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Stephen Davis? (1 Viewer)
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streamkeeper
Footballguy
How about Pittsburgh?
Zaphod
Two heads are better than one
I don't think a guy well on the wrong side of 30 and with serious knee/injury history has much of a future left. 
He may get signed as a backup's backup, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that he chooses to 'retire' when no offers come his way in this very tight and rb heavy offseason.
He may get signed as a backup's backup, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that he chooses to 'retire' when no offers come his way in this very tight and rb heavy offseason.
popeye.
Spinach Freak
I don't think a guy well on the wrong side of 30 and with serious knee/injury history has much of a future left.
He may get signed as a backup's backup, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that he chooses to 'retire' when no offers come his way in this very tight and rb heavy offseason.
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
I seem to remember a lot of people (probably including you) saying the exact same thing last year. The few of us that felt otherwise enjoyed our record's getting an early boost from his 12 TDs in the first half of the season.I'm not saying he'll do it again by any means, but good posting? If walking in to the same exact trap that you fell into last year all over again is good posting, then by all means I agree.I don't think a guy well on the wrong side of 30 and with serious knee/injury history has much of a future left.
He may get signed as a backup's backup, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that he chooses to 'retire' when no offers come his way in this very tight and rb heavy offseason.
Portis 26
Madden Freak
This is just wishful thinking. No way most of the teams would have the slightest interest in him. Why would Dallas, with Jones and Barber, have any interest at all in him? Similarly with SF and Gore and Barlow. Every year a bunch of elderly RBs are cut and hang around for a while looking for work before being forced into retirement when nobody signs them. Nobody signed guys who could still play like Ricky Watters and Jamal Anderson, so what on earth makes you think they're going to sign another washed-up has-been?Bottom line for most teams is, why waste the money on a veteran when a cheap youngster can do the same job for you?
acefootball
Footballguy
First thing I thought of as well, why couldn't he take the role that Bettis had ? He seems an obvious fit and is a very good goal line runner. Would be perfect role for him, and Pitt would probably be able to get him cheap.
acefootball
Footballguy
So how do you envision Staley being used now ? Will he take over the Bettis role, with Parker and Haynes moving the chains, and him coming in to score? Or would he be more of an everydown back IYO ?
Didn't Watters think he was still a starter, and no one wanted to give him that kind of money. I seem to recall him having an offer or two, but was too proud to take it. I don't know Davis' status right now, but Anderson tried to come back, and got one contract and went to camp only to be cut didn't he? I could be making that last part up, but if Davis has anything left, and isn't too proud, I think there's a Bus-type role on some team for him.
Portis 26
Madden Freak
Did you see most of those TDs? Any reasonably competent NFL RB would have got TDs in those situations. Actually, a reasonably competent NFL RB would probably have got more. Davis looked slow and sluggish (his YPC supports this) and yet he STILL got those scores. Bottom line, he scored so often because the Carolina offense was productive and was getting into the red zone often.
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
I certainly see your point, but the least we can do is add a new arguement to it. Emmitt and Curtis both came off of billion carry seasons when they fell flat, something that tends to make even RBs in their prime struggle more the next year.We weren't discussing him being another year older being the reason, or having many carries last year, but rather the poster was saying that there was no future for a RB over 30 (which he was last year) with a major knee surgery (which was actually much worse heading into last year than it is this year). It was like the post was actually cut and pasted out of a thread from 8 months ago.
I'm all for discounting the value of easy TDs, but it kind of seems like you really didn't think this through. This isn't Seattle we're talking about here where any RB could crawl into the endzone backwards threw the gaping holes their line opens up and still go untouched. Having seen many of Davis' TDs this year many of them were actually hard fought touchdowns.You mention that those TDs were a product of the system in Carolina being in the redzone a lot, but again you're not really looking at it.
In Carolina's first 9 games Davis had 12 rushing TDs. Then he got hurt and in their next 9 (counting the playoffs) all of their RBs combined for only 3 rushing TDs. Certainly seems like there's more to it there than gaping holes that any RB could fall through.
Portis 26
Madden Freak
But there's more to it than this. Carolina's offense the first half of the season was on fire, but then cooled off considerably the 2nd half. That was largely because Delhomme's numbers fell off considerably (for whatever reason).Consider this: these are the number of points put up by Carolina's offense the first 9 games of the season:20, 27, 24, 32, 24, 21, 38, 34, 30Delhomme and Steve Smith were on fire and Davis took full advantage for a many of his (I think) relatively straightforward scores.The offense cooled off the second half of the season and the other Carolina HBs didn't have so many scoring opportunities.
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
What was the only difference in their offensive personnel the first and second halves of the season? Delhomme's passing yardage was almost identical each half of the season, the only thing that differed was Carolina's touchdown's scored, and the only difference in personnel was that their TD vulture wasn't playing. I'm just saying 
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Colin Dowling
Footballguy
Pittsburgh.
Bears_Man2
Footballguy
Davis will get a job somewhere. His days as a starter are definitely over, but could be effective in a short yardage role if need be.
Portis 26
Madden Freak
How many teams carries specialist goal-line backs? Just because the Steelers won the Super Bowl everyone thinks that every team in the league has a big veteran back that comes in for goal-line carries. But they don't! Most teams give the ball to their regular back at the goal-line. I can count the number of teams that have specialist goal-line backs on the fingers of one hand!
acefootball
Footballguy
I don't think many teams do have a goaline specialist. We just know the one that just won the Super Bowl did, and that player is now gone. If Davis was to have success again, ending up in Pittsburgh could be significant to alot of TD leagues.
Bears_Man2
Footballguy
Short yardage isn't limited to goalline carries (i.e. scoring TD's).
Giants (Jacobs)
Jaguars (Jones, only the ageless Stacey Mack is ringing a bell)
Steelers (Bettis; Staley or someone else in '06)
Vikings (Moe Williams/Fason)
Bucaneers (Alstott)
Falcons (Duckett)
Carolina (Davis)
Raiders (Until Jordan, always Crockett)
Without following them too closely, I believe I recall Marion Barber was in quite a few short yardage situations this past year. My guess is Mike Anderson could add to this list this season (likely would of been on the list already had he not flat out beat Bell for the job).
I think someone above put it best and said he's a backup's backup. For any value at all to a squad, he'd probably be limited to short yardage work.
Giants (Jacobs)
Jaguars (Jones, only the ageless Stacey Mack is ringing a bell)
Steelers (Bettis; Staley or someone else in '06)
Vikings (Moe Williams/Fason)
Bucaneers (Alstott)
Falcons (Duckett)
Carolina (Davis)
Raiders (Until Jordan, always Crockett)
Without following them too closely, I believe I recall Marion Barber was in quite a few short yardage situations this past year. My guess is Mike Anderson could add to this list this season (likely would of been on the list already had he not flat out beat Bell for the job).
I think someone above put it best and said he's a backup's backup. For any value at all to a squad, he'd probably be limited to short yardage work.
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Ducegonads
Footballguy
Denver?
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
Philadelphia.
redman
Footballguy
I'm holding him on my dynasty roster at least until I'm convinced that he's not going to be either a goalline back for somebody or a pre-season signing to fill a spot opened due to injury. I liked what I saw of his running last year - he still ran strong, which was his game anyway.
His days of being a RB1 are over, but he may yet be a respectable bye week filler if he lands in the right place.
His days of being a RB1 are over, but he may yet be a respectable bye week filler if he lands in the right place.
T Man
Footballguy
If he is healthy and has an interest in being a situational back, I see interest in him developing in late June or early July. But he'd have to be willing to sign a contract for the veteran minimum (which has cap advantages). He may not want to do that.
Most teams use the mini camps to see what the young players can do. Why give reps to an old vet like Davis?
If the youngsters do not pan out, or if there are injuries, look for a team to consider picking up Davis.
My thoughts are that Pittsburgh would be a good fit - noone on the roster is the bruising type of back; but, I think they still want Duckett.
IF Norwood continues to impress, Atlanta may be more inclined to part with Duckett - which would open the door for a big veteran back in Atlanta.
Most teams use the mini camps to see what the young players can do. Why give reps to an old vet like Davis?
If the youngsters do not pan out, or if there are injuries, look for a team to consider picking up Davis.
My thoughts are that Pittsburgh would be a good fit - noone on the roster is the bruising type of back; but, I think they still want Duckett.
IF Norwood continues to impress, Atlanta may be more inclined to part with Duckett - which would open the door for a big veteran back in Atlanta.
packersfan
Footballguy
I've heard rumors the Packers might have an interest.
nightshift
Footballguy
Someone will get hurt in training camp or pre-season. See the thread on Dom Davis - he's already injured.
I think Stephen Davis has one more good season in him. We'll see. Could be a nice late pickup to stash away.
I think Stephen Davis has one more good season in him. We'll see. Could be a nice late pickup to stash away.
redman
Footballguy
The first two, I suppose so. But Hoard, Riggs and Allen all went to other teams before becoming goalline backs. Even so, in the era of free agency, I think that one's credentials with the same team mean less now than they did back when they played. Besides, Davis has never had any complaints about his character.
T Man
Footballguy
Teams who are young at RB may want a veteran presence (if that presence is cheap).Teams who are smaller at RB may need a bigger back for certain carries (i.e., goalline, short yardage).
Coaches want to win. THey tend to want the seasoned veterans who have been there before. Its the front office guys that generally want the roster spot for a developmental project.
The one problem with Davis is that it is unlikely he can play special teams. That will make him a luxury as a 3rd RB. But if he is healthy and willing to play on the cheap, some team will pick him up due to injury or need for a bigger back.
BlueOnion
Footballguy
I don't disagree with you, I believe coaches can only dress 45 guys on Sunday. So if you want to carry a 30+ veteran specifically for goal line carries, I can understand that. But the coach most likely will have to choose not to dress a guy who may end up playing 14 to 20 special team plays.From a fantasy football perspective (starting skill position players), it would seem NFL teams almost have an unlimited amount of roster positions. As an NFL head coach, I often hear they hardly have enough.
T Man
Footballguy
I agree with you. Coaches always complain they need more roster spots and they need them for the special teamers.Its a tough call between the situational need and the special teams player. Many teams decide late in the week on the players that dress out. So some teams look at what they need situationally, and sometimes give up a special teams player.
But most teams carry 3RB. So it is not a stretch to have Davis as a 3RB or even a 2RB. Antowain Smith was used by th Saints last year, and signed to a contract this year. IIRC he does not play special teams. A healthy Davis will be signed as well. The question is who needs a complement/veteran RB who cannot play special teams.
Some teams that may consider taking a shot: Miami, Philadelphia, Atlanta (if Duckett is traded), Pittsburgh, Green Bay (if pooper doesn't bounce back), any team with injuries heading into or out of July.
Nevertheless, for some reason, I do not think Davis will be healthy enough (or motivated enough). If he were, we would have heard from him before now. Like I said, Antowain Smith, Anthony Thomas and other like backs have surfaced and signed. Davis is from Carolina. It maybe that he will wait and see what the Panthers needs are and if he will be called upon.
Kit Fisto
Footballguy
You're right, most teams carry 3 RBs. One starts, one spells/play 3rd downs, and one backs up and plays special teams. Dillon/Faulk/Pass for example.
Stephen Davis would have to be better than Patrick Pass (for example) to play for the Pats on Sundays. But since Pass plays special teams and Davis cannot, he wouldn't get a call from NE.
Are there other NFL teams whose 3rd RB is so bad that they would consider a 32-year old specialist?
And for those guys who brought up Antowain Smith and Anthony Thomas, those guys will contribute far more to their respective teams than Davis could. They could start if need be.
Chadstroma
Footballguy
He should get work at a low cost with some team. I do not think he is 'done' unless there are more physical issues than what I am aware of.
I see two likely happenings;
1) He should sign soon with a team looking for that goal line type back or insurance. Obviously the Steelers come to mind as a prime example. Cardinals could be a possibility as well.
2) A bit late in the off-season he is picked up by some team that gets hit by an injury and has little depth. That means half the teams could be buyers depending on injury.
You got to like him as a player and a person, so I hope to see him on a team regardless.
I see two likely happenings;
1) He should sign soon with a team looking for that goal line type back or insurance. Obviously the Steelers come to mind as a prime example. Cardinals could be a possibility as well.
2) A bit late in the off-season he is picked up by some team that gets hit by an injury and has little depth. That means half the teams could be buyers depending on injury.
You got to like him as a player and a person, so I hope to see him on a team regardless.
Bears_Man2
Footballguy
What about Corey Dillon last year makes you think this won't be him come October? (Speaking of Dillon being a 32-year old specialist) He'll be on the active roster every week as well....I'm not going to agree with you as far as Smith or Thomas being far more valuable than Davis could either. Need I remind you Thomas did average a meager 2.1 yards/carry himself last year? Smith is in Houston to be a specialist. If Davis goes down, he'll share the load with Morency/Lundy/whomever else they bring in.
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I'm not saying Davis looked great last year (he looked about 50 years old vs. the fast Bears defense in the regular season last year, granted the whole Carolina offense, save Steve Smith, looked slow that day). But if we're going to live in the past about Anthony Thomas, we may as well do the same with Stephen Davis.
Thomas is terrible between the tackles (so soft in short yardage situations, he was taken out by the almighty Leon Johnson in the situations) and too slow to get the outside, I'm just curious as to what his worth is?
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