Christine Michael (and RB position in general)

[FlyingGreg]

What does everybody think here... are we going to see Michael get meaningful snaps this season? I know he has been slowed by injury (AGAIN), and was inactive last game. I think we all figured he was drafted to be the running back of the future, or was he? I guess at this point I'm a little confused with the pick, in hindsight. He has undeniable talent and always impresses me when he plays, but it seems like he is fools gold at this point. Or has he just not reached the level of comfort with the coaches?

I'm not throwing him out with the bath water - so you vultures chillax. Just generating conversation.

Is he just snap-blocked by Beast and Turbin? Is Turbin really now the heir apparent? I guess I still don't see Turbin as an every down back.

Before the season, I would have put good money down on this being Marshawn's last season in Seattle...he is expensive and is approaching the cliff for RBs, especially for someone who has accumulated the toll of punishing carries like he has (not just carries, but constantly getting hit behind the LOS). But now, I don't know... he just brings such an incredible element to this offense, one we can never fully replace, obviously, but I'm not sure how I feel with Turbin and Michael.

Can we really afford to keep Marshawn, especially with a giant looming contract for Russell Wilson?

Where do you all see the RB position in the next few seasons for us?

:stirthepot:

 

[kidhawk]

I'm on a "time will tell" philosophy with Michael right now. I believe the coach when he says Michael has made great strides. If the team wants to see what we've got with him, then they'll need to activate him at some point. I still watch Lynch though and find it hard to justify giving anyone too many snaps. Beast is still Beast out there and this team is so much better when he's on the field

 

[Our Man in Chicago]

It's going to be a long season. We'll have to wait and see. Like last year, I'd expect to see him involved in blowouts in order to get his sea legs.

Let's not lose sight that CM is a luxury. Marshawn is a fantastic running back that every last team in the league would like to have.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Can we really afford to keep Marshawn, especially with a giant looming contract for Russell Wilson?

That's the million dollar question isn't it? Or in Marshawn's case, the 10 million dollar question cause that's about what he's going to want next off season per year.

I still like Michael, he's got some serious ability. Unfortunately for him, he would have been better off being drafted by a another team where he could at least split time at RB to develop his game. Instead he's rotted behind a future HOF'er that doesn't get hurt on a team that's contending for titles..........which means every carry counts.

I don't think we can afford to resign Marshawn without seriously hurting another area of the team, and Pete and John have known this for a couple years which is why they drafted Michael in the first place. It's just that Lynch is making it REALLY hard to let him go.

 

[Basis4day]

Every position on the field counts toward the 46 man gameday roster. Always remember that when discussing players that can and cannot get on the field. So you need to name a healthy player to sit for Michael to get on the field. At this point i wouldn't mind sitting Richardson as he is not necessary on Special Teams like Lockette or Walters and is way down the depth chart because of it.

Lynch is the most reliable back and Turbin has a better understanding of the blocking schemes as noted numerous times by the coaching staff both this year and last (Yes, he had the screw up in Denver). Being the RB in this scheme is about a lot more than simply pounding the rock.

I too want to see Michael, but he's in a tough spot roster wise.

 

[LawlessHawk]

I'm sure once CM's healthy, he'll get a few snaps here and there. I don't mind having talent developing and waiting in the wings and I don't condemn or diminish CM for not beating out an incredible running back that is still at the top of his game not to mention one that has also built a substantial amount of equity with this team and its fanbase...

What running backs drafted in the last two years would you have taken, not just over Christine Michael, but that you think would have beat out the Beast for a starting job or even taken away a substantial number of snaps??

 

[FlyingGreg]

I'm sure once CM's healthy, he'll get a few snaps here and there. I don't mind having talent developing and waiting in the wings and I don't condemn or diminish CM for not beating out an incredible running back that is still at the top of his game not to mention one that has also built a substantial amount of equity with this team and its fanbase...

What running backs drafted in the last two years would you have taken, not just over Christine Michael, but that you think would have beat out the Beast for a starting job or even taken away a substantial number of snaps??

None, and that's the centerpiece of my confusion over the Michael draft pick. I assume they thought he would bump Turbin down the chart and be Beast's primary back-up, but someone forgot to ask Turbo about that idea because he has entrenched himself as the #2.

He is a luxury item, at this point. I guess he will continue to take up shelf on the roster shelf until they have to break the glass. It was definitely a future pick, even future future at this point.

 

[hawknation2014]

I'm sure once CM's healthy, he'll get a few snaps here and there. I don't mind having talent developing and waiting in the wings and I don't condemn or diminish CM for not beating out an incredible running back that is still at the top of his game not to mention one that has also built a substantial amount of equity with this team and its fanbase...

What running backs drafted in the last two years would you have taken, not just over Christine Michael, but that you think would have beat out the Beast for a starting job or even taken away a substantial number of snaps??

From 2013, Eddie Lacy (drafted one spot before CM) and maybe Knile Davis (3rd round) or Zac Stacy (5th round). Those three are good enough to earn carries on this team by beating out Turbin.

Bishop Sankey and Jeremy Hill have looked good so far as rookies (both are averaging 5.1 yards a carry).

There are some good running backs in next year's draft-- Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, T.J. Yeldon, etc. Bama's Derrick Henry is a beast, but not eligible until 2016 draft.

 

[LawlessHawk]

I'm sure once CM's healthy, he'll get a few snaps here and there. I don't mind having talent developing and waiting in the wings and I don't condemn or diminish CM for not beating out an incredible running back that is still at the top of his game not to mention one that has also built a substantial amount of equity with this team and its fanbase...

What running backs drafted in the last two years would you have taken, not just over Christine Michael, but that you think would have beat out the Beast for a starting job or even taken away a substantial number of snaps??

None, and that's the centerpiece of my confusion over the Michael draft pick. I assume they thought he would bump Turbin down the chart and be Beast's primary back-up, but someone forgot to ask Turbo about that idea because he has entrenched himself as the #2.

He is a luxury item, at this point. I guess he will continue to take up shelf on the roster shelf until they have to break the glass. It was definitely a future pick, even future future at this point.

Completely agree. By the way I meant that as sort of rhetorical question to the general fandum not necessarily at you but thanks for commenting. We need backs, he's got talent, and I don't think talent goes sour sitting on the shelf... infact in regards to backs, cracking open a fresh one later in the season may have its advantages. My big question with him is how will a young stud handle waiting his turn.

 

[LawlessHawk]

I'm sure once CM's healthy, he'll get a few snaps here and there. I don't mind having talent developing and waiting in the wings and I don't condemn or diminish CM for not beating out an incredible running back that is still at the top of his game not to mention one that has also built a substantial amount of equity with this team and its fanbase...

What running backs drafted in the last two years would you have taken, not just over Christine Michael, but that you think would have beat out the Beast for a starting job or even taken away a substantial number of snaps??

From 2013, Eddie Lacy (drafted one spot before CM) and maybe Knile Davis (3rd round) or Zac Stacy (5th round). Those three are good enough to earn carries on this team by beating out Turbin.

Bishop Sankey and Jeremy Hill have looked good so far as rookies (both are averaging 5.1 yards a carry).

There are some good running backs in next year's draft-- Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, T.J. Yeldon, etc. Bama's Derrick Henry is a beast, but not eligible until 2016 draft.

But the question was beating out Beast, not Turbin. Lacy is pretty damn good for sure, but how much would we know about Lacy today if we drafted him instead? GB drafted him to be a featured starting running back right away. I don't think that was the case with CM.

 

[hawknation2014]

I'm sure once CM's healthy, he'll get a few snaps here and there. I don't mind having talent developing and waiting in the wings and I don't condemn or diminish CM for not beating out an incredible running back that is still at the top of his game not to mention one that has also built a substantial amount of equity with this team and its fanbase...

What running backs drafted in the last two years would you have taken, not just over Christine Michael, but that you think would have beat out the Beast for a starting job or even taken away a substantial number of snaps??

From 2013, Eddie Lacy (drafted one spot before CM) and maybe Knile Davis (3rd round) or Zac Stacy (5th round). Those three are good enough to earn carries on this team by beating out Turbin.

Bishop Sankey and Jeremy Hill have looked good so far as rookies (both are averaging 5.1 yards a carry).

There are some good running backs in next year's draft-- Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, T.J. Yeldon, etc. Bama's Derrick Henry is a beast, but not eligible until 2016 draft.

But the question was beating out Beast, not Turbin. Lacy is pretty damn good for sure, but how much would we know about Lacy today if we drafted him instead? GB drafted him to be a featured starting running back right away. I don't think that was the case with CM.

You're right that no one was going to beat out Lynch to be the first string running back. The issue is why he hasn't beaten out Turbin to get 2nd string carries. He has trouble staying healthy, he's had some fumbles, and he's not a good blocker.

I can't see CM ever being the feature back, but he's talented enough to be a change of pace back if those three things improve. Either way, they're going to need to draft or trade for a feature back to replace Lynch.

 

[DavidSeven]

None, and that's the centerpiece of my confusion over the Michael draft pick. I assume they thought he would bump Turbin down the chart and be Beast's primary back-up, but someone forgot to ask Turbo about that idea because he has entrenched himself as the #2.

I don't think they assumed anything when they drafted Michael. I think there was an open spot on the RB depth chart after they cut Leon Washington and that they tried to fill it with the best player possible. Obviously, they probably wanted him to provide competition for both Marshawn and Turbin, but I really don't think they presumed Michael would overtake either of them in either Year 1 or Year 2.

This team has built up a philosophy around the idea of filling the back-end roster with guys who can compete and push the guys ahead of them. No different with Michael.

In regard to your OP, I think Marshawn is here next year. I think we draft yet another RB in 2015 and keep the competition pressing forward. If there's one thing you can bet on, it's that Pete isn't going to let his run game dip. That means bringing in talented backs on a continuous basis and letting the rest sort itself out through competition.

 

[Sarlacc83]

A bit of this is hindsight bias. Everyone here complained about Lynch slowing down as the playoffs approached, and the underpinning reason for it is that people were worried he was slowing down. Michael might seem like a 'luxury' pick now, but then he was a very necessary insurance policy.

Just as much, Michael, when healthy has one the highest potentials of anyone on the roster. Lynch powers out tough yards, but Michael provides game breaker status. The 70 yard killer run with everyone in his dust.

Additionally, Michael wasn't injured last year. He just didn't get a chance to play because he was put on the inactive list, usually because of his pass blocking.

 

[themunn]

Before the season, I would have put good money down on this being Marshawn's last season in Seattle...he is expensive and is approaching the cliff for RBs, especially for someone who has accumulated the toll of punishing carries like he has (not just carries, but constantly getting hit behind the LOS). But now, I don't know... he just brings such an incredible element to this offense, one we can never fully replace, obviously, but I'm not sure how I feel with Turbin and Michael.

Can we really afford to keep Marshawn, especially with a giant looming contract for Russell Wilson?

Where do you all see the RB position in the next few seasons for us?

:stirthepot:

Of course, it's only three games in to the season so it's hard to tell, but I was confident Lynch would be fine.
I guess the question to ask is... where would the Niners be if they got rid of Frank Gore 3 years and 800 carries ago (where he was the same age as Lynch is now with around the same number of carries - around 1700 to Lynch's 1750)

 

[NorCalSeahawk]

I would expect Christine Michael to get some snaps once he is at or near 100% (possibly starting this week, maybe 5-10 snaps). The team still has Lynch and until he looks like he is slowing down they are not going to take him out of the starting job this season.

I would also guess the coaching staff would like to get Turbin and Michael some extra snaps during some of those blow outs and during the middle of the season to keep Lynch's touches down for a playoff run again. Plus it will give the coaching staff a shot to see if Michael can handle a bit bigger roll without overwhelming him this season. If he can, then great, next season the team can look to reload the RB depth in the draft and go with Michael and Turbin as your 1-2. If he looks bad with his touches, then I guess the team will decide how bad they want Lynch next season (money, money, money, money).

 

[MysterMatt]

Michael won't get many snaps if he doesn't earn them, and that's what sort of troubles me. It's certainly too early to tell for a few guys, but our early round pics, the ones we've had of late at least, haven't made much impact. I love John and Pete's innovative approach to the draft, but still...

 

[FlyingGreg]

Michael won't get many snaps if he doesn't earn them, and that's what sort of troubles me. It's certainly too early to tell for a few guys, but our early round pics, the ones we've had of late at least, haven't made much impact. I love John and Pete's innovative approach to the draft, but still...

Yep, that's pretty much my concern as well.

And agreed, the early round picks are fair game for discussion....although with such a stacked roster I don't fault Pete and John for some wild card decisions.

 

[Silentwander]

I am patient so I prefer to have completely healthy CM and be ready for some snaps. I hope he will get some snaps in later games because we need to see his actions and see how well he does his job.

 

[Basis4day]

Michael won't get many snaps if he doesn't earn them, and that's what sort of troubles me. It's certainly too early to tell for a few guys, but our early round pics, the ones we've had of late at least, haven't made much impact. I love John and Pete's innovative approach to the draft, but still...

If you look at it from that point of view then you ignore the impact of the players that are on the field. Who do you sit to play Richardson? It's not like anyone ahead of him is stinking it up. Lynch is the most reliable, Turbin knows the blocking schemes and Coleman is the only fullback. Michael doesn't play special teams. Hard to have an impact there. Irvin and Britt are Both Starters. Wagner and Wilson are two of our best players.

PC/JS have shown your draft position means nothing. I think it's greatly overlooked just how little talent was on this team when Pete and John were hitting it out of the park with their late round draft picks.

This goes back to my point about the game day roster. In order to have an impact and get on the field, someone else needs to leave the field.

 

[hawknation2014]

I don't buy the stacked roster argument because Turbin hasn't been that great. Ideally, CM would improve enough in those three critical areas (durability, ball security, and blocking) to see the field as much or more than Turbin.