Robert Turbin

[HawkWow]

I think he will prove to be as good in the future as Marshawn. Explosive runner with good power

Turbin has the potential to be quite good, but I don't see him ever being Lynch caliber. He doesn't have Lynch's feet or natural athleticism. Lynch's power makes people forget how capable he is of springing runs outside and hitting cutback lanes with a burst through traffic and/or to the edge. That's not what Turbin is, he's more straight-linish and derives his power from his upper body and forward lean, rather than like Lynch who can create extra yards through the holes and creases with his lower body and short-area quickness. They're actually much more different types of backs than many realize.

You are 100% correct.

I like Turbin and I waited all year to be wow'ed by him. Can't say that happened. I saw little in him that suggests he is a sure fire, can't miss RB that will ultimately get us 1300- 1600 per year. I'm not saying it won't happen, but I'm not yet in the camp that sees him as someone that will step right in and pick up wherever ML leaves off.

 

[RolandDeschain]

Turbin gets stopped in his tracks semi-regularly in a way that Marshawn doesn't. Make no mistake, he does not have the leg strength (or perhaps the 'leg churning technique') that Beast Mode has. He's not a Marshawn replica, I think he'd have maybe 70% of the yards after contact that Marshawn gets if he were the feature back for a while season.

You virtually never see Lynch get stopped on a dime. He nearly always manages to keep going at least a little bit; but a fair number of times this season, we've seen Turbin get stopped cold, with nothing extra. I like Turbin, but he's not the power back that Lynch is. To be fair, no one really is.

 

[HawKnPeppa]

Turbin gets stopped in his tracks semi-regularly in a way that Marshawn doesn't. Make no mistake, he does not have the leg strength (or perhaps the 'leg churning technique') that Beast Mode has. He's not a Marshawn replica, I think he'd have maybe 70% of the yards after contact that Marshawn gets if he were the feature back for a while season.

You virtually never see Lynch get stopped on a dime. He nearly always manages to keep going at least a little bit; but a fair number of times this season, we've seen Turbin get stopped cold, with nothing extra. I like Turbin, but he's not the power back that Lynch is. To be fair, no one really is.

I would say what sets Lynch apart is not necessarily his 'power' aspect, although is definitely has power. I believe you touched on it briefly with the 'leg churning' comment. He constantly makes something out of nothing with vision and very quick feet. It's almost like having Walter Jone's legs sowed onto an RB's body. Turbin may lean forward and plow for a few extra yards, but generally he doesn't have the shifty tackle-breaking ability that Lych uses to make our OL run blocking look better that it is.

I agree with BFS that there are many who under-apreciate what Lynch brings. Turbin's a good back, but is nowhere near the back Marshawn is.

 

[Aristotle22]

I just think as he plays the next couple of years behind Lynch he will work on the things that Marshawn does so well. I don't feel like we take Marshawn for granted. I love that he played with a fire after signing for the big $$$. Often times it seems players get paid and then fall off. Beast mode did not. Now I am rambling

 

[quadsas]

I dunno, he seems VERY, VERY explosive after cutbacks, I think Niners/Bills game, when he was given more carries, there was some SERIOUS burst of speed coming from him, almost unnatural.

 

[hawksfan515]

I like Turbin and think he'll play a long time in the league, but I think it's a massive reach to assume he'll ever be as good as Marshawn. In my opinion, Lynch is the second best back in the league right now. I don't think at this point Turbin does anything better than Marshawn, including catching the ball. Again, that's not a knock on Turbo, just high praise for Beastmode. I also agree with bestfightstory that some people around here might be taking Marshawn for granted a bit.

? Are you serious? Marshawn is not that great catching the ball, make no mistake. He's a great runner, but that's part where he falls short a little. Plus, Turbin has that acceleration that Marshawn will never have after the catch/during the run. Then Turbin has some really fast cutbacks, and much better top speed than Marshawn. Kearly has also said he fits the ZBS better because his cutbacks are quite a lot faster.

Marshawn is a really good back, but don't forget his weaknesses, which is acceleration, top end speed, and catching the ball. I think Turbin's a little better in those areas.

 

[Bipolar]

Turbin and Lynch are the best RB duo in the league right now.

 

[JesterHawk]

Turbin and Lynch are the best RB duo in the league right now.

Which is because, IMO, they are complimentary. Turbin will never replace Lynch, they are different styled runners. Turbin has a better burst, but not as much power, and better hands. He's a perfect 3rd down back, but can also be inserted on any down. Being able to interchange our guys like this allows the OC to mix up looks and confuse the defense. Lynch or Turbin on 1,2 or 3rd down could be up the middle, to the outside or passing play from either the shotgun or under center. Two back sets in the I, or split from the shotgun can be runs from either guy (Or Wilson) or a called pass, or even a draw. Not every team has the personnel grouping to take advantage of that.

I don't think Turbin CAN'T be an every down back, but we're more versatile using him as part of a tandem. Damn good pickup for a 4th rounder IMO. Happy he's here, don't consider him a replacement for Lynch though, we need 2 solid RBs.

 

[docj78]

I think Turbin could become the best receiving back in the league. Whether he's just a 3rd down back, or Pete decides to shift towards a more pass-based attack, the kid is going to be a big help. Not gonna lie, I get stoked when I see Wilson throw to Turbin!

 

[RolandDeschain]

Marshawn is a really good back, but don't forget his weaknesses, which is acceleration, top end speed, and catching the ball. I think Turbin's a little better in those areas.

Lynch has been far more reliable catching balls than Turbin. What in the world are you basing this on? Turbin's drop in S.F. cost us the game that day, most likely; and he has had a couple of other critical drops this season, with significantly less playing time than Marshawn.

 

[salamander]

What makes Lynch so good IMO is his lateral speed while continuing to face down field and the way he moves his legs which make him really hard to tackle. Turbin is much more of a straight ahead runner. Turbin has potential, but Lynch is such a unique and special runner it's hard to make the comparison.

 

[ChiefHawk]

Turbin is good enough to be a starter for most teams. The only reason he is not our starter is Lynch.

I think Turbin would be a top 10 RB if Lynch wasn't in front of him.

Of course, Lynch is top 3-5 RB.....

 

[Calhawk]

I like Turbin and think he'll play a long time in the league, but I think it's a massive reach to assume he'll ever be as good as Marshawn. In my opinion, Lynch is the second best back in the league right now. I don't think at this point Turbin does anything better than Marshawn, including catching the ball. Again, that's not a knock on Turbo, just high praise for Beastmode. I also agree with bestfightstory that some people around here might be taking Marshawn for granted a bit.

? Are you serious? Marshawn is not that great catching the ball, make no mistake. He's a great runner, but that's part where he falls short a little. Plus, Turbin has that acceleration that Marshawn will never have after the catch/during the run. Then Turbin has some really fast cutbacks, and much better top speed than Marshawn. Kearly has also said he fits the ZBS better because his cutbacks are quite a lot faster.

Marshawn is a really good back, but don't forget his weaknesses, which is acceleration, top end speed, and catching the ball. I think Turbin's a little better in those areas.

I guess we can agree to disagree, but I think Marshawn IS that great at catching the ball. He's got soft hands and can actually run pretty decent routes when split wide (as he did quite often in college). As far as speed, Marshawn ran a faster 40 than Turbin. That was a few years ago, but if there's a difference in speed it's negligible.

 

[zayden185]

I think he will prove to be as good in the future as Marshawn. Explosive runner with good power

Turbin has the potential to be quite good, but I don't see him ever being Lynch caliber. He doesn't have Lynch's feet or natural athleticism. Lynch's power makes people forget how capable he is of springing runs outside and hitting cutback lanes with a burst through traffic and/or to the edge. That's not what Turbin is, he's more straight-linish and derives his power from his upper body and forward lean, rather than like Lynch who can create extra yards through the holes and creases with his lower body and short-area quickness. They're actually much more different types of backs than many realize.

Much of that can be learned with patience...solid rookie year though. Progressed towards the end of year obviously. The drop in SF certainly hurt...but get some formations with he and lynch in same backfield for zone read? Like the choices

 

[HawkWow]

With all respect, for the life of me, I can't understand where some of you are getting this notion that Turbin is suddenly the leagues best kept secret (weapon). I'm not being sarcastic in the least and genuinely want to know what I've missed. I've watched every game and while I like the kid, I'm not ready to describe him as anything more than above avg. Keep in mind, the RB position takes less time for a rook to work into than about any other position. This is why we see these RBs like Morris and Martin running wild. I saw none of that (yet) from Turbin and he is light years away, IMO, from being worthy of mention along side Marshawn Lynch, IMO.

 

[Missing_Clink]

Turbin has the potential to be quite good, but I don't see him ever being Lynch caliber. He doesn't have Lynch's feet or natural athleticism. Lynch's power makes people forget how capable he is of springing runs outside and hitting cutback lanes with a burst through traffic and/or to the edge. That's not what Turbin is, he's more straight-linish and derives his power from his upper body and forward lean, rather than like Lynch who can create extra yards through the holes and creases with his lower body and short-area quickness. They're actually much more different types of backs than many realize.

I agree with this. It seems like a lot of people are really over valuing Turbin on here. He clearly has talent, and has the skills to play RB at the NFL level, but that doesn't mean he is the next Lynch. Lynch is an elite talent with quick feet, a wide stance, and amazing balance that allows him to break tackles like few other players. Turbin cannot break tackles like Lynch, not even close. Often, it appeared that the first guy brings him down. But he has skills, no doubt. He can hit the hole though, and he can catch. He is a good player. It would have been nice to see him score a TD this year. I think Turbin is a fine player who could probably put up nice stats if given workhorse back carries and if he perhaps sends some of that ridiculous muscle mass into his lower body, but I don't think his talent level puts him in the same elite category as Lynch.

 

[kearly]

I don't know what to think of Turbin for Cable's system. Turbin had a little power at Utah State playing against future insurance salesmen, but in the NFL he's looked like a speed back with good but not amazing speed. Cable's system works so well for Lynch because Lynch is a physical runner. I think the ideal back for this system (besides Lynch) would probably look like Arian Foster or Terrell Davis. No need to have home run speed, just bull your way for 7+ yards on 40% of your carries.

I don't think Turbin will ever be that guy and therefore never a perfect fit. I think he'd be a 1000 yard rusher over a full season in a starting role, but you would definitely feel the dropoff from Lynch.

I like Turbin, but I'd also like to see our team continue looking. I'd love to see the team gamble on Marcus Lattimore or Knile Davis in the mid to late rounds. Davis would be a superstar for us if he can get his 2010 form back. I kept tuning into Arkansas games for Ryan Mallett and in every case it was Davis who stole the show. Too bad about the injuries.

 

[HawkWow]

I don't want to rag on the kid too much because I've not heard him make any claims to greatness, but if it were him that proclaimed he had "better hands than Lynch"...I'd surely remind him that had that pass in SF been intended for Lynch, instead of him, we'd likely be hosting the NFC championship this weekend.

While knocking the kid a bit here, I thought he went down too easy and could be arm tackled. On more than one occasion I said to myself....how does the kid go back to the sideline and look at Lynch after going down like that?

Make no mistake, for a 4th, I am happy he is a member of this team. But I do think he will need to run with more purpose next year or we just might have to continue the search for ML's eventual replacement. Time will tell.

 

[hawksfan515]

Marshawn is a really good back, but don't forget his weaknesses, which is acceleration, top end speed, and catching the ball. I think Turbin's a little better in those areas.

Lynch has been far more reliable catching balls than Turbin. What in the world are you basing this on? Turbin's drop in S.F. cost us the game that day, most likely; and he has had a couple of other critical drops this season, with significantly less playing time than Marshawn.

By my count Turbin has dropped about 2 balls all year, including the infamous one at SF. I remember Lynch dropping multiple balls out of the backfield, many of them simple catches.

 

[v1rotv2]

For some reason Turbin makes me think of Shaun Alexander. Similar build, speed?

Alexander = Dancer Turbin = Bulldozer not even close.