Scud's Studs (12th off the bench): Cards vs. Skins

Am I the only one that thinks Hightower is slightly overrated as a runner? It took Hightower 20 carries to get to 96 yds, while Helu had 10 carries for 74 yds. The only knock on Helu is that he's not a good pass blocker.

Also, I'm not buying Shanahan's comment that Hightower was "tired". TH didn't play at all in the 2nd half, but for a couple of plays. I think Shanahan's seeing that Helu, with the exception of Pass Pro, is a more productive running and pass catching back than Hightower is.

Not really. I think he does a good job on finding holes and falling forward for yards. You need a bruiser and a scat back to have a great offense, and we now have both.

You kinda pound them with Hightower, and then when the defense is tired.. Let Helu run around them. It's a big difference when you are out there attacking the same guy all day, and then a quicker/faster guy comes out and you feel like you have cement shoes.

I'm speaking from experience though.

Am I the only one that thinks Hightower is slightly overrated as a runner? It took Hightower 20 carries to get to 96 yds, while Helu had 10 carries for 74 yds. The only knock on Helu is that he's not a good pass blocker.

Also, I'm not buying Shanahan's comment that Hightower was "tired". TH didn't play at all in the 2nd half, but for a couple of plays. I think Shanahan's seeing that Helu, with the exception of Pass Pro, is a more productive running and pass catching back than Hightower is.

I think TH may be a bit overrated...but I think the Cards were a bit too focused on him during the game (esp the likes of Darnell Dockett). On the Davis TD, I think the Cards were too sure of themselves that TH was going to run it. In the 2nd half, I think Shanahan went with the more productive RB, but also I think he wanted to go with the RB that didn't have the target on his back as well.

I like the way MS used two RBs this week and that's the way it should be. I think this should be an offense where it doesn't matter who is the #1 RB, because both should play.

Who would have thought we wouldn't be missing either Clinton Portis or Ryan Torain going into the third game of the season.

Here's the difference between Helu and Torain on a screen pass with identical blocking: there are defensive lineman in pursuit who will catch Torain after 14-16 yards. With Helu, good luck big guys. He's not slowing down to make his cuts, so chase him all you want, he's going to be running away from you,

Breakaway speed is so novel in this offense.

Man coverage was really working for us in the first half, but we went away from it in the second half because of the injuries. That created lanes on the draw, and a number of quickly defined throws for Kolb who beat the pressure a number of times. There was also far less blitzing in the second half than the first, after the Cardinals showed a credible threat of a run.

CC isn't going anywhere. No sense in even discussing it.

But this is a lesson on GMing greatest....

I didn't like the word chosen to describe Hightower's reason for being spelled. Guys are "tired" all of the time.

Am I the only one that thinks Hightower is slightly overrated as a runner? It took Hightower 20 carries to get to 96 yds, while Helu had 10 carries for 74 yds. The only knock on Helu is that he's not a good pass blocker.

Also, I'm not buying Shanahan's comment that Hightower was "tired". TH didn't play at all in the 2nd half, but for a couple of plays. I think Shanahan's seeing that Helu, with the exception of Pass Pro, is a more productive running and pass catching back than Hightower is.

No, you are not the only one. I am glad that we have Hightower and he is a good banger as a runner. Plus you need multiple backs in the NFL. But he is good only, not great. I hope we see more of Helu as time goes by.

Helu is a nice change of pace, but TH is still a baller too. They're a nice duo.

How about that 4th and 3 call at the 18 when Rex hit Moss for the TD? Love the balls of that play call and the decision by Rex. That's why I can't fault us for not running the clock down at the end. I think the coaches have sent a clear message, we're going down swinging no matter what.