From: ronnie@uts.amdahl.com (Ronnie Townsend)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Re: If Walker should fail.
Date: 4 Sep 92 06:22:50 GMT
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

In article <182r6kINN50m@news.aero.org> mas@aero.org (Marcus A.Shaw) writes:
>In article <1992Sep2.094336.11688@hemlock.cray.com> rja@redwood26.cray.com (Russ Anderson) writes:
>
>>
>>Part of the problem is that a 4 yard average is not the same as being able
>>to gain 4 yards on any given carry.  A typical Herschel 5 carries would result
>>in +21, +1, +1, 0, -3.  Sure, it's a four yard average, not consistent enough
>>to sustain a drive.  Herschel could not even succeed in run-out-the-clock
>>situations.  A normal running back (with the Vikes line) could always find
>>a crack to gain a few yards on any given carry, resulting in 3rd & 3-4 yard
>>stuations (that the team could run for).  With Herschel, if the line did not 
>>give him 4 steps to get up to speed and a hole exactly where it was supposed
>>to be, he would gain little or no yardage.  That sets up 3rd & 8y situations.
>>
>>Not to mention Herschel's failure to gain yardage in short yardage situations.  
>>
>>By contrast, Terry Allen, who is quick, can cut, and find a crack, will
>>gain 1000+ yards for the Vikes this year.
>>
>This is excellent commentary.  I am a Cowboy's fan who has followed
>Hershel very closely.  I went to Ga Tech while he was at Georgia.  I
>followed the USFL, and saw him gain 2000+ yards in that wonderful
>season. I have never been a fan of his running style, one that I think
>is oddly suited toward running over and through players of less than
>NFL caliber....
>
>He is a runner who looks great when there is a huge hole.  The one guy
>grabbing at his foot will not bring him down.  Another on his thighs
>or hips has no chance.  However, if the hole is not exactly where is
>was supposed to be, he will gain little or no yardage.  The author of
>the above note could not have stated the truth more eloquently, and
>his commentary about the yards EVERY carry vs. yards per carry is
>right on the mark.  
>
>Her$chel would do well for a dedicated running team.  He would do even
>better, IMHO as a flanker, believe it or not.  His pass catching
>skills have only been showcased that one season in Dallas, and he
>caught 2 or 3 bombs that year that would make your heart skip a beat.
>He as a keen eye for the ball and has the speed and size to make most
>DB's quiver.  His jumping ability is lacking somewhat (in conjunction
>with catching), but he is an excellent slant and go receiver..
>
>Maybe that is what they should pay him for... oh yeah, the Eagles
>already have a great back like that... his name is Keith Byars

You people amaze me. Your lack of understanding of how athletics works makes 
me ashamed to post to this newsgroup at times. Would the idiot who keenly 
claims that the Vikes offense was ranked dead last in the NFL last year kindly 
explain how the team was 3-2 and that damn bum Herschel Walker was averaging
100+ yards a game and 5+ yards per carry... please get a clue! This was 
accomplished with an extremely depleted receiver corps sporting injuries to 
both AC and Hassan. And no... this business of analyzing each individual carry 
is total nonsense. NFL defensive players are too good for a back to just 
bang out 7 yard runs over and fucking over! Sometimes, thou shalt get stuffed! 

And comparing Keith Byars's big slow ass to Herschel Walker is like saying 
a Pontiac Grand Am is in the same class as a BMW 535. Right!  Check out who 
starts at TB for Philly on opening day... I have a strong suspicion it'll be 
a waiver wire acquisition rather than that first round draft pick bust named
Byars. You guys always beat on Herschel for not scoring Td's or getting that
short yardage in Minnesota.. none of you ever mentions that Burnsey always 
ran Rick "who?" Fenney in short yardage and goal-line situations. Herschel was
usually on the bench these times. 

Now obviously there was bad blood between Herschel and Burns... Somehow they 
hated each other... I understand that Burns did not approve of the trade and 
seemed to be genuinely bent on making Herschel miserable. He did... and Herschel
did not perform... the more he did not perform... the more shit he got from 
Burnsie. At least that asshole finally got retired.  You guys want the man to 
be some running  machine impervious to all the bullshit he had to endure as
a result of being the cornerstone of the stupidest trade in history! But he's 
not and it brought his level of play down. No question about it... If given 
a chance (i.e. the ball ) I think he will roast the NFL again. He ran over 
around and through NFL tacklers for his first two and a half years in the
league. He only stopped doing so after he got into Minnesota.. and even then`
he kicked major ass in the first few games there... Then the whining from the 
other players started.. the criticism of any little mistake started and oh yes,
the BS about his non-football hobbies started... and VIOLA! You got an unhappy 
camper... Couple that with a coach who seems bent on driving the man nuts and 
you've got all the ingredients of a failed union. It was time for Herschel to 
move on... 


Oh and one final thing... You just *try* to go out and find a guy who can turn 
a consistent 4.3 40 yard dash who is not "quick!" 




-- 
Ronnie
-------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not cynical... I just don't believe in anything....