So When is Curtis Samuel going to Make an Impact?

[Hoenheim]

Clearly he has a very unique skillset on our team being the only true speed WR that we have, so why is it that he's not getting much playtime, targets, and not being used very well? Almost all the passes I've seen to him have been very short passes with defenders draped all over him by the time the ball gets there. I know its too much to say that he should be starting on the outside, but with the way our team seems to be functioning now, McCaffreys getting alot of time in the slot, Stew is taking the vast majority of RB carries. I'll say that our WRs have been doing a much better job at getting open, but I think Samuel could be the real X factor that we're missing that could make the offense elite. 

Is he not 100% healthy? Coaches dont trust him or want to elusively play him in the slot/short routes for some reason even though he's by far and away the fastest player on the team? Give him a 30 something yard end around and never run him again? Maybe try him on the outside? There's just something I'm not getting here. 

[t96]

Year 3 like Funch?

[Bartin]

Hopefully soon now that Cam’s arm seems like it’s actually full strength. Pretty sure we didn’t trust his deep ball. Would like to seem Samuel on the 9 routes we used to run with Ginn.

[beastson]

Injured too much. Need more consistent time.

[LinvilleGorge]

I told y'all that once he missed practically the entire offseason to curb your expectations big time. It'll probably be next year.

[Daddy_Uncle]

how many threads are we going to have on this subject is the real question

[ItsPantone278]

I don't blame the guy for having basically no idea in the offense we are running.  The fact that McCaffrey can play almost every snap is beyond impressive.  You have to imagine the level of communication Cam had with Olsen, Benjiman, and now even Funchess... Samuel has a lot of catching up to do.  He is so talented you have to imagine it can't take too much longer, but it's getting about time to see something soon.

[TheSpecialJuan]

next year 

[trucpfan]

Being that this is a copy cat league, I saw a play from the LA Rams last week where they handed Tavon A. the ball out the back field basically lined up next to his qb for a thirty yard td. First thing I thought of was how we need to incorporate giving him the ball in a similar fashion being he took a ton of hand offs in college (if I knew how to Gif) but here's s link to the play http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/0ap3000000858427/Can-t-Miss-Play-Tavon-Austin-skates-through-entire-Seahawks-D-for-TD?akmobile=ios&akcarrier=other&icampaign="search-video-tavon+austin" we've got to find ways to get the ball in his hands it doesn't take years to contribute it takes creative play calling at the proper times. I do think we need him to run more deep routes with Cam looking focused and accurate def should take a shot or two to make sure they respect our deep ball speed.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

6 hours ago, thomas96 said:

Year 3 like Funch?

Despite the overhype I think this or mid next year is realistic.  Probably see more flash here and there compared to what Funchess did but consistent "weapon" status is a bit much to expect right out of the gate.  

[Jangler]

10/12 @ 10:36pm

 

[Cyberjag]

Cam missed all of Training Camp and didn't start playing well until week 4.  Samuel is a rookie, you should expect him to take even longer.

I think he starts making an impact late in the season.  Just in time for a playoff run.

[Chardee MacDennis]

The problem with running him on deep routes is he had injuries that probably limited his ability to consistently sprint downfield. Also, it may have been a function of the protection schemes not being trusted with our OL being beat up, and defenses blitzing hard. 

I see Samuel as a hybrid though. He simply isn't a good enough WR yet. He's a "playmaker". Just as CMC isn't good enough at reading the running holes at the NFL level yet. He needs time to see the opportunities instead of like in college where he just had big holes to run through. 

 

My personal opinion is that Stewart should have been, and still should be traded. That may be an unpopular opinion. But with CMC, Fozzy, CAP, and Samuel, there are enough weapons out of the backfield for this offense to find success. Imagine how a defense would have to plan to stop a formation that has CMC in the slot, Samuel and Funchess on the outside, Fozzy next to Cam, and then CMC and Samuel motioning around the field pre-snap....

You'd have no clue if it is a run or pass. Or read option. And, which of the speedy playmakers will get the ball.

 

Alternatively what we have now is the defense knows if Stew is in the game, there's a very good chance we are going to hand it to him up the middle. Or, if we decide to get "tricky", we will hand it to him stretched out, which plays more to the strength of every defense more than to the offense. Hell, even on a pass play with Stew in the game, the defense can simply count him out of the play as he is zero threat as a receiver.

I realize this won't change and it's just who this team wants to be. But, if you want true evolution, go ahead and trade Stew. Name CMC the starting RB, Fozzy as the backup, and Samuel as the slot WR. And then make all 3 interchangeable throughout the game.

[Jangler]

8 minutes ago, Chardee MacDennis said:

The problem with running him on deep routes is he had injuries that probably limited his ability to consistently sprint downfield. Also, it may have been a function of the protection schemes not being trusted with our OL being beat up, and defenses blitzing hard. 

I see Samuel as a hybrid though. He simply isn't a good enough WR yet. He's a "playmaker". Just as CMC isn't good enough at reading the running holes at the NFL level yet. He needs time to see the opportunities instead of like in college where he just had big holes to run through. 

 

My personal opinion is that Stewart should have been, and still should be traded. That may be an unpopular opinion. But with CMC, Fozzy, CAP, and Samuel, there are enough weapons out of the backfield for this offense to find success. Imagine how a defense would have to plan to stop a formation that has CMC in the slot, Samuel and Funchess on the outside, Fozzy next to Cam, and then CMC and Samuel motioning around the field pre-snap....

You'd have no clue if it is a run or pass. Or read option. And, which of the speedy playmakers will get the ball.

 

Alternatively what we have now is the defense knows if Stew is in the game, there's a very good chance we are going to hand it to him up the middle. Or, if we decide to get "tricky", we will hand it to him stretched out, which plays more to the strength of every defense more than to the offense. Hell, even on a pass play with Stew in the game, the defense can simply count him out of the play as he is zero threat as a receiver.

I realize this won't change and it's just who this team wants to be. But, if you want true evolution, go ahead and trade Stew. Name CMC the starting RB, Fozzy as the backup, and Samuel as the slot WR. And then make all 3 interchangeable throughout the game.

so, who are you? you are somebody.  CMC?