With Foster (presumably) back this week, (1 Viewer)

[davidwb]

Williams had a pretty good game against the Iggles on Monday night (he even blocked on passing downs -- and then slipped out to take passes). But Foster has been the starter.

What happens in Carolina now?

1) Does Foster go back to being the starter, with DWill in a secondary role?

2) Does DWill stay as the starter, with Foster playing backup?

3) Is it now a full RBBC?

If I were Fox, I would start DWill and play him until it was clear he couldn't handle the position, based on: his good play on Monday night, Foster's mediocre play over most of the rest of the season, and the likelihood that DWill be the starter next year with Foster somewhere else.

Any insights on this situation?

 

[Da Guru]

I am glad someone finally brought up the Carolina RB situation.

 

[Otis]

I am glad someone finally brought up the Carolina RB situation.

Answer: RBBCIF, I repeat, IF, Foster plays.

 

[gadkins]

Fox said if Foster is healthy he’ll start ahead of rookie DeAngelo Williams on Sunday.

Bottom of article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16075937/

 

[strong]

Fox said if Foster is healthy he’ll start ahead of rookie DeAngelo Williams on Sunday.

Bottom of article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16075937/

Bummer, but who's surprised?

 

[beef]

what should happen...

dwill is too good to keep off the field. foster is a better power runner. similar to maroney and dillon, use them both and keep dwill active in the passing game.

 

[gadkins]

what should happen...dwill is too good to keep off the field. foster is a better power runner. similar to maroney and dillon, use them both and keep dwill active in the passing game.

Foster in not a good power runner. Last year he had many problems punching it in from the goalline

 

[beef]

what should happen...dwill is too good to keep off the field. foster is a better power runner. similar to maroney and dillon, use them both and keep dwill active in the passing game.

Foster in not a good power runner. Last year he had many problems punching it in from the goalline

i wouldn't replace "better" with "good" either.

 

[Berserker]

Hopefully, Fox realizes his season is on the line. Williams is the better, more explosive runner and gives his team a better chance to win.

I'm not sure I've heard anyone call Foster a good power runner before. One of his (many) flaws. Here's to Foster being deactivated again.

 

[bkerney]

As a season long Foster owner and one who has watched Foster all year, him being described as a "better power runner" is comical. I had high hopes for Foster, but the guys seems to be running with concrete cleats, he doesn't hit the hole, he doesn't break tackles and he doesn't make defenders miss.

Why Fox would play Foster is beyond compehension!! If it were me, I'd play Williams and wouldn't look back.

 

[gadkins]

If you have both who would you start. Is this a time when you would start a back-up RB on the same team instead of the named starter?

 

[CrazyHorse1581]

Anyone on here ever heard the term coach speak?? Mark my words, Williams will get the majority of the work regardless of who is on the field for the first offensive play.

 

[Pimpin Ain't Easy]

Anyone on here ever heard the term coach speak?? Mark my words, Williams will get the majority of the work regardless of who is on the field for the first offensive play.

Same thing is happening in Dallas right now. JJ is still the "starter" but Barber is slowly taking over.

 

[Yo Eleven]

Anyone on here ever heard the term coach speak?? Mark my words, Williams will get the majority of the work regardless of who is on the field for the first offensive play.

It definitely could be coach speak, but based on Fox's handling of the RB situation last year, one is risking quite a bit by playing Williams in a playoff matchup without really knowing how Fox and Carolina will handle it this year.

 

[elcohiba]

Anyone else feel there's some bad karma hanging over the Panthers this year?

They were not rushing for TD's. Now they've lost their QB.

 

[shadow2k]

Why Fox would play Foster is beyond compehension!!

Blocking.

 

[Football Menace]

Anyone else feel there's some bad karma hanging over the Panthers this year?

They were not rushing for TD's. Now they've lost their QB.

Either I've missed something, or you're thinking of the wrong team. OK. See what you're talking about. I've been at work too long.

 

[FFdork]

Why Fox would play Foster is beyond compehension!!

Blocking.

I tried to watch William's pass blocking on MNF since this is often something that holds a rookie back. I didn't see any problems there. I think this is a coach being loyal to a vet. Like others, I have a hunch this is coach speak and the rookie will carry more of the load. You can't really start a guy on a hunch in the playoffs though...unless your desperate.

 

[NOONAN]

Why Fox would play Foster is beyond compehension!!

Blocking.

I tried to watch William's pass blocking on MNF since this is often something that holds a rookie back. I didn't see any problems there. I think this is a coach being loyal to a vet. Like others, I have a hunch this is coach speak and the rookie will carry more of the load. You can't really start a guy on a hunch in the playoffs though...unless your desperate.

Philly didn't get much pressure from anywhere. DeAngelo looked good in spots catching the ball, but for the most part, looked the same as Foster running. I still think the problem is the O-line.I would play Foster as the primary back and have Williams be the 3rd down back. Williams can get into the open field more often that way for the explosive plays. Foster can take the pounding from the lack of O-line blocking on the run downs.All bets are off if Delhomme can't play or, if he does, continues to throw picks late.

 

[Frank Black]

As a homer, I forecast RBBC, with Williams getting the better numbers because of his bigger play making potential. Foster just doesn't seem to have the burst he used to have.

As an X factor, I wonder what affect Weinke starting would have on the team. The team seems demoralized, and if Weinke starts off playing well, I can see the entire team becoming re-energized. If that happens, I give the slight nod to Foster, as the veteran. Not an in depth analysis, but right now it's the best I got.

 

[Colin Dowling]

The sooner Foster gets back on the field, the sooner he can get hurt again so Williams can take over. I'm glad he's starting - if history is our guide, he'll be injured by the 3rd play of the game and Deangelo can get in a full game's work.

 

[kwille]

... You can't really start a guy on a hunch in the playoffs though...unless your desperate.

 

[dcgangstas]

Personally, I'm not surprised. This is pretty much John Fox's M.O of excessive loyalty to his starters (evidenced by Stephen Davis vs. Foster last year).

Having said that, being a "starter" does not mean more touches. I would expect DeAngelo to get the bulk of the work, especially in the 4th quarter if Carolina's leading. Williams has great vision, and excellent cut-back ability and explosiveness. Carolina's season is on the line, and Fox has to put the ball in Steve Smith's and De-Will's hands as much as possible.

 

[FFdork]

... You can't really start a guy on a hunch in the playoffs though...unless your desperate.

Well, if any more of my RBs come out in a surprise walking boot, I may be right there with you. I think you could do a lot worse.

 

[NOONAN]

Personally, I'm not surprised. This is pretty much John Fox's M.O of excessive loyalty to his starters (evidenced by Stephen Davis vs. Foster last year). Having said that, being a "starter" does not mean more touches. I would expect DeAngelo to get the bulk of the work, especially in the 4th quarter if Carolina's leading. Williams has great vision, and excellent cut-back ability and explosiveness. Carolina's season is on the line, and Fox has to put the ball in Steve Smith's and De-Will's hands as much as possible.

I don't think Fox is looking at Williams as the guy to rest Carolina's playoff hopes on. When it's crunch time, you gotta ride your horse. Figure out ways to get Steve Smith 12 - 15 touches, with or without Delhomme.The O-line hasn't blocked the run well for anyone. You gotta go to the air with the MAN.

 

[Rev]

Coachspeak doesn't make any sense to me here. Who is Fox trying to please by benching the better of his 2 running backs for a brittle disappointment of a player in Foster? Who is he trying to please? What good is he doing? Or does he legitimately lack confidence in DeAngelo, for some unknown reason?

All I can think of is that he's trying to get as many miles out of foster so that he can trade him, but I'm not sure that's even possible contract-wise.

Clueless.