kevthegrad
Footballguy
Seems to be some difference on opinion on this. I wanted to formalize the poll...
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Who do YOU think the 49ers starting RB is? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter kevthegrad
- Start date
nightshift
Footballguy
MRob II
kevthegrad
Footballguy
So things look about even here. Would love to actually hear an official footballguy take on this battle.
Seymour Corn
it=info
Jeremy ate a football, as an appetizer.
kevthegrad
Footballguy
Man I'd love one of these guys to just step up and turn into something.
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
Frank Gore is slated for a Spotlight by the end of the month.
There will also be a Gore / Barlow Faceoff in June.
There will be more viewpoints on the SF RB situation as the summer wears on.
There will also be a Gore / Barlow Faceoff in June.
There will be more viewpoints on the SF RB situation as the summer wears on.
kevthegrad
Footballguy
Good, can you explain it to me please?
Boone22
Footballguy
Sure, I'll throw in my take on the situation. ALL of the SF RBs have issues. None of them were drafted higher than the 3rd round so the 49ers don't have a ton invested in any of them. Barlow is 27 and has yet to really show any consistency as the starting RB and nobody can say he didn't have his chances. Gore is young and had massive potential before his injuries but the guy just can't stay healthy with injuries to both his knees in college and now surgery on both his shoulders. I just don't believe he's the kind of guy you can rely on for a full season as your starting RB. Now add to that, that the 49ers just drafted Michael Robinson in the 4th round as a RB , not a WR as everyone thought, and I think they may be looking to the future. Sure Robinson is RAW and yes he needs a lot of work but if we are looking at 2007, I think he has a legitimate shot to win the starting job.Taken from NFL.com Draft Profiles...Good, can you explain it to me please?
SUMMARY
It is always hard to predict how a player will do playing a position that he has not played a ton of in college. Robinson is definitely athletic and smart enough to make the switch, but learning the nuances of a new position in the NFL is extremely difficult. Teams will need to be careful not to over-draft him based on his post-season workouts because he is still an athlete trying to make a position switch. For every Hines Ward or Drew Bennett, there are many who never were able to make the switch -- Woody Danzler and Eric Crouch are just a few of the recent big names to fail. In the end, Robinson should succeed in his switch to receiver -- he will develop into a good No. 3 receiver who can make big plays after the catch because of his open-field running ability.
STRONG POINTS
Robinson is a top-notch athlete with the foot quickness, explosiveness and playing speed to make big plays as a receiver. In limited opportunities, he has shown good hands and the ability to pluck the ball easily away from his body. He is a dangerous open-field runner and will be able to turn short passes into big plays. He is a tough football player who has consistently taken hard hits and stayed in the lineup. He is a smooth and fluid athlete who can make very sharp cuts -- as he gains experience as a receiver, he will be able to burst out of cuts to get separation easily.
WEAKNESSES
Robinson's only glaring weakness is that he was primarily a quarterback at Penn State and, even though he played receiver at times in career, he will need to learn to play the position at the highest level possible. While he has shown real toughness as a quarterback, it is impossible to predict his willingness to go up and make tough catches on high passes in traffic.
I drafted Michael Robinson in the 19th round of a recent WCOFF draft as a complete shot in the dark. If he was listed as anything other than a RB I would not have drafted him. But since the top 2 runners on that team have questions marks, the WR depth is possibly the worst in the NFL, and the possibility he might get some work as a goal line QB leads me to hope Robinson might be playing an expanded slash role.
I read in the Contra Costa Times that Robinson might the be the third down back. This would certainly add to his value in PPR leagues but I'm skeptical a team would place a rookie RB who does not have experience as a pass blocker in this role. The writer for the Contra Costa Times did say he expected Robinson to be on the field this year a pretty good amount.
I believe Gore is the starter while he is healthy but the past ACL's and off-season surgery to his shoulders does not bode well for a RB looking to be a feature runner. Barlow has had his chances and made the least of them. If those 2 falter than I believe the team will turn to Robinson and not Hicks but again I think it's Gore's job so long as he is healthy.
I read in the Contra Costa Times that Robinson might the be the third down back. This would certainly add to his value in PPR leagues but I'm skeptical a team would place a rookie RB who does not have experience as a pass blocker in this role. The writer for the Contra Costa Times did say he expected Robinson to be on the field this year a pretty good amount.
I believe Gore is the starter while he is healthy but the past ACL's and off-season surgery to his shoulders does not bode well for a RB looking to be a feature runner. Barlow has had his chances and made the least of them. If those 2 falter than I believe the team will turn to Robinson and not Hicks but again I think it's Gore's job so long as he is healthy.
Sanboy
Footballguy
BAY AREA homer here
Robinson will play some RB this year . .situational carries nothing more ..
they dont ever see him as being a 20 carry guy .. this is on public record from the coach's mouth on SPORTS TALK RADIO
" we dont see him as a 20 carry guy .. but we see him as a NEW AGE situational 5 to 10 carry guy who can get involved in the passing game as well as certain trick plays "
with that said .. move along with him
Barlow will get the first crack
once he fails .. GORE will get a crack .. as long as he stays healhty and produces they will stick with him to atleast see what they have ..
Robinson will play some RB this year . .situational carries nothing more ..
they dont ever see him as being a 20 carry guy .. this is on public record from the coach's mouth on SPORTS TALK RADIO
" we dont see him as a 20 carry guy .. but we see him as a NEW AGE situational 5 to 10 carry guy who can get involved in the passing game as well as certain trick plays "
with that said .. move along with him
Barlow will get the first crack
once he fails .. GORE will get a crack .. as long as he stays healhty and produces they will stick with him to atleast see what they have ..
offdee
Footballguy
Very easy to say that now cuz of his past situation playing RB, WR and QB at different times throughout college...but, he is a tremendous athlete with great measurables and if he concentrates on one position he could surprise in the coming years. He's already getting unexpectedly rave review for his running style from camp.....June 5, 2006, 14:09 49ers :: RB, WR, PR/KRRB Robinson Making Great ImpressionESPN.com, Pro Football Weekly - [Full Article]Word is the most impressive Niners rookie so far this offseason has been fourth-round pick Michael Robinson, who's being thought of initially as a third-down back but could end up filling several roles. Robinson's running style reminds longtime Niners watchers of a much bigger Charlie Garner in that he always seems to move forward when carrying the ball.
TheFanatic
Footballguy
Gore is much more the Norv Turner type back than any of the other guys in the mix. Turner will turn Gore into a stud this year if the guy can stay healthy....
Texasmouth
Footballguy
Gore should be.
Hicks would be solid if he got a shot full time.
Barlow has done nothing when given a shot, numerous times.
So, Barlow will probably be the starter.
Hicks would be solid if he got a shot full time.
Barlow has done nothing when given a shot, numerous times.
So, Barlow will probably be the starter.
kevthegrad
Footballguy
Yea I have to agree, Barlow did some fantastic work as the back up to Hearst but that was back with Garcia was playing OK at QB and T.O. was the WR. Since he became the featured back, the QB situation has been a god awful mess, they haven't had any other weapons to take the pressure off the running game, and he's had injuries.
I'm torn. I think I might protect both Gore AND Barlow in my dynasty league and then draft Bush with #1. Hope Gore breaks out and Barlow goes elsewhere next year.
Fullback Fro
yesno
hey kevthegrad,
thanks for starting another thread about the niner rb's.
thanks for starting another thread about the niner rb's.
B Maverick
Footballguy
Yet Gore played with the bad shoulders and did much better behind the same line that Barlow stunk behind.Gore will take over there. He is the man to have.
ILUVBEER99
Footballguy
Full blown RBBC.
Norv Turner is a good coach, he'll do what is best for the team, which is using both Gore and Barlow.
Norv Turner is a good coach, he'll do what is best for the team, which is using both Gore and Barlow.
kevthegrad
Footballguy
Well somebody has to, and I figure I'm the biggest shmuck in the world owning both of em.hey kevthegrad,
thanks for starting another thread about the niner rb's.
yeah good job with this thread, just in case your first five running backs get hurt EDIT: ok and after I posted this I realize that your RBs consist of minnesota and san franciso, GOOD LUCK. but really, it cant not be gore. i wont put it past the 49ers to stick with 3.3 yard per carry kevAn as opposed to 4.8 yard frank, but maybe, just maybe they realize that kb wouldnt make it in NFLE. pencil frank in right now as the starter, should be good enough for #28 running back.Well somebody has to, and I figure I'm the biggest shmuck in the world owning both of em.hey kevthegrad,
thanks for starting another thread about the niner rb's.
Last edited by a moderator:
kevthegrad
Footballguy
This is fascinating...I keep replying and bumping this thread, and Barlow is slowly gaining some support in the poll. I'm wondering what that's reflective of....post your vote if you haven't yet folks, this is science dammit! 
kevthegrad
Footballguy
I've got the #1 pick in my dynasty draft (any surprise given that roster? ha) so I figure to add Bush to this line up. But yes, I have a horrendous RB roster right now.yeah good job with this thread, just in case your first five running backs get hurt EDIT: ok and after I posted this I realize that your RBs consist of minnesota and san franciso, GOOD LUCK. but really, it cant not be gore. i wont put it past the 49ers to stick with 3.3 yard per carry kevAn as opposed to 4.8 yard frank, but maybe, just maybe they realize that kb wouldnt make it in NFLE. pencil frank in right now as the starter, should be good enough for #28 running back.Well somebody has to, and I figure I'm the biggest shmuck in the world owning both of em.hey kevthegrad,
thanks for starting another thread about the niner rb's.
Gandalf
Footballguy
I think the week 1 starter will be Barlow, then we'll see Gore, then Barlow, then Gore... and a completely different RB from college (Marshawn Lynch???) in 2007. Basically, I envision a RBBC because I don't think Barlow has it and Gore probably won't be able to stay healthy. I don't think they'll turn the franchise over to Hicks. Basically, I'd avoid this situation at all costs unless I already owned one of them in a keeper league.
Turner and the Niners want a smash mouth run game, which Barlow is definitely NOT suited for. He's more of a finesse runner, even though he's not much of that either. The Niners' O-line will be improved this year, but I just don't see Barlow being a factor whether he starts or not. A 27-year-old RB with one good year under his belt is not something I want on my team.
kevthegrad
Footballguy
So Barlow is gaining. Yet not a peep out of training camp.
Keep posting/voting folks, this is scientific and guaranteed 100% accurate.
Keep posting/voting folks, this is scientific and guaranteed 100% accurate.
kevthegrad
Footballguy
bump
ThreatLevelMidnight
Footballguy
why this important
sanfransisco terrible team
get sandiego runningback
sanfransisco terrible team
get sandiego runningback
Seymour Corn
it=info
Exactly.WTF?huh?
kevthegrad
Footballguy
birdie num nums monkey butt. Howdie Partner!
Seymour Corn
it=info
YOUR MOTHER IS DIRTY!
M
MLBrandow
Guest
i don't see how this isn't Gore's job with Barlow working in as a change of pace back. Seeing something like the Hearst/Barlow backfield of a few years ago would be money.
Seymour Corn
it=info
So have we come to a consensus?
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
CONSENSUS NOT ARRIVEDCISCO OFFENSE BAD
RB PICTURE NOT CLEAR
UG
kevthegrad
Footballguy
The only concensus that seems to be uniform across the magazines already on shelves and on here is that Norv Turner likes to run, pounding it....and that he normally turns out a 1000 yd rusher.
I think the split on this voting speaks to nobody knowing if it's going to be Barlow finally (since San Fran has more weapons now and the passing game will need some respect) or Gore. For the record, I vote with Gore if he can stay healthy. Looked good in those last 3 games last year, and that was with NO passing game and Yucko The Clown starting at TE.
I think the split on this voting speaks to nobody knowing if it's going to be Barlow finally (since San Fran has more weapons now and the passing game will need some respect) or Gore. For the record, I vote with Gore if he can stay healthy. Looked good in those last 3 games last year, and that was with NO passing game and Yucko The Clown starting at TE.
Jack Burton
Footballguy
Good lord help Gore if he cant beat out Barlow.
kevthegrad
Footballguy
Well I think that might be taking it a bit far. A couple year ago Barlow was going to be a 'stud' and people on this board had him ranked in the top 7 or 8 RB's if memory serves.The debate rages on, does Barlow stink or is it that bad O-line, lack of weapons around him....? Who knows. I think this year will be tell tale with a healthy set of TE's in Davis (and Eric Johnson, who everybody forgets), Smith in his 2nd full year at QB, I just think now we'll be able to tell who the real deal is. But this entire poll has been fascinating.
B Maverick
Footballguy
just wondering, were gore and barlow running behind a different oline last year? It was terrible but gore looked good. Barlow didnt
bearsharks
Footballguy
A big FU to Kevan Barlow chronic lame-###.
kevthegrad
Footballguy
A great point. I don't have the stats to back it up, because I am lazy and unwiling to go find them, but I seem to remember San Fran being in total and entire shambles at that point. Barlow injured, not sure if Smith played all 3 games or if they were into the Dorsey/Pickett rotation due to injuries or something, but I question if Gore looked better because teams were just taking the entire team for granted at that point or not. Like I said, I'm unsure and this could be a great point. I will say the cross section for Gore is only a couple games, where as Barlow looking bad was over a lot more of a period.
Jack Burton
Footballguy
He may prove me wrong but I dont think Barlow is a very good RB. It may just be he sucked the last two seasons because he didnt have much competition and didnt work hard and was complacent, not sure. The thing is, Gore did well behind the same line. He cant do worse than Barlow thats for sure, so the job should be his to lose.
