07-12-2017, 12:31 PM
Here is how I see the current RB roster:
Cook's going to be our "Roger Craig" type WCO player - can run, catch and as soon as he picks up the blocking schemes he will be the feature back. Not sure how long that all clicks for him, I say early into the season by about week 4. Craig wasn't the biggest guy but he did break a lot of tackles, ran some great screens, and could block for Montana and the Bill Walsh designed WCO. That is what Shurmur see's in Cook - just my comparison for now.
Until Cook picks it all up - Murray who can also currently run, catch and is said to be an excellent blocking back will be the feature back. Murray, despite having better 40X does not seem to have the game-day in pads speed that Cook looks to be bringing to the next level. Cook's speed on game film is good (not great, he gets caught from behind at the college level so I don't see a ton of 40+ TD's) and much better then the times he runs on a track. Straight-line timed speed is nice but vision with cut speed is better and that is what Cook is supposed to be bringing that Murray does not have.
I don't think Murray is a slouch so if Cook flops (I know impossible
then Murray is an adequate back IMO. In fact, I don't think we were going to pick a RB until after our first two picks with the thought that Murray will hold it down and we will ease a rookie back-in. That changed when Cook fell.
Hopefully, Cook steps-up and the combination of Cook/Murray gives us what is needed in todays NFL - two backs. Not a 50/50 split but nice to have 2 backs that can do all 3 phases of the game - run, catch and block.
If that develops then I do think McKinnon will be the odd man out because what can he do better. He will be a decent backup for this year then a free agent.
Cook's going to be our "Roger Craig" type WCO player - can run, catch and as soon as he picks up the blocking schemes he will be the feature back. Not sure how long that all clicks for him, I say early into the season by about week 4. Craig wasn't the biggest guy but he did break a lot of tackles, ran some great screens, and could block for Montana and the Bill Walsh designed WCO. That is what Shurmur see's in Cook - just my comparison for now.
Until Cook picks it all up - Murray who can also currently run, catch and is said to be an excellent blocking back will be the feature back. Murray, despite having better 40X does not seem to have the game-day in pads speed that Cook looks to be bringing to the next level. Cook's speed on game film is good (not great, he gets caught from behind at the college level so I don't see a ton of 40+ TD's) and much better then the times he runs on a track. Straight-line timed speed is nice but vision with cut speed is better and that is what Cook is supposed to be bringing that Murray does not have.
I don't think Murray is a slouch so if Cook flops (I know impossible
then Murray is an adequate back IMO. In fact, I don't think we were going to pick a RB until after our first two picks with the thought that Murray will hold it down and we will ease a rookie back-in. That changed when Cook fell. Hopefully, Cook steps-up and the combination of Cook/Murray gives us what is needed in todays NFL - two backs. Not a 50/50 split but nice to have 2 backs that can do all 3 phases of the game - run, catch and block.
If that develops then I do think McKinnon will be the odd man out because what can he do better. He will be a decent backup for this year then a free agent.
