Official Bishop Sankey - Best RB in the 2014 Draft (1 Viewer)

[Ilov80s]

I'm a little worried to see he only had 12 rushes last week. West had 13. Any homers watch the game? Was that because the game was a blowout or is he splitting carries. I'm a little worried about how many touches I can expect from him week to week.

Last week, first half:

West had 7 carries, 0 targets.

Sankey had 5 rushes, 3 targets.

Sounds bad, but here is the silver lining:

3 of West's carries were inside the opponents' 5 (Sankey had no carries in the RZ). West did not convert any of them.

Second half:

The only RZ carry went to Sankey. He scored.

4th quarter, when the game was on ice. West got 5 carries. Sankey didn't a single rush or target.

It looks like the Titans tried to mix West in and use him especially as a GL back. West failed in every way. They turned to Sankey and he was successful. Then, West was reserved to being the kill the clock in a blowout role.

 

[Warhogs]

I'm a little worried to see he only had 12 rushes last week. West had 13. Any homers watch the game? Was that because the game was a blowout or is he splitting carries. I'm a little worried about how many touches I can expect from him week to week.

Last week, first half:

West had 7 carries, 0 targets.

Sankey had 5 rushes, 3 targets.

Sounds bad, but here is the silver lining:

3 of West's carries were inside the opponents' 5 (Sankey had no carries in the RZ). West did not convert any of them.

Second half:

The only RZ carry went to Sankey. He scored.

4th quarter, when the game was on ice. West got 5 carries. Sankey didn't a single rush or target.

It looks like the Titans tried to mix West in and use him especially as a GL back. West failed in every way. They turned to Sankey and he was successful. Then, West was reserved to being the kill the clock in a blowout role.

Thanks for that info. I think Sankey is still a dicey play but hopefully he earns a bigger role.

 

[UKColt]

I'm a little worried to see he only had 12 rushes last week. West had 13. Any homers watch the game? Was that because the game was a blowout or is he splitting carries. I'm a little worried about how many touches I can expect from him week to week.

Sankey only got 12 touches because it got so out of hand. West didn't touch the ball until it was a 21-7 game in the middle of the 2nd quarter, and had 5 of his carries in the 4th quarter. He also had two GL carries back-to-back in the 2nd quarter but failed from inside the 5 twice.

The next time they made it to the goal line in the 3rd quarter Sankey got the ball and ran it in from the 1.

West will have a role of some sort, but from watching the game it was obvious that Sankey was their lead back and West was just spelling him or running out the clock. I think in a closer game you'd see Sankey get 15-18 rushes.

 

[Jack White]

Just traded for him. Like what I'm hearing from his coach. We'll see.

I'd like to be able to sell him (Hill, Foster, Yeldon, D. Martin).

What did you give up for him?

 

[Jack White]

Starting Sankey this week - good matchup and should get a decent number of carries with only Andrews and McCluster to contend with.

Crazy value in drafts - I got him at pick 108, after J. Bell, Mason, Freeman, and Woodhead.

Got ya beat there: 12.12 in my league.

 

[Mr. Pink]

West - 13 carries, 41 yards, 3.2 YPC, 0 TD

Sankey - 12 carries, 74 yards, 6.2 YPC, 1 TD

Add to that, Sankey didn't have that one big run that inflated his stats, rather multiple 15 and 16 yard carries. Nothing to see here folks. It's his show this week and he plays the pourous Browns run D. If your options at RB are limited, start him with confidence.

 

[Ace zero1]

he wasn't a target of mine this year but he ended up on my 2 redraft teams and start up dynasty league this year.

 

[-fish-]

Seems like a few posters just looking for reasons to not like Sankey. West isn't good. He wasn't good enough for the Browns. Sankey has won the starting job, and this offense looks like it will be better than expected. Buy low while you can. He's a solid RB 2.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Just traded for him. Like what I'm hearing from his coach. We'll see.

I'd like to be able to sell him (Hill, Foster, Yeldon, D. Martin).

What did you give up for him?

R. Mathews for Sankey and I also got Blue as a throw in as I'm a Foster owner.

 

[cstu]

Seems like a few posters just looking for reasons to not like Sankey. West isn't good. He wasn't good enough for the Browns. Sankey has won the starting job, and this offense looks like it will be better than expected. Buy low while you can. He's a solid RB 2.

Not just cut by the Browns, but cut by the Browns over Crowell.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

Love having a RB in an offense with a running QB threat. opens up so many lanes. Not sure if Sankey will be that guy but if so he should put up some nice numbers.

Mariota is a huge threat running, passing too it seems, so whoever the RB is who gets 15+ touches should be solid.

 

[Manster]

Seems like a few posters just looking for reasons to not like Sankey. West isn't good. He wasn't good enough for the Browns. Sankey has won the starting job, and this offense looks like it will be better than expected. Buy low while you can. He's a solid RB 2.

I think Sankey goes as Mariota goes. I guess you could say that for the running game, and the whole team in general.

If you believe in Mariota, believe in Sankey. He's the most dynamic back on the roster, and if Mariota continues his spectacular play, Sankey will have room to run.

 

[Bri]

I'm a little worried to see he only had 12 rushes last week. West had 13. Any homers watch the game? Was that because the game was a blowout or is he splitting carries. I'm a little worried about how many touches I can expect from him week to week.

Last week, first half:

West had 7 carries, 0 targets.

Sankey had 5 rushes, 3 targets.

Sounds bad, but here is the silver lining:

3 of West's carries were inside the opponents' 5 (Sankey had no carries in the RZ). West did not convert any of them.

Second half:

The only RZ carry went to Sankey. He scored.

4th quarter, when the game was on ice. West got 5 carries. Sankey didn't a single rush or target.

It looks like the Titans tried to mix West in and use him especially as a GL back. West failed in every way. They turned to Sankey and he was successful. Then, West was reserved to being the kill the clock in a blowout role.

Didn't do any good running the clock down. They don't know how to win. Tampa ate up much of the clock in the 4th Q

 

[msommer]

Seems like a few posters just looking for reasons to not like Sankey. West isn't good. He wasn't good enough for the Browns. Sankey has won the starting job, and this offense looks like it will be better than expected. Buy low while you can. He's a solid RB 2.

I think Sankey goes as Mariota goes. I guess you could say that for the running game, and the whole team in general.

If you believe in Mariota, believe in Sankey. He's the most dynamic back on the roster, and if Mariota continues his spectacular play, Sankey will have room to run.

The issue with Mariota though, is that teams do not have NFL tape on him yet. It is not uncommon for new QBs (granted rarely rookies) to come in, do very well for four, maybe five games, then get 'figured' out. If that is the case and you believe Sankeys stars are tied to Mariota, ride him for all he is worth and sell high

 

[msommer]

I'm a little worried to see he only had 12 rushes last week. West had 13. Any homers watch the game? Was that because the game was a blowout or is he splitting carries. I'm a little worried about how many touches I can expect from him week to week.

Last week, first half:

West had 7 carries, 0 targets.

Sankey had 5 rushes, 3 targets.

Sounds bad, but here is the silver lining:

3 of West's carries were inside the opponents' 5 (Sankey had no carries in the RZ). West did not convert any of them.

Second half:

The only RZ carry went to Sankey. He scored.

4th quarter, when the game was on ice. West got 5 carries. Sankey didn't a single rush or target.

It looks like the Titans tried to mix West in and use him especially as a GL back. West failed in every way. They turned to Sankey and he was successful. Then, West was reserved to being the kill the clock in a blowout role.

Didn't do any good running the clock down. They don't know how to win. Tampa ate up much of the clock in the 4th Q

This is true. TBs failed 4th qtr RZ visit took a lot of time last weekend. A real NFL team scores in that situation

 

[Bri]

Seems like a few posters just looking for reasons to not like Sankey. West isn't good. He wasn't good enough for the Browns. Sankey has won the starting job, and this offense looks like it will be better than expected. Buy low while you can. He's a solid RB 2.

I think Sankey goes as Mariota goes. I guess you could say that for the running game, and the whole team in general.

If you believe in Mariota, believe in Sankey. He's the most dynamic back on the roster, and if Mariota continues his spectacular play, Sankey will have room to run.

The issue with Mariota though, is that teams do not have NFL tape on him yet. It is not uncommon for new QBs (granted rarely rookies) to come in, do very well for four, maybe five games, then get 'figured' out. If that is the case and you believe Sankeys stars are tied to Mariota, ride him for all he is worth and sell high

Mariota hasn't run much either. We'll need to see how, if at all, that affects the run game

 

[cstu]

Bigsuck was really bad in year one, but looked slightly better this preseason.

The whole TEN team surprised me in week one. I thought that game would go the opposite way and picked my teams accordingly in daily FF (had Dougie and Bucs D in a few places). The big question for the Titans and their skill players is whether or not that game was a fluke. I'm not a believer just yet...

Says the guy who thought Richardson was a top 50 dynasty player last year and that this is finally Jonathan Stewart's breakout year.

 

[CheeseCurds]

Mariota is an accurate QB who can also run. This combination is good for an offense. From what I've seen in a very short time in the preseason and week 1 I think he is a special talent. Him being a special talent will help everyone on the offense.

That being said, Sankey is a special talent in his own right. He has a great combination of speed/strength/athleticism and agility that most do not have all in one package. This was the reason that he was the 1st RB taken last year - above Hill/Hyde/Mason (all talented options).

A more seasoned Sankey and offensive line along with big threat at the QB position could be a home run.

For whatever reason many fantasy experts and even hometown writers/fans fail to see this. They point to Sankey's deficiencies, and how:

Antonio Andrews who runs a 4.6 plus and went I drafted is more talented and he is a supposed superior go alone option (how many TDs did Sankey score at Washington?)

How the new fullback is going to take away big time carries because he is talented too.

How Dexter McCluster is the greatest receiving back ever (even though he could not find a consistent role in KC) and he is going to always play 3rd downs.

Now they trade a 7th rounder for West and he is the answer.

Oh yeah, and they drafted David Cobb in the 5th round.

Fact is none of these other options are better options/choices than Sankey. The total package that he offers is far superior than any of these one-trick ponies or lottery tickets.

 

[Biabreakable]

Good post CheeseCurds.

Your observation is spot on.

For whatever reason the majority of the draftnik community did not like Bishop Sankey as a RB prospect in 2014. Dave Thomas was about the only person I found who actually really liked Sankey (compared him to Emmitt Smith).

It seemed a bit strange to me at the time, because I can usually find some opposing points of view, it is somewhat rare to find a player than almost everyone agrees is not a good player.

Normally I would consider this to be a slam dunk. The draftnik community in chorus correctly identifying a player who was not cut out to be a starting RB in the NFL. I played devils advocate somewhat because I wanted to learn more about the player. Prior to the draft I was willing to concede that perhaps everyone was right about Sankey if he would have fallen to the fourth of fifth round of the draft for example, then that would have been some confirmation for me that the draftniks were right about this player.

However there was never a good reason given for why Sankey would not be a good NFL RB. The reason given?

Sankey is not a special RB. He does not do anything that stands out when you watch him play.

I have heard the same generalization made about Doug Martin, Curtis Martin and plenty of other really good RB who didn't have any one special trait that stood out. That (lack of a) reason was not enough for me.

So I watched him play. What I saw was a player who looked like a good all around RB. He showed good agility and balance which as two of the main skills that I focus on in RB. He also handled plenty of carries a game, showing good endurance and toughness. What I did not see was much power to move the pile or gain extra yards after contact. I think that was a legit criticism of Sankey as a college player. For me that was not a deal breaker however, because Sankey showed other abilities that I did think were special and could make him a capable RB in the NFL.

Perhaps the loudest criticisms of Sankey had to do with jokes about his name. Such as Stankey, running diagonally ect.

Honestly I think these jokes were so common when ever the topic of Bishop Sankey was discussed, they seemed louder than any real analysis or criticism of the players game. A joke is a joke though. Does not mean a hill of beans as far as an honest assessment of the player.

At the NFL combine Bishop Sankey put up some pretty good numbers while other RB prospects did not. I find myself putting less and less stock into combine performances the older I get. The combine is riddled with errors and misinformation. However Sankey did well enough in the combine that people started to take him a bit more seriously.

Then you had this thread started by Brewtown who made some very poor supporting arguments for Bishop Sankey, mostly having to do with his combine numbers. Because of Brewtown being so annoying a lot of posters in this thread also hated Sankey simply because they wanted Brewtown the blowhard to be wrong. I can sort of understand this because Brewtowns arguments were about as bad as the arguments about how the player Stinks and does nothing special.

Then the Titans went and drafted Sankey as the first RB selected in the 2014 draft. They could have picked any other RB to be their guy, but they chose Sankey ahead of all of them.

So while I respect the draftnik community and their observations, it seems that the NFL scouts saw things differently.

Now NFL scouts and front offices make mistakes and are wrong. Happens every year. At the same time, they have a lot more information available to them than any of us does, so I at least give them some benefit of the doubt because they are making more informed decisions than myself or the draftnik community has.

Then you have his rookie season where the HC keeps talking about wanting Sankey to run with more power and to improve his footwork. You listen to the criticisms of the coach who must have had some input into the Titans decision to draft him, and to me it sounded like the RB the head coach wanted was Jeremy Hill, not Bishop Sankey. If that is the case, then why didn't they just take Hill?

There were other things that led to Sankeys poor rookie season. The offensive line had many injuries and failed to play up to expectations. They lost their offensive line coach Munchak who moved on to the Steelers and had their offensive line playing the best it has in quite some time.

After the season was over, it came to light that Sankey had improved his power as measured in yards after contact, which Sankey was one of the better RB in that category in 2014 which was a perceived weakness in his college game. This good at nothing RB had become better in the area where he was most lacking.

Now you have a Titans team that looks like they have improved somewhat. Much better QB play although I think the offensive line is still a work in progress. They have improved their TE and FB positions, so there is more blocking support there, than there was in 2014. Mainly due to Stevens being healthy now and also the addition of TE Fasano and the FB.

But people will continue to cling to their college evaluations of Sankey. Evaluations that I think have been biased and unfair assessments of Sankeys abilities. Based more on a bunch of jokes and group think than a fair evaluation.

 

[chauncey]

He is sitting on the waiver wire in my work league, tempted to scoop him up.

 

[Ilov80s]

He is sitting on the waiver wire in my work league, tempted to scoop him up.

He has to be owned.

 

[Manster]

Seems like a few posters just looking for reasons to not like Sankey. West isn't good. He wasn't good enough for the Browns. Sankey has won the starting job, and this offense looks like it will be better than expected. Buy low while you can. He's a solid RB 2.

I think Sankey goes as Mariota goes. I guess you could say that for the running game, and the whole team in general.

If you believe in Mariota, believe in Sankey. He's the most dynamic back on the roster, and if Mariota continues his spectacular play, Sankey will have room to run.

The issue with Mariota though, is that teams do not have NFL tape on him yet. It is not uncommon for new QBs (granted rarely rookies) to come in, do very well for four, maybe five games, then get 'figured' out. If that is the case and you believe Sankeys stars are tied to Mariota, ride him for all he is worth and sell high

Yea, I know that's typically how things work. But, good enough players can adjust as defenses adjust. Is he that good? I have no idea. No matter what, he'll have some down weeks. EVERY QB does.

All I know at this point is Mariota makes the Titans better. His combination of size, speed, accuracy, and work ethic may just keep him ahead of the defenses. Hes got Whisenhunt to help him along. Whis knows how to develops QB's.

And yes, this could all lead to selling high on Sankey as the move. Or maybe he develops right along with Mariota into a solid FF combo. At this point, I'm just glad Sankey doesn't feel like a wasted roster spot anymore!

 

[oswizzle]

Stank = Dank

 

[cstu]

Sankey is not a special RB. He does not do anything that stands out when you watch him play.

I have heard the same generalization made about Doug Martin, Curtis Martin and plenty of other really good RB who didn't have any one special trait that stood out. That (lack of a) reason was not enough for me.

So I watched him play. What I saw was a player who looked like a good all around RB. He showed good agility and balance which as two of the main skills that I focus on in RB. He also handled plenty of carries a game, showing good endurance and toughness. What I did not see was much power to move the pile or gain extra yards after contact. I think that was a legit criticism of Sankey as a college player. For me that was not a deal breaker however, because Sankey showed other abilities that I did think were special and could make him a capable RB in the NFL.

The criticisms of him were accurate - he wasn't special in any particular way, he did get tackled too easy, and he didn't show great vision in the second level.

However, many people stopped with that analysis and decided "Titans made a stupid pick and I'm going come up with insulting names for him because he isn't a special talent like Trent Richardson or Christine Michael".

What I saw when I watched him was a good all-around college RB with pass catching skills who needed to get stronger and learn to avoid tacklers in the second level to break bigger runs (if that can be learned).

 

[cstu]

And yes, this could all lead to selling high on Sankey as the move.

There will never be a sell high moment on Sankey. People won't allow themselves to trust him.

 

[Jack White]

And yes, this could all lead to selling high on Sankey as the move.

There will never be a sell high moment on Sankey. People won't allow themselves to trust him.

Maybe.

But if someone gets hit with injuries/bye weeks and Sankey puts up a string of solid games, someone will bite.

 

[Monk81]

And yes, this could all lead to selling high on Sankey as the move.

There will never be a sell high moment on Sankey. People won't allow themselves to trust him.

Maybe.

But if someone gets hit with injuries/bye weeks and Sankey puts up a string of solid games, someone will bite.

If he puts together a solid string of games, why sell at all? He had a list of things to work on in the offseason and by the few accounts out there... he did everything he was asked to do. If he strings together a couple of good games I'm inclined to believe it's for real and will continue throughout the season.

 

[duaneok66]

You sell because you think he is not going to be good (over the long term).

Obviously, the jury is still out.

 

[Bri]

Fact is none of these other options are better options/choices than Sankey. The total package that he offers is far superior than any of these one-trick ponies or lottery tickets.

The capability versus production issue is large with Sankey.

You don't get pulled for Shonn Greene or Leon Washington and have people take that lightly.

The thread is long here. I see you are new. I wouldn't read 40 pages either. Many people have changed their opinion of Sankey.

CJ and Sankey both run into walls when they hit the LOS wayyy too often and look pretty running outside. Right there they look like the worst back ever, one of the best backs ever. The contrast is so great inside vs outside.

CJ- I mention him because he went to NYJ and they showed no patience for those runs into walls. Didn't matter he had a whole career of doing this and that 3rd or 4th run could be a 20 yarder, it just weighed on them. I don't know why they signed him then. All those years of tape, ya know it's coming.

I think it has to do with momentum and perception and a bad team that needs some fight to em. Each coach just seemed to lose patience.

Sankey's happy feet are a very common reason to be benched as a rook. To stop in a hole, dance a little rather than make a decision to bust through the line...it's just one of those things lots of rooks do.

Whisenhunt often was displeased in 2014 and said how he wanted more toughness, run tough, not as tough, etc always using the word tough. Greene ran tough supposedly. Most of us took that as put your head down and grind out a few.

Whisenhunt's frustration matched the fans that saw him at Washington. Sankey ran between the tackles just fine, excellent even, so what's his deal with all this uncertainty in the NFL?

On the other side is a coach wanting to push a rook and rarely calling plays to run outside. Maybe Stevens' injury had something to do with it but cmon not every team has a gem blocking TE like Stevens. He(or MIchaels) could have called more and gone with Sankey's strength but he didn't. Running up the gut behind what amounted to a third string OL is pretty tough for any back.

All Whisenhunt's talk of toughness, many thought Sankey just doesn't fit this guy's mold as a RB-if he isn't going to run like at Washington and is some pretty back now it's not gonna work.

This offseason Cobb was eerily similar to Sankey's rookie year in all the time each missed.

Anyhow, one game of preseason caught everyone's eye for three carries. Just three. He did very well on those three but the other three went nowhere.

Andrews is a hungry back that totally looks like a yes coach kinda guy. He might be a pedestrian RB, we don't know, but he is an excellent all-around football player. 4th string QB, backup long snapper, backup KR and PR, p backup FB-the guy can understand the game and apply it. That's useful.

Cobb we know little about. His college game is similar to the others. Had a nice preseason game versus the third string but if he's half as good as people say then that should have happened. He was 5th round but people pretend he was 1st round.

Fowler is supposed to be sneaky and/or extra concern for a D. Not in anyway to steal a RB job or even a WR job if he goes in the slot. Just (at most) 3 carries a half or 3 targets...even that seems high maybe 3 combined...just a sprinkling of some usage to make a D have to focus on something else too. Not unlike the occasional Mariota designed run or pass to Stevens or Sankey lining up wide.

McCluster wasn't even a RB til cut down day last year. He was signed as Wright's backup because only he was quick enough to fill Wright's shoes and ummm coach was shining us there. He didn't backup Wright and/or play a ton of WR when Wright was hurt. Whis was horribly predictable with McCluster last year. If he was in, he got the rock, regardless where he lined up.

West is a good between the tackles hard-nosed guy.

Fluellen was darn impressive (against 3rd and 4th string) between the tackles running tough in preseason. He got hurt and still made the PS where others didn't for the same reason.

McCluster is horrible between the tackles so bad he looks like he might get hurt, otherwise there's a steeler-esque certain style Whisenhunt seems to like here that all these backs offer and Sankey hasn't shown since Washington.

When Klug comes in, they want a smasher runner right behind him. If Walker plays FB/HB same thing.

Andrews showed that extra push, that fight and almost squirm for more. That's why he won the GL back job.

McCluster (who I didn't want them to keep) yeah he's probably a fine 3rd down back if he blocks OK.

1st and 2nd downs were Sankey's job to lose. No doubt he's the bluechip here but he's gotta get it done in a way that he hasn't in the NFL.

He is soooo far down the list of guys coach want to call for GL duty that there were probably 20 plays inside the ten in preseason and everyone else got a shot but him.

3rd downs? not one either.

That's very odd, very unique.

Croom had a day that caught everyone's attention where he was barking at the RBs for poor pass protection in camp. The only guy that didn't catch his ire that day was Andrews. Cobb really heard it. This was a big problem in 2014 and something they all needed to improve upon by this season. Fluellen and Andrews are far improved. Fluellen had an outstanding block on Tanney's spin TD throw. Sankey is only a bit better Cobb stinks and everyone seems to disagree on McCluster.

Can Sankey be trusted to protect golden boy QB? That's a big question because his receiving ability and speed N quicks would make him a nice 3rd down option.

Week one saw several runs outside, woohoo finally Coach called them. Sankey looked good too.

West is in a prime spot to steal Cobb's hard runs job and Andrews' goal line job. He was OK on the tough runs and totally flopped at the GL.

At this point it doesn't matter if the coach wanted to call Fluellen or Andrews or the ghost of Refrigerator Perry-Sankey was the only option. He got a chance he didn't get in preseason and he nailed it. Kudos to him. That simple TD run is probably a bigger deal than most think.

It's brutal to have a coach not have faith in you. Whisenhunt could be damaging this young guy or doing the right thing spoon feeding him. Regardless he did pretty well and for the first time in a long long while, Sankey can have some confidence going into the next week.

I prefer a sled-dog or work-horse. Whis said it'd be RBBC and (for this) he's been true to his word. It might not be right that the new guy that doesn't even know all the plays gets as many snaps as Sankey but he did. McCluster got 19 or so snaps on 3rd down and usual usage.

Sankey needs to bust one and needs to continue to do well. He might get that usage pointing in his direction 75% 25% with West then. Did he earn GL chances last week? Good for him, he's gotta capitalize on it. If he gets hot and Whis puts him in on 3rd down for a change-take out a DE or LB. Some pretty catch N run won't do half as much good as a nice block will. If he flattens someone he probably gets more reps.

Much of your post ignored 2014 and results. It is Sankey's job to lose but the debatable issue is can he get it done. They have nice LBers, a sweet DE, and a hodge-podge secondary. This is not a top D. They can scheme and make some plays, Cox could be something as could McCourty but the RB has to get them some rest and eat some time off the clock. They aren't going to win a single game if the TOP is wayyyy in the other team's favor. If Sankey can't, Whis has made it clear he's going to put a grinder in. The onus is on Sankey. Better line, better other threats, having had time to learn, he's in a much better situation this year.

I'm not in his fan club so I'll take any other back. Some are and consider him a nice FF sleeper. Totally fine to have differing views

 

[Raiderfan32904]

A lot of Sankey owners are upset with their initial investment and looking to unload him as a sell high candidate. But that seems more like an emotional decision and based on all that prior disappointment. Sankey owners who drafted and held have a lot of sunk cost but have been ready for a strong week to cut bait and get something in return for a bad investment. I don't think anyone is championing Sankey as the next Eddie Lacy or Jeremy Hill. Talent wise, he's average. But if you believe in Mariota, you also trust in Sankey's upside. His cost to acquire is reasonable considering that upside. I bought for the price of a backup RB. Calculated risk I'm ok with. We'll see if it pays off. Not afraid of any of Sankey's competition going forward. Next year might be another story, but going forward this year, barring injury, he looks like has a clear path to starter touches.

 

[CheeseCurds]

Oh yeah - nothing wrong with having differing views. I just wouldn't use Whisenhunt's deranged views as the end all be all - he could/should be fired next week. If I was the GM and the coach was not treating my blue-chip appropriately - I would fire him... Get someone in here who knows how to use talent. I have read where you looked at each run in the preseason and have fallen into "Whisenhunt's school of coaching and referred to how positive 2-3 yard runs are so important - Barry didn't run that way - CJ2K didn't run that way.... Give it to the better/talented back - who cares is the other running back is the 3rd string QB , backup long snapper/jock strap washer... Get someone in there with high upside who can run the ball. Andrews is not the answer - he is more pudgy than West.

Sankey is the upside play... The Titans GM needs to step up and put "Harry High School Hardnose Coach Whisenhunt" in his place if he does not conform to what is needed for his talent to succeed. If he does not do this - he will be gone!

 

[Bri]

Oh yeah - nothing wrong with having differing views. I just wouldn't use Whisenhunt's deranged views as the end all be all - he could/should be fired next week. If I was the GM and the coach was not treating my blue-chip appropriately - I would fire him... Get someone in here who knows how to use talent. I have read where you looked at each run in the preseason and have fallen into "Whisenhunt's school of coaching and referred to how positive 2-3 yard runs are so important - Barry didn't run that way - CJ2K didn't run that way.... Give it to the better/talented back - who cares is the other running back is the 3rd string QB , backup long snapper/jock strap washer... Get someone in there with high upside who can run the ball. Andrews is not the answer - he is more pudgy than West.

Sankey is the upside play... The Titans GM needs to step up and put "Harry High School Hardnose Coach Whisenhunt" in his place if he does not conform to what is needed for his talent to succeed. If he does not do this - he will be gone!

I would run behind Lewan and Stevens all day. In Joe Gibbs and Bill Parcells style I'd remind everyone it's not just on Madden but in real life you can do the same play over and over.

Whis isn't from this school of thought. Cowher and Gilbride ran the same plays and if not it was every other. If they saw a crack they rammed the RB at it til it became a fissure. Even the current Steelers coach does so I don't really understand why Whisenhunt doesn't.

Whis has to put Stevens often on the right to be cute and I'd swear most every meaningful run goes there.

I am very thankful Poutasi is there and not Oher, but the Titans were "this close" to having a repeat of 2014 with either Bell or Meredith there.

Sankey needs to run into Warmack. He can go from beast to kittycat in like three plays. Don't dance and think, do what countless RBs before you did and run into the G. Next time he'll move that DL Without a remotely decent OL coach I don't know another way to deal with that. Munchak, Matthews, and Fisher would be all over Warmack. He can dog it and neither Whisenhunt nor the OL coach even look his way on the sideline or as he's coming off the field. Totally gets away with it.

I'm unsure of Schwenke and think some decent G play might just be what's wrong with him, being overwhelmed.

Still though Lewan and Stevens with a nice FB seems like a golden chariot compared to the rest of the OL

 

[Monk81]

Sankey scored tops in his year for running backs in both the 3 cone and the shuttle at the NFL combine. He's not a SPARQ superstar but we should keep in mind that he is also a pretty good athlete.

 

[Jack White]

And yes, this could all lead to selling high on Sankey as the move.

There will never be a sell high moment on Sankey. People won't allow themselves to trust him.

Maybe.

But if someone gets hit with injuries/bye weeks and Sankey puts up a string of solid games, someone will bite.

If he puts together a solid string of games, why sell at all? He had a list of things to work on in the offseason and by the few accounts out there... he did everything he was asked to do. If he strings together a couple of good games I'm inclined to believe it's for real and will continue throughout the season.

Because I have Hill, Foster, Dougie and Yeldon.

And because I only have him after he fell all the way to the 12th round.

And because I don't think he is very good.

I'd be happy to trade him for another WR or TE, but he doesn't have any value after one game against Tampon Bay.

 

[Monk81]

And yes, this could all lead to selling high on Sankey as the move.

There will never be a sell high moment on Sankey. People won't allow themselves to trust him.

Maybe.

But if someone gets hit with injuries/bye weeks and Sankey puts up a string of solid games, someone will bite.

If he puts together a solid string of games, why sell at all? He had a list of things to work on in the offseason and by the few accounts out there... he did everything he was asked to do. If he strings together a couple of good games I'm inclined to believe it's for real and will continue throughout the season.

Because I have Hill, Foster, Dougie and Yeldon.

And because I only have him after he fell all the way to the 12th round.

And because I don't think he is very good.

I'd be happy to trade him for another WR or TE, but he doesn't have any value after one game against Tampon Bay.

Yes, and what I'm saying is that if he puts together a few good games in a row maybe it's time to trade Foster, Dougie or Yeldon for that WR or TE.

If he puts together a few good games I think he holds that value for the season and be thankful you got a gem in the 12th round.

 

[Jack White]

And yes, this could all lead to selling high on Sankey as the move.

There will never be a sell high moment on Sankey. People won't allow themselves to trust him.

Maybe.

But if someone gets hit with injuries/bye weeks and Sankey puts up a string of solid games, someone will bite.

If he puts together a solid string of games, why sell at all? He had a list of things to work on in the offseason and by the few accounts out there... he did everything he was asked to do. If he strings together a couple of good games I'm inclined to believe it's for real and will continue throughout the season.

Because I have Hill, Foster, Dougie and Yeldon.

And because I only have him after he fell all the way to the 12th round.

And because I don't think he is very good.

I'd be happy to trade him for another WR or TE, but he doesn't have any value after one game against Tampon Bay.

Yes, and what I'm saying is that if he puts together a few good games in a row maybe it's time to trade Foster, Dougie or Yeldon for that WR or TE.

If he puts together a few good games I think he holds that value for the season and be thankful you got a gem in the 12th round.

Definitely, this game is nothing if not unpredictable.

My philosophy is any player is available at any time.

 

[MCguidance]

Getting the start for me today after seeing Tremblay having him as a top 3 option...

 

[Alex P Keaton]

How does he look today?

 

[Bri]

How does he look today?

regular

I wouldn't call it good or bad

I swear it was like West fumbled and both he and Sankey got benched for it.

McCluster was a hot hand and got carries for that but he did well up the middle(which is so shocking) and outside. McCluster's luster sorta wore off and Sankey got back in. West maybe had a carry but he was about done with that fumble.

Sankey's between the tackle struggles, Warmack getting injured...might be something there. Coach could have thought oh we'll have to run behind Lewan but he's Whisenhunt so they run right behind the weak link.

I don't know that I'd blame Whisenhunt for not running Sankey much behind Meredith, short of the bad idea, it's the whole Washington Sankey versus NFL Sankey thing. He doesn't do it well.

Based on 2014 Sankey wasn't "owed" a thing, but based on last week I really felt like Whisenhunt did him a disservice not rolling with him more and trying to build up his confidence.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

You can't trust Sankey, because you can't trust Whisenhunt. It is clear that at this stage Sankey is not a main part of this offence. He is not getting enough touches to be an every week starter at this stage.

Whisenhunt overall is a bad coach that does not have a very good feel for the game.

 

[MCguidance]

Getting the start for me today after seeing Tremblay having him as a top 3 option...

Shame on me.

 

[Ilov80s]

Guys, I am in. I took the plunge again this year. We need whiskey, xanax and a box of stress balls for this thread. Warning though, first chance I get to sell this guy and I am out.

Why didn't I take my own advice? Instead, I started him. Excuse me while I throw-up.

 

[Bob Magaw]

How does he look today?

Stat-wise, 4-42-0 (3.5 Y/C average) rushing, no receiving stats.

 

[hines]

someone ranked Sankey as a top 3 RB?

 

[cstu]

How does he look today?

Stat-wise, 4-42-0 (3.5 Y/C average) rushing, no receiving stats.

He's in a McCluster####.

 

[Sabertooth]

He was picked 1.3 I my rookie draft last season, has been traded thrice and today was cut......and picked up by me! Choo choo baby

 

[duaneok66]

this thread was best last year - what happened to the OP?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

This guy looks like Leveon Bell all of the sudden

What actually happened after week 1? It's just Whisenhunt has no clue and they were facing an overwhelmed Winston?

 

[nb009]

Am I the only one who thinks he looks good?

Could be blinded by Sankey-owner goggles though.

 

[Bri]

This guy looks like Leveon Bell all of the sudden

What actually happened after week 1? It's just Whisenhunt has no clue and they were facing an overwhelmed Winston?

Whis loves tough running RBs and he has never proven to be the guy he was at Washington.

West is a pretty decent between the tackles runner.

Week 2 was a shock (and they've been burned going back to that well) as McCluster ran well off RG. He is totally not an inside runner but maybe the D was not expecting it and...it work one week.

Week 3 was all Andrews if you listen to fans, but really he got 25-30%. He was extremely effective with his percentage.

Week 4, RG is hurt, Lewan is in N out with stingers and they're facing an excellent front 7. No one ran well, some screen success though.

Sankey has gotten his share of plays. He's just not special with them. I still think Andrews takes this job. Sankey has been lining up as a WR each week. After week 2, all the backs did at times. Andrews had a nice effort catch on a poor play call (probably got 3 yards) catch as a WR but Sankey and McCluster were meh.

He's in there. He could still have a nice week. I still think he can be special on screens. If Whis would use him like Vereen(NEP) he could get 6-7 catches for 80-100 yards.

A KR the announcers said wasn't really on him, while another was a total muff. Still he got replaced by McCluster as KR. They have plenty of KRs. He needs that role.

The Fins have been hard to score on but allow 6th most rushing yards. This could be a week everyone gets 50 yards or someone becomes the sled-dog.

I thought Sankey was fortunate to be active against the Bills as West is better at moving a pile and pass blocking and we all knew they weren't getting much. I do think West gets back into the mix soon. He's served his sentence for fumbling.