A look at our backfield.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Jonathan Stewart

 

28 YO. 5’10, 235lbs, 8 years experience

 

Under Contract through 2017. 2015 cap hit; 8.3 mil (13.6 mil dead if cut)

 

Has rushed for 4,825 yards with a YPC of 4.6 with 30 TDs.  1,084 receiving yards with 5 TDs

 

Stewart is our unquestioned feature back.  Not much else to be said.  Stay healthy Stew.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwQ4_imGpL0&feature=player_detailpage

 

 

Cameron Artis-Payne

 

24 YO. 5’10, 212lbs, Rookie (5^th round)

 

Under Contract through 2019.  2015 cap hit; .47 mil (.16 mil dead if cut)

 

Rushed for 1,482 yards (123.5 per game) with 11 TDs in senior season at Auburn. 132 yards receiving

 

CAP is likely our 1-2 punch to J-Stew.  Lack of production in the passing game is disconcerting.  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA-tvSBW7Q0&feature=player_detailpage

 

 

Jordan Todman

 

25 YO. 5’10, 198lbs, 4 years experience

 

Under contract for 2015.  2015 cap hit; .6 mil (.02 mil dead if cut)
 

Rushed for 450 yards (4.1 ypc) with 3 TDs.  314 yards receiving.  Has a 25.9 kick return average (68 attempts). 10 special teams tackles.

 

Todman is the first of the RBs on the bubble.  His contributions to Special teams in both KO coverage and PRs help his chances. He should be seen as more of a scat back type, and will likely be suspect in QB protection. He needs to have a good preseason. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtjrLyNfUm4

 

 

Fozzy Whittaker

 

26 YO. 5’10, 205lbs, 3 years experience

 

Under contract trough 2016. 2015 cap hit; .63 mil (.05 mil dead if cut)

 

224 yards (3.7 ypc) with one TD.  Has 215 yards receiving with 3 TDs.  Has a 22.5 Kick off Return average (40 attempts).  2 special teams tackles

 

Fozzy is also on the bubble, and similar to Todman, contributes on KR and punt coverage.  His playoff performance against the Cardinals might be an anomaly given his low ypc.  Will need to show improvement in the preseason. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7HEc6Tk0A0&feature=player_detailpage

 

 

Darrin Reaves

 

22 YO, 5’10, 220lbs, 2 years experience

 

Under contract for 2015. 2015 cap hit; .51 mil (free to cut)

 

78 yards (2.5 ypc) 31 receiving yards. 

 

Reaves most promising attribute at this point is his age.  At 22, he is the youngest RB on the roster.  His lack of special teams contribution and low ypc are due to only participating in 6 games last season.  He will have to be a training camp and preseason all-star to crack the roster. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-FN4smu-dg

 

 

Brandon Wegher

 

24 YO, 5’10, 213lbs, Rookie (UDFA)

 

Under contract through 2017. 2015 cap hit; .43 mil (free to cut)

 

641 yards (4 ypc) with 8 TDs.  112 yards receiving.  Has a 23.8 kickoff return average (9 attempts).  Only had 175 plays from scrimmage at Iowa.

 

Wegher is a longshot to make the roster, however his extremely low salary over the next 3 years may help his argument. He also seems willing and able to contribute on special teams.  Will likely make the practice squad.  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB5nG_HpYCk&feature=player_detailpage

 

 

And the Fullbacks:

 

 

Mike Tolbert (FB)

 

29 YO, 5’9, 243lbs, 7 years experience

 

Under contract for 2015.  2015 cap hit; 3.4 mil (1 mil dead if cut)

 

Tolbert has amassed 2,032 yards (3.8 ypc) with 32 TDs.  He has 1,557 yards receiving with 8 TDs.  Last year he only played in 8 games and saw a dip in his offensive production (93 total yards).

 

Tolbert is in the last year of his contract.  With his minor dip in offensive productivity, he may be looking at his last year in Carolina.  However, the offensive notably stalled last year in his absence, as we were forced to keep TEs in to aid in blocking. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiOQRiqIvsg

 

 

Lee Ward (FB)

 

23 YO, 5’11. 246lbs, Rookie (UDFA)

 

Contract details not released.

 

In 4 years at Stanford, Ward only had 1 rush for 11 yards, and 2 receptions for 5 yards and a TD.

 

He is a nasty run blocker, but not an offensive threat in the slightest.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUqs4SUwQL4

 

 

 

[Moorgan]

I think Todman and Reaves may be cut. It's hard to say though. Should be a good competition. I assume that with all this competition, we don't see much of Stewart in the preseason for fear of getting hurt and everyone knows he's the starter.

[TheNewStandard]

Running Backs

Stewart

CAP

Fozzy

Reaves

Full Backs

Tolbert

Brockel

Williams

Brockell could be the odd man out.

[Rubi]

If Stewart goes down I'd say we are in trouble at the position. [emoji52]

[TheRumGone]

ya'll are underestimating toddman i believe. he is a great return man

[motocross_cat]

ya'll are underestimating toddman i believe. he is a great return man

Will they split return duties? Like ginn on punts, todman on kickoff? Or does ginn just play wr? Its cool to think of the options considering what went on last year in that department.

[Gin and Juice]

If Wegher can Pass Protect, the he and Lee Ward are here to push Brockel and Swole

[TheRumGone]

Will they split return duties? Like ginn on punts, todman on kickoff? Or does ginn just play wr? Its cool to think of the options considering what went on last year in that department.

I would like to have depth. What happens if ginn gets injured?

[ncsu12engr]

 

 

Jordan Todman

 

25 YO. 5’10, 198lbs, 4 years experience

 

Under contract for 2015.  2015 cap hit; .6 mil (.02 mil dead if cut)

 

Rushed for 450 yards (4.1 ypc) with 3 TDs.  314 yards receiving.  Has a 25.9 punt return average (68 attempts). 10 special teams tackles.

 

Todman is the first of the RBs on the bubble.  His contributions to Special teams in both KO coverage and PRs help his chances. He should be seen as more of a scat back type, and will likely be suspect in QB protection. He needs to have a good preseason. 

 

 

I assume this is actually kick return? 

[French Navy]

Wow, we seem to be in excellent shape at RB this year, even with the 1+ games that Stew is going to miss with some rando injury.

[juliosantos]

people wont like this but i think todman will beat our fozzy

[Snake]

We will keep at least 4 RBs. We are a run first team and that means injuries at the position.

[caatfan]

people wont like this but i think todman will beat our fozzy

We've seen Fozzy, so if Todman is better I like him. He averaged 25+ yds on kick returns the last two seasons with J'ville, so he seems to have value there as well as a backup RB. I sure wouldn't cross him off the roster just yet.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

I assume this is actually kick return? 

 

Yup, good catch.  Thanks