The backup RB battle.

[Black&BlueBubba]

I am starting to like this kid.  He actually puts out content on the panthers instead of just highlight crap.  Here he breaks down the backup RB battle and who he thinks will be the #2.  I would be happy if it turns out this way. I would rather have his #4 back swap with the #3.  But I would take this lineup.  I just want somebody to get some touches so we stop running CMC into the ground.  

 

[Dex]

Scarlett benches 465lbs??!?! Holy fug knuckles.

[kungfoodude]

Good video. I still suspect that CAP will be the number two because Rivera gonna Rivera but I hope Scarlett can get up to speed and make a push for that role. He could be a solid option in 2-3 years if he buckles down and dedicates himself to getting better in all those aspects mentioned.

[LinvilleGorge]

I'm just really to move on from CAP. The guy has been on the roster for four years and has been inactive more often than not.  It's odd. We obviously like him enough to keep him around, but not enough to actually play him.

[45catfan]

Elijah Hood says hello.   Seriously, I thought he would had a shot of CAPs spot last year before the injury in that preseason game.

[kungfoodude]

15 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Elijah Hood says hello.   Seriously, I thought he would had a shot of CAPs spot last year before the injury in that preseason game.

I think Hood is highly unlikely to make the roster with the two rookies coming in.

[45catfan]

Hood has been in the League two years and is only 23 years old.  CAP is 28 and can't even get on the field once preseason is over.  Again, I thought Hood was outperforming CAP before the injury.  Holyfield is an undrafted FA, so there's minimum risk of him getting snagged if he hits the waiver wires en route to the practice squad.  Honestly even if Scarlett is sent to the PS, he'll probably clear waiver too.  None of the draft boards I frequented had him going as high as the Panthers drafted him.  If I remember correctly, he was graded as a 7th or going undrafted (again why I was so miffed at that pick).

[SetfreexX]

Give me the young guys, Hood was an UDFA he was the classic former local addition, not to mention he's also coming g off the ACL. Scarlett, and Holyfield both produced in the SEC. 

CAP is beyond his age cap for potential being 28, let's move forward improve ed the depth, get younger and get faster.

[45catfan]

The sad truth is , there's really nobody solid behind CMC and that is super scary.  An older guy who can't get any reps one the real season starts, one coming off a serious injury and two unproven rookies.  SEC or not, there's been plenty of SEC prospects to flame out in the NFL.  What conference a guy played in college (as long as it's D-1A) doesn't hold that much weight with me.

[Black&BlueBubba]

If Scarlett had better hands it would be a no brainer for me to have him as the number 2. I like his speed/power/balance although I do question his vision sometimes. Holyfield would be my 3rd.  Runs with more power than Hood IMO.  Quick feet and I think he will produce on special teams.  I’m just done with CAP. Not that it’s necessarily all his fault but they have no intention of giving him any touches.  That was proven last year after CJ was let go. And Hood just doesn’t do it for me.  He seems to run much smaller on tape than his 230 lbs would suggest.  Maybe it’s a balance issue.  I think Holyfield has better short area agility through the line and more power IMO.  

I’m hopeful for a lineup of CMC, Scarlett, Holyfield.  But I think CAP will be there and Holyfield to the practice squad. 

[45catfan]

Scarlett lacks vision and that is just about as bad as a WR who drops too many passes.  He's also tight in the hips which is detrimental to quick change of direction.  He's is a linear, power runner with mediocre hands.  So we were looking to draft a CMC clone? Not even remotely.  

Honestly it would not shock me to have a RB on the final 53 who's not even on the roster right now.  One of these dudes are going to have to show up big time because it's one thing to take some of the work load of CMC, but it's whole other crisis if the big "I" occurs.  Then we are suddenly rehashing the QB debacle from last year just at the RB spot.

[kungfoodude]

31 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Hood has been in the League two years and is only 23 years old.  CAP is 28 and can't even get on the field once preseason is over.  Again, I thought Hood was outperforming CAP before the injury.  Holyfield is an undrafted FA, so there's minimum risk of him getting snagged if he hits the waiver wires en route to the practice squad.  Honestly even if Scarlett is sent to the PS, he'll probably clear waiver too.  None of the draft boards I frequented had him going as high as the Panthers drafted him.  If I remember correctly, he was graded as a 7th or going undrafted (again why I was so miffed at that pick).

I mean, he was a 7th round pick that was unable to stay on the active roster for the Raiders, so it isn't exactly like he was a hot commodity. CAP has plenty of NFL experience and although he is a JAG, I don't think Hood is any better. Not enough better to make a big impact. 

To be quite honest, I don't imagine any of those running backs is going to amount to much more than reserves/practice squad guys. We tried to upgrade to a legit NFL running back last season and they ended up cutting him. It doesn't seem like they really expect much out of their backup RB's other than to block, catch an occasional pass, and spell CMC for a few plays a game. It's difficult to determine if we just plan on CMC continuing to carry 90+% of the load or we just haven't found the right guy to back him up.

[45catfan]

We have on the roster as of right now (besides CMC) two former 5th round picks (both reaches) a 7th rounder and two undrafted guys.  CAP has the most experiences with a total of 118 carries and 491 yards in his career.  It wouldn't be too horrible if that were one season and not all four of them.   That's an average of 30 touches and 123 yards a season while also averaging a lone TD.  CMC does that in a game sometimes.  The rest of the guys have no League stats of consequence.  CAP's career receptions are a joke...10 for 86 yards and a TD.  Again, CMC can put that up in a single game.  So how are we going to replace that production if CMC has to miss any significant time?  

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, kungfoodude said:

Good video. I still suspect that CAP will be the number two because Rivera gonna Rivera but I hope Scarlett can get up to speed and make a push for that role. He could be a solid option in 2-3 years if he buckles down and dedicates himself to getting better in all those aspects mentioned.

I fear that too. Scarlett and Holyfield might be an interesting tandem behind CMC.

You know, Armah is a lucky dude.  I rarely notice him on the field, and nobody ever questions his roster spot.  I wonder....