@CoachO can you give anymore inside on the RB competition? I like the UDFA T.Watts, he seems to have nice moves and decent speed, does he have a shot? And will C.Reynolds make the squad this year? And I keep seeing that Cunningham is ahead of Mason at the moment, is Mason looking impressive enough to overtake Cunningham as the #2 RB? Also what are your thoughts on Cunningham in this years TC? And where does Pead stand now with the broken hand injury? Will he still make the team if he doesn't continue with TC?
Its still very early to get a real read on how this will shake out. That being said, I will give you my take on each of the RBs and where I think they stand at this point in camp.
Zac Stacy: has showed that he has every intention on holding on to the starting job. I was fortunate to attend one of the OTAs, and Coach Fisher came in after practice and spoke to the group of fans who were there that day. He mentioned that Stacy had a slight bicep strain and was forced to sit out the second half of practice. He strained his bicep earlier in the day in the weight room, lifting 500 lbs. No misprint,,, FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS.
He looks quick and decisive in his cuts, and as long as he holds up physically, should be the guy garnering the bulk of the carries.
Bennie Cunningham: He looks like he came into camp bigger and in much better shape, fully recovered from his 2013 pre-camp injuries. He is in the mix, sharing carries with Mason and Pead (prior to his injury) with 1st and 2nd units. Working on many of the Special Teams, so that bodes well for him.
Isaiah Pead: While I realize I am in the minority here, I think Pead is on this team in 2014. He still is the best pass blocker on the roster, adn has demonstrated his ability as a receiving threat already. He made a play In Sunday's camp that none of the other RBs are capable of making IMO. Running to the flat on a swing pass, he was able to make a shoe string catch while running full speed, and had the presence of mind to see the LB (Bates) closing fast. He made him miss with a jump cut and turned what should have been a incomplete pass, or a 5 yard loss, into a 10 yard gain. It was one of those WOW plays that made me look at Hammer and he just shook his head.
He is still being included on all of the core Special Teams, and (don't shoot the messenger here) that includes fielding kicks. How does his hand injury impact his status? Too soon to tell. IF they are in fact looking for a reason to cut him, this could provide that. But as I said, I think he makes the roster and dresses on Sunday.
Tre Mason: he has been included in the mix as well, although MOST of his reps have come with the 2nd unit thus far. But when he has managed to sneak on to the 1st unit he has shown the flashes that was seen in his college days at Auburn. Has shown to be pretty good as a pass catcher. My biggest concern, and what may separate him from Cunningham and Pead, is his being over matched in pass blocking. Even if the desire is there, he is 5'8 (looks smaller) and 208. He has very little experience to start, and just from a physical stand point, I have my doubts he will ever be proficient in that area.
Trey Watts: He is the biggest RB in camp, and has shown flashes when he has gotten opportunities in the running game. He has busted off a couple of bog runs, albeit against 3rd unit defense that includes the likes of Pat Schiller, Lawrence Wilson and Etienne Sabino at LB. He isn't a very good route runner and seems unsure of himself in the passing game. Don't see him showing up on any of the 1st or 2nd units of Special Teams, so I would say he has a pretty big hurdle to over come to earn a roster spot.
Chase Reynolds: While he is included in the 3rd unit rotation at RB, and getting his share of carries, its whats happening on Special Teams that might speak the loudest about his job security. Especially on the Punt Coverage unit, he is NOT on either the 1st or 2nd unit. While a mainstay last year on ALL ST, this might be a sign that they have finally feel they can replace him with someone who doesn't require a ST only roster spot.
Some factors that may determine who is active on Game day:
I am just spit balling here, and its way too premature to state with any real conviction, but I think the KO return job may go a long way into determining who and how many RBs are on the active roster on Sunday. They haven't worked on any of the Kickoff Return stuff yet, but I would expect that both Bennie Cunningham and Tre Mason being given a chance to win that job. It may come down to which of them wins the job as to who dresses and who is the odd man out.
I just don't see them BOTH dressing. They are too similar in what they bring to the table, so that could be the determining factor.
I fully expect Pead to be there (no shock to anyone who knows my feeling on him) and of course Stacy. Doubtful that dress all 4 of them.
