Stewart led NFC South RBs in play time

[jtnc]

Only two NFC South running backs were on the field for more than 50 percent of their team’s offensive plays.

Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart led the division at 55.2 percent. Stewart was on the field for 577 of Carolina’s 1,046 offensive plays. Atlanta’s Michael Turner took part in 52.2 percent of his offense’s plays. Turner was on the field for 588 of 1,127 snaps.

Neither player was in the top 10 among the league’s running backs. Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy led the league as he played on 81.1 percent of his team’s snaps.

There were a few other items of interest when it came to playing time for NFC South running backs. While Stewart led the division, his teammate, DeAngelo Williams, was third in the NFC South at 42.73 percent, just ahead of New Orleans’ Darren Sproles 42.71 percent.

Tampa Bay was the only team without a single running back to play at least 40 percent of his team’s snaps. Starter LeGarrette Blount participated in 38.4 of the Bucs’ snaps, which was a problem. The Bucs were hesitant to use Blount as a pass blocker or receiver, so their offense was predictable because Tampa Bay generally was running when Blount was on the field.

Blount’s backup, Kregg Lumpkin, was on the field for 35.9 percent of Tampa Bay’s snaps. Earnest Graham also split time at fullback and tailback for the Bucs before suffering a season-ending injury. Graham took part in 18.8 percent of Tampa Bay's offensive plays.

Here’s the rundown on the percentage of plays the rest of the NFC South running backs took part in:

Pierre Thomas, Saints, 33.8.

Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons, 28.

Jason Snelling, Falcons, 27.9.

Mark Ingram, Saints, 18.6.

Chris Ivory, Saints, 10.4.

Mossis Madu, Buccaneers, 5.9.

Josh Vaughn, Panthers, 1.1.

Mike Goodson, Panthers, 0.4.

Antone Smith, Falcons 0.2

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/30915/stewart-led-nfc-south-rbs-in-play-time

It's pretty clear J-stew is gonna be dominant and fits this offense better.

[Swarly]

I love Stew.

No homo.

[Kurb]

*reminds everyone how he didnt like the D-Will deal*

[nosuchthingasapanther]

i'm very surprised he saw higher percentage of plays than michael turner, seeing as turner is the only real featured back in the division.

that says a lot.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

he real good

[jtnc]

Really hope we can re-sign him.

[King Taharqa]

#28!!!

[ed bell]

So, we got two backs splitting time that were right with Philly's NFL leading back yardage-wise, yet McCoy only averaged 4.8 ypc. Our triple threat? All right around 5.5.....

[Snake]

I think our backs will be even better next year. Remember chud was learning how to use Dwill the first part of the season.

[Doc Holiday]

*reminds everyone how he didnt like the D-Will deal*

Ditto, I also said right away that we paid too much to keep him when when had plenty of other needs besides RB

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Stud. Simple and plain.

[PhillyB]

stew looks that good because of dwill. neither would look good without the other.

moreover, signing dwill to that mombo contract was all about jerry richardson sacrificing a few bucks in the short-term for the long-term good of the franchise by sending a message to the league (read: other players) that while he was on the side of the owners during the lockout, he has the best interests of his players at heart and he WILL take care of you.

hence guys like osi up in NYC bitching about CJ's contract. they all want owners like jerry.

at face value signing dwill like that will never make sense any way you spin it. you have to look under the surface to see greater elements at stake.

[Strawman]

We better hope the salary cap takes a major jump, or we could be in trouble.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

stew looks that good because of dwill. neither would look good without the other.

stewart's stats have gone up when williams has been out of the picture.