From: timr@sco.COM (Tim Ruckle)
Subject: 49er Running Backs: Camp Report and Analysis
Organization: The Gifted and the Damned
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1992 08:16:20 GMT
Summary: Will an every down back emerge?
Keywords: 49ers



The now annual scramble by the 49ers to come up with a decent running
game has begun once more.  Last year the offensive line went from a sore
spot to a strength.  And yet while the team lead the conference in total
offense, and was third in the league (behind Buffalo and Houston), their
rushing stats were overall rather dismal.  (though they ranked sixth in
the NFC for rushing yards per game with 116.3, without Steve Young's 415
total yards to bring up the average they would have ranked tenth with a
pretty pathetic 90.7 yards/game)

Now most everybody knows that the 49ers philosophy has been opposite of
the norm--that is the passing game sets up your running plays, and the
short passing game subsitutes for much of your traditional power football.
But it's equally obvious that the lack of a real running threat is going
to allow the opposing defense to key on the pass.  You won't get anybody
to bite on play action if you can't run the ball.  And futhermore, the
team was not able to run out the clock in a number of games last season,
giving the opportunity for opponents to come back late in close games.
An oppontunity that was capitalized on more often than not.

Thus, while it might not be as critical to the 49ers traditional game
plan, it is still nontheless an important factor in their ability to
remain competitive, and it's an issue that has remained unresolved for
the better part of two years now.  Although I might add, perhaps with
too much emphasis by both the press and the coaches.

Having seen all the 49er games myself, and from my reading of the local
papers and scanning one of the annuals, this is my analysis of how the
situation is shaping up in training camp:


- Tom Rathman, 6-1, 232, 7th year, Nebraska

Incumbant starter at fullback, and likey to keep that job.  After
leading NFC with 78 receptions in '89, he's had only 48 in '90 and
34 last year for 286 yards.  Respected as one of the best blocking
backs in the NFL, he's started every game since '88.  But last year
rushed 63 times for a dissapointing 183 yards (2.9 avg).  He did lead
49er running backs with 6 TD's, being the primary back for short and
goal situations.  While he has had relatively disappointing seasons
the last two years, ``Woody'' is still one of my favorite characters
on the team.

And depending on how the 49er backfield shapes up, and what the
offensive philosopy under Mike Shanahan turns out to be, he may
very well have another exceptional year.  He's certainly still
capable of it.  Last year he averaged 4 carries per game.  In '89,
playing alongside a still potent Roger Craig, he averaged about 5
catches per game.  With another franchise halfback on the team,
especially one willing and able to block in his stead if need be,
he could easily repeat that performance.  I'd personally like to
see him as an integral part of the offense.


- Dexter Carter, 5-9, 170, 3rd year, Florida State

Technically starting 15 of 16 games last year, Carter led all 49er
backs with 4.5 yards per carry and had longest run from scrimmage,
a 53-yard touchdown.  Also led team in kickoff returns with a 22.7
yard average and a 98-yard touchdown.  But he had only 85 carries
(and never more than 14 in a game) for a total of 379 yards.  He
fumbled 5 times and recovered one.

Carter was the 49ers number 1 draft pick in '90.  In his rookie
year he had more all-purpose yards than any NFL rookie with 1,460
(including 460 rushing, 217 receiving, and 783 in kickoff returns).
He's never missed a game due to injuries and has played in all 34
games since joining the team.  He's a willing blocker for his size.

Carter is shocked at the sight of the backs in camp, and complains
that he has been under-utilized.  He sufferes from the same delusion
that hopefully the 49er coaching staff has finally recovered from:
that he can be the every-down, full-time, complete halfback.  The
49ers kept up the farce that he was their starter last year, but
after seeing him constantly bounced back from the line on inside
running plays, and even have trouble turning the corner on sweeps,
he would line up for the first play of the game and then be quickly
replace by Keith Henderson.  He does have exceptional quickness and
speed, but has trouble breaking tackles.

Carter has suffered from the expectations of his being a number 1
pick, as well as the 49ers inability to field a real starting halfback
since the departure of Roger Craig.  Carter was a 49er "experiment" and
I think it was hoped he would be a clone of the Giant's Dave Meggett.
Meggett is an elusive runner and delivers in clutch situations.  Carter,
despite some good numbers on paper, has yet to prove the same.  He
should do well in the role of situation player, and if the coaching
staff can get over worrying about having "wasted" a 1st round draft
pick on him, he would be a fine asset to the team.  Alternately,
depending on what happens in training camp, they may actually decide
to trade him (perhaps, it is said, to Houston for a second-round draft
choice).  I don't think this is too likely however.


- Keith Henderson, 6-1, 220, 4th year, Georgia

The de facto first-string tailback last year.  He led the team with
137 carries for 561 yards (4.1 average).  He scored 2 TD's and fumbled
4 times.  He had 30 receptions for 303 yards.  Henderson was the 49ers
third-round draft choice in '89.

Injuries limited him to only 8 games in 89-90, and while he played
in 15 games last season, his durability remains a question mark.  He
has a combination of size, speed, and the ability to catch the ball.
The 49ers have used him as both halfback and fullback, as well as
in their one-back offense.  He was the best all-around tailback the
49ers had last year, which is not saying very much.


- Harry Sydney, 6-0, 217, 6th year, Kansas

Versatile halfback/fullback who also runs, blocks, and receives
well.  He had 57 carries for 245 yards (4.3 average).  He scored
5 TD's, and fumbled 3 times, and recovered one himself. 

Sydney continues to prove he is an asset to the team.  Besides his
role as backup fullback, He is a monster on special teams, and has
provided leadership to a team that is desparate for it.  I'd count
on Sydney being around this year.


Ricky Watters, 6-1, 212, 1st year, Notre Dame

The 49ers second-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in '91, who
broke his foot during the first week of training camp last year.
He returned to the practice squad last October but broke his right
hand, finishing him for the season.

The 49ers high hopes for Watters were dashed last season, and they
are probably a bit more cautious this year.  Watters showed that he
had talent in college, but has yet to prove he can hold up to the
rigors of the NFL.  He's lost weight this year at the request of
his coaches, and the reports from training camp are that he has
looked impressive thus far.  Probably has Henderson looking over
his shoulder.


- Sheldon Canley, 5-9, 200, 1st year, San Jose State

Seventh-round draft pick who also didn't play a down last season.
He suffered a major hamstring pull in minicamp, didn't practice
during training camp, and ended up on injured reserve for the rest
of the year.  This week Canley suffered a hamstring pull in his
other leg, and while it is not nearly as severe as the one he had
last year, it is unknown how much time he will miss.  But with all
the competition in camp this year, if he's out for any length of
time I'd think that'd doom him to miss this season as well (with
the 49ers anyways).

Canley set an NCAA record of 205.8 yards per game in all-purpose
yardage as a rusher, receiver, and kickoff returner.  He's a stocky
player with exceptional bursts of quickness and good maneuverability.
But like Watters he has yet to stay healthy and prove himself in the
professional arena.


- Adam Walker, 6-1, 210, 1st year, Pittsburgh

Walker was on the 49er development squad last year and played with
the Ohio Glory in the WLAF this spring.  He's big enough to play
fullback, but runs with the inside moves of a halfback.  He will
be looked at for both positions.


- Marc Logan, 6-0, 212, 6th year, Kentucky

Plan B free-agent acquisition from the Miami Dolphins.  Your basic
hard-nosed fullback who is an accomplished blocker and great on special
teams.  Doesn't quite have Rathman's size or hands, but could prove
an asset to the team and provide depth at fullback.


- Amp Lee, 5-11, 200, rookie, Florida State

This years second-round draft pick.  Lee scored 18 TD's in '90, and 14 in
'91, but was academically ineligible for the Cotton Bowl.  He rushed for
977 yards and had 26 receptions for 366 yards last year.

Lee is a smooth-striding runner with excellent hands, though some scouts
said he does not have enough speed.  He played in an offense similar to
that of the 49ers, and the coaches say he is a potentially outstanding
reciever (and perhaps an elusive runner in the style of Marcus Allen).

Lee arrived in training camp Monday, having signed a three-year deal
for about $1.53 million, with a signing bonus of $415,000.  Lee practiced
with the club's first full-squad practice session, having missed the 7 open
ones the week before.


- Anthony Toney, 6-0, 233, 6 years, Texas A&M

A veteran running back, signed as a free agent, but decided to retire
from football last week.


Suggestions for 49ers coaching staff:

Drop the notion that Carter is your starting halfback.  You know it's
bogus, as do all your fans and opponents.  The only one who's still 
deluded is Carter himself.  Sit him down and let him know that he has
a place on the team, but that isn't it.  Also, teach the little fellow
how to hold onto the ball.  He's still got great potential, but suffers
from that ego disease that afflicts so many in this game.  Take him down
a notch, and then build his poise back up to a true professional caliber.
You can still salvage this talented but mismanaged player.  (Remind him
of the Terrance Flagler story: another first-round 49er running back pick
in '87, and who couldn't stand waiting in the wings while Roger Craig was
still in his prime.  When the 49ers couldn't stand his whining anymore he
was traded to Dallas in '90, who later released him.  He then signed with
the Cardinals, played in 13 games in '91 but carrying the ball just 13
times.  And where is he now?  Just signed as free agent with the Raiders,
ironically perhaps to capture the roster spot just vacated by Craig.  But
the Raiders still have Marcus Allen, Greg Bell, and Steve Smith, et al,
and have added the always unhappy but still pretty nifty Eric Dickerson
to the roster.  Perhaps Flagler will win a spot in that aging backfield
and finally make a name for himself.  Or perhaps he is destined to finish
out his career in obscurity, sitting on some bench.  Or perhaps he is
finished period.  The moral of the story for Carter: don't get too big
for your tiny little britches.)

This "platooning" at halfback has got to stop.  You've got to get yourself
a franchise back and then stick with him.  It may be that either one would
have done better with more carries--the logic being that a back gets better
as the game goes on--but the fact remains that between them both they got
less that 1000 yards.  Combined they did worse than 4 individual backs in
the conference, and 8 in the league.  Granted, some of these folks have half
again as many carries as those two put together, but 6 of them have twice
to four times the TD's, and probably didn't fumble 9 times.  And regardless
of the numbers, I think that anybody watching the games could see that this
strategy did not pan out.  So scrap it.

Once you have your every-down halfback, stick with Rathman at fullback.
Sydney might get upset at the lack of playing time, so give him some kind
of bonus for being special teams captain and "emergency" QB.  He deserves
it.  And after you've buried an opponent you can give time those that should
have it.  But fullback-by-committee doesn't work any better than it does at
halfback.

But otherwise you stick to your basic game plan.  The play calling last
year often seemed more of a response to the media attention on the running
game, rather than a response to your opponent's defense.  Keep the issue
in prespective: of course it's important, but its role is clearly different
and less critical in the 49ers offensive scheme than it is for a team
playing traditional "power" football.  I think the schizophrenic game
plans and head coach hand-wringing about the running game did more damage
than the actual lack of production on the ground itself.  Relax a little.

It seems all so easy from here in my armchair...  ;^)

-timr

--
The shrewder mobs of America, who dislike having two minds upon a subject,
both determine and act upon it drunk; by which means a world of cold and
tedious speculation is dispensed with.  
                                                      --Washington Irving
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