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Originally Posted by Scott Linehan
(On why it took so long to sign RB Stephen Davis)
“...and he’s at the point where he wants to go with what he feels is the best spot for him."
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AKA, where the best money is.
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Originally Posted by Scott Linehan
(On how the signing of Davis effects running back spots)
“It’s going to affect it. We’ll make a decision tonight as a staff. I certainly think Tony ran the ball very well for us when he was in there yesterday. I think he showed some improvement from how he played initially as far as a runner in the second and third game. He played much better, I think, in this one. It’s going to factor in early in the year with who’s really the two going into the first game. Hopefully Stephen is going to look good in practice and look ready to go. We’ve still got to get him in shape, he’s got to work himself into shape. I think he’s in pretty good condition, but football shape and condition are two different things. That will factor into what we do in the first game or two of the season for sure.”
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Absolutely no mention of Moe. Telling.
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Originally Posted by Scott Linehan
(On Davis’ running style)
“Steven’s going to carry the load, Jackson I mean, and then if we need a change of pace or if we need to get the ball going north and south and get those hard four or five yard gains then I think Stephen Davis is the perfect complement to that.”
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Most people seem to view Jackson as a north-south runner in his own right, but perhaps Linehan views him as more of a total package ball carrier.
I think too often fans think of Jackson simply as a power back when really he's got some underrated speed as well. But I think Jackson's the kind of runner that needs a bit of room to gain that speed, and IMO more often than not he hasn't had that behind our line.
The fact that Linehan is bringing a north-south runner into the fold and labeling
him as the change of pace 'back seems to tell us quite a bit about how Linehan envisions Jackson as a runner.
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Originally Posted by Scott Linehan
(On RB Stephen Davis)
“I think he embraces the idea of being the compliment to Steven (Jackson). There was probably more said about being a mentor, but I don’t know if these guys are really mentors to each other, they’re co-workers.”
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Nice to hear the mentor line.
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Originally Posted by Scott Linehan
(On RB Fred Russell)
“He showed a couple of things on special teams. He had a couple of return opportunities and did okay on those. He went down on a couple of punts as a gunner and that shows that he wants to find a way to make this team. He’s one of those guys that are on the bubble right now, but if we could figure out a way to get him on this team I’d like to try to do it. But we haven’t made a final decision on Fred yet.”
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Did okay? Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Linehan probably would like to keep Russell as many fans would. I'm just not sure where you find the spot for him.
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Originally Posted by Stephen Davis
(On the change from being a number one back to a number two)
“...and if I can find the opportunity to help a young guy like Steven Jackson with his ability and his mindset, I’ll be willing to do that.” |
Great to hear.