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Go back and watch it. Even the announcers called him out. This was not a "good vision" type of play, but rather a "got lucky" run.
I think Ball resumes the starting RB role for more than what happens on the field. Many coaches still subscribe to the notion that you don't lose your job due to injury and I am guessing they worry about potential negative consequences in the locker room (although not playing the guy who is performing better carries its own consequences). It's a very fine line.
I'm starting to feel positive he's worthless in redraft this year. So droping him for good.
Reminiscent of Fred Taylor's "groin separation"... hard to envision Ball getting his health back to 100% and his confidence in that injury in time to have any relevance this fantasy season.
He had another big run last night. Another thing besides hitting the hole better/faster, Hillman can turn the corner better than Ball.
Draft position. He is more dynamic than Anderson. Hillman is a FA so I think they were just hoping Ball would work out. No reason not to think that, he was pretty so,I'd in the later part of last season.
No injury is the same as another.
I don't know Balls specific injury but I don't think its ridiculous to suggest he could start practicing next week, with a time table of 2-3 weeks returning to games. He's not crippled. He can do a lot of other strengthening, even light running without putting strain on his injury. It's not like he's sitting on his couch eating Cheetos, 5-6 weeks after his injury he's gonna put pads on and expect to play. I think it would surprise people how much he actually is in "game shape" still, to some degree. Cutting is going to be the problem, but it looked like that was a problem even before the injury for Ball.
If it's the same game shape that he was to start the season then I doubt anyone will be surprised.
I agree that he started the season slow and I expect him to return slow, but a lot of people seem to think when a player gets hurt they just sit. That's all i was trying to point out. I'm not suggesting he's going to come back and look sharp, I think it's clear that ship has sailed for 2014
A near even timeshare? what the....Ball wasn't even 1/2 as productive as Hillman has been. He's a clear backup to Hillman when/if he returns.
I am not disagreeing with that statement. I do think he will get some snaps when he returns - probably more than Juwan Thompson has been getting....and could possibly become a goal line vulture.
note the at best part, my point being he isnt getting the 70%+ carries he was getting before the injury
My guess, which I imagine is as good (or bad) as anyone's at this point, is that Ball will essentially inheret the role Thompson is occupying now. I don't think Thompson has done anything incredible in Ball's absence and the two have similar skill sets IMO. So, if I had to bet I'd say 6-8 carries and goal line work for Ball when he returns.
I would agree with this. Not only that, they can use Ball as a decoy in GL situations, we all know Peyton prefers to throw it down there anyways...
yes Hillman whiffed a couple times, once badly.
Yes, he had a couple. Pass pro problems happen to every back from time to time and I don't remember it being a problem with Hillman in any of the previous games he started. I doubt it will have a substantial effect, by itself, on his playing time going forward.
Pass pro was something he struggled with at the beginning of his rookie year, but he improved substantially as the season went on. It's no longer area of concern for him, but I have yet to see anyone claim that it's something he excels at or is superior, on average, to Hillman on.
I disagree, depending on rosters, bench length etc. in a small league you don't need guys in split situations. If you want to make waves you need to find that found stud who can take you to the championship.
Sims is an unknown so there is certainly room to be optimistic. I personally own Sims and not Ball. That being said, Sims is operating in an inept offensive and behind a subpar offensive line. There is nothing to indicate he will take the lions share of carries away from Rainey, and it's very likely he could end up in a RBBC, i.e., exactly what could happen with Ball.
I think Ball, for his ADP, can already be safely labeled as a bust even before seeing how this plays out. It's just a matter of what value he retains for those that get him for the cheap or what he can salvage for those owners that have desperately hung on to this point.
Ball gas been dropped this week in 2 of 3 leagues I am in. Unfortunately, both are really short benches and I'm decent at RB. That said, I agree with you. Ball was brutal, but his early schedule was brutal. Think Lacy. Holman hasn't been favored over him when healthy so it's not out of the question for him to be the lead back when healthy. I've got to look and see if I have room for him. Worth taking a risk on a 1st round FF pick.
Took a flier on him in a short bench league and I like what I'm reading in this article, particularly:
ugh, I hope not as a Ball/Hillman owner. I'm going to send him Krispy Kreme gift cards.
