Musa's got the goods, so let him show it on the field.

**RavensNTerps** · 10-08-2006, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by italianjoker

this thread is not for all the "lollipop and candy cane" fans. if you can not discuss the team, go away.

i have seen Jamal's dance for too long. it is time for him to get benched. sure, the play calls of constantly running between Ogden and Edwin is partially to blame, but this guy runs like a fragile sissy. he does not hit a single hole hard. when he finally does, he gains a few, but still reverts back instead of learning. i just do not see this offense getting anything going unless our RB position can produce.

Musa Smith should be starting for this team. Mike Anderson should not be benched the way that he has been. the depth is unreal and there is only 1 ball to go around, but you go to the guys that produce. when Musa is in, the defense has to watch for the pass or the run and he hits the hole hard and fast. with Jamal, when there is a hole, it closes while he dances. even when Anderson is in, you have to wonder what is going to happen. the last couple weeks, at least 80% of the time. when Jamal is there, it is a running play. for that reason alone, he should sit down.

i thought Jamal was going to kill this year. his preseason running was great. he slammed forward just killing people in the limited time he had. since those first few carries, he has gone back to the "dance machine" and we have suffered for it.

i have missed some of the things i wanted to say and i do not have time to go any further, thoughts?

So he had a bad game against the league's top running D...in limited carries he has also had games of like 86, 71, and 75 yards rushing in the other 3...not too terrible.

But this coming from the guy who claimed Billick "was forcing Clarence Moore down our throats" (dude started 2 games and hasn't been active but for like 2 games since), and that Billick should start Randy "I'm not in the NFL anymore" Hymes and was too stupid to realize it.

**21xxxv** · 10-08-2006, 01:37 PM

Joker-

Jamal looked bad last week. The team is 4-0. So, he won't be benched......He played well against TB, decent against the Browns. He has not been able to adapt to the zome blocking O'Line schemes, which depend on the RB to cut back. This again is the staff fixing what isn't broken. However, if we win, perhaps it's time for shared duty. How'bout two tail backs in the back-field? Even for deception, can't hurt.

I lie Musa on third downs, I like MA throughout.

**PurpleRulz** · 10-08-2006, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by italianjoker

this thread is not for all the "lollipop and candy cane" fans. if you can not discuss the team, go away.

i have seen Jamal's dance for too long. it is time for him to get benched. sure, the play calls of constantly running between Ogden and Edwin is partially to blame, but this guy runs like a fragile sissy. he does not hit a single hole hard. when he finally does, he gains a few, but still reverts back instead of learning. i just do not see this offense getting anything going unless our RB position can produce.

Musa Smith should be starting for this team. Mike Anderson should not be benched the way that he has been. the depth is unreal and there is only 1 ball to go around, but you go to the guys that produce. when Musa is in, the defense has to watch for the pass or the run and he hits the hole hard and fast. with Jamal, when there is a hole, it closes while he dances. even when Anderson is in, you have to wonder what is going to happen. the last couple weeks, at least 80% of the time. when Jamal is there, it is a running play. for that reason alone, he should sit down.

i thought Jamal was going to kill this year. his preseason running was great. he slammed forward just killing people in the limited time he had. since those first few carries, he has gone back to the "dance machine" and we have suffered for it.

i have missed some of the things i wanted to say and i do not have time to go any further, thoughts?

I think the answer is simple: Jamal's tank has just run out. He is not breaking tackles anymore. He is not hitting the holes as he used to. Face it that we have never had a high quality OL. We had a high quality left side of the Ol, but not a fully potent OL, yet Jamal was to gain yardage. Additionally, Jamal would gain a lot of yards after first point of contact. He is now going down at first contact.

I would like to see Musa Smith as the starter with MA as the backup. I think Musa is our future (if we can get him re-signed, which we will). The reality is that Billick will stick with Jamal for two reasons:

1. Billick sticks with his vets and sometimes too long. See Mike Flynn.

2. Billick probably fears Jamal becoming a major distraction if Jamal is "demoted."

Bottomline is that, barring injury, Jamal will be the starting RB. I do think that this is the last season Jamal will wear Ravens purple.

**DrUnk** · 10-08-2006, 09:04 PM

I agree. The year that he didn't tap dance, he got 2000 yards. I also agree, that he is washed up. At least, mix it up with all of the RBs, 'cause our "O" is too predicatable.

**psuasskicker** · 10-08-2006, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by flraven

Is it because he misses Alan Ricard leading the way?

I think a lot of it has to do with it. Anyone care to look up what Jamal's said about Ricard in the media? He's always made it clear he's very comfortable following Ricard. I thought we made a mistake letting Ricard slip away like he did cause I feared it would hurt Jamal's productivity. Seems to me it has...I don't buy that Jamal's happy feet is much other than him being tentative not sure if he can trust the guy in front of him when it's not Ricard.

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