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Darren Sproles


McBoog
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Sure there are the obvious (again) blunders on ST and the fact that Rivers really has major issues with his WR corps (completed passes to 16 different players this year :wacko: ) and the continuity factor seemed to catch up to them in their "game" (ass whoopin') with the Raiders. IF Gates, Floyd, NaaNee and Crayton were healthy, we wouldn't even be talking about VJax and when he will return. The team could possibly be unstoppable, but that is pure conjecture. The mistakes early made the Chargers one dimensional and the Raiders did an excellent job of taking away the toys (not weapons) the Chargers trotted out there at receiver. Their personell

 

BUT, I have an even "bigger" (smaller???) concern.

 

Darren Sproles.

 

Before he got blown up and concussed out of the game, he had another fumble lost to the opponent (3rd this year), and just does not seem to have the same shiftiness he used to. The acceleration/explosion looks like it is there, but he just is not making people miss and is taking some BIG hits.

 

I don't know what it is about the guy this year, but he has just not been the difference maker that he used to be. I saw the beginning of this over the last third of the season, but it has been glaring to me this year.

 

His forte is his return game. Where is it? He is the master screen RB. Haven't seen it! His one long catch for a TD was a down-field pass over the middle (a route usually Gates would be running but he was out). Being so short, his most effective pass plays are in the flat because Rivers can see him. He has never been that effective down-field.

 

Dare I say it? I also think two years of multi-million dollar bucks on the "franchise tag" has contributed as well. He will NEVER be a featured back in The League. God bless him and his heart, but he is too small and that was shown by how badly he was beaten up when he filled in for LT a couple years back. Is he saving himself for a FA contract next year? I don't see him getting anywhere near the cash he has been making on the franchise tag.

 

With his size and the hits he has taken, I think he is pretty much done. Sad to say, but I just don't see it anymore!

 

With the evolution of Mike Tolbert and hopefully a year to get Mathews educated and healthy, I don't see a roster spot for Sproles next year. Mathews did not play yesterday because he still sucks in protections in the passing game (hardest thing for rookie RBs to learn). Both Tolber and Mathews could be a very effective RBBC. Mathews is just as fast, stronger and has moves when healthy. He has never had they type of injury he had this year, and the infamous "high ankle sprain" has taken down many players known for their toughness.

 

Both Tolbert and Mathews are above average receivers (those how saw the game saw Tolbert pull in some nice grabs, one off his hip). With Hester as the FB, I just see the need for a better use of the roster spot.

 

Anyone else, see the same thing as I do?

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To me simple economics dictates he wont be there next year . . . not for the price he will try to command. :wacko:

 

Agreed. But, he has been SO overpaid for the last two years, who do you think could even come close to paying that type of player, with wear on the tires, what he will try to command.

 

Personally, I don't really want him back at any price. I think his usefulness to the team is past and there are better options for them going into next year. When he is around, there is almost an obligation to play him to justify his $.

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Agreed. But, he has been SO overpaid for the last two years, who do you think could even come close to paying that type of player, with wear on the tires, what he will try to command.

 

Personally, I don't really want him back at any price. I think his usefulness to the team is past and there are better options for them going into next year. When he is around, there is almost an obligation to play him to justify his $.

 

I agree on this. He's not the player he was. In the return game alone he hasn't provided a spark to the team all year. I appreciate what he's done with the Chargers but he's now unfortunately replaceable. You can't keep a guy who can do a lot of things OK. This league is about being a difference-maker.

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He almost looks afraid to make a mistake before the ball gets there. It's really shaping up to be a bad case of the Yips. Next year he'll be somewhere else it's been pretty much said already. Too much money for his skill set and time on the field.

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