Alfred Blue

[Krang]

Kicking myself because this summer I could have added either off the WW and kept waiting......

Anyways, just read this and thought it sounded pretty good-

Our Matt Waldman had this for me tonight.

Alfred Blue is a straight ahead, downhill runner with some strength, but he he lacks great speed and quickness. Like Mike Anderson and Reuben Droughns, he can be productive in a one-cut, downhill scheme.

Jonathan Grimes is quick and shifty back with greater versatility. I don't think either will be stars, but Grimes has the ability to make a team think twice about keeping him in a contributing role long-term. Grimes has bounced around the league a bit (he was with the Jets last year for a stretch, too).

I have always been curious about Grimes to see if he'd ever turn into anything, but he hasn't done a whole lot in the league so far, so it will be interesting to see if he turns into a capable backup. I read the Texans did sign Ronnie Brown and William Powell, so I'm not really sure what exactly they are doing in Houston. While neither of those guys scares me, it seems to imply that they like Grimes and Blue and want to see what they've got there, but not THAT much if they're willing to sign both R. Brown and Powell immediately after cutting A. Brown, Johnson, and Cornett.

[ericanadian]

To me, picking up Powell and Brown suggests the Texans are not happy about their current RBs pass protection and/or hands. Both of the guys profile as 3rd down specialists. That wouldn't surprise me for Blue, Grimes or both. Keep in mind that Bill O'Brien came from an offense that had a clear labour divide at the RB position, so you could end up with another team that changes RBs like normal people change pants.

[yo gabba gabbert]

for the record, i believe storm johnson is definitely rosterable. he's apparently passed denard on the depth chart and i've been reading that he has a legit shot to grab the #2 spot as early as week1. agreed that his measurables are unintimidating, but i'll pick someone up on a flyer if they have a chance to start in the future. he's currently marinating on my devy spot

[marmar]

To me, picking up Powell and Brown suggests the Texans are not happy about their current RBs pass protection and/or hands. Both of the guys profile as 3rd down specialists. That wouldn't surprise me for Blue, Grimes or both. Keep in mind that Bill O'Brien came from an offense that had a clear labour divide at the RB position, so you could end up with another team that changes RBs like normal people change pants.

Grimes had 136 rec for 1125 yards in college, and in his week 17 start for Hou he had 6 rec for 76 yards. I think he can catch just fine. My guess is you can't have only two healthy backs in camp you need more bodies for reps and games.

[yo gabba gabbert]

for the record, i believe storm johnson is definitely rosterable. he's apparently passed denard on the depth chart and i've been reading that he has a legit shot to grab the #2 spot as early as week1. agreed that his measurables are unintimidating, but i'll pick someone up on a flyer if they have a chance to start in the future. he's currently marinating on my devy spot

Don't sleep on the Nard Dog. While he may not be a three down back his presence could cut into anyone dominating touches out of that backfield. Guy has wiggle and pure speed. He looks good after adding some weight and he's still very shifty.

Fun side note, did you know that he doesn't tie his cleats?

is that still true of him? felt like once he was actually getting paid to do his thing that might have been a contract stipulation

[Krang]

Fun side note, did you know that he doesn't tie his cleats?

That's why his nickname is Shoelace.

[Krang]

I thought it was because he wore neon laces?

I always heard it was because he doesn't tie them, but I suppose that could be wrong.

[Patmos]

It is because he doesn't tie them.

[hailtoyourvictor]

It is because he doesn't tie them.

Good to know. I was watching some video of him and he now wears the cleats that have velcro straps over the laces, so I doubt it matters whether or not he ties them.

Anyway, I know that the guy is all wiggle, waggle, and wobble. Very elusive and quick.

Wrong. Denard is extremely fast with excellent vision. He does not have great lateral movement (ie. wiggle, waggle, and wobble). He is more Chris Johnson than he is Devin Hester or Dante Hall.

[ninotoreS]

Wrong. Denard is extremely fast with excellent vision. He does not have great lateral movement (ie. wiggle, waggle, and wobble). He is more Chris Johnson than he is Devin Hester or Dante Hall.

'Excellent vision'? That remains to be seen. Most of his productive carries to this point have been simple carries to the edge (which was also true in college), and then he jets with that straight-line speed when there's gaping daylight available. I haven't seen him do much squirming through small creases to daylight. Easy on the Chris Johnson comparison.

[CottonCandyGrenade]

To me, picking up Powell and Brown suggests the Texans are not happy about their current RBs pass protection and/or hands. Both of the guys profile as 3rd down specialists. That wouldn't surprise me for Blue, Grimes or both. Keep in mind that Bill O'Brien came from an offense that had a clear labour divide at the RB position, so you could end up with another team that changes RBs like normal people change pants.

Powell and Brown are camp bodies, nothing more.

O'Brien wants a pass catching RB, and Grimes fits that bill. He has been in the system for an entire season, I think will emerge as the clear #2.

Also, Jonathan Grimes is averaging 3.8 yards after contact/carry so far through the first two weeks of the pre-season. Of RBs with 10+ carries, be has the highest Elusive Rating.

I think he is the deep sleeper to have this season.

[Chris_R]

Blue has been getting run with the 1's. Seems he would play some sort of role if Foster were to get injured. Probably the one situation(Colts is the other) where I wouldn't mind investing in the back-up RB position for a short term fix. I am all over guys like Blue and Herron for 1 reason or another due to price and what they might become by mid or late season.

[thebeast]

Interestingly Blue started the game last night... Game 3

[rubber_duck]

Did he start? According to the ESPN play-by-play the first Houston rushing attempt was Grimes with 5:53 left in the 1st quarter. They did put Blue in later in the same series.

[thebeast]

Did he start? According to the ESPN play-by-play the first Houston rushing attempt was Grimes with 5:53 left in the 1st quarter. They did put Blue in later in the same series.

That may be the first rushing attempt, but Blue was in for the first two offensive snaps according to my eyes.