Is Drake the real deal?

"dolphin25 wrote:

I think that was what Gase was really wanting all along. That single back that could do all those things instead of having a back to run the ball and a back to catch the ball. Much easier to make a defense think when one guy can do it all.

This is exactly the case.

That's why i don't think Gase wants a power back. If anything he'd want one guy who could be Drake AND a power back.

"Fin D wrote:

This is exactly the case.

That's why i don't think Gase wants a power back. If anything he'd want one guy who could be Drake AND a power back.

Doug Martin or CJ Anderson come to mind if we decide on a veteran next season....Just thinking Lamar Miller could be pretty good option also

"Fin D wrote:

I'm honestly not trying to break your balls or anything, but WADR, you say it is a hard comparison but then go on to lay out a pretty solid argument for Drake being vastly superior to Ajayi (which I believe).

It is just funny (not in a douche way) to me that you're reluctant to say the words even though you clearly believe them.

I think he's saying Ajayi would be better in a different system, a system that highlights his strengths, than Drake would. But that is sort of an obvious statement.

I, personally, think that would be a power-running scheme but apparently Ajayi preferred the outside zone while he was here. Drake works for Gase's system, much more multi-dimensional. I'd be interested to see who would be better with a fullback. My guess would be Ajayi. Then again, would he see the field if he's being selfish towards his teammates and coaches?

"LI phinfan wrote:

Doug Martin or CJ Anderson come to mind if we decide on a veteran next season

Yeah, if Anderson finally breaks free, count on him being a Dolphin and us being set at RB, IMO.

"invid wrote:

I think he's saying Ajayi would be better in a different system, a system that highlights his strengths, than Drake would. But that is sort of an obvious statement.

I, personally, think that would be a power-running scheme but apparently Ajayi preferred the outside zone while he was here. Drake works for Gase's system, much more multi-dimensional. I'd be interested to see who would be better with a fullback. My guess would be Ajayi. Then again, would he see the field if he's being selfish towards his teammates and coaches?

I'm sure you're right about what Brandon meant, like I said it was just humorous (again not in a bad way) to me.

Drake performed very well last night. His spin move was a thing of beauty and so was that catch on the seam route. Even if he isn't used as a feature back when Williams returns and/or when we head into next season, his skill set and play making ability should ensure him of at least being the two in a one-two punch, but as things stand I could see him being the one in a one-two punch. Drake has a bright future as long as he can stay healthy and productive.

"Mike8272 wrote:

Drake performed very well last night. His spin move was a thing of beauty and so was that catch on the seam route. Even if he isn't used as a feature back when Williams returns and/or when we head into next season, his skill set and play making ability should ensure him of at least being the two in a one-two punch, but as things stand I could see him being the one in a one-two punch. Drake has a bright future as long as he can stay healthy and productive.

Those two plays were what really stood out to me. Gruden even called that route as they lined up - total mismatch, we went right for it, and the kid made a play.

The spin move was brutal. That should have been a 3-4 yard loss, instead it was almost a touchdown. Those plays are the type of thing we see the best backs do and what separates them from the herd.

It will be interesting to see them @Buff depending on weather. If it's anything like this past weekend, running game will be crucial.

Unless he gets hurt or regresses severely in these last 3 weeks, I think we need to pencil him at RB1 and focus on getting him a sidekick to replace Williams who is likely gone in the offseason.

I'd love to pair him with Blount.

I think we need a longer campaign to deem real deal-ness or not. So far, he's looking good!

"texanphinatic wrote:

Those two plays were what really stood out to me. Gruden even called that route as they lined up - total mismatch, we went right for it, and the kid made a play.

The spin move was brutal. That should have been a 3-4 yard loss, instead it was almost a touchdown. Those plays are the type of thing we see the best backs do and what separates them from the herd.

It will be interesting to see them @Buff depending on weather. If it's anything like this past weekend, running game will be crucial.

Unless he gets hurt or regresses severely in these last 3 weeks, I think we need to pencil him at RB1 and focus on getting him a sidekick to replace Williams who is likely gone in the offseason.

As impressive as those plays were it was the pass protection and blitz pick ups that really stood out to me. He flat STONED some guys that would have killed Cutler with Ajayi in there. One of the keys to the game I think

"Rickysabeast wrote:

I think we need a longer campaign to deem real deal-ness or not. So far, he's looking good!

Well, he's out-performed Ajayi every week so far (when you add runs/catches), and we were all sold that Ajayi was the real deal. That's as real of a deal as I need heading into Buffalo.

I have to admit I saw him running down field with that 32 on this back and I thought of all the great running backs that wore that number.

The spin move breaking Chung's ankles made me giggle.

"Fin D wrote:

This is exactly the case.

That's why i don't think Gase wants a power back. If anything he'd want one guy who could be Drake AND a power back.

I think he wants one of everything to exploit whatever mismatch he sees. I freaking LOVED the fullback runs last night because it was the right call for the right time.

"KeyFin wrote:

I think he wants one of everything to exploit whatever mismatch he sees. I freaking LOVED the fullback runs last night because it was the right call for the right time.

I disagree, i think he wants one player to be able to be versatile to exploit whatever mismatch he sees...mostly in RB and TE. I don't think he likes to change the play call package based on who is in.

"Fin D wrote:

I disagree, i think he wants one player to be able to be versatile to exploit whatever mismatch he sees...mostly in RB and TE. I don't think he likes to change the play call package based on who is in.

I think he wants a Coleman/Freeman situation.

"Dol-Fan Dupree wrote:

It works well for Atlanta and Carolina.

New Orleans.

"Fin D wrote:

I disagree, i think he wants one player to be able to be versatile to exploit whatever mismatch he sees...mostly in RB and TE. I don't think he likes to change the play call package based on who is in.

Well, he said a couple weeks ago that he prefers the "RB by committee" approach...so I don't think he will stick to the feature back scenario once Williams is ready to roll. It's also important to remember that Gase is super-high on Williams and I think we will see him next week if he's ready to go. So I both agree and disagree with you at the same time....I'm fairly confident that he wants a stable of workhorses but I also think he will rely on Drake a lot more down the stretch.

"djphinfan wrote:

New Orleans.

That Ingram/Kamara is dictionary for what most teams want.

"shamegame13 wrote:

That Ingram/Kamara is dictionary for what most teams want.

stewart mcafrey, murray henry, just another example need one guy to move the piles on the goal line and one to break out in the passing game and be elusive.

"danmarino wrote:

Drake is leading the league in yards after contact. He's not going to move the pile, but he's hard to take down.

It's because he has great feet.

"bigballa2102 wrote:

stewart mcafrey, murray henry, just another example need one guy to move the piles on the goal line and one to break out in the passing game and be elusive.

Henry and Murray don’t have “roles” per say... they have “drives” if anything or you can label Murray as the first 3 quarters and Henry as the 4th quarter finisher... and Stewart really isn’t that good, he’s serviceable, but he’s only had one or two good, good games all season.

Ingram and Kamara present teams with true “roles” and they are both dynamic at handling their roles. That’s what I mean.

NE has always run similar backfields but none were ever as dynamic as what NO has down there.

"Rock Sexton wrote:

It's because he has great feet.

That kid alex collins has great feet as well...

I don't understand this whole fascination with different style of running backs taking up roster space, I don't want any one dimensional players I want backs that can do it all so that there are no tells to the defense when entering the game.

"bigballa2102 wrote:

stewart mcafrey, murray henry, just another example need one guy to move the piles on the goal line and one to break out in the passing game and be elusive.

for example this BB, why have someone take up a roster spot with such a limited skillset...

"djphinfan wrote:

That kid alex collins has great feet as well...

I don't understand this whole fascination with different style of running backs taking up roster space, I don't want any one dimensional players I want backs that can do it all so that there are no tells to the defense when entering the game.

I wanted him when he entered the draft... kid was doing everything in arkansas.

Now i want Myles Gaskin out of Washington here even with Drake doing well... look him up... myles does it all