If S Jax holds out for a while....Who is the backup in STL? (1 Viewer)

[ahill84006]

If Steven Jackson decides to hold out a while in St. Louis, who will be the starter for the Rams? I went to their website, and it says Antonio Pittman is the backup halfback, and Brian Leonard is the Fullback. However, didn't Leonard take over that role last year when S Jax was hurt?

BTW...went to Titans training camp yesterday, and they practiced with the Rams. It seemed that both Leonard and Pittman were alternating first team reps........

 

[blackjack23]

Pittman

 

[Andy Herron]

I think Pittman will be their guy, with Leonard spelling him at times.

As far as alternating them in TC, they certainly can't afford to wear out Pittman at this point.

 

[Illegal Pants Downfield]

If Steven Jackson decides to hold out a while in St. Louis, who will be the starter for the Rams? I went to their website, and it says Antonio Pittman is the backup halfback, and Brian Leonard is the Fullback. However, didn't Leonard take over that role last year when S Jax was hurt?

BTW...went to Titans training camp yesterday, and they practiced with the Rams. It seemed that both Leonard and Pittman were alternating first team reps........

Yes, Leonard took over last year for a few games as starter, but was very underwhelming in the role. Pittman passed him up in November last year (from the News Blogger):

November 15, 2007, 14:58

Rams :: RB

Rams Shake Up RB Depth Chart

Steve Korte, Belleville News Democrat - [Full Article]

The St. Louis Rams have seen glimpses of what rookie Antonio Pittman can do. So much so, that they have elevated him to being RB Steven Jackson's primary backup. RB Brian Leonard had previously filled that role, but Pittman will serve as the No. 2 back and spell Jackson occasionally during games. Leonard will be the primary fullback and occasional third-down back.

Pittman was claimed off waivers from the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 2. "The idea was, at some point, he was going to be at that spot," HC Scott Linehan said. "We are now in a position where we can use Brian in primarily the fullback spot, which is why we drafted and brought him here. Pittman had enough time in our offense at this point that we felt he would be ready to be the No. 2 guy at the tailback spot."

The News Blogger also has a story where HC Linehan calls Pittman one of the teams most improved players this offseason. I would expect Pittman will wind up as the go-to guy if Jackson stays out for any length of time.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

RBBC.

 

[TheFanatic]

If Steven Jackson decides to hold out a while in St. Louis, who will be the starter for the Rams? I went to their website, and it says Antonio Pittman is the backup halfback, and Brian Leonard is the Fullback. However, didn't Leonard take over that role last year when S Jax was hurt?

BTW...went to Titans training camp yesterday, and they practiced with the Rams. It seemed that both Leonard and Pittman were alternating first team reps........

Yes, Leonard took over last year for a few games as starter, but was very underwhelming in the role. Pittman passed him up in November last year (from the News Blogger):

November 15, 2007, 14:58

Rams :: RB

Rams Shake Up RB Depth Chart

Steve Korte, Belleville News Democrat - [Full Article]

The St. Louis Rams have seen glimpses of what rookie Antonio Pittman can do. So much so, that they have elevated him to being RB Steven Jackson's primary backup. RB Brian Leonard had previously filled that role, but Pittman will serve as the No. 2 back and spell Jackson occasionally during games. Leonard will be the primary fullback and occasional third-down back.

Pittman was claimed off waivers from the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 2. "The idea was, at some point, he was going to be at that spot," HC Scott Linehan said. "We are now in a position where we can use Brian in primarily the fullback spot, which is why we drafted and brought him here. Pittman had enough time in our offense at this point that we felt he would be ready to be the No. 2 guy at the tailback spot."

The News Blogger also has a story where HC Linehan calls Pittman one of the teams most improved players this offseason. I would expect Pittman will wind up as the go-to guy if Jackson stays out for any length of time.

Leonard was horrible last year. Maybe it was the line, but the guy really underwhelmed. I haven't seen Pittman run at the pro level but I have to say it's his job by default...

 

[OddibeMcD]

I still think that Leonard would end up with some looks on third down though.

 

[jwb]

I think Leonard is the better player, and will get the goal line work regardless.

 

[Yitbos69]

Pittman

 

[TheFanatic]

I think Leonard is the better player, and will get the goal line work regardless.

Based on what? As a St. Louis homer I was not at all impressed with the guy last year...

 

[RUSF18]

If Steven Jackson decides to hold out a while in St. Louis, who will be the starter for the Rams? I went to their website, and it says Antonio Pittman is the backup halfback, and Brian Leonard is the Fullback. However, didn't Leonard take over that role last year when S Jax was hurt?

BTW...went to Titans training camp yesterday, and they practiced with the Rams. It seemed that both Leonard and Pittman were alternating first team reps........

Yes, Leonard took over last year for a few games as starter, but was very underwhelming in the role. Pittman passed him up in November last year (from the News Blogger):

November 15, 2007, 14:58

Rams :: RB

Rams Shake Up RB Depth Chart

Steve Korte, Belleville News Democrat - [Full Article]

The St. Louis Rams have seen glimpses of what rookie Antonio Pittman can do. So much so, that they have elevated him to being RB Steven Jackson's primary backup. RB Brian Leonard had previously filled that role, but Pittman will serve as the No. 2 back and spell Jackson occasionally during games. Leonard will be the primary fullback and occasional third-down back.

Pittman was claimed off waivers from the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 2. "The idea was, at some point, he was going to be at that spot," HC Scott Linehan said. "We are now in a position where we can use Brian in primarily the fullback spot, which is why we drafted and brought him here. Pittman had enough time in our offense at this point that we felt he would be ready to be the No. 2 guy at the tailback spot."

The News Blogger also has a story where HC Linehan calls Pittman one of the teams most improved players this offseason. I would expect Pittman will wind up as the go-to guy if Jackson stays out for any length of time.

Leonard was horrible last year. Maybe it was the line, but the guy really underwhelmed. I haven't seen Pittman run at the pro level but I have to say it's his job by default...

LT wouldn't have been able to run behind that junk OL. His 18 carry, 102 yard game was very nice.

 

[TheFanatic]

LT wouldn't have been able to run behind that junk OL.

Jackson was still able to get 1K yards behind that line despite missing a bunch of games and averaged 4.2 YPC

His 18 carry, 102 yard game was very nice.

Against the Cards at home? That's not all that impressive...

 

[MAC_32]

I think Pittman would get an opportunity. If he proves incapable of handling the full load a committee woudl probably result. The Rams want to use Leonard at FB, needs may dictate otherwise (later) but for now I believe that is their plan.

 

[Jon_Moore]

LT wouldn't have been able to run behind that junk OL.

Jackson was still able to get 1K yards behind that line despite missing a bunch of games and averaged 4.2 YPC

His 18 carry, 102 yard game was very nice.

Against the Cards at home? That's not all that impressive...

Leonard was a rookie, perhaps he stinks, perhaps he was just adjusting. The line was BAD. Jackson's just a special back. You know that, friend.I'm far from close to that situation, being in Kentucky, but I'd guess RBBC should JAckson not show.

 

[jwb]

I think Leonard is the better player, and will get the goal line work regardless.

Based on what? As a St. Louis homer I was not at all impressed with the guy last year...

Rutger fan bias somewhat And I do think Leonard the overall better football player. He can just do more - block, move the pile, catch, etc. His game may not translate to the full-time backup RB (as we saw last year), but I feel it definitely will translate to a decent role if Jax doesn't play, which includes receptions and (likely) goal line duties.

I could see a serious rbbc without Jax, with neither guy having much FF impact. Pittman getting more carries, Leonard getting a few catches and move the pile type stuff. And some TD's.

As a Jax owner, I'd rather not rely on either, but if given a choice of owning just one of the two, I'll take Leonard.

 

[TheFanatic]

I think Leonard is the better player, and will get the goal line work regardless.

Based on what? As a St. Louis homer I was not at all impressed with the guy last year...

Rutger fan bias somewhat And I do think Leonard the overall better football player. He can just do more - block, move the pile, catch, etc. His game may not translate to the full-time backup RB (as we saw last year), but I feel it definitely will translate to a decent role if Jax doesn't play, which includes receptions and (likely) goal line duties.

I could see a serious rbbc without Jax, with neither guy having much FF impact. Pittman getting more carries, Leonard getting a few catches and move the pile type stuff. And some TD's.

As a Jax owner, I'd rather not rely on either, but if given a choice of owning just one of the two, I'll take Leonard.

Seems logical but I doubt it. Just based on what happened last year with Jax out the Rams stuck with Leonard despite his dismal YPC. In only one game did another RB get more than 4 carries when Jax was out. Minor got 7 carries in a game that BL had 12 carries for 18 yards. I think Linehan sticks with 1 back if Jax is out and I think that is A. Pittman...