When Camp Started I Thought...But Now...

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I think Reid has some level headed stuff here, via Danny Smith about Mason.

Redskins Insider - Pass Protection Is Mason's Big Deficiency

Randy Moss sucks at run blocking, who gives a crap? Note: I am not saying that Mason is the same caliber as Randy Moss. A running backs primary job is to carry the rock and get yards. Where Mason has been really impressive to me is around the goal line. We have struggled with running it in short yardage situations on the goal line in recent years, but he seems to have a knack for it. I think that he would be worth keeping for that ability alone. He can be taught to pick up the blitz eventually. Then again we did cut McCants because he was only good at catching TD passes.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Angry

Randy Moss sucks at run blocking, who gives a crap? Note: I am not saying that Mason is the same caliber as Randy Moss. A running backs primary job is to carry the rock and get yards. Where Mason has been really impressive to me is around the goal line. We have struggled with running it in short yardage situations on the goal line in recent years, but he seems to have a knack for it. I think that he would be worth keeping for that ability alone. He can be taught to pick up the blitz eventually. Then again we did cut McCants because he was only good at catching TD passes.

And to protect the QB when needed.

Comparing a WR's job to a RB doesn't really make much sense. Moss doesn't have to pick up blitzing LB's for Brady.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

And to protect the QB when needed.

Comparing a WR's job to a RB doesn't reall make much sense. Moss doesn't have to pick up blitzing LB's for Brady.

yep, on some plays the rb has a TE role since they have to block LBs that usually outweigh them by 20 - 50 lbs. Big part of the passing game.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

And to protect the QB when needed.

Comparing a WR's job to a RB doesn't really make much sense. Moss doesn't have to pick up blitzing LB's for Brady.

No but WR's are also supposed to run block on the perimeter for RB's, are they not. Some are good at it and some aren't, that is the comparrison that I was trying to make. I think that he could make a living in the goal line package and learn pass protection as he goes. That's just my opinion though. I just think that a TD VS. a field once or twice a game would be beneficial. Other teams use a short yardage back why shouldn't we?

Edit: This is not a knock on Portis or Betts though, personally I think that Portis would be good, but he constantly gets pulled out in goal line and replaced by Betts. Betts is not suited for the goal line or has not been as successfull as I would like. Sellars does not run like a big man down there. I think that Mason could fit.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

And to protect the QB when needed.

Comparing a WR's job to a RB doesn't really make much sense. Moss doesn't have to pick up blitzing LB's for Brady.

For the record; when Campbell scrambled for the touchdown, Dockery completely whiffed on Richard Seymour and Mason picked him up to spring Campbell. I know it's just one play, but I think it shows that Mason is at least and average blocker. I think we're all a bit spoiled by the fact that Portis is arguably the best blocking halfback in the league.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

For the record; when Campbell scrambled for the touchdown, Dockery completely whiffed on Richard Seymour and Mason picked him up to spring Campbell. I know it's just one play, but I think it shows that Mason is at least and average blocker. I think we're all a bit spoiled by the fact that Portis is arguably the best blocking halfback in the league.

You are right about that play and Mason deserves props for that. But there were two other times the other night when he whiffed his blocks.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Angry

Randy Moss sucks at run blocking, who gives a crap? Note: I am not saying that Mason is the same caliber as Randy Moss. A running backs primary job is to carry the rock and get yards. Where Mason has been really impressive to me is around the goal line. We have struggled with running it in short yardage situations on the goal line in recent years, but he seems to have a knack for it. I think that he would be worth keeping for that ability alone. He can be taught to pick up the blitz eventually. Then again we did cut McCants because he was only good at catching TD passes.

I think the requirements are more complex than you've stated. Danny Smith said it best. He's been on three teams and never played a down in a regular season game. Maybe there's a reason. Maybe he can't really play.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I think the requirements are more complex than you've stated. Danny Smith said it best. He's been on three teams and never played a down in a regular season game. Maybe there's a reason. Maybe he can't really play.

Danny is upset because he doesn't play special teams. That's how ST coaches are.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Angry

Danny is upset because he doesn't play special teams. That's how ST coaches are.

Jesus...how is he pissed off? He's never played in a game. You don't think that might say something about his abilities? Even a little?

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Jesus...how is he pissed off? He's never played in a game. You don't think that might say something about his abilities? Even a little?

Damn dude chill, I said that half jokingly. I didn't really mean that he was pissed. I do believe however that he is going to snub the guy because he doesn't play teams. Yes, there is fact in Danny's statements, but the "why" was not explained. He made it seem that it is because of pass protection or whatever, but he did not actually come out and say it. Danny could just be biased against the guy for not playing teams. Even I don't know that for sure. Sure he hasn't played a snap in the regular season, but he has taken snaps in preseason. He has film out there that suggests that he can be good for something.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by Angry

Damn dude chill, I said that half jokingly. I didn't really mean that he was pissed. I do believe however that he is going to snub the guy because he doesn't play teams. Yes, there is fact in Danny's statements, but the "why" was not explained. He made it seem that it is because of pass protection or whatever, but he did not actually come out and say it. Danny could just be biased against the guy for not playing teams. Even I don't know that for sure. Sure he hasn't played a snap in the regular season, but he has taken snaps in preseason. He has film out there that suggests that he can be good for something.

Honestly. I think Danny Smith is a little touchy because Rock is his ST captain and he is acting like a bi-otch because he might be leaving. Also who gives a damn what Danny Smith says. He is not a spectacular ST coach. he actually is horrible. He needs ot be cut. All these people saying this crap about Mason not having speed? Huh. I advise you go to Youtube or look at some of the game film. Him not being a change of pace back. I think he has the same skill sets as a younger Portis. May not be a change of pace. But he runs better than Betts and Rock. IF special teams was playing lights out. I would be all for keeping Rock. But if he is the captain of ST. What does that say. CUT!!

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by dmvskinzfan08

Honestly. I think Danny Smith is a little touchy because Rock is his ST captain and he is acting like a bi-otch because he might be leaving. Also who gives a damn what Danny Smith says. He is not a spectacular ST coach. he actually is horrible. He needs ot be cut. All these people saying this crap about Mason not having speed? Huh. I advise you go to Youtube or look at some of the game film. Him not being a change of pace back. I think he has the same skill sets as a younger Portis. May not be a change of pace. But he runs better than Betts and Rock. IF special teams was playing lights out. I would be all for keeping Rock. But if he is the captain of ST. What does that say. CUT!!

No offense dude, but a lot of your comments come off as just hating on or liking a player wayyy too much. I honestly don't have much of an opinion on Danny Smith, but he is the ST coach and a lot of these 3rd stringers' main contribution to the team will be through special teams play. So I would say his opinion is pretty important.

I honestly feel that Alridge, Mason, and Dorsey are pretty interchangeable when it comes to keeping them or getting rid of them. If we are lucky, we won't see any of them starting, because if any of them are starting (or hell, even Rock) we are in big trouble.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Angry

Randy Moss sucks at run blocking, who gives a crap? Note: I am not saying that Mason is the same caliber as Randy Moss. A running backs primary job is to carry the rock and get yards. Where Mason has been really impressive to me is around the goal line. We have struggled with running it in short yardage situations on the goal line in recent years, but he seems to have a knack for it. I think that he would be worth keeping for that ability alone. He can be taught to pick up the blitz eventually. Then again we did cut McCants because he was only good at catching TD passes.

I understand that you're not trying to compare the players in quality or total value, but I think this argument would be better invoked on a guy like Adrian Peterson. AD is a major limiting factor on the quality of his team's passing game, but despite that, OH MY GOD LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE GETS THE BALL.

It's because Mason isn't going to start for us (unless you think of him as a future starter) that he has to do the small things well to have value. If he's being kept as the 3rd RB, he's probably only going to find his way into the game situationally, in which case, he's a liability if he can't do simple blitz pickups.

So while it's true that a running back's primary job is to carry the football, the only time Mason is a primary running back is during the preseason. You know, before the cuts.

Now, if you want to keep him on the roster and invest in him for future value and try to improve his pass blocking over time, that's a completely different perspective. Players like Mason take a lot of coach hours to turn into that kind of player, but I think the guy has the potential to be an elite runner. He's no older now than Willie Parker was in 2005, so that's probably his upside.

Of course, Willie Parker is one of the weakest players who is still a Steelers regular, so you have to keep everything in perspective. If the fruits of your labor is to develop Mason into the starting RB in 2011, and by 2013, he's a liability that we need to spend a draft pick on to replace (either partially or completely) is it really worth it?

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I understand that you're not trying to compare the players in quality or total value, but I think this argument would be better invoked on a guy like Adrian Peterson. AD is a major limiting factor on the quality of his team's passing game, but despite that, OH MY GOD LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE GETS THE BALL.

It's because Mason isn't going to start for us (unless you think of him as a future starter) that he has to do the small things well to have value. If he's being kept as the 3rd RB, he's probably only going to find his way into the game situationally, in which case, he's a liability if he can't do simple blitz pickups.

So while it's true that a running back's primary job is to carry the football, the only time Mason is a primary running back is during the preseason. You know, before the cuts.

Now, if you want to keep him on the roster and invest in him for future value and try to improve his pass blocking over time, that's a completely different perspective. Players like Mason take a lot of coach hours to turn into that kind of player, but I think the guy has the potential to be an elite runner. He's no older now than Willie Parker was in 2005, so that's probably his upside.

Of course, Willie Parker is one of the weakest players who is still a Steelers regular, so you have to keep everything in perspective. If the fruits of your labor is to develop Mason into the starting RB in 2011, and by 2013, he's a liability that we need to spend a draft pick on to replace (either partially or completely) is it really worth it?

..............................................Yes.

Well GTripp, here's the deal. When Mason wakes up in the moring he pisses excellense, he's just a big harry winning machine. You know....if you aint first your last.