Trent Richardson vs. Jonathan Stewart (1 Viewer)

[Sabertooth]

Size, speed, pass catching. While many say the a good comp for Richardson is Mendenhall I think a better comparison is Jonathan Stewart. Both are big backs with speed. Both can catch. Both could end up in committees this season. So while all the hype is surrounding Richardson right now, Stewart is just as good. And he's free to sign wherever he wants next season. Am I off base here? Why or why not?

Here is the scouting report on Stewart coming into the league in 2008. FFTOOLBOX LINK

Stewart is your prototypical downhill runner with a low center of gravity and can also break long runs, showing great speed. Stewart runs with purpose every time he touches the ball. Stewart has both strength and speed, which gives him the ability to turn a small gain into a touchdown. Stewart is an adequate receiver, but does not show a great natural ability to catch the ball. He is a very compact runner and hits the hole hard every time. Playing in a spread offense does not lend itself to envision running backs in a pro style offense. He runs with power inside and speed outside. Stewart averaged 5.4 ypc in 2006 and 6.2 ypc in 2007 as a starter. Stewart turned in big games against the Pac-10's best defense in USC with 103 yards and 111 yards on just 15 carries against Michigan. Stewart is a game changer and he will contribute immediately to the team he gets drafted by. He is a workhorse back, proving that he could handle the load without having much of a passing game after Dixon got hurt. Stewart proved he could carry the team with his 251 yard rushing performance in Oregon's bowl game against a stingy Southern Florida defense. Stewart erased any doubts about his speed after running a 4.46 forty yard dash at nearly 230 pounds. Stewart had a recent surgery on a turf-toe injury and has sent his draft status tumbling. He seemed to be battling to be the second running back taken in the draft, but with his health now in question he will likely not be taken before the end of the first round or possibly well into the second round.

 

[JohnnyU]

I hope Richardson's career isn't wasted like Stewart's has been so far.

 

[Chimp Magnet]

I don't know that I've ever read anywhere that Richardson and Mendenhal are comparable.

 

[Sabertooth]

Russ Lande is where I read this recently ( I think)

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I think stewarts a great comparison. He won't have the competition in clev or Tampa that'll impede his fantasy value like stewart.

blount won't be long for Tampa if Richardson goes there....bad attitude and limited skills.

 

[Xue]

Stewart is much faster and cuts more "in stride", bit of a "slasher" at times. Richardson runs lower, better stop/start ability, cuts harder. Don't see them being similar at all.

 

[Sabertooth]

I hope Richardson's career isn't wasted like Stewart's has been so far.

This is a cocern. If he lands in Stl I might considering pumping the brakes a bit.

 

[Chimp Magnet]

I hope Richardson's career isn't wasted like Stewart's has been so far.

This is a cocern. If he lands in Stl I might considering pumping the brakes a bit.

Maybe for 2012 but not for his career. Jackson has 1 or 2 years left and Fisher loves running the ball. St. Louis would be close to ideal over the long run.

 

[cobalt_27]

I hope Richardson's career isn't wasted like Stewart's has been so far.

This is a cocern. If he lands in Stl I might considering pumping the brakes a bit.

Thousand percent guaranteed to go to CLE, so I wouldn't worry.If somehow he does not end up in CLE, something has gone terribly, terribly wrong.

 

[Sabertooth]

Stewart is much faster and cuts more "in stride", bit of a "slasher" at times. Richardsodn runs lower, better stop/start ability, cuts harder. Don't see them being similar at all.

Stewart and Richardson are within hundredths of one another in the 40.

 

[Chimp Magnet]

Stewart is much faster and cuts more "in stride", bit of a "slasher" at times. Richardsodn runs lower, better stop/start ability, cuts harder. Don't see them being similar at all.

Stewart and Richardson are within hundredths of one another in the 40.

40 yard time and game speed are different.

 

[Sabertooth]

Stewart is much faster and cuts more "in stride", bit of a "slasher" at times. Richardsodn runs lower, better stop/start ability, cuts harder. Don't see them being similar at all.

Stewart and Richardson are within hundredths of one another in the 40.

40 yard time and game speed are different.

Which one is "slow in pads?"

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

40 yard time and game speed are different.

Not usually.

 

[Sabertooth]

40 yard time and game speed are different.

Not usually.

The armchair scouts are kind of piling it on in here.

 

[Steed]

I'm pretty sure Stewart registered a much better Combine than even Richardson's inflated pro day. Stewy is on another level athletically.

 

[shader]

Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.

 

[Sabertooth]

It looks like Stewart has battled injuries going all the way back to college. He's been dinged a lot in the pros as well.

 

[Steed]

Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.

Ran a better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench. Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich. Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.

 

[RBM]

Man what a shame for him and for us fans the career of Stewart. His primo yrs just wasted. I really think we woud have seen a special player having a special career if he would have been a feature back from year one.

 

[Sabertooth]

Man what a shame for him and for us fans the career of Stewart. His primo yrs just wasted. I really think we woud have seen a special player having a special career if he would have been a feature back from year one.

Yeah his potential seems to be LT2 type in his prime. But take heart, he just turned 25 a month ago today. He's younger than Arian Foster, Chris Johnson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, and many other guys that are just entering their primes now. He's only 6 months older than Ryan Mathews and 3 months older than Mendenhall. So while I agree he's been wasted on the pine in Charlotte, he was really young when drafted and still has a lot of tread on the tire. In another year he will be a (barely) 26 year old unrestricted free agent. He could end up starting for anyone. Imagine him in Green Bay's offense, or rushing behind Manning in Denver. I'm holding him for now. He may have value this season, maybe not. The NFL is funny that way. Just when you write a guy off, he storms onto the scene and leads the league in rushing or something like that.

 

[shader]

Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.

Ran a better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench. Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich. Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.

So that puts him on another level?

 

[shader]

Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.

Ran a better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench. Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich. Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.

Stewart ran a 4.46. NFL teams clocked trent between 4.45 and 4.49.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.

Ran a better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench. Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich. Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.

Stewart ran a 4.46. NFL teams clocked trent between 4.45 and 4.49.

One of them did it at the combine. One of them didn't.

 

[Steed]

Combine not equal to pro day

 

[Multiple Scores]

Give me Richardson. He will be a better pro and produce twice the numbers of Stewart which is what FF is all about. Richardson is the better blocker, better ball security and better receiver. I think he's the better RB in every way.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

40 yard time and game speed are different.

Not usually.

Prove it.

 

[cvnpoka]

Stewart is much faster and cuts more "in stride", bit of a "slasher" at times. Richardson runs lower, better stop/start ability, cuts harder. Don't see them being similar at all.

ya, seems a bizarre comparison. richardson has much greater change of direction and acceleration. he is violent in that respect. stewart seems more powerful and smooth.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

Not sure there has been a more overrated player in the shark pool than Stewart. Nice to see it continuing.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Not sure there has been a more overrated player in the shark pool than Stewart. Nice to see it continuing.

C'mon now, there have been guys this board loved that did nothing. Stewart at least has 3500 rushing and 702 receiving in 4 seasons.

 

[ADP]

Trent Richardson = stronger/faster version of Emmitt Smith.

Richardson >>> Stewart............not because of numbers, cause they pretty close, but because of my own two eyes. T-Rich just a better RB.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Not sure there has been a more overrated player in the shark pool than Stewart. Nice to see it continuing.

 

[Biabreakable]

Richardson is a much better prospect than Stewart was. Richardson is durable and a great blocker. He is a top 5 prospect. Stewart was injured coming in to the league and has struggled to stay healthy through a full season.

If you can get some rube to trade you Richardson for Stewart by all means do so. I see no reason why anyone would do that however.

ETA - Russ Lande is a big part of why people do not trust Sporting News.

 

[eakfootball]

Richardson is MUCH better than Stewart. Ray Rice is a better comparison IMO.

 

[todisco1]

Richardson is MUCH better than Stewart. Ray Rice is a better comparison IMO.

Ray Rice to Trent Richardson?

 

[Buck Stop]

I'm just happy Richardson and Stewart are my starting RBs in one of my dynasty leagues. Last year it was Sproles and K. Bell

Both are exceptional backs. When Stewart is finally free of the Panthers next year, he's gonna make a lot of owners happy after a loooong wait.

 

[jurb26]

RIchardson is most like MJD if you ask me. I don't see the Stewart resemblance at all.

Richardson and MJD are both;

Extremely compact.

Elite balance.

Elite power/pad level/center of gravity.

Elite stop and go ability.

Patient runners.

Richardson's ability to catch the ball is largely in question, especially as you compare it to a guy as good at catching the ball as MJD. I for one think he is a very capable receiver who wasn't asked to to it as often as others in the Bama scheme. I don't think there will be any problems with Richardson catching the ball.

 

[Sabertooth]

I'm just happy Richardson and Stewart are my starting RBs in one of my dynasty leagues. Last year it was Sproles and K. Bell Both are exceptional backs. When Stewart is finally free of the Panthers next year, he's gonna make a lot of owners happy after a loooong wait.

Sproles could very easily outperform both again this year. I agree on the rest though.

 

[DoubleG]

Not sure there has been a more overrated player in the shark pool than Stewart. Nice to see it continuing.

Kevan Barlow and David Boston say

 

[shader]

Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.

Ran a better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench. Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich. Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.

Stewart ran a 4.46. NFL teams clocked trent between 4.45 and 4.49.

One of them did it at the combine. One of them didn't.

Oh come on

 

[Nero]

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<br />Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.<br />

<br /><br /><br />Ran a  better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench.  Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich.  Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.<br />

<br /><br />Stewart ran a 4.46.  NFL teams clocked trent between 4.45 and 4.49.<br />

<br /><br />One of them did it at the combine.  One of them didn't.<br />

<br /><br />Oh come on<br />

<br /><br /><br />Mark Ingram ran a 4.5 at his Alabama pro day, so doing at the combine is significant IMO. I personally think Stewart is the better player as he seems faster and stronger.

 

[Buck Stop]

Sproles could very easily outperform both again this year. I agree on the rest though.

I agree with that, but trading Sproles in a package deal helped me land Richardson and Stewart (all be it 2 different trades. I moved Sproles, 1.2, and 1.3 for 1.1, 1.7, and 1.11. I then moved 1.7 and 1.12 for Stewart and DeAngelo.)

 

[jurb26]

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<br />Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.<br />

<br /><br /><br />Ran a  better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench.  Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich.  Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.<br />

<br /><br />Stewart ran a 4.46.  NFL teams clocked trent between 4.45 and 4.49.<br />

<br /><br />One of them did it at the combine.  One of them didn't.<br />

<br /><br />Oh come on<br />

<br /><br /><br />Mark Ingram ran a 4.5 at his Alabama pro day, so doing at the combine is significant IMO. I personally think Stewart is the better player as he seems faster and stronger.

These are not very important attributes to being a good RB.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

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<br />Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.<br />

<br /><br /><br />Ran a  better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench.  Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich.  Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.<br />

<br /><br />Stewart ran a 4.46.  NFL teams clocked trent between 4.45 and 4.49.<br />

<br /><br />One of them did it at the combine.  One of them didn't.<br />

<br /><br />Oh come on<br />

<br /><br /><br />Mark Ingram ran a 4.5 at his Alabama pro day, so doing at the combine is significant IMO. I personally think Stewart is the better player as he seems faster and stronger.

These are not very important attributes to being a good RB.

They aren't the only important attributes, but I'm not really sure how anyone can argue with a straight face that strength and speed don't help you in the NFL - a league made up of almost super humanly strong and fast players.

 

[Sabertooth]

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />Stewart is not on another level, that's silly.<br />

<br /><br /><br />Ran a  better time than him and repped 3 more on the bench.  Weighs 8 more lbs. than TRich.  Can't find any vert or broad for TRich.<br />

<br /><br />Stewart ran a 4.46.  NFL teams clocked trent between 4.45 and 4.49.<br />

<br /><br />One of them did it at the combine.  One of them didn't.<br />

<br /><br />Oh come on<br />

<br /><br /><br />Mark Ingram ran a 4.5 at his Alabama pro day, so doing at the combine is significant IMO. I personally think Stewart is the better player as he seems faster and stronger.

These are not very important attributes to being a good RB.

They aren't the only important attributes, but I'm not really sure how anyone can argue with a straight face that strength and speed don't help you in the NFL - a league made up of almost super humanly strong and fast players.

No kidding. I love these posts where the poster just throw out a comment like that, doesn't elaborate, and then expects anyone to take him seriously.

 

[Nero]

When I say stronger, I'm not referring to weight room strength.

 

[jurb26]

No kidding. I love these posts where the poster just throw out a comment like that, doesn't elaborate, and then expects anyone to take him seriously.

What elaboration would you like?

 

[Sabertooth]

No kidding. I love these posts where the poster just throw out a comment like that, doesn't elaborate, and then expects anyone to take him seriously.

What elaboration would you like?

None from you, thanks.

 

[humpback]

When I say stronger, I'm not referring to weight room strength.

What kind of strength are you referring to?

 

[jurb26]

They aren't the only important attributes, but I'm not really sure how anyone can argue with a straight face that strength and speed don't help you in the NFL - a league made up of almost super humanly strong and fast players.

Of course speed and strength are necessary to play in the NFL. That's the point, everyone has it. So it's a rather shallow way of looking at RBs. They are also some of the least important traits to evaluate RBs by. Lateral agility, stop and go speed, balance, vision, patients and short area burst are all far more important. So getting all caught up in these few hundredths of a second doesn't help all that much. Nobody slow and weak even gets a shot to play in the NFL, especially at RB. Some are faster and stronger, but the guys who excel have a lot more going for them than that. We are not comparing these NFL RBs with average Joe's. We are comparing them with other high level athletes and prospective NFL RBs.

 

[Shutout]

Every year, at every position, and for MOST players, there are always comparisons saying this guys is like Frank Gore. This guy is like Wes Welker, this guys is Jason Witten. On and on and on. And, for the vast majority, if you go back and review them after a few years, they are dead wrong.

Comparing a guy that has played in the NFL with a guy who hasn't is almost pointless. Not the comparison, but to post and say so universally that Richardson is "clearly better". There is almost no way to prove that today, in the present.

Last year at this time, there threads putting Mark Ingram in the Hall of fame and he was the best prospect since ADP and he was comparable to Frank Gore. Did we see Frank Gore II last year? Is anyone talking about him right now, today?

Its just the hype of rookies and for that reason, I would take JSTEW straight up in a trade of the two because If Richardson comes in and has a Ryan Matthews rookie season, the value falls. If he comes in and has a Mark Ingram season, the value really falls ("Uh Oh, maybe we overrated these Alabama RBs"). If he comes in and has a Jamal Lewis Rookie season, his value is solid, but not as high as it right now in some people's minds because he has to BE like ADP to justify the expectations of what people are saying (and presumably are getting in trades for the 1.01 pick). But JSTEW? He can do less than he did a few years ago when he was top 10 and even less than what he did last season and STILL, one year from today, his value will be sky high because the masses will be saying "FINALLY! JSTEW is ready to be THE guy on a team". Richardson might be the better player. He might put up the better numbers. We will see. But if you are wanting to pick one for value on your fantasy team, there is no contest. It is JSTEW by a mile!