(05-01-2021, 05:52 PM)The Real Marty Wrote:

(05-01-2021, 05:21 PM)Bullseye Wrote: The point wasn't so much as to compare Etienne to Bush, but to illustrate that receiving backs don't maximize their productivity if they are not properly utilized.  It seemed that the Saints never quite figured out what to do with Reggie Bush-as talented as he was.  If you look back at Bush's career, he wasn't as productive as you might have expected.  I think that is due in part to him being a receiving back, which reduced the number of touches he got, which, in turn, reduced his impact.  https://www.pro-football-reference.com/p...shRe00.htm

If Etienne is going to be utilized similarly to Bush, then I'm left to wonder how productive he will be.  Granted he wasn't picked to be #2 overall, but as a first round pick, he will carry high expectations.  If he's limited to 3rd downs, how many touches could he realistically be expected to have? How will limited touches limit his impact?  How likely would it be for him to meet the expectations of a first round pick?

If I had to give a more direct player comp with Etienne, it would be with CJ Spiller.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/p...ilC.00.htm

Let's just hope he manages to stay healthier than Spiller.

My direct comp to Etienne is Christian McCaffrey.  See what I did there?  It's easy to find a similar player who failed, and make that the comp, just like it's easy for me to compare him to a star player.  

I don't think he's going to be strictly a "3rd down back," no matter what Meyer says now.  He's way too good for that.  They will get him 15-20 touches per game, and he will get us minimum 10 TDs in a season.  That is easily worth the 25th pick in the draft.

urban has said part of his philosophy is getting each of his playmakers the ball a certain amount of times every game, and if he feels the gamescript hasn't given a talented guy enough opportunities he manufactures touches for them. I have a feeling that Etiene will be used on Kick Returns along with Agnew, he'll line up in the slot, and they may have him and Robinson on the field at the same time to threaten between the tackles with JRob & stretch the defense horizontally with Etiene's speed.

The way he utilized Percy Harvin at florida and how he moved everyone around at Ohio State makes me think he's not as rigid with positions in that "oh etiene can't play bc Robinson is the RB" it's more like he wants each playmaker to get the ball and he'll find a way to scheme the ball into his hands. if etiene gets 10-15 touches/looks a game including ST's than the pick was worth it. This team needs talent, period. It needs playmakers and homerun hitters in the worst way, hopefully Etiene can be that guy. Still not a huge fan of RB's in the first round but the pick is growing on me.

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