Gettleman thinks McCaffrey is a three down player, not a three down back

[TheSpecialJuan]

I would not be upset one bit if we took McCaffrey at 8

[MechaZain]

"Three down back" is about versatility and durability.  You're a factor on any play and you can withstand the punishment of doing it all if called on. The one knock against McCaffrey is that he's undersized and won't hold up in the NFL as a primary runner, that's why Gettleman dismisses the question by pointing to his college carries. 

"3rd down backs" are the short yardage specialists you only bring out to barrel through the line. Mike Tolbert, Jerome Bettis, etc. McCaffrey is the farthest thing from this and I think everyone agrees.

[Moorgan]

24 minutes ago, XClown1986 said:

I actually want to amend my earlier posts about McCaffrey and about Gettleman.

I went back and watched the presser again (yes, I know, nerd. But I'm at school on a teacher workday and figured what the hell)

First about Gettleman's thoughts on McCaffrey as a 3 down back. I DO believe that what Gettleman was saying to Joe was "no poo he's a 3 down back." Though he didn't use the word "back," his focus was moreso on being a smart ass to Joe Person (rightfully so, the guy is a tool). I think what he said was taken out of context with who he was saying it to and how. But I fully believe that one of the "half dozen 3 down backs" includes McCaffrey. 100%

Second, about McCaffrey. I posted a couple weeks back some vehemently positive responses to McCaffrey as a player and a fit for this team. Then I will admit, I started to doubt myself after watching him play Washington (badass defense btw) and after hearing the evaluators criticize his lack of power and size. I am one of the few that will admit that I was swayed by the noise. 

However, upon going back and watching about 4 games worth of snaps on draftbreakdown.com, how the hell did I veer off of my original opinion? This kid has it all. He has ELITE attributes that show how and why he will be a successful back. He is WAYYY more Marshall Faulk than Reggie Bush. The comparisons to him as a scatback with no true position are off. This kid can make plays from anywhere. In 1 game I saw him score on a wildcat play, a catch, a long run, a goal line run, AND he returned 2 kicks for longer than 30 yards. That's not blind luck or college level play folks, that's a football player.

I watched the press conference live and I came away thinking that DG was very excited about CMC. I suppose that could've been a smokescreen but I don't think DG does that stuff. He seems honest and genuine and specifies when he won't answer a question.

[Moorgan]

3 minutes ago, MechaZain said:

"Three down back" is about versatility and durability.  You're a factor on any play and you can withstand the punishment of doing it all if called on. The one knock against McCaffrey is that he's undersized and won't hold up in the NFL as a primary runner, that's why Gettleman dismisses the question by pointing to his college carries. 

"3rd down backs" are the short yardage specialists you only bring out to barrel through the line. Mike Tolbert, Jerome Bettis, etc. McCaffrey is the farthest thing from this and I think everyone agrees.

I was always under the impression that 3rd down back centered around the idea that you needed to be able to pass protect. The typical run, run, pass implies that the back is either going to catch that pass on 3rd down or block for the QB to throw that pass.

[jarhead]

2 hours ago, CRA said:

I think McCaffrey could be the best RB by a fair margin in the draft IF he went to the right team.  Situation matters in terms of how successful players can be.

McCaffrey IMO would be a beast in NE's scheme or a team like that.  He seems like an odd fit here.  Not sure we are built to get the fullest out of him.

Well said!

[carpanfan96]

Yea, I didn't get that from what Gettleman was saying at all. What I got was he was saying No duh he's a three down back, he's proved that with his play at Stanford. Beane added to it later talking about his value as a player, catching passes, running the ball and punt returns.

[backINblack28]

This is the biggest thing for me.  I think McCaffrey fits beautifully on this team, WHILE Stew is still here.  My question, and I think the biggest point in taking him at 8 would be can he take OVER for J Stew, or after Stew retires, do we need a guy to step in and be the main guy with McCaffrey still being a spell back/slot WR.

"3rd down backs" don't necessarily mean a Tolbert/Bettis/big guy type.  Your fozzies/woodheads/james white's of the world are just guys that you don't want to run into a wall 25 times a game....that's not how they're going to be effective.  I think CM can be a very good NFL player, but to some extent, at pick 8, you want to be sure that he can handle a full workload, whether that means 20 touches via screens/PR/KR/catches/in between tackles.  His versatility is well known.  But can he go return a punt, take a carry on first down, line up at slot in 2nd down, and then pass block on third down, all within 5-6 plays?  Cause if you're taking him at 8 I think that's what you want out of him.  I don't know if he can, but if Gettleman takes him at 8, I certainly trust that he thinks he will be able to.

[MechaZain]

22 minutes ago, Moorgan said:

I was always under the impression that 3rd down back centered around the idea that you needed to be able to pass protect. The typical run, run, pass implies that the back is either going to catch that pass on 3rd down or block for the QB to throw that pass.

Interesting. Google says it's traditionally short yardage specialists but that it's evolved into your definition. First time I've ever heard it used this way. 

[KB_fan]

I'm still pretty sure DE or RB our our priority positions at #8.  The fact that this is SUCH a talented DB class according to Dave makes me think we can get good DBs later.

A bit concerned that TEs were kind of dismissed (acknowledged it's a good group, but did so without any excitement) and Dave didn't talk about WRs at all.

 

[Woodie]

What is the difference between a 3 down player and a 3 down back?  It's a nonsensical distinction being made here. 

Basically he said both can definitely play all three downs.  Fournette is more of a downfield runner, but McCaffrey's receiving skills can also be used on 3rd down.  To use a historical example, it's like comparing Jerome Bettis and Marshal Faulk (and no, I'm not comparing skill, just style).  Bettis  was a bruising downfield back that can run over people to move the chains, while Faulk's receiving skills were a huge weapon on any down.

If Igo was just trying to say that he thinks they have Fournette rated above McCaffrey, I think most already know that. 

[Ace_Aladdin]

4 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

That is the impression I got from being at the press conference. When asked if McCaffrey is a three down back, he didn't say yes. He said, well, he can run and he can catch, I guess that is three downs. 

What I take from that is the Panthers see him as a 3rd down back and a slot player. Not someone they can rely on in 3rd and short situations. 

That's why we have J-Stew , either way long ax you get the 1st it doesn't matter. 

So much for Funchess being able to play 

x,y&z 

MCCaffrey will be the defacto #2 WR if he is a Panther

[OriginalPantherDan]

6 hours ago, backINblack28 said:

This is the biggest thing for me.  I think McCaffrey fits beautifully on this team, WHILE Stew is still here.  My question, and I think the biggest point in taking him at 8 would be can he take OVER for J Stew, or after Stew retires, do we need a guy to step in and be the main guy with McCaffrey still being a spell back/slot WR.

"3rd down backs" don't necessarily mean a Tolbert/Bettis/big guy type.  Your fozzies/woodheads/james white's of the world are just guys that you don't want to run into a wall 25 times a game....that's not how they're going to be effective.  I think CM can be a very good NFL player, but to some extent, at pick 8, you want to be sure that he can handle a full workload, whether that means 20 touches via screens/PR/KR/catches/in between tackles.  His versatility is well known.  But can he go return a punt, take a carry on first down, line up at slot in 2nd down, and then pass block on third down, all within 5-6 plays?  Cause if you're taking him at 8 I think that's what you want out of him.  I don't know if he can, but if Gettleman takes him at 8, I certainly trust that he thinks he will be able to.

The kid you're looking for to complement CMC at RB is named Sam Rogers. He's a football player, through and through. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

6 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

I would not be upset one bit if we took McCaffrey at 8

But I would be absolutely thrilled if Fournette fell to us at 8.

[pantherj]

The way we execute screens makes we want to poke my eyes out. I think watching our offense try to involve McCaffrey would be akin to watching a live abortion. Get Fournette a play simple smash mouth and read option. That we can do.