D'Andre Swift: Skilled but "soft"

[stoneghost28]

100%, I agree w/both of the accounts, he's been remarkably injury prone through three seasons, and though successful, the brain trust in Detroit seems more of the knuckle dragging, ruff ruff, tough guy approach, instead of more thoughtful. The idea that Williams gives them a better chance to win, if both are reasonably healthy is flat out patently absurd.

It's always hard to tell in these instances whether the player is skittish about playing through pain or just seriously injured and the regime expects players to play through even serious career threatening injuries (think that Celtics Guard from 5 years ago that lost his pay day and career trying to play through pain for those reneging -------). If I'm the player, it's an adversarial relationship to a degree w/the team and its doctors when it comes to injuries, they aren't looking to your long term career, they're looking to week to week results, act accordingly. Its definitely complicated.

[Pac_Eddy]

The idea that Williams gives them a better chance to win, if both are reasonably healthy is flat out patently absurd.

I don't think it's absurd. The Detroit coaching staff knows far more about these players than we do, and have their own jobs on the line. We just want fantasy points.

[Cameron Giles]

Williams is a team captain, so it makes sense. If I were Detroit's GM, I wouldn't let him walk either.

[Lumps]

#freeswift Trade him to Denver to be with Payton!! They need a RB!

[cazzie33]

Trade Swift and draft Bijan / Gibbs

[Shoreline Steamers]

WED MAR 1 22:28 - Footballguys
New role for D'Andre Swift?
Detroit Lions RB D'Andre Swift's role in the offense is 'going to start all over from scratch,' according to head coach Dan Campbell. 'Let's find another way to see if we can help him stay on the field, you know?' Campell said. 'Because he's too talented. He's too talented to not have out there.'

Coachspeak. But maybe there will be something to it? Agreed though, he's a very tough guy to value at this point. Post FA/Draft should help with reading the tea leaves, hopefully.

[Pac_Eddy]

WED MAR 1 22:28 - Footballguys
New role for D'Andre Swift?
Detroit Lions RB D'Andre Swift's role in the offense is 'going to start all over from scratch,' according to head coach Dan Campbell. 'Let's find another way to see if we can help him stay on the field, you know?' Campell said. 'Because he's too talented. He's too talented to not have out there.'

Coachspeak. But maybe there will be something to it? Agreed though, he's a very tough guy to value at this point. Post FA/Draft should help with reading the tea leaves, hopefully.

Good news that they're working on keeping him on the field. I bet this means more pass routes and even fewer traditional rushes.

[stoneghost28]

The idea that Williams gives them a better chance to win, if both are reasonably healthy is flat out patently absurd.

I don't think it's absurd. The Detroit coaching staff knows far more about these players than we do, and have their own jobs on the line. We just want fantasy points.

He's not in the same universe as Swift in terms of talent. I get that his talent for staying healthy is a checkmark for him and a minus for Swift, but beyond that, there's literally nothing of consequence he does that's better for a football team trying to win games. It makes zero sense to me.

[mild]

He's not in the same universe as Swift in terms of talent. I get that his talent for staying healthy is a checkmark for him and a minus for Swift, but beyond that, there's literally nothing of consequence he does that's better for a football team trying to win games. It makes zero sense to me.

He's a far better short-range interior runner than Swift imo. Jamaal embodies "tough yards". It's easy to see why a former player / player's coach in Campbell would absolutely love him.

Talk to me about being in the same universe when Swift scores 17 rushing TD's in a season. You don't score that many TD's by mistake.

[Lumps]

He's not in the same universe as Swift in terms of talent. I get that his talent for staying healthy is a checkmark for him and a minus for Swift, but beyond that, there's literally nothing of consequence he does that's better for a football team trying to win games. It makes zero sense to me.

He's a far better short-range interior runner than Swift imo. Jamaal embodies "tough yards". It's easy to see why a former player / player's coach in Campbell would absolutely love him.

Talk to me about being in the same universe when Swift scores 17 rushing TD's in a season. You don't score that many TD's by mistake.

Yep. Williams is better than Barry Sanders.

[murphysxm]

The idea that Williams gives them a better chance to win, if both are reasonably healthy is flat out patently absurd.

I don't think it's absurd. The Detroit coaching staff knows far more about these players than we do, and have their own jobs on the line. We just want fantasy points.

He's not in the same universe as Swift in terms of talent. I get that his talent for staying healthy is a checkmark for him and a minus for Swift, but beyond that, there's literally nothing of consequence he does that's better for a football team trying to win games. It makes zero sense to me.

Wow, pull your jets back. They are in the same universe and if you asked me to predict the back I would want next year I would say Williams. Talent doesn’t beat production.

Truly a poor post.

[JoeJoe88]

He's not in the same universe as Swift in terms of talent. I get that his talent for staying healthy is a checkmark for him and a minus for Swift, but beyond that, there's literally nothing of consequence he does that's better for a football team trying to win games. It makes zero sense to me.

He's a far better short-range interior runner than Swift imo. Jamaal embodies "tough yards". It's easy to see why a former player / player's coach in Campbell would absolutely love him.

Talk to me about being in the same universe when Swift scores 17 rushing TD's in a season. You don't score that many TD's by mistake.

2008 Lendale White enters the chat…

[killer_of_giants]

He's not in the same universe as Swift in terms of talent. I get that his talent for staying healthy is a checkmark for him and a minus for Swift, but beyond that, there's literally nothing of consequence he does that's better for a football team trying to win games. It makes zero sense to me.

if that team needs 3 yards or less, it's better off with williams. so there is something that he does better.

[stoneghost28]

I don't think it's absurd. The Detroit coaching staff knows far more about these players than we do, and have their own jobs on the line. We just want fantasy points.

He's not in the same universe as Swift in terms of talent. I get that his talent for staying healthy is a checkmark for him and a minus for Swift, but beyond that, there's literally nothing of consequence he does that's better for a football team trying to win games. It makes zero sense to me.

Wow, pull your jets back. They are in the same universe and if you asked me to predict the back I would want next year I would say Williams. Talent doesn’t beat production.

Truly a poor post.

On the same roster? Of course, the FO/Staff clearly has picked reliably available over talented and injury prone so I'd never take that bet, assuming Williams comes back. I can see why they might value availability in that sense, but beyond that, there is no comparison and Swift is far, far more talented as a running back. Just haven't been able to stay consistently healthy.

[stoneghost28]

He's not in the same universe as Swift in terms of talent. I get that his talent for staying healthy is a checkmark for him and a minus for Swift, but beyond that, there's literally nothing of consequence he does that's better for a football team trying to win games. It makes zero sense to me.

He's a far better short-range interior runner than Swift imo. Jamaal embodies "tough yards". It's easy to see why a former player / player's coach in Campbell would absolutely love him.

Talk to me about being in the same universe when Swift scores 17 rushing TD's in a season. You don't score that many TD's by mistake.

2008 Lendale White enters the chat…

Lol, no kidding. Nobody is saying Williams can't get whats blocked, he can, he just aint getting you more. That, and the fact that he's healthy is why he's doing what he's doing.

Beyond that he's a jag, and if I'm wrong, and obviously Williams is this super talent, why was his ADP what it was? Why is it still, what it is? The answer is simple, people understand exactly what he is, and there's only so much risk you guys are willing to take to bring his "talent" onto your roster. Last year he was a 15th round start up pick, this year he's an 11th due to usage.

That's the reality around the base level consensus on his talent. Everything that is happening in terms of his value is connected to volume, usage, and his staff's preference for his availability over a perception that Swift is soft. Thats a wrap.

If I was or am wrong, the market would reflect it, but it doesn't, because people see Williams for what he is, the beneficiary of a staff fed up with Swift's injury issues, not a legit, difference making talent by any stretch.