Saints 2009 Position Battles: Running Back
by Saintsational on May 5, 2009 6:00 AM CDT
30 comments
It's time, yet again, for another installment of Da Chronic's very early look at the 2009 roster. The competition at running back is on the examining board today. We know Bush and Pierre will be toting the rock for the Saints this season but who else will be in the backfield?
Here is who the Saints have on the roster so far at the running back position:
| Player | Height | Weight | Age | Experience |
| Reggie Bush | 6'0" | 203 | 24 | 4 |
| Pierre Thomas | 5'11" | 215 | 24 | 3 |
| Lynell Hamilton | 6'0" | 235 | 23 | 1 |
| Mike Bell | 6'0" | 225 | 26 | 4 |
| Herb Donaldson | 5'10" | 225 | 23 | R |
| P.J. Hill | 5'11" | 236 | 22 | R |
Herb Donaldson is actually not listed on the roster at the New Orleans Saints official website nor was he included in their rookie free agent class announcement yesterday but last I have heard he is on the Saints so he is under consideration here.
The breakdown on this one isn't too difficult. We know Reggie and Pierre will be the main backs this year. Just how they get used is a whole other story that I just don't care to get into right now but they will be on the final 2009 roster. The door is wide open, however, for a big, bruising back in the absence of Deuce McAllister. That means the real competition this year will be among the remaining four players for what will probably be two open spots.
Mike Bell is the only one of the four players that has any real NFL experience and was used sparingly by the Saints last season. He played four games and averaged 3.2 yards on 13 carries including one touchdown. Not much of a body of work but I remember being pleased with his contribution late last year. His play last year does not guarantee him a spot on this years roster though, and Bell is by no means a certainty.
The remaining players, Hamilton, Donaldson and Hill, are all relative unknowns. Though Hamilton was with the team last year he dressed only for the final game against Carolina and never took a carry. He could be easily replaced by one of the two undrafted free agents, Donaldson and Hill, during training camp. Donaldson in particular has been the early favorite as a possibility to make the final roster. The good news is that all three of these guys all have similar builds that are ideal for a big third-down back. It's pretty obvious what Payton is attempting to add to his roster this off-season. The race here is wide open and many Saints fans are hoping to find a diamond in the rough with one of these players.
Who, if anyone, will be that diamond?
0 recs |
30 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
don't count PT out yet...
In that WWL interview posted the other day, PT said he put on 10 lbs and was up to 225. That should help with both his durabilty and inside running.
"For us, there is no spring... only the smell of fresh wind before the storm."
-Conan of Cimeria
by tlsk1066 on May 5, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
as the big bruiser back
"For us, there is no spring... only the smell of fresh wind before the storm."
-Conan of Cimeria
by tlsk1066 on May 5, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't believe that PT is 5' 11"
He looks 5’ 9". And if he is 225, he’ll be a bowling ball. How many times have we seen PT disappear into the line, and the cameraman has to jerk the camera to catch up as he emerges in the secondary, rolling on down the field? Love it.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on May 5, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
PhotoOp is going to look ridiculous if he doesn't make the team
This will be interesting to see how it turns out.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on May 5, 2009 9:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ZZZZzzzzzz.....
Looking at the voting, everyone is sleeping on Hamilton. He had his injury problems in college, but nothing before or since. He’s the biggest and fastest of the last four, and he’s had a year on the practice squad to polish his game. I think he could be the man.
I don’t care who it is, as long as they contribute when they get in there (like PT).
by BASaintsFan on May 5, 2009 10:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not really sure what your saying
we want compact size with min.225 weight the reason for this is a lower center of gravity and smaller tackling area. These R can pick up ten lbs. in camp, just like PT said he did in offseason. I give a slight edge to LH with the year in the system, but I doesn’t mean shit now whoever performs gets the job.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Side note: None of you Big Ten fans are concerned about PJ’s injury prone nature? I am, but may the best man win.
by Norml912 on May 5, 2009 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Big Ten fans. HA!
You said it, Norm.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on May 5, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have nooooo idea.
But I think this is one of the things we will really get a look at in preseason. When PT was playing in his first preseason games, it was clear that he was a player. Hopefully someone will impress to that extent this year.
by GlackAndBold on May 5, 2009 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
pj
it’s hill’s job to lose. his off field antics aside, the kid has what we need. the saint’s signed him to a 3 year deal, that’s not the norm. if he don’t get arrested he’ll be the saints 3rd back,and ya’ll will love him. i had him ranked in the top 5 backs in the draft (my board didn’t count off the field things, just talent)
by r c a on May 5, 2009 10:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
"Hill's job to lose"?? I'm afraid not.
75 votes for P. J. Hill: what do you guys see that I haven’t?
I can find no evidence that Hill signed a 3 year deal with the Saints. Wikipedia does not count, especially since their source does not state that.
M-E’s analysis was not very positive.
Let’s go to rotoworld.com:
Apr. 28 – 11:42 am et
Saints agreed to terms with Wisconsin RB P.J. Hill.
Hill was injury-prone and lacked pass catching skills at Wisconsin, but he has potential as a short-yardage back if he can make the roster. Originally expected to be a late-round selection, two recent DUI arrests kept him off draft boards. If this is the best New Orleans can do, Pierre Thomas is safe.
Mar. 4 – 7:59 pm et
Wisconsin RB P.J. Hill ran 4.65 and 4.63 forty-yard dash times at the Badgers’ Pro Day Wednesday.
He measured 5’10/218, lighter than he ever played at UW, but these are surprisingly good times for the short-yardage prospect. Hill doesn’t look like an athlete, but his vertical (37") and broad (10’2") jumps were also solid.
Double DUI’s, chronic injury history, and not much of a pass catcher. He will need a hell of an upside to even make the practice squad.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on May 5, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
his agent
said he signed a 3 yr deal. other teams were bidding for his services. he averaged 5 yds per his whole career .he was not used as a receiver, but has good hands. he is 3rd all time a UW, even though he left after only 3 years .he looks for contact, had 29 tds. in his bowl game he had a 9.3 yds per against Florida state.going about 140yds on 15 attempts.not bad for a one dimensional injury prone back. now, any thing can happen , in my opinion he’s the best free agent we signed talent wise, but i’ve been wrong before. look at film on the bowl game against florida state, a respectable D,it’s eye popping.
by r c a on May 5, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't want to be argumentative
but his agent is full of toro caca. He also probably touted his mad intangibles and challenged everyone to get back with him in two years when they are voting for PJ for the pro bowl.
The reason I’m skeptical is Ben Gay. Anyone? Huge can’t miss potential, never panned out. There’s at least one in every draft.
Contrast PJ with Pierre Thomas and Lance Moore. All undrafted, all pretty good athletes. The difference (one, anyway) is the character issue. Same with Gay.
PJ is a long shot. Don’t bet the rent.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on May 5, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree
agents are full of it. i respect your opinion. this is a healthy discussion. these scouting reports are inconstant at best, i think some have a agenda. i try to base my opinion on stats and, quality of opponents. the questions about pj are character issues not talent . i watched his bowl game against Florida .he stood out as the best offensive player , he broke a 40 plus run that was a thing of beauty, the DB’s wanted no part of him. it’s all a crap shoot at this point, and your right i wouldn’t bet the house, but he is impressive between the strips.he will be tough to beat out in training camp, i can’t wait to see what happens. you can rub it in if he flunks out, in my family that’s part of the fun……..
by r c a on May 5, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
pj
i wouldn’t neccesarily say that the job is his to lose but i think hey will make the team. i saw him play a couple times and he looked really good all around. i don’t remember if they threw the ball to him or not but his running game looked superb. he hit the line of scrimmage, looked like he would just be stopped up b/c there were too many ppl there but bruised his way in for about 4 yards or so. i think he has alot of potential. having a 3rd and short back that can’t catch wouldn’t be good though b/c it takes alot out of our 3rd and short gameplan. passing the ball is our biggest offensive weapon, on any down, and adding another target that can catch and then hopefull shrug off the first defensive player that gets to him would be a huge plus. if pj can catch, i think he could get it. i’d say give him the 4th spot at least. i think he will be a solid player
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
by skinnykinney on May 5, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i read that pj can catch
it’s another one of those cases where one report say he can, another says he can’t. now that he’s in camp we will find out. the thing i do know is he’s a pile mover.
by r c a on May 5, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he can't catch, let's just agree on that
1 for 3 is not catching.
Yeah, Dee Brown absolutely killed in preseason for the Chiefs against the Saints. I mean he was electrified. The real NFL is something else. Don’t get your hope up too high, boys.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on May 5, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's a better
receiver than beanie wells,and a lot cheaper .
by r c a on May 5, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is anyone else amazed at the amount of votes we are getting this year. Last year 50+ votes was a hot topic. this is sweet
by asaint on May 5, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Take this into consideration
One of these guys will go on the practice squad. He would probably be the one who is the most like PT- the one who can be all purpose. The third back will be whoever can get the 3rd and ones accomplished. I do not think this offense will turn that role over to an inexperienced player. It is the one weakness the offense has. It needs to be an experienced player especially if that player has shown promise in the past and impresses this summer. It will be Bell.
by Philinwood on May 5, 2009 2:26 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
rec'd it but I'm torn like Natalie Bruglia
It should be Bell. But why is Lynell Hamilton so high profile? It has to be between these two, barring any shocking displays of prowess from the others.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on May 5, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you guys like russian chicks w/ blue eyes
they are hot no judgment only a comment
by Norml912 on May 5, 2009 6:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that's a good comment
Kinda northeastern European chicks. With blue eyes. Check.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on May 5, 2009 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
UGH HUMMM
3rd and short….injury prone….roster cuts….not to mention Phil’s completely accurate assessment of the running back situation. We’re so easily side-tracked. Not hard when they’re hot. For the record, I love me some Daisy Fuentes. Back on topic. Remember things CAN change, and probably will. So it’s not to say that any one of those other guys aren’t going to make it. I really think it’s more like Hamilton v. Bell and Hill vs. Donaldson. With the winner of Hill and Donaldson definitely getting a spot and the winner of Hamilton V Bell could end up on the practice squad, but I think we will carry four so they get a spot too.
by asaint on May 5, 2009 8:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Even after my jab
Look at all the people who choose PJ over the other three RB’s . READ the scouting reports and remember the big ten hasn’t been particularly good the past few years (ie PJ’s competition) if he wasn’t from wisco you people would want ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with him. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!
by Norml912 on May 6, 2009 3:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
westbanker for pj
look, i dont care where he played (unless it’s the SEC) the kid was productive. Have You ever seen him play? i don’t think so. no one knows who will make or not,not me or ,you. if you can, download clips from his bowl game against Florida .than repost.
by r c a on May 6, 2009 9:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Superstars all
Most of these player were great players in thier conferences and posted big numbers BUT this is the NFL where they are all good and loaded with talent. We’ll see which one steps with the heart and disire to will his power on to the defense.
by Lyle Lirette on May 7, 2009 3:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
