'14 CO RB Christian McCaffrey (Stanford Verbal)

[gkIrish]

I don't think a percentage would be an accurate way of looking at it. I mean, star players are certainly more at risk because of their usage. Jaylon also isn't the only examples of this either. Let's not forget Willis McGahee, who for all tense and purposes, ended his career by playing in the Fiesta Bowl. Runningbacks especially, have their careers on a kitchen timer, and every time they take a handoff they are one step closer to it all being over.

I've been thinking about it a lot and McGahee is the only star RB I can think of that had a serious injury in a bowl game. At least since ~2000.

 

[phgreek]

I don't think a percentage would be an accurate way of looking at it. I mean, star players are certainly more at risk because of their usage. Jaylon also isn't the only examples of this either. Let's not forget Willis McGahee, who for all tense and purposes, ended his career by playing in the Fiesta Bowl. Runningbacks especially, have their careers on a kitchen timer, and every time they take a handoff they are one step closer to it all being over.

Higher usage...More risk...where have I seen that argument. Hmmm.

Anyway, there is a ton of risk. I think, generally speaking, the intensity of bowl games goes up as well as utilization. So, I gotta acknowledge it is more than the incremental risk associated with one more game.

The question for me, once you determine if he is allowed to do this, centers around if you can, as a teammate, live with doing it. I don't think anyone could make a business case for playing. Would I like to think I'd play...sure. But I really think it is hard to be in this spot.

All I can say is, I was really happy Jaylon said he'd do it all again. Thats where I hope I'd be. I think he'd cite the kind of things Steelhead and phork said, and those resonated with me.

 

[NorthDakota]

I don't think a percentage would be an accurate way of looking at it. I mean, star players are certainly more at risk because of their usage. Jaylon also isn't the only examples of this either. Let's not forget Willis McGahee, who for all tense and purposes, ended his career by playing in the Fiesta Bowl. Runningbacks especially, have their careers on a kitchen timer, and every time they take a handoff they are one step closer to it all being over.

I mean...Willis was playing for the chipper...and still ended up being a capable RB. But yeah, fair point.

 

[Blaise]

For all those saying they wouldn't draft a kid willing to sit out a bowl game.. Apparently NFL doesn't agree with Christian and Fournette going in top 8 picks... I think we see more and more players make this choice

 

[Domina Nostra]

For all those saying they wouldn't draft a kid willing to sit out a bowl game.. Apparently NFL doesn't agree with Christian and Fournette going in top 8 picks... I think we see more and more players make this choice

Some people wouldn't have drafted Clowney #1 because of his injury and motivation issues, JaMarcus Russell because he's an idiot, Johnny Manziel in the first round, because he's a punk, Tony Mandrich because of the roids, etc. Apparently the "NFL" agrees with all of them too.

The issue is whether a guy is sitting out this game because he wants to save his body for the league to feed his family, or whether he has enough distance from football that he's going to retire after 2 concussions and sit out a month every time he gets banged-up? To me, you have to judge that on a case-by-case basis.

 

[Henges24]

The issue is whether a guy is sitting out this game because he wants to save his body for the league to feed his family, or whether he has enough distance from football that he's going to retire after 2 concussions and sit out a month every time he gets banged-up? To me, you have to judge that on a case-by-case basis.

Damn. That's some good eating every night.

 

[IrishLion]

That debate about his decision is a funny read, looking back on it.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

That was in 2.5 quarters of play. The game was called at some point in the 3rd due to lightening. He looked good. Not sure he really scares me coming out of the backfield, but he could definitely be a weapon in the slot.

My favorite from the earlier prognosticators.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Damn. That's some good eating every night.

LOL! But when you really look into it, the money just isn't what you think for most guys.

 

[dublinirish]

2017 NFL Draft first-round analysis of all 32 picks | The MMQB with Peter King

The most fascinating illustration is the Panthers’ selection, eighth overall, of Stanford Swiss Army knife Christian McCaffrey. GM Dave Gettleman will surely say McCaffrey was their top running back choice. Most likely, the top choice was actually LSU bruiser Leonard Fournette (taken fourth overall by Jacksonville).
Disclaimer: If McCaffrey turns out to be a transcendent NFL talent, then these next few paragraphs will be rendered moot. But truly transcendent talents rarely come around. If McCaffrey winds up just being a versatile, dynamic weapon, as many scouts expect, then there’s a fascinating disconnect with him in Carolina.
Christian McCaffrey’s versatility and his ability to create in space made the Stanford star a hot draft commodity in Thursday’s first round.

Christian McCaffrey’s versatility and his ability to create in space made the Stanford star a hot draft commodity in Thursday’s first round.

Players such as McCaffrey, who can line up anywhere and are most dangerous in space, are built for spread offenses that are predicated on quick-timed passing games. Think Darren Sproles or Randall Cobb. The reason for this is that the mismatches the running back creates by flexing to receiver often reveal the coverage before the snap. That information is what helps the QB get the ball out quickly.
The Panthers can’t run a quick-strike passing game. That system demands precise ball-placement and timing. Cam Newton is not that type of quarterback. He’s a deep-dropback power thrower.
The Panthers know this. Not only have they built a passing game on deep dropbacks, but they’ve also acquired big, methodical receivers for Newton (Kelvin Benjamin, first round in 2014; Devin Funchess, second round in 2015; Greg Olsen via trade in 2011). They haven’t selected the Sproles or Cobb type players because those guys don’t fit Newton or the scheme.

McCaffrey is a greater talent than Sproles or Cobb, but the point is that stylistically, he’s cut from their cloth. To maximize McCaffrey’s value, the Panthers must tweak their scheme in ways it can’t be tweaked. You don’t just install a bunch of quick-strike throws and execute them on Sunday. Those plays must be your foundation. They must be practiced repeatedly. And they must be executed by a precise quarterback and quicker skill position players. McCaffrey is Carolina’s only quick skill player. Essentially he’s a sports car that’s about to go off-roading with a fleet of trucks.
The good news is McCaffrey’s shiftiness will work well behind the moving pieces of Carolina’s run-blocking. And as a checkdown receiver, he has the potential to conjure extra yards. But make no mistake: McCaffrey became a top-10 prospect because of his ability to line up anywhere and create in space. There won’t be natural opportunities for that in Carolina.

 

[NDdomer2]

LOL! But when you really look into it, the money just isn't what you think for most guys.

Christian just became the 4th highest paid RB in the league in terms of guaranteed money. It may be the best money he makes in his career.

 

[Blaise]

Christian just became the 4th highest paid RB in the league in terms of guaranteed money. It may be the best money he makes in his career.

Esp with contracts 5 years now.. He will be 25... pretty such one more big free agent deal before 30 and RBs r toast then... So if he balls out he might make more in 5 years, but he could become reggie bush and just float around the league for 14 years not really making anything close to orginal deal