Let's analyze: Why cant deuce run......? (1 Viewer)

[trujm]

...... for large chunks of yards anymore -

Remember when he first entered the league, he had the reputation of being the "anti-Ricky Williams", meaning, he "<b>could score a touchdown from anywhere on the field</b>" and break the long run.. which is something Ricky Williams could never do. It seemed like about once every 3 games Deuce would break a long run of over 30 yards, and sometimes over 50 yards.

Now, <b>the most I ever see him break out for is 20-25 yards</b>. My question is... what has happened to him over time that has taken away from his ability to make the big play? How does someone go from having the reputation of being a threat to score anywhere on the field to just being a BOWLING BALL type running back overnight? Can we pinpoint exactly the moment where he stopped being the "score a TD on any play" type running back and started being the "workhorse"?

I<b> think the last time I saw Deuce break the long one had to be back in 2003, against the Eagles</b>, in Philly. His long runs in between then and now have been few and far between. I dont know, maybe its just me - but I really miss that side of him. Don't get me wrong, I think he compliments Reggie's abilities perfectly. But at the same time, he used to be what Reggie is now - only it wasn't as "pretty". Is it his age? He is only 28 (his bday JUST passed). Is it the injuries to his knees and ankles taking their toll over time? Did he gain too much weight? I want to know what you think.

 

[ccase39]

...... for large chunks of yards anymore -

Remember when he first entered the league, he had the reputation of being the "anti-Ricky Williams", meaning, he "could score a touchdown from anywhere on the field" and break the long run.. which is something Ricky Williams could never do. It seemed like about once every 3 games Deuce would break a long run of over 30 yards, and sometimes over 50 yards.

Now, the most I ever see him break out for is 20-25 yards. My question is... what has happened to him over time that has taken away from his ability to make the big play? How does someone go from having the reputation of being a threat to score anywhere on the field to just being a BOWLING BALL type running back overnight? Can we pinpoint exactly the moment where he stopped being the "score a TD on any play" type running back and started being the "workhorse"?

I think the last time I saw Deuce break the long one had to be back in 2003, against the Eagles, in Philly. His long runs in between then and now have been few and far between. I dont know, maybe its just me - but I really miss that side of him. Don't get me wrong, I think he compliments Reggie's abilities perfectly. But at the same time, he used to be what Reggie is now - only it wasn't as "pretty". Is it his age? He is only 28 (his bday JUST passed). Is it the injuries to his knees and ankles taking their toll over time? Did he gain too much weight? I want to know what you think.

last year he tore a major tendon that usually takes up to 2 years to get 100% that may have something to do with it. They are also using him diffently.

 

[jlam]

Can we pinpoint exactly the moment where he stopped being the "score a TD on any play" type running back and started being the "workhorse"?

I think it was somewhere between the 457th and 523rd Big Mac that Haslett was shoving down his throat...

 

[Swilling56]

One thing to remember which always amazed me - I went back and looked at Deuce and Ricky's playing weights back then. Deuce was BIGGER than Ricky! Ricky was our smash-mouth runner and Deuce was our scat-back - all this and Deuce was bigger! Anyway, I think the issue is the injury - he doesn't have that breakaway speed right now. That's a serious injury. But what I'm extremely happy to see is that his has his strength back. Using that knee to run into a line - that's something. He's come back so much better than we could have expected. Will he ever regain his breakaway speed? I don't know. But the way he is used now is perfect for our team. And I don't know Deuce, but from what he has been saying to the media - I'm sure he is completely fine getting used the way he is and contributing the way he can and having us win games in which he is VITAL to our team. I mean, when Payton says the games is over, the game is over. He sticks Deuce in there and Deuce will get 3-4 yards a carry, eat clock, and keep getting first downs. Remember the Cowboys game? Deuce is the Mariano Rivera of our team. If the other stars wins the game, he closes it out. Really, we couldn't have asked for a better return from Deuce. And, if he doesn't get his speed back, but we continue to play like this for a few more years, I don't think he'll be upset by that either.

Deuce - my hat's off to you. Thanks for this season!

 

[hug a root]

He does not pick up his feet enough.

 

[Danneaux]

At 215 lbs, Deuce = 4.3
At 235 lbs, Deuce = 4.5

 

[bud712]

One thing to remember which always amazed me - I went back and looked at Deuce and Ricky's playing weights back then. Deuce was BIGGER than Ricky! Ricky was our smash-mouth runner and Deuce was our scat-back - all this and Deuce was bigger! Anyway, I think the issue is the injury - he doesn't have that breakaway speed right now. That's a serious injury. But what I'm extremely happy to see is that his has his strength back. Using that knee to run into a line - that's something. He's come back so much better than we could have expected. Will he ever regain his breakaway speed? I don't know. But the way he is used now is perfect for our team. And I don't know Deuce, but from what he has been saying to the media - I'm sure he is completely fine getting used the way he is and contributing the way he can and having us win games in which he is VITAL to our team. I mean, when Payton says the games is over, the game is over. He sticks Deuce in there and Deuce will get 3-4 yards a carry, eat clock, and keep getting first downs. Remember the Cowboys game? Deuce is the Mariano Rivera of our team. If the other stars wins the game, he closes it out. Really, we couldn't have asked for a better return from Deuce. And, if he doesn't get his speed back, but we continue to play like this for a few more years, I don't think he'll be upset by that either.

Deuce - my hat's off to you. Thanks for this season!

What he said

 

[whodat2626]

4.3 yards per carry and a 1000 yard season with the #1 offense in the league after a major knee operation is pretty darn good. What more do you want from guy, I remember a couple of long runs against the Bucs.

 

[jeepman]

Deuce's longest run of this year was for 57yds. Now how many times has he busted out a run over 30yds, I dont know.

 

[trujm]

4.3 yards per carry and a 1000 yard season with the #1 offense in the league after a major knee operation is pretty darn good. What more do you want from guy, I remember a couple of long runs against the Bucs.

Im not complaining or saying he is not doing a great job.. im just saying he is a different type of back than he used to be. Im just trying to pinpoint WHY and WHEN this happened

 

[LSSpam]

Deuce came out of college like Reggie Bush. Tall, great hands, good route runner, exciting return man, questions about durability (injury concerns are why he slide from the Top 10 to us at #21). He bulked up after his first year starting, partially because the Saints asked him too, in large part because he just got so beat up as the primary back. He's added weight almost every year since then really

 

[Saint James]

(injury concerns are why he slide from the Top 10 to us at #21).

Not to be too picky, but it was the 23rd pick.

 

[LSSpam]

Not to be too picky, but it was the 23rd pick.

That's the definition of picky

 

[Domeination]

Deuce doesn't appear to have the break away speed he had three years ago, probably due to his knee injury. However, I remember reading that Deuce had trimmed down and was slimmer by the end of TC than he was before his injury, so I don't think he's simply gotten heavier and heavier. He certainly looks lighter to me than he did at the beginning of last season. Also, he has had several runs of 20+ yards this year, and, contrary to the thread title, he certainly still can run and run pretty well. If he continues to stay relatively healthy, his speed should improve over the next year. It takes a long time to fully recover from blowing out a knee.