GreenNgoldBlood posted:If they go up to 4, who says it's not for Saquan Barkley?? Need be damned. Besides, we don't know a lot about what Pettine wants/prefers in his defensive players. The need their may not be as great as some of you may think it is. Pettine may like what they have.
If you think that Barkley is a difference maker at the Zeke Elliott level (with the bonus that he hasn't beaten woman like he's a caveman) then go get him there. Even it didn't pan out, at least they have a well-founded conviction that this will be the move to put them over the top. I like the RBs they have OK, but I don't think defensive coordinators are staying awake at night worrying about how to stop Monty, Jones, or Williams.
It would be nice to have an Ahman Green type again. In-shape Eddie Lacy, mid-1990s Dorsey Levens, 2007 Ryan Grant, 2010 playoff Starks, and 1996 Edgar Bennett have all been solid to excellent backs, but the only superstar RB they've had in the last 35 years is Green. You made one mistake filling a gap on Ahman and he was gone to the house.
In the 5 years from 2000-2005, Ahman had 49 20+ yard runs and 11 40+ yard runs. Ahman had 16 20+ pass receptions (2 40+). 65 20+ yard plays in 5 years. Those are often game changing plays and defense have to scheme to prevent them. Teams actually committed more to stopping the run and he still was able to do that.
Eddie Lacy had 19 (20+) and 3 (40+) in 4 years. Lacy had 11 and 2 in terms of pass receptions. 30 explosive plays - OK but not in the Ahman category - and teams were mainly scheming to stop the pass.
Jamaal Williams had 4 such plays last year. Jones had 6.
