It's early but...Initial Mock 2006 Draft

**imported_Counts** · January 9th, 2006, 11:37 AM

The pro Bowl is a popularty contest and Dunn is not an every down back Tiki is (I don't know Tiki's size right off the top of my head but I would bet he is about 35 to 40 pounds heaver than Dunn who IMHO is a durable change of pace back but lines are blured all the time by some players and some of the great ones like Rice are not prototypical in size wise for there position

**CoeburnCane** · January 9th, 2006, 11:46 AM

Tiki - 5'10, 200
Warrick - 5'9, 180

20 pounds is still a lot but not the 35-40 you were guessing. I have to disagree with something though--for the most part, it's a popularity contest to get into the Pro Bowl, but, there has to be something to over 1400 yards rushing at 5.1 yards a carry, even though he only garnered 11 total TD's (3 rush, 8 receiving), it's all in how you're used in the offense. Atlanta uses Dunn to soften up the D, establish the run, then run playaction w/Vick and let him hit Crumpler in the middle or Dunn on the checkdown. Dunn is diminuitive in size, but to be his size and be 4th in the NFC in rushing, plus let's add on to the stats that he played all 16 games, and was 6th in the NFC in total rushes w/280...that would mean to me he's durable, and an every-down back, once you take into consideration that he's one of the best blockers out of the backfield in the entire league today regardless of size.

**imported_mega** · January 9th, 2006, 12:02 PM

Simms cost the bucs the game with those tipped passes, I told you being 6'5 isnt everything. Gotta find those passing lanes. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

**Seventy4** · January 9th, 2006, 12:04 PM

If it's not a popularity contest then how does Vick make the Pro Bowl?

**imported_Counts** · January 9th, 2006, 12:06 PM

I really thought Barber was bigger than that (he sure plays bigger)

Dunn had a heck of a season this year but it has also been the most productive season of his career in which he is a 60 YPG guy that will have problems getting you the short yardage yards that an Every Down back can get you. Being fair Tiki's YPG avg is not much better but part of that can be blamed on his first 3 seasons in the league in which he looked horrable and averaged about 20 YPG. in the last 2 years Tiki has had close to 100 more carries than Dunn

That being said MY defanation of an every down back is one that can be on the field in any situation Passing down (as a blocker or receiver) outside runner, between the tackles runner, short/tough yardage runner.

everything else aside I don't think either of them would have a tough time making a teams roster LOL

**CoeburnCane** · January 9th, 2006, 12:08 PM

Dude, I said:
<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />
for the most part, it's a popularity contest to get into the Pro Bowl

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree it's popularity to an extent b/c of the fan vote, but Dunn's stats back him up for the most part. The only thing he's lacking is rushing TD's, not because he couldn't be in on those short yardage situations to punch it in at the goalline, but because Mora uses Duckett down there a lot more with a Jumbo set to make sure he gets it in. If anyone watched any NFC football this season, then you know what Dunn can and cannot do--he's electric with the ball, and is a home run threat that is also consistent in all facets of the game. The only NFC back I would have given the nod to over him would have been Portis.

**CoeburnCane** · January 9th, 2006, 12:13 PM

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />
That being said MY defanation of an every down back is one that can be on the field in any situation Passing down (as a blocker or receiver) outside runner, between the tackles runner, short/tough yardage runner.

[/ QUOTE ]

In bold, I feel this is the only place Dunn falls short, but where he falls short as an everydown back, there are other backs that can't do 2-3 of those 5 things you mentioned an every-down back should be able to do. Portis isn't a great blocker. Tiki is only an okay outside runner. Alexander doesn't have great hands.

The only guy that can do ALL of those in the league right now is Tomlinson.

**Seventy4** · January 9th, 2006, 12:21 PM

Sorry, reply not directed at you, just adding to the argument, and your post was the last one I read, thus I replied to you.

**imported_Counts** · January 9th, 2006, 12:23 PM

There you go Tomlinson is an every down back. All the other teams in the NFL sould go out and get one just like him LOL [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I see your point and agree to a point but it is just hard for me to label a guy an everydown back when he is taken out in almost every short yardage situation (The same thing happened in TB) That being said I do think he diserved making the Pro Bowl this year

**CoeburnCane** · January 9th, 2006, 12:45 PM

Well I mean it's common sense Counts, if you've got bruisers like TJ Duckett and Mike Alstott, are you going to give the ball to them in short yardage or to Dunn? Especially with TB at that point in time, not only did you have Alstott, but you had Lorenzo Neal blocking for him, probably the best blocking FB in the modern era, IMO.

It's not that Dunn can't do it, it's that teams he's been on have had other and better short yardage specialist type of backs that are more useful in those situations...that's all I'm saying.