Bri, what was interesting, and I guess not all that surprising, was to watch the Steelers run blocking improve so much last season as the Titans' crumbled. Whatever your view of Munchak as a HC you have to give him his due for maximizing the line talent that he gets. The concern that I have for Sankey, however, remains that if he can't create despite below standard run blocking, even the absence of talent in the backfield won't help him for long. We will see.
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Official Bishop Sankey - Best RB in the 2014 Draft (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Brewtown
- Start date
silentmark
Footballguy
Did anyone really think he was going to have an A+ rookie season on this team ?
All of the underwheming rookie performance is not all on Sankey imho.
I would like to see what he could do behind a top O-line and a good QB before completely writing him off.
Will that chance ever arise ? I honestly doubt it in his present situation and he may never be more than a COP type back or RBBC, but I am willing to wait and see ...
All of the underwheming rookie performance is not all on Sankey imho.
I would like to see what he could do behind a top O-line and a good QB before completely writing him off.
Will that chance ever arise ? I honestly doubt it in his present situation and he may never be more than a COP type back or RBBC, but I am willing to wait and see ...
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And I suppose that's the key point: he lacks the skills to create and needs a first rate line to be productive. The odds aren't good he has a long enough window for that to occur, but I think the odds still look good for Sankey to be the lead back for a time.
Carter_Can_Fly
Footballguy
A lot can happen with a rookie rb's in one off season and with more competent play from an O Line etc etc.
Le'Von Bell had 244 attempts for 860 yards for a 3.5 ypc as a rookie and everyone was writing him off and saying it was a wasted pick and a bust.
Le'Von Bell had 244 attempts for 860 yards for a 3.5 ypc as a rookie and everyone was writing him off and saying it was a wasted pick and a bust.
I totally agree.
I've pointed it out a few times, but I was fine with the rook not doing this, put Greene in, then put him in and he does it...that was fine lead by example during a game and I enjoyed it. His production stunk, but it gave me something to see to keep hope.
He could not run tough and that angered me(you can't make it to the NFL and have no 3rd and short experience, and that's how he ran) and then something clicked and he finally did. He had like 60 yards and I want to say that was in a half. It was "the only" half that I would say made him seem deserving of the top RB status last draft. The next week he didn't run that way. It was obvious Whis was upset and he didn't play much the rest of the year.
I thought Whis needed to be more understanding and if he's not, then put Andrews in. Leon and the ol backs are not offering anything hope wise.
Now into the offseason, I wonder how that all settled in Sankey's head. I mean if I got benched for anything, I'd totally work on it. My thinking is (if it's as is, and shouldn't be...but if it is) he will either run tough in preseason or Andrews will be the lead back in 2015.
If they can't have Munchak, then they should have kept Bruce. I have found no logic in Bruce Matthews not being their OL coach. I think the organization's lack of discussion about it is also due to them knowing few would understand. If Whisenhunt can't work with a HOF lineman coaching his line, then he shouldn't be a head coach.
cstu
Footballguy
Titans offensive line ranked #28 by PFF by PFF.
The team released Oher, who was awful last year, and Roos retired.
The core is LT Lewan, C Schwenke, and RG Warmack.
They are currently pursuing Justin Blalock to replace Andy Levitre at LG. They are also trying to sign RT Joe Barksdale.
The OL would be much better with the addition of Blalock and Barksdale.
The team released Oher, who was awful last year, and Roos retired.
The core is LT Lewan, C Schwenke, and RG Warmack.
They are currently pursuing Justin Blalock to replace Andy Levitre at LG. They are also trying to sign RT Joe Barksdale.
The OL would be much better with the addition of Blalock and Barksdale.
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Jeremy's Spoken
Footballguy
Bishop is still confident:
Q. For those who have fantasy teams, should they draft you?
A. Yes, regardless of what happened last year (he gained 569 yards). I’d draft myself if I had a fantasy team.
Q. Will you crack 1,000 yards this year?
A. I’m not trying to put a number out there. I just want to be productive more than anything and contribute to the team’s success. The yards will take care of themselves.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A. I’ve gotten a lot of great advice from a lot of people. But my dad has always said to stay true to who you are and don’t get distracted. Stay focused and do everything to accomplish your dreams and goals.
Any chance for a 2nd year big leap forward??
Q. For those who have fantasy teams, should they draft you?
A. Yes, regardless of what happened last year (he gained 569 yards). I’d draft myself if I had a fantasy team.
Q. Will you crack 1,000 yards this year?
A. I’m not trying to put a number out there. I just want to be productive more than anything and contribute to the team’s success. The yards will take care of themselves.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A. I’ve gotten a lot of great advice from a lot of people. But my dad has always said to stay true to who you are and don’t get distracted. Stay focused and do everything to accomplish your dreams and goals.
Any chance for a 2nd year big leap forward??
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Hard to see how improved blocking wouldn't help.
If we are specifically comparing with the Bell situation, and probably you didn't intend the situational comp this literally, but just for the record - he lost a lot of weight and looked like a completely different player in his soph year. There is no similar material reason or identifiable cause/mechanism of change in the case of Sankey, to offer parallel hope of improvement, at least from that direction.
But maybe it will be something else (like blocking, which many seem to be pinning there hopes on).
* While on the subject of blocking and free agent prospects for improvement, not sure how RT Barksdale fared in his run blocking grades (would almost have to be better), but PFF had him as allowing the fourth most pressure in pass pro among OTs in '14, where I'm pretty sure he slumped relative to '13. He was in a group that included LT Kalil of MIN and rookie first round RT James of MIA. There may be a reason no other teams seem to be showing interest besides STL and TEN, their's seems to be tepid, and he remains unsigned weeks after the beginning of free agency. Which probably wouldn't be the case if he was more widely viewed as skilled in either run or pass blocking. Maybe there is just way to much of a gap and disconnect between what he wants and others are willing to pay, and/or guaranteed money, length of contract parameters, etc., and the rest of the league knows it (anybody could call his agent, and maybe has, but balked at the price, rendering a visit pointless, until budging on it, or being more flexible on other potential contract demands)?
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Billy Ball Thorton
Footballguy
Maybe losing weight is not an option for improvement alas Bell, but other than improved oline help having an improved passing attack could/should help tremendously. Let us not forget just how bad the passin attack was. It was a far cry from Big Ben and the Steelers.
cstu
Footballguy
For Sankey it's the opposite problem - he needs to get stronger in the lower body.
He knows it too (from Dec 30):
"I want to increase my lower-body strength and things like that, so I can step out of more tackles," he said. "I also want to work on different things to add to my repertoire as a running back, things like a stiff-arm. I notice I don't throw too many stiff-arms, and on an outside zone, that can help out a lot with guys pursuing from the inside.
"I need to be more consistent overall, too. So there's a number of things I can work on this offseason."
32 Counter Pass
Footballguy
I am skeptical about Sankey's future, but if the price is steeply discounted I am buying. I got him in one league for a low 4 rd pick, which is a complete crap shoot anyways.
werdnoynek
Footballguy
So much meh. So little wow.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Why would some one sell him for that? May as well hold and hope than to give him away for (almost literally) nothing.
Titans run at least 60% of run plays inside and the way Whisenhunt spoke, he'd like it even higher.
Sankey seems to be a bounce outside type.
I still hold some hope, but I could see someone predicting he won't work out in TEN. That guy sure would have his value real low for trade.
With no additions, deep dynasty folks gotta put Antonio Andrews at the end of their roster. He's probably on the WW and if someone signs just drop him. He's an excellent wait and see type player. After the draft, if still no additions, he'll start getting talked about. Gotta do it soon
Sankey seems to be a bounce outside type.
I still hold some hope, but I could see someone predicting he won't work out in TEN. That guy sure would have his value real low for trade.
With no additions, deep dynasty folks gotta put Antonio Andrews at the end of their roster. He's probably on the WW and if someone signs just drop him. He's an excellent wait and see type player. After the draft, if still no additions, he'll start getting talked about. Gotta do it soon
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
at this point, either hold or buy low, theres no point in just giving him away
Kuharksky- They need a running back: The Titans were the first team to draft a running back in 2014 (Bishop Sankey) and they gave a three-year, $10 million free-agent deal to Shonn Greene in 2013. Greene could be cut before the season starts withAntonio Andrews in line to take away the big-back job. Teammates have said Sankey has been busting it since the season ended. He needs to make a significant jump. The Titans could draft another running back, but I’d expect him to come in the middle rounds, not early. That could change if they get a good deal for No. 2 and have more ammunition.
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
Van Dyman
Footballguy
Even without the tape. When your lead back is finishes with similar numbers to another team's backup RB2, that's a problem.
Billy Ball Thorton
Footballguy
Lol, I love when people say this. Do you have access to NFL tape or did you just record all the games for both players and go back and study.
So many wanna be scouts here throwing around terms as if they have access to film or even have a trained eye.
what era do you live in?
DVRs were invented in 1999.
With a simple graphics card most computers will record anything since windows xp.
Then there's the NFL package which replays any game you want here https://gamerewind.nfl.com/nflgr/secure/packages?ttv=0
Do you still get up and change the channel and adjust rabbit ears?
Shutout
Footballguy
I'm not a Seastrunk fan, owner, or anything. I just think that for al the flaws Seastrunk showed, he's still a better RB than Sankey or anybody else the Titans have if they don't draft someone.
Just because a player doesn't make an IMMEDIATE impact, followed by a long and hyped off-season between declaring for the draft and being drafted, doesn't mean a RB can't be very good once they get in there and get their nose to the grindstone. Foster and CJ Anderson should tell us that. Lagarette Blount should tell us that (although he's not a star, he's certainly a guy that went from troubled and misaligned to having a productive FF role).
At this position, it's not about a QB that we find out isn't smart enough to learn or a WR that isn't strong enough to face press coverage for the first time at the NFL level. It's not even about a defender whose weight room muscles don't correlate to true strength when he suddenly doesn't outweigh all his opponents by 65 pounds.
At the RB position, it's just different and much like how RBS seem to be able to make the easiest impact in fantasy, they also seem to be the one position that can "grow" a little and become productive.
cstu
Footballguy
Let's see...
- Cut by the team that drafted him, not even put on their practice squad
- Didn't get signed by the Packers practice squad after a workout
- Signed to the Panthers practice squad but then cut so they could sign RB Tauren Poole
- Signed to the Titans practice squad
teamramrod
Footballguy
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cstu
Footballguy
It's possible that he follows Joique Bell's path but that's very, very rare.
ETA: I don't think there's ever been a RB who wasn't on an active roster his rookie year that was successful.
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teamramrod
Footballguy
Joique Bell says Hi.
Cut four times before sticking with the Lions.
Not disparaging, just saying it is hard to judge.
Peace
teamramrod
Footballguy
Will you guys stop posting while I am responding?
Peace
Peace
cstu
Footballguy
Played 5 games his rookie year for the Colts.
AFAIK there's ever been a RB who wasn't on an active roster his rookie year that was successful.
He looks to me like a guy that just won't cut it in the NFL
3-4 teams and with the Panthers, they were desperate with injuries and still cut him.
He was terrible picking up the blitz in college and Gruden said about the same thing(although much more polite) about him as well.
This was a sore point with Whisenhunt last preseason and then as each QB went down he made an even bigger deal of it. Obviously an offseason to cool off would help, but if ya ask me, if this guy whiffed on a few blocks he'd be cut by Whisenhunt.
Andrews was the combined yardage leader and Sankey was the first back picked. Whatever you gather from "combined yardage leader" is fine for depth-as a minimum potential point. Sankey is supposed to be a little shy of a blue-chip prospect but people talked him into sort of being one around draft time.
Proven commodity type veteran RB could surely find time as well as a real blue chip if they pick one. He's neither of these.
From what I understand he's slowish when timed but has nice game speed. He has nice moves and all but is a poor receiver and can't pass block. The latter points will never get him a 3rd down job in the NFL and most importantly, if you want to be an NFL backup RB you had better be able to block.
Sankey has moves and gets outside-so he doesn't really have an edge here or something the team doesn't have. Sankey's prob is Whisenhunt wants him to run hard and tough through the interior of the line.
If you go back and look at Seastrunk's preseason highlights, the 3rd string line did a sweet job blocking on counters for him. "My grandma" could run behind that great blocking. You don't see him create or make something happen. Not his fault, always like a dominant line, but still that doesn't give any highlights to hang his hat on.
Blount was a Titan. They were deep.
He was very close to making the roster. At the end of preseason, IIRC, Fisher was stuck with 1st and goal from the one or two yard line. Blount got it over and over and couldn't punch it in. (Which yes became a joke around here after his college incident) That was it for him. Close call, can't stick with the guy that couldn't punch it in.
He was picked up right away by Tampa and playing due to injury a short time later. IIRC they were down to he and that Rutgers back that also played FB and was with Cincy before. He was fortunate and did well.
The reason it's not the same is Carolina and Washington.
UDFA Redd beat out Seastrunk in Washington and they totally had an opening.
Carolina was desperate with three backs hurt and chose to cut him, not play him.
He did not seize the opportunity like Blount. The Titans liked Blount and didn't want to have to let him go but were in a roster space crunch. Seastrunk isn't doing whatever to make teams want to keep him, have him there.
ETA Blount is more like Ryan Grant
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Shutout
Footballguy
No offense to supporters of the teams but the Redskins and Panthers aren't considered guru teams for doing the right things with talent all the time.Bri said:
The Packers had him in but (and I don't know the details) was this a due diligence thing because I don't recall them adding any RB and they have Lacy, Kuhn, Starks, etc.
Granted, we are talking about improbable, but not extreme. Of Course these things don't happen every day. There are only 32 teams and GMs have big egos. Lots of players get held onto too long due to where they were picked, people's pride in the way, etc.
But at the end of the day, my place isn't to become #! fan of the Seastrunk fan club. I just see the scenario and think its feasible. Its thoughts like this that help some of us grab the CJ Anderson's and Arian Fosters of the world. It's what keeps some of us from grabbing the J. Bell's and Brandon Olivers. THey don't have to be stars like Foster. They can be situational. But in FF, any shelf life for a RB, if you have him and use him at the correct time, is valuable. Just worth not ignoring.
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Van Dyman
Footballguy
Jeremy's Spoken
Footballguy
This bodes well for Bishop. They must really like him!
Jeremy's Spoken
Footballguy
The Titans have added a gifted QB, gifted WR, and a gifted FB to their offense. Another year of gelling with that O-line which is talented could mean a big step up for Sankey!!!
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
Jeremy's Spoken
Footballguy
EBF
Footballguy
I thought you'd be off the Sankey train by now Brewtown.
A back doesn't have to be perfect to have FF value. He just has to be the best back on his team. This feels a bit like the Zac Stacy pick in the 5th in 2013. That pick came a year after the Rams whiffed on Pead in the 2nd round. This Cobb pick comes a year after the Titans whiffed on Sankey in the 2nd. If Cobb can come in and play reasonably well then he can potentially have redraft value this year. No guarantee that he'll beat out Greene and Sankey, but I like his prospects a lot more than the typical 5th round NFL draft pick.
Jeremy's Spoken
Footballguy
EBF
Footballguy
He pulled up before the finish line at the combine, so the 4.81 is a little misleading.
Arian Foster ran 4.69 at his pro day and I would say Cobb has some similarities with him.
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Jeremy's Spoken
Footballguy
voiceofunreason
Footballguy
I don't think much of Sankey but it's hard for me to get excited by Cobb. However, if I can get him for close to free I'd take a shot.
