Maurice Drew vs. Brian Calhoun (1 Viewer)

[ydub]

Real quick. Maurice Drew is consistently being drafted ahead of Brian Calhoun in rookie drafts this season and I can't quite figure it out.

Drew is landing in the RBBC from hell. With Taylor, Jones, Pearman, etc... fighting for work does anyone really see this guy as threat to ever become the feature back. Seriously, can you imagine a worse landing spot for rookie RB? C'mon, he's gonna return punts/kickoffs and barring injury he may at some point secure a job as the 3DRB. Maybe. He's 5'7". He only had 217 touches last season (never missed a game). The guy is Darren Sproles with super sized thighs (and Sproles was better at the NCAA level). UCLA had an extremely forgiving schedule this season and let's face it...the Pac-10 isn't exactly known for it's collection of stout run defenses. And when it mattered most, he wilted on the big stage. Injury or not. Poor man's Reggie Bush? If that "poor man" is also homeless and alcoholic, maybe. Which brings us to...

Brian Calhoun. The second player in NCAA history to accumulate 1500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season (and headed to a Mike Martz designed offense...which demands versatile tailbacks). 24 touchdowns. 401 touches. That's right. 401. I don't think durability or toughness is a concern. Big 10 competition. Cold weather football. 1st year in the system (he transfered from Colorado). Clearly an intelligent guy. And he came through on the big stage in a big way: 213 yards and a score against SEC powerhouse Auburn (ranked 16th in the nation against the run). What's not to like?

Well, his 40 time at he combine killed his draft status (4.57 - 4.62). However, he nailed 4.38 at his Wisconsin pro day.

Calhoun on Reggie Bush (at the combine):

Brian Calhoun sees little difference between himself and Reggie Bush. "I think so," Calhoun replied Thursday when asked at the NFL scouting combine if he thought he compared favorably to Bush. "The only difference between me and him (is), he was an inch taller than me, he was a pound heavier than me. So it'd be good to match up with him." Calhoun hopes to see his draft stock rise during the combine week. He will participate in all drills and with a good showing could position himself as the number 5 back in this draft (behind Bush, Williams, White, and Maroney).

Barry Alvarez on Calhoun:

When we win big games, our running backs play well," Alvarez said. "This one (Calhoun) happens to be the most talented of the ones that we've had. He's the most versatile of all the running backs that I've had.

"We've had some great ones. We've had a Heisman Trophy winner (Dayne). I'm telling you, (Calhoun) has more ability than all of them."

He's got moves:

ankles

Look, at 5'10" 201 he's a bit small. But every pro adds weight and with an extra 10 lbs. is it really that much of a stretch to see this guy as the feature back in a Martz offense. Is a feature role even a remote possibility with Drew? It's Difficult to imagine. When Drew toted it more than 20 times his ypc took a huge dip (3.8/ypc in 2 out of 3 contests). Meanwhile, Calhoun carried the ball more than 20 times 11 occasions. 30+ carries 5 times. And an astounding 43 carries in the 1st game of the season. Games in which he had 30+ carries he averaged an impressive 5.5 ypc (against Michigan, Auburn, Illinois, North Carolina, and Bowling Green). So, durabilty isn't a concern AND he clearly gets better as the game wears on. Which is a trait all great NFL RB's share and an indication of superior stamina.

Addtionally, I can't imagine a better home for Calhoun than the Detroit Lions. Kevin Jones was on a short leash last season. Is there any reason to think it will be any longer this season IF he doesn't produce? So, Calhoun has the opprotunity and an offense seemingly tailored to his skill set. Drew has neither the opprotuntity, nor is his game particulary suited for the JAX offense. So the question remains: Why is this guy consistently going in front of Calhoun?

 

[LHUCKS]

Two Words...Fragile Fred

Pac10=Conference of Champions...please don't compare Calhoun to the eliteness that is the Pacific 10 Conference.

 

[ydub]

Two Words...Fragile Fred

Pac10=Conference of Champions...please don't compare Calhoun to the eliteness that is the Pacific 10 Conference.

Two more words...Greg Jones. No way Drew supplants Jones as the primary option should Freddy take a dip. BTW, KJ isn't exactly the Rock of Gibraltar.

 

[LHUCKS]

Two Words...Fragile Fred

Pac10=Conference of Champions...please don't compare Calhoun to the eliteness that is the Pacific 10 Conference.

Two more words...Greg Jones. No way Drew supplants Jones as the primary option should Freddy take a dip. BTW, KJ isn't exactly the Rock of Gibraltar.

Drew is twice the RB Calhoun is...trust me. And I'll take KJ vs. Fred on games played this year for any amount of coin.Jones is solid, but Drew will be seeing some Pro Bowls.

 

[gocats]

Two Words...Fragile Fred

Pac10=Conference of Champions...please don't compare Calhoun to the eliteness that is the Pacific 10 Conference.

Two more words...Greg Jones. No way Drew supplants Jones as the primary option should Freddy take a dip. BTW, KJ isn't exactly the Rock of Gibraltar.

Drew is twice the RB Calhoun is...trust me. And I'll take KJ vs. Fred on games played this year for any amount of coin.Jones is solid, but Drew will be seeing some Pro Bowls.

 

[MLBrandow]

  Calhoun on Reggie Bush (at the combine):

Brian Calhoun sees little difference between himself and Reggie Bush. "I think so," Calhoun replied Thursday when asked at the NFL scouting combine if he thought he compared favorably to Bush. "The only difference between me and him (is), he was an inch taller than me, he was a pound heavier than me. So it'd be good to match up with him." Calhoun hopes to see his draft stock rise during the combine week. He will participate in all drills and with a good showing could position himself as the number 5 back in this draft (behind Bush, Williams, White, and Maroney).

Barry Alvarez on Calhoun:

When we win big games, our running backs play well," Alvarez said. "This one (Calhoun) happens to be the most talented of the ones that we've had. He's the most versatile of all the running backs that I've had.

"We've had some great ones. We've had a Heisman Trophy winner (Dayne). I'm telling you, (Calhoun) has more ability than all of them."

Himself and his coach are not the most unbiased places to get player evaluations.edit: And I like Drew to breakout in '07. He may (good chance) share goal-line carries with Greg Jones, but he should be putting up solid numbers for a while IMO.

I like him to start this year at some point and be a fantasy factor.

 

[ydub]

Two Words...Fragile Fred

Pac10=Conference of Champions...please don't compare Calhoun to the eliteness that is the Pacific 10 Conference.

Two more words...Greg Jones. No way Drew supplants Jones as the primary option should Freddy take a dip. BTW, KJ isn't exactly the Rock of Gibraltar.

Drew is twice the RB Calhoun is...trust me. And I'll take KJ vs. Fred on games played this year for any amount of coin.Jones is solid, but Drew will be seeing some Pro Bowls.

You're right. Drew may see a few Pro Bowls....as a kick returner.

 

[MLBrandow]

Drew is twice the RB Calhoun is...trust me. And I'll take KJ vs. Fred on games played this year for any amount of coin.

Jones is solid, but Drew will be seeing some Pro Bowls.

You're right. Drew may see a few Pro Bowls....as a kick returner.

 

[Todem]

Calhoun is a tremendous talent.

A great Dynasty pick and a value because he is going late.

 

[ydub]

  Calhoun on Reggie Bush (at the combine):

Brian Calhoun sees little difference between himself and Reggie Bush. "I think so," Calhoun replied Thursday when asked at the NFL scouting combine if he thought he compared favorably to Bush. "The only difference between me and him (is), he was an inch taller than me, he was a pound heavier than me. So it'd be good to match up with him." Calhoun hopes to see his draft stock rise during the combine week. He will participate in all drills and with a good showing could position himself as the number 5 back in this draft (behind Bush, Williams, White, and Maroney).

Barry Alvarez on Calhoun:

When we win big games, our running backs play well," Alvarez said. "This one (Calhoun) happens to be the most talented of the ones that we've had. He's the most versatile of all the running backs that I've had.

"We've had some great ones. We've had a Heisman Trophy winner (Dayne). I'm telling you, (Calhoun) has more ability than all of them."

Himself and his coach are not the most unbiased places to get player evaluations.

Fair enough. Now, what's your take on the actual question? By the way, the majority of scouting reports/draft publications rated Calhoun as the better prospect...including the esteemed and highly regarded Sigmund Bloom (pre draft). I think his situation improved post draft while Drew's took a bit of a slide. Again, why the sudden turnaround in rookie drafts?

 

[beto]

How long do we expect Martz to be in Detroit? I'm guessing he takes off for the 1st head coaching job that comes his way.

In a dynasty, Calhoun, Drew and Norwood are all in a similar gray area. I guess a lot of players are just drafting them in the order they were drafted in.

 

[beto]

I think his situation improved post draft while Drew's took a bit of a slide.

This is the key to your thinking. A lot of people think Drew's situation is better than Calhoun's.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Reasons I prefer Drew to Calhoun:

1) Long term situation - Calhoun has to get past Kevin Jones (and maybe even Arlen Harris for now), when Drew has only to get past Fred Taylor, who is likely gone soon. Greg Jones is a pounder and not a threat to become the long term feature back in Jax. Im also worried a bit about some talk that Calhoun could play some receiver

2) Talent/Style - Drew has better acceleration and true breakaway speed (Dont trust Calhoun's pro day time, the wisconsin track inflated everyone's times). He's also got more electric moves in the open field (altho Calhoun is good at making the first tackler miss). Drew's low powerful build makes him better suited to take on tacklers at the point of attack. I see Drew with a better shot at being a true feature back.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Fair enough. Now, what's your take on the actual question? By the way, the majority of scouting reports/draft publications rated Calhoun as the better prospect...including the esteemed and highly regarded Sigmund Bloom (pre draft). I think his situation improved post draft while Drew's took a bit of a slide. Again, why the sudden turnaround in rookie drafts?

I did have Calhoun higher, but the 2nd tier of backs was tight (Addai, Calhoun, Drew, Harrison) and ranked somewhat arbitrarily on my list going into the draft.

 

[LHUCKS]

Reasons I prefer Drew to Calhoun:

1) Long term situation - Calhoun has to get past Kevin Jones (and maybe even Arlen Harris for now), when Drew has only to get past Fred Taylor, who is likely gone soon. Greg Jones is a pounder and not a threat to become the long term feature back in Jax. Im also worried a bit about some talk that Calhoun could play some receiver

2) Talent/Style - Drew has better acceleration and true breakaway speed (Dont trust Calhoun's pro day time, the wisconsin track inflated everyone's times). He's also got more electric moves in the open field (altho Calhoun is good at making the first tackler miss). Drew's low powerful build makes him better suited to take on tacklers at the point of attack. I see Drew with a better shot at being a true feature back.

 

[MLBrandow]

I think his situation improved post draft while Drew's took a bit of a slide.

This is the key to your thinking. A lot of people think Drew's situation is better than Calhoun's.

Agreed.In order for Calhoun to be a force, it would mean that KJ has to fail. While his struggles are obvious, I still believe in him, and many others do as well. He has a great amount of talent and while he may not emerge to his full potential this year, I expect pretty solid value for his mid-late 2nd round ADP.

It seems that a lot of people are writing him off/avoiding him to an extent from being burned last year (cite named thread).

I like him to take it to the next level this year.

On the converse, I am not sure that Taylor even starts this year, and I really like the thought of a Drew/Jones RB/FB combo. Seems like Del Rio might be on a similar line of thought.

 

[ydub]

Reasons I prefer Drew to Calhoun:

1) Long term situation - Calhoun has to get past Kevin Jones (and maybe even Arlen Harris for now), when Drew has only to get past Fred Taylor, who is likely gone soon. Greg Jones is a pounder and not a threat to become the long term feature back in Jax. Im also worried a bit about some talk that Calhoun could play some receiver

I disagree. The depth chart in JAX is a quagmire. With Jones, Toefield, Pearman, AND Taylor in the mix it's difficult for me to project a guy with legitimate durability and stamina concerns as the feature guy over 4 1st day draft picks at RB. Not to mention the fact that Drew needs superior WR's to spread the field and create the wide open spaces he needs to be productive. JAX just isn't that place at the moment and it would take a dramatic turn of events for that to change. And writing off Jones as merely a goalline back is a mistake in my opinion. He'll still have opprotunities.Re: Calhoun as receiver

C'mon. You don't really buy that. Do you? Besides, if he's so slow, why in the world would Martz place him at WR (his passing offense demands elite speed from his WR's).

2) Talent/Style - Drew has better acceleration and true breakaway speed (Dont trust Calhoun's pro day time, the wisconsin track inflated everyone's times). He's also got more electric moves in the open field (altho Calhoun is good at making the first tackler miss). Drew's low powerful build makes him better suited to take on tacklers at the point of attack. I see Drew with a better shot at being a true feature back.

You're right. Drew is faster. He has that 5th gear that Calhoun doesn't posess(and rarely use at the pro level). But based on observation and raw data, I don't see any evidence to support your claim that Drew has "better acceleration". And the combine numbers support thisrew:

20 yd. dash: 2.66

10 yd. dash: 1.58

20 yd. shuttle: 4.41

3 cone: 7.08

Broad jump: 9'8"

Calhoun (with a "claimed" achilles injury):

20 yd. dash: 2.70

10 yd. dash: 1.59

20 yd. shuttle: 4.24 (significantly better than Drew)

3 cone: 7.05

Broad jump: 10'4" (low-end explosiveness, ie. pile driving..much better than Drew)

As far as Drew's center of gravity is concerned...of course it's lower. The guy is 5'6". Which at that height would set a NFL precedent for productivity for starting tailbacks IF he was a productive feature back. Is Drew really good enough to break the mold? It's really tough for me to make that leap when 2 of his teammates at RB posted higher single game rushing totals in 2005 [Chris Markey(150) and Khalil Bell(136)]. And Drew's body really doesn't have anywhere to go in terms of development. At 5'6"/202-207 he's maxed out. In fact, you could make the argument that his musculature is a bit over developed. He's probably pushed his ligaments and joints too much, too soon. I see lot's of "rehab" time in his future. On the other hand, Calhoun has plenty of room to grow and 5'10" 215-218 isn't out of the question with a top notch trainer.

You see Drew "with a better shot at being a true feature back". Why? How? Based on available data, there simply isn't any evidence to back this up. He's never received more than 42% of the available carries at UCLA (34% - '04, 42% - '05), never touched the ball more than 217 times in a season. He's constantly dinged up and he's 5'6". If it's your gut feeling, fine. I understand. Drew is a fun guy to watch. I hope he does well. But there simply isn't any "surface data" suggesting feature back capability.

I appreciate your feedback and respect your opinion, but we just don't see eye to eye on this one. BTW, my thoughts go out to you,your friends, and your family. Take care.

 

[ydub]

How long do we expect Martz to be in Detroit? I'm guessing he takes off for the 1st head coaching job that comes his way.

In a dynasty, Calhoun, Drew and Norwood are all in a similar gray area. I guess a lot of players are just drafting them in the order they were drafted in.

Long enough(2 seasons) to install the philisophy/blueprint which will be used as the offensive template for years to come. And with the demotion of Rogers/BMW on the depth chart, it's become clear that there are no "sacred cows" in Detroit. He's gonna place the guys who fit his system/philosophy in a position to succeed...regardless of pedigree.

 

[sholditch]

I think Calhoun definitely has better value, considering in a recent rookie/fa draft Morwood went early second, Drew mid third and Calhoun in the sixth.

 

[Football Jones]

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if both Drew & Calhoun become their team's feature back sometime this season. I expect it in '07.

 

[el centro]

Two Words...Fragile Fred

Pac10=Conference of Champions...please don't compare Calhoun to the eliteness that is the Pacific 10 Conference.

Two more words...Greg Jones. No way Drew supplants Jones as the primary option should Freddy take a dip. BTW, KJ isn't exactly the Rock of Gibraltar.

Drew is twice the RB Calhoun is...trust me. And I'll take KJ vs. Fred on games played this year for any amount of coin.Jones is solid, but Drew will be seeing some Pro Bowls.

The only Pro Bowls Drew will EVER see - will be as a Punt Returner! That you can take to the bank..

 

[imeimex]

I don't think that most people have seen Calhoun to have an accurate take. All of the negatives I have seen about the guy are simply untrue. Most people say he is too small and can not handle a full load, but he had several games where he was in the high 30s for carries, and he seemed to get better every carry that he got. People question his speed because of his 40 time at the combine, but as was mentioned earlier in the thread he has been timed under 4.4 almost every other time. Colorado wanted to put him at Wide Receiver which shows how good a receiver that he is. The thing that impressed me most about the guy was that he would always gain a couple extra yards at the end of his runs. He has a knack for diving forward and not getting hit directly on. Alvarez was not blowing smoke when he said that Calhoun is the most NFL ready running back that has come through his program. While most have soured on Wisconsin running backs, claiming that they are system backs, Calhoun is not of the same mold.

Whether or not Calhoun ever gets an opportunity is another question, but I think of him as a Marshall Faulk/Reggie Bush lite. He is probably most comparable to Dom Davis and this is not an exageration as I do not own him in any dynasty leagues or have much of a connection to him since he only played one year at Wisconsin.

When he first transfered to Wisconsin I had many of the doubts that you all have. He looked to have a small frame and I wondered why Colorado would want to switch him to Wide Receiver, but after his first quarter for the Badgers I knew the guy was the real deal.

From what it looks like in this thread, most people will blow me off on my evaluation of Calhoun, but I am one that usually doubts the real talent of Badger players or anyone on my favorite teams. If Calhoun is given the opportunity I believe he will excel.

 

[Rev]

Two Words...Fragile Fred

Pac10=Conference of Champions...please don't compare Calhoun to the eliteness that is the Pacific 10 Conference.

Two more words...Greg Jones. No way Drew supplants Jones as the primary option should Freddy take a dip. BTW, KJ isn't exactly the Rock of Gibraltar.

Drew is twice the RB Calhoun is...trust me. And I'll take KJ vs. Fred on games played this year for any amount of coin.Jones is solid, but Drew will be seeing some Pro Bowls.

If you compare their college statistics, highlight film, and measurables, I'd give Calhoun the nod by quite a ways. Situation-wise, you could argue both ways, though I personally feel that Jacksonville is RBBC at best for Drew, while Calhoun is the #2 behind a very unstable KJ in an offense that should be very smooth for a pass-catching RB with good speed.

 

[thehobbit]

Calhoun is a niffy player, but I disagree he is an NFL caliber player.

Drew is a talented athelete, but doubt his skills will become and NFL caliber RB.

Norwood is an oddity, but don't believe Chicken Legs will hold up in the NFL.

With that said, all are a craps shoot and I'll take the one behind the oldest back.

Norwood for the win. Unless your looking for guarenteed scrap points weekly than Calhoun probably be a better course.