Houston gets VASTLY overrated by some of you... Barlow has shown some spark this season and gets the start tomorrow... To carry 4 running backs would be kind of crazy, but i guess alright...Obviously he has to improve his special teams so he can produce in another way.
I'm worried about the blitz pickup and getting our QB who is proving he's on the comeback trail, hurt.
Reasonable concerns. But *if* Houston can gain positive yards on a regular basis it allows the offense to avoid 3rd and long where Chad's going to end up getting hurt anyway in the long run. And with 3 options at running back, you use the one best suited for the play called. If pass blocking is required, you use Barlow or Blaylock. We're just talking about getting through the season and then we can hopefully find a starter in the draft.
Wouldn't that give away the play if we putBlaylock in on passing plays all the time, and never put Houston in for a passing play? The OL is the bigger concern on running.. not the back. The backs are not awesome but Jim Brown is not running with too much success behind this line's run blocking.
I think if barlow gets to touch the ball 20 times a game consistently, and the oline does a little better job, I think we all would be happy. But Barlow has to be the RB, and lose the RB by commitee.
I agree. They need to stop splitting carries for a game and give Barlow the load. Let him get into a rhythm with the line. Blaylock has shown absolutely nothing. Barlow has shown a quicker burst, more power and a better move to the outside. I think his carries increased from Week 1 to 2, so hopefully that is the trend.
With an average of 70 yds per game and 2.5 yds per carry over the first two games, you gotta try something. If you have to plan your offensive rushing scheme around not re-injuring your QB, your chances of succeeding will be very slim. This limits your options to the point where the opposing "D" will know exactly what you're doing.
