Could Best be the Fantasy R.O.Y? (1 Viewer)

[Shutout]

Am I crazy to even think this?

I'm not a Lions fan or a Cal homer or anything, I just keep looking at the opportunities that each of the RBs landed in and I'm having a hard time building a case against this guy.

-Little competition. Looks like Smith might even start on PUP and there's no one else to challenge, really.

-That speed on that track with a couple of guys that will definitely stretch the field. Seems like a great opportunity for a lot of PPR goodness.

-Figure the team to still need to play "catch up" some...sthat should increase opportunities.

Put it all together and I'm wondering if Best is THE GUY this year. I know someone will mention concussions, but I don't like to predict injuries. Lots of guys come into the league with repaired ankles, knees, shoulders, etc. Basically, if fred Taylor can buck the injury bug, I have to give anyone a chance to prove they can be healthy.

Anyway, thoughts? Someone tear this idea down (or boost it up). What does everyone think about Best being your rookie FF player of the year?

 

[Winning IS Everything]

I think he certainly COULD be the ROY this year. The opportunity and talent are there.

You say you do not predict injuries. Fair enough. The only problem I see is that there are some who think he has not totally put the last one behind him........

At the end of the day, will he get enough opportunity to beat out a possible workhorse in Matthews, or other possibilities in Bryant, Spiller or Damarius Thomas?

 

[finito]

Sure, I think he could easily be the guy.

 

[sho nuff]

Could he be? Sure.

He has the opportunity.

He also needs to stay healthy...and that Oline won't do him any favors. Will Stafford suffer any sophomore slump.

Also, the 3 defenses he faces in 6 division games won't be easy either. If Urlacher and the Bears D are healthy, there are solid, along with the Packers D and Vikings D that did quite well against the run last year.

 

[Comer]

Unlikely considering he already has had concussion issues. Best is also undersized. I would be surprised if he made it a full season if they have him carry the load.

 

[Jason Wood]

ABSOLUTELY he could be. I wouldn't say he's the favorite, that would be Mathews. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if Best ends up as the #2 option in 2010 among rookies, particularly in PPR leagues.

 

[Gopher State]

Unlikely considering he already has had concussion issues. Best is also undersized. I would be surprised if he made it a full season if they have him carry the load.

x2 on this

 

[RBM]

Id take him over Spiller anyday

 

[Aardvarks]

As the Ryan Mathews bandwagon leaves the station, I'm standing back at the terminal... waiting for the Jahvid Best train. He gives me a chubby. Listen, Jim Schwartz traded back up into the 1st to get him, and remember Schwartz once coached against Chris Johnson in practice at Tennessee. He knows demonic speed & jock-dropping wiggle scores points. Schwartz can barely contain himself either... he told SI's Michael Silver: “Some people watch adult videos on their computer. I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me going.”

 

[Jason Wood]

As the Ryan Mathews bandwagon leaves the station, I'm standing back at the terminal... waiting for the Jahvid Best train. He gives me a chubby. Listen, Jim Schwartz traded back up into the 1st to get him, and remember Schwartz once coached against Chris Johnson in practice at Tennessee. He knows demonic speed & jock-dropping wiggle scores points. Schwartz can barely contain himself either... he told SI's Michael Silver: “Some people watch adult videos on their computer. I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me going.”

I'm with you, Best is my favorite RB in this draft class. It's hard to argue b/c of the situation that Mathews isn't the better bet to produce in 2010, but I love Best and think he'll be studly.

 

[lyon812]

Agree with what some others have said. I think he COULD be. I don't think he's the favorite--to me, Mathews, Benn, and Tate have slightly better situations that could allow ROY type numbers.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

As the Ryan Mathews bandwagon leaves the station, I'm standing back at the terminal... waiting for the Jahvid Best train. He gives me a chubby. Listen, Jim Schwartz traded back up into the 1st to get him, and remember Schwartz once coached against Chris Johnson in practice at Tennessee. He knows demonic speed & jock-dropping wiggle scores points. Schwartz can barely contain himself either... he told SI's Michael Silver: "Some people watch adult videos on their computer. I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That's what gets me going."

I'm with you, Best is my favorite RB in this draft class. It's hard to argue b/c of the situation that Mathews isn't the better bet to produce in 2010, but I love Best and think he'll be studly.

Same here

 

[Shutout]

As the Ryan Mathews bandwagon leaves the station, I'm standing back at the terminal... waiting for the Jahvid Best train. He gives me a chubby. Listen, Jim Schwartz traded back up into the 1st to get him, and remember Schwartz once coached against Chris Johnson in practice at Tennessee. He knows demonic speed & jock-dropping wiggle scores points. Schwartz can barely contain himself either... he told SI's Michael Silver: “Some people watch adult videos on their computer. I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me going.”

I am pleasantly surprised that others are seeing this too (i thought maybe I was just man crushing or something). I understand the guys that said no because of injuries; but like I said I just can't get on board with saying "because a football player was hurt before, he will get hurt again". To me, that's falling into that mindset of like when Brees was hurt or McGahee in college, that they just couldn't come back and be productive. Its certainly valid, just color me as Mr. optimistic.Anyway, I love posts like yours aardvarks. We seem to think in terms of fantasy this and fantasy that so much, and this number, and that depth chart, that sometimes we overlook the reality of situations. Like in this case, maybe Schwartz has REAL familiarity with what kind of pressure a player with the speed of Best can put on a defense, when used a certain way..and maybe, just maybe, he's thinking "I know EXACTLY how to use a cat like that". Thanks for the info. that's terrific stuff.

 

[T.Rex]

As the Ryan Mathews bandwagon leaves the station, I'm standing back at the terminal... waiting for the Jahvid Best train. He gives me a chubby. Listen, Jim Schwartz traded back up into the 1st to get him, and remember Schwartz once coached against Chris Johnson in practice at Tennessee. He knows demonic speed & jock-dropping wiggle scores points. Schwartz can barely contain himself either... he told SI's Michael Silver: "Some people watch adult videos on their computer. I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That's what gets me going."

I'm with you, Best is my favorite RB in this draft class. It's hard to argue b/c of the situation that Mathews isn't the better bet to produce in 2010, but I love Best and think he'll be studly.

Same here

X3 Just took him 4.1 in a dynasty startup.

 

[MAC_32]

He's the best RB in this class, so, yes.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

I don't think Best is a scat back. He's 200 pounds. He's got a similar size/height/weight makeup as Chris Johnson and Ray Rice.

 

[Garts]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

Best >>>>>>>>>>>>> K. Smith

in the talent dept.

 

[EBF]

I think he can in PPR leagues. I don't expect 300 carries, but the guy is a dynamic playmaker and he's going to catch a lot of passes. I wouldn't be surprised to see him burst onto the scene ala Chris Johnson/Maurice Jones-Drew/Clinton Portis.

 

[Touchdown Syndrome]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

I don't think Best is a scat back. He's 200 pounds. He's got a similar size/height/weight makeup as Chris Johnson and Ray Rice.

Jahvid BestRay Rice

Next, please.

If you are only going to address a single point in a post with multiple points, I'd hope you'd do better than that piss poor job. Comparing Best to Rice is laughable.

Wow, that was unnecessarily rude.Anyway, Best obviously could be the fantasy ROY.

I think the CS is excited to get the ball in his hands as often as possible.

Health is more of a concern than his size.

If it wasn't for that concussion, he migh've gone in the top 15...who knows.

I probably won't be taking him with the first pick in my keeper league draft (I have a couple months to decide between Spiller and Mathews), but I'll do my damndest to steal him later on.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

I don't think Best is a scat back. He's 200 pounds. He's got a similar size/height/weight makeup as Chris Johnson and Ray Rice.

Jahvid BestRay Rice

Next, please.

If you are only going to address a single point in a post with multiple points, I'd hope you'd do better than that piss poor job. Comparing Best to Rice is laughable.

You're right, Rice wasn't a good example. But Johnson is, as are Jamaal Charles, Clinton Portis, Tiki Barber. Best is absurdly fast, which more than makes up for being a "little" small. But scat backs aren't 200 pounds.

 

[MAC_32]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns?

Depends on how Best plays in the first six games, if he plays as good as I think he is Kevin Smith will be no threat; just a reliable backup.

 

[Stealthycat]

if Best is 200 pounds now, he'll be 215 in 3 months /// just saying is all

 

[finito]

Next, please.If you are only going to address a single point in a post with multiple points, I'd hope you'd do better than that piss poor job. Comparing Best to Rice is laughable.

Meanest guy ever.

 

[footballsavvy]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

I don't think Best is a scat back. He's 200 pounds. He's got a similar size/height/weight makeup as Chris Johnson and Ray Rice.

Jahvid BestRay Rice

Next, please.

If you are only going to address a single point in a post with multiple points, I'd hope you'd do better than that piss poor job. Comparing Best to Rice is laughable.

You're right, Rice wasn't a good example. But Johnson is, as are Jamaal Charles, Clinton Portis, Tiki Barber. Best is absurdly fast, which more than makes up for being a "little" small. But scat backs aren't 200 pounds.

Don't forget Brian Westbrook.Back to the original comment, though... I think you are confusing "high pain tolerance" for "durabe". The poor bastd had to have shoulder and knee surgery this off season.

I take that back. I just confirmed that he decided not to have shoulder surgery afterall. However, in my opinion that puts him at risk of the same shoulder issues returning... that is, after he comes back from his ruptured ACL.

 

[EBF]

Rice and Westbrook are bad comparisons because they were the same weight despite being about 2 inches shorter. They are not small. They are just short.

Best is thinner than those two. He's more along the lines of Jamaal Charles or Chris Johnson. I think he will be an effective pro runner despite being slightly undersized. My hunch is that a lot of his value will come in the passing game, where he could potentially catch 50+ balls next season. Add in 150-200 carries and you've got a pretty prolific scorer in PPR leagues.

 

[werdnoynek]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

no offense, but a couple things regarding the outdated opinion of ksmith -ksmith was dubbed the "workhorse" last season, which unfortunately didn't work out so well for him. iirc, this was before they traded up to grab one of the best (pun intended?) backs in the draft this season... do you have a link quoting schwartz that ksmith is still their "workhorse" for 2010?? you seem to have some inside information the rest of the football world isn't aware of. enlighten us please.

i think the word durable isn't the best way to describe ksmith in the present day. maybe before the string of injuries last season.

frankly, i wouldn't be suprised if they have best listed as the #1 back already.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

I don't think Best is a scat back. He's 200 pounds. He's got a similar size/height/weight makeup as Chris Johnson and Ray Rice.

Jahvid BestRay Rice

Next, please.

If you are only going to address a single point in a post with multiple points, I'd hope you'd do better than that piss poor job. Comparing Best to Rice is laughable.

You're right, Rice wasn't a good example. But Johnson is, as are Jamaal Charles, Clinton Portis, Tiki Barber. Best is absurdly fast, which more than makes up for being a "little" small. But scat backs aren't 200 pounds.

There are always exceptions to the rule. For every successful slightly built RB, I'm sure someone can find ten slightly built RB's who just didn't hold up. Tiki Barber was drafted as a skat back and didn't do well until he took up a rigorous weight lifting training program. I read about his routine once. He was said to be, pound for pound, the strongest guy in the NFL. I doubt this will ever be said about Best. Portis was able to bulk up as well. Jamaal Charles is a reach at this point, seeing as though he's only had half a season of production. If you keep drafting slim RB's hoping to catch the next Chris Johnson, then you are trying to catch lightening in a bottle. There are a lot more successful Ryan Matthews types out there than Jahvid Bests. Given LT's production last year and the rebuilding state of Detroit, I'm not sure how there is an argument here. I'm not saying there is NO chance, but we're talking Dumb and Dumber "so you're saying there's a chance" when talking about 2010 production (i.e. rookie of the year).Plus, how many of these scat-back-turned-stud running backs fared well their first season in the league? Portis walked into the best situation in the league. Chris Johnson put up 251/1228/9 plus 43/260/1 which is eerily close to the number of touches Norv Turner threw out for Ryan Matthews (not that coach speak means much to me, I just noticed the coincidence). I think we'd both agree Tenn had a better run game + defense than Detroit.

I'm not here to hate on Best. I'm just here to hate on his chances of beating out Ryan Matthews for ROY. Seemed like everyone in this thread needed a cold shower. You are all welcome.

Ryan Mathews is in the middle of the distribution for NFL RBs, while Best is at one end, so it's not surprising that there are a lot more "Ryan Mathews types" out there than "Jahvid Best types." The question that's worth asking is what is the ratio of hits to misses. There are also a lot more Ryan Mathews types that bust than Jahvid Best types that bust.

 

[awesomeness]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

Kevin Smith is a below average starting RB, always has been. In over 450 carries in the NFL, Kevin Smith is averaging 3.8 yards per carry, not good at all. Kevin Smith was a selection by the old Lions regime, judging by the Lions trading up to select Jahvid Best i think it's safe to say the new regime isn't that fond about him. And there is a very good reason for the new regime to think that, as pretty well everything Kevin Smith does, Jahvid Best does better. The only thing Kevin Smith has going for him is 20 pounds and being the more experienced pass protector.

 

[werdnoynek]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

no offense, but a couple things regarding the outdated opinion of ksmith -ksmith was dubbed the "workhorse" last season, which unfortunately didn't work out so well for him. iirc, this was before they traded up to grab one of the best (pun intended?) backs in the draft this season... do you have a link quoting schwartz that ksmith is still their "workhorse" for 2010?? you seem to have some inside information the rest of the football world isn't aware of. enlighten us please.

i think the word durable isn't the best way to describe ksmith in the present day. maybe before the string of injuries last season.

frankly, i wouldn't be suprised if they have best listed as the #1 back already.

Hahaha, sorry guy. I guess I wasn't quite clear enough. This is a rookie of the year thread. My first part was just saying that Kevin Smith would still be there to take carries from Best at some point. The second part was talking about Ryan Matthews. I certainly expect Best to get more carries than Kevin Smith. I just don't know that Detroit can furnish enough carries to get Best ROY while still giving Kevin Smith some carries. Morris had a decent string of games to end the year, too. I know after a draft everyone is going nuts about rookies, but Smith and Morris will still get in the game whether we like it or not. Everybody needs a breather. Except for Steven Jackson.

i was also going to say that the lion's offense isn't all that potent yet (YET.)...

 

[awesomeness]

Ryan Mathews is in the middle of the distribution for NFL RBs, while Best is at one end, so it's not surprising that there are a lot more "Ryan Mathews types" out there than "Jahvid Best types." The question that's worth asking is what is the ratio of hits to misses. There are also a lot more Ryan Mathews types that bust than Jahvid Best types that bust.

Yet in real life there are more "Jahvid Best types", thus there must be a reason why the middle of the distribution of NFL backs are of the Ryan Matthews variety. Matthews has a more optimal build.

I know you're only into addressing one point at a time, but here's a side topic:

Is Reggie Bush not a supercharged version of Jahvid Best? On a better offense that takes advantage of his skill set? Temper expectations for Best's rookie year in Detroit, please. He's a poor man's Reggie Bush and I'm not even going to call the Detroit offense a poor man's anything. He seems like a great kid, though. I wish him well, but when predicting rookie of the year, I'm staying rational.

No, Reggie Bush is not a supercharged version of Jahvid Best. Reggie Bush struggles mightily to run the ball in the NFL, as evidenced by having a 4.0 yards per carry and having only one season where he ran for over 4.0 YPC in a season. Reggie Bush dances in the backfield way too often, and that is one reason why he struggles to run between the tackles. That's why Bush hasn't been as successful as runners who have similar sizes and styles like Jamaal Charles and Chris Johnson.Jahvid Best on the other hand is more similar to Charles and Chris Johnson as he is decisive when he runs and doesn't dance in the back field waiting for a huge hole like Bush does. Best also had a tonne of success between the tackles in college.

 

[T.Rex]

Ryan Mathews is in the middle of the distribution for NFL RBs, while Best is at one end, so it's not surprising that there are a lot more "Ryan Mathews types" out there than "Jahvid Best types." The question that's worth asking is what is the ratio of hits to misses. There are also a lot more Ryan Mathews types that bust than Jahvid Best types that bust.

Yet in real life there are more "Jahvid Best types", thus there must be a reason why the middle of the distribution of NFL backs are of the Ryan Matthews variety. Matthews has a more optimal build.I know you're only into addressing one point at a time, but here's a side topic:Is Reggie Bush not a supercharged version of Jahvid Best? On a better offense that takes advantage of his skill set? Temper expectations for Best's rookie year in Detroit, please. He's a poor man's Reggie Bush and I'm not even going to call the Detroit offense a poor man's anything. He seems like a great kid, though. I wish him well, but when predicting rookie of the year, I'm staying rational.

Your in over your head. Best has ROY written all over him...He would have walked away with the Heisman had not had a freak injury. His dynamics remind me of Priest Holmes. He's just a few pounds lighter.

 

[HellToupee]

Um, Kevin Smith isn't dead. He might miss the first six games. What happens when he returns? I expect Detroit to be better this year, but the o-line is still questionable. I'm afraid the kool-aid just doesn't taste good enough for me. Even with Schwartz's man crush, a scat back with concussion issues on a poor team doesn't get me excited. Not even a semi-chub.

I'm gonna stick w/the durable guy whose coach has already predicted a workhorse load on a potent offensive team with key offensive linemen returning from injury.

I don't think Best is a scat back. He's 200 pounds. He's got a similar size/height/weight makeup as Chris Johnson and Ray Rice.

Jahvid BestRay Rice

Next, please.

If you are only going to address a single point in a post with multiple points, I'd hope you'd do better than that piss poor job. Comparing Best to Rice is laughable.

It's posts like this that keep keep out of the SP on a regular basis. Next, please :(

 

[massraider]

I think no one asks this question a few years ago. Everyone would assume that Best couldn't get enough work to be in the running.

But Chris Johnson has set the precedent. So now every undersized guy that has his frame questioned, will have CJ brought up immediately. It's kind of like a WR that runs 4.6, and Jerry Rice is the example.

I am not saying guys like Best and Spiller are incapable of carrying the load. I don't know. But I do know that there has been a massive shift in the way backs of this size are being evaluated. Seems like before CJ, every scouting report you read, from anywhere, included the auto-disclaimer, "Has to be part of a RBBC/Thunder and Lightning/Change Of Pace", and on and on. I think now people aren't so quick to dismiss these guys.

I honestly believe that before CJ, everyone would have said these backs need to be used like Norwood, Sproles, Jerome Harrison. Now, I think everyone is scared to miss out on the next CJ.

So, which is it? Is CJ the first of the new wave? Or is he one of a kind?

I tend to believe the latter.

 

[Sinrman]

Anyone can be ROY at this point... even Tebow

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

I think no one asks this question a few years ago. Everyone would assume that Best couldn't get enough work to be in the running.But Chris Johnson has set the precedent. So now every undersized guy that has his frame questioned, will have CJ brought up immediately. It's kind of like a WR that runs 4.6, and Jerry Rice is the example.I am not saying guys like Best and Spiller are incapable of carrying the load. I don't know. But I do know that there has been a massive shift in the way backs of this size are being evaluated. Seems like before CJ, every scouting report you read, from anywhere, included the auto-disclaimer, "Has to be part of a RBBC/Thunder and Lightning/Change Of Pace", and on and on. I think now people aren't so quick to dismiss these guys. I honestly believe that before CJ, everyone would have said these backs need to be used like Norwood, Sproles, Jerome Harrison. Now, I think everyone is scared to miss out on the next CJ.So, which is it? Is CJ the first of the new wave? Or is he one of a kind? I tend to believe the latter.

The thing is I don't think Best or Spiller have to be the next CJ. With the trend in the NFL moving away from workhorse RB's and more toward RBBC, it is much easier for a guy like Best, Spiller, Felix Jones, Sproles, etc to be an important fantasy player. I haven't looked at any data to support this yet, but I think we would find if we looked that the overall numbers for the top 20 RB's have gone down in the past few years, while the numbers of RB's 21-40 have gone up. My point being that even if Best is only getting 15 carries a game, he can put up the kind of numbers that would put him fairly high in the rankings. After the top 6 or 7 RB's, its wide open. I tend to believe Best will be more Priest Holmes than Chris Johnson (although I am not predicting Holmes level statistics). He will be very succesful, and I have been saying that long before the Lions drafted him so save the homer comments.

 

[CalBear]

Jahvid Best

Ray Rice

Ray Rice at RutgersJahvid Best just turned 21. If he's playing in the NFL, he will bulk up 5-10 more pounds at least.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Ryan Mathews is in the middle of the distribution for NFL RBs, while Best is at one end, so it's not surprising that there are a lot more "Ryan Mathews types" out there than "Jahvid Best types." The question that's worth asking is what is the ratio of hits to misses. There are also a lot more Ryan Mathews types that bust than Jahvid Best types that bust.

Yet in real life there are more "Jahvid Best types", thus there must be a reason why the middle of the distribution of NFL backs are of the Ryan Matthews variety. Matthews has a more optimal build.I know you're only into addressing one point at a time, but here's a side topic:Is Reggie Bush not a supercharged version of Jahvid Best? On a better offense that takes advantage of his skill set? Temper expectations for Best's rookie year in Detroit, please. He's a poor man's Reggie Bush and I'm not even going to call the Detroit offense a poor man's anything. He seems like a great kid, though. I wish him well, but when predicting rookie of the year, I'm staying rational.

No, Bush isn't a supercharged version of Best. Best has much better field vision than Bush, IMO. He's faster than Bush and just about everyone else. Best hits the hole much harder than Bush.

 

[steelcityman]

RBs tend to need decent OLs to produce ROY type numbers. Plus, I dont think Best is the next ADP. He'll be good, catch some nice passes and IMO play more a Reggie Bush role than a full time RB, esp if K Smith is healthy. Plus, is Detriot going to be winning enough to lean on a running game in the 4th quarter, or will they best passing to catch up? They do have Calvin, Stafford, Pettigrew(recovering)...

He'll be a good RB, but not ROY IMO.

I have to like Dez and maybe Tate, plus McClain, Suh and Berry or Thomas as much or more than Best.

I would bet Best = Bust more than Best = the best.

 

[CalBear]

Ryan Mathews is in the middle of the distribution for NFL RBs, while Best is at one end, so it's not surprising that there are a lot more "Ryan Mathews types" out there than "Jahvid Best types." The question that's worth asking is what is the ratio of hits to misses. There are also a lot more Ryan Mathews types that bust than Jahvid Best types that bust.

Yet in real life there are more "Jahvid Best types", thus there must be a reason why the middle of the distribution of NFL backs are of the Ryan Matthews variety. Matthews has a more optimal build.

Actually, you're completely wrong here; there were a lot more RBs coming out of college with a build like Matthews than there are RBs coming out of college with speed and moves like Best. At the NFL combine, Matthews was listed as 6'0", 218. There were 28 RBs invited, and 20 of them were over 210 pounds. Only 6 were under 200 pounds (including Best and Spiller). None of them ran as fast as Best.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I think no one asks this question a few years ago. Everyone would assume that Best couldn't get enough work to be in the running.But Chris Johnson has set the precedent. So now every undersized guy that has his frame questioned, will have CJ brought up immediately. It's kind of like a WR that runs 4.6, and Jerry Rice is the example.I am not saying guys like Best and Spiller are incapable of carrying the load. I don't know. But I do know that there has been a massive shift in the way backs of this size are being evaluated. Seems like before CJ, every scouting report you read, from anywhere, included the auto-disclaimer, "Has to be part of a RBBC/Thunder and Lightning/Change Of Pace", and on and on. I think now people aren't so quick to dismiss these guys. I honestly believe that before CJ, everyone would have said these backs need to be used like Norwood, Sproles, Jerome Harrison. Now, I think everyone is scared to miss out on the next CJ.So, which is it? Is CJ the first of the new wave? Or is he one of a kind? I tend to believe the latter.

I think you're painting with too broad a brush. Norwood is a bit taller/thinner than Best. Sproles is 20 pounds lighter than Best. Combine Sproles' body frame with Norwood's height and you get Edgerrin James or Ahman Green. Jerome Harrison was used as a workhorse back for last season, albeit for only a quarter of the season. But whose to say he couldn't hold up as a everydown back? He probably wouldn't, but if so, it's also because his style of play is more physical than Best's style of play. Harrison is more of a power back (at least compared to Best) which just is flat out hard to do at 195 pounds.But it's not just CJ. It's Tiki Barber. And Brian Westbrook. And Charlie Garner. And Barry Sanders. Clinton Portis, too. Terrell Davis was 5'11, 206. Warrick Dunn rushed for 11,000 yards with a smaller frame. There are countless others -- Leon Washington, Ahmad Bradshaw, etc. -- that *might* have been star RBs but were never given the chance by coaches. And that's why it's easy to get excited about Best -- he *is* going to get that chance. His coach *loves* him. He's not going to be considered a change of pace back. He's going to get 200 carries. So the better question is, how many super fast, light running backs were given the chance to be an everydown back by their coach and failed? Steve Slaton appears to be one, although he wouldn't have been one this time last year.

 

[CalBear]

Ok, let's do this exercise one more time...

Priest Homes

Jahvid Best

I know you weren't talking about body types, but their games were just as different as their body types. A lot of people here are drinking the kool aid with you, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone agree with that comparison. I'm done w/this one before I offend anyone.

OK, let's do this exercise one more time...Priest Holmes at Texas

 

[werdnoynek]

Ok, let's do this exercise one more time...

Priest Homes

Jahvid Best

I know you weren't talking about body types, but their games were just as different as their body types. A lot of people here are drinking the kool aid with you, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone agree with that comparison. I'm done w/this one before I offend anyone.

OK, let's do this exercise one more time...Priest Holmes at Texas

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

Your You're in over your head. Best has ROY written all over him...He would have walked away with the Heisman had not had a freak injury. His dynamics remind me of Priest Holmes. He's just a few pounds lighter.

Ok, let's do this exercise one more time...Priest Homes

Jahvid Best

I know you weren't talking about body types, but their games were just as different as their body types. A lot of people here are drinking the kool aid with you, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone agree with that comparison. I'm done w/this one before I offend anyone.

FYI, its probably not too relevant to compare the body of a late 20's Priest Holmes to a 20 year old Jahvid Best. People do tend to develop into their 20's, especially with NFL level weight training.

 

[Garts]

I think Jahvid Best is going to be one of the most discussed players this off-season.

 

[T.Rex]

Ryan Mathews is in the middle of the distribution for NFL RBs, while Best is at one end, so it's not surprising that there are a lot more "Ryan Mathews types" out there than "Jahvid Best types." The question that's worth asking is what is the ratio of hits to misses. There are also a lot more Ryan Mathews types that bust than Jahvid Best types that bust.

Yet in real life there are more "Jahvid Best types", thus there must be a reason why the middle of the distribution of NFL backs are of the Ryan Matthews variety. Matthews has a more optimal build.

Actually, you're completely wrong here; there were a lot more RBs coming out of college with a build like Matthews than there are RBs coming out of college with speed and moves like Best. At the NFL combine, Matthews was listed as 6'0", 218. There were 28 RBs invited, and 20 of them were over 210 pounds. Only 6 were under 200 pounds (including Best and Spiller). None of them ran as fast as Best.

Dude, you just said I'm wrong yet you said the exact same thing I said. I'm gonna have to give you a "C'man man".When I said real life, I didn't mean "in the nfl." I meant REAL LIFE. Like you and me and the rest of the population. Then I went on to say "there must be a reason why the middle distribution of NFL backs are of the Ryan Matthews variety." Meaning, the bulk/majority/middle distribution of NFL backs are built in a similar fashion to Ryan Matthews.

Best>>>Mathews if both stay healthy... Your out of your element donnie.

 

[CalBear]

Actually, you're completely wrong here; there were a lot more RBs coming out of college with a build like Matthews than there are RBs coming out of college with speed and moves like Best. At the NFL combine, Matthews was listed as 6'0", 218. There were 28 RBs invited, and 20 of them were over 210 pounds. Only 6 were under 200 pounds (including Best and Spiller). None of them ran as fast as Best.

Dude, you just said I'm wrong yet you said the exact same thing I said. I'm gonna have to give you a "C'man man".When I said real life, I didn't mean "in the nfl." I meant REAL LIFE. Like you and me and the rest of the population. Then I went on to say "there must be a reason why the middle distribution of NFL backs are of the Ryan Matthews variety." Meaning, the bulk/majority/middle distribution of NFL backs are built in a similar fashion to Ryan Matthews.

Yes, the bulk/majority/middle distribution of NFL backs are built in a similar fashion to Ryan Matthews. So? The bulk of NFL backs are slower than Jahvid Best. Do you think it's better for an NFL RB to be slower than Best, because most NFL RBs are slower than Best?

 

[CalBear]

How did Priest do his rookie year? Thank you, come again.It wasn't until Holmes was built like the guy in my referenced pic that he started performing to the caliber that you are saying Best will play.

Holmes was behind Bam Morris and Earnest Byner his rookie year and didn't play at RB; his second year he ran for 1000 yards and 7 TDs in part-time work. I haven't said anything about how Best will play. Frankly, I don't trust Detroit to be able to get anything out of its players. But to dismiss him because he doesn't look like Ryan Matthews is silly.

 

[Comer]

Waiting for Wood's projections for Best

 

[Hendo]

Ryan Mathews is in the middle of the distribution for NFL RBs, while Best is at one end, so it's not surprising that there are a lot more "Ryan Mathews types" out there than "Jahvid Best types." The question that's worth asking is what is the ratio of hits to misses. There are also a lot more Ryan Mathews types that bust than Jahvid Best types that bust.

Yet in real life there are more "Jahvid Best types", thus there must be a reason why the middle of the distribution of NFL backs are of the Ryan Matthews variety. Matthews has a more optimal build.I know you're only into addressing one point at a time, but here's a side topic:Is Reggie Bush not a supercharged version of Jahvid Best? On a better offense that takes advantage of his skill set? Temper expectations for Best's rookie year in Detroit, please. He's a poor man's Reggie Bush and I'm not even going to call the Detroit offense a poor man's anything. He seems like a great kid, though. I wish him well, but when predicting rookie of the year, I'm staying rational.

Eh ok this is getting ridiculous... Reggie Bush does not have the vision to run between the tackles. The only thing that is comparable between the two are their speed. You have a better shot comparing Bush to McFadden then to Jahvid Best. (and im not drinking the Detroit kool-aide) just lets be reasonable with comparisons here.

 

[Aardvarks]

I'm bathing in Jahvid Best's kool-aid. I know that sounded awkward and auto-erotic but it's too late to backspace now.