The better #2 RB

[Ravensfan23]

With the success of the 2 back systems in the league last season i fully expect Billick to use Musa and Mike more this season. With the offense expected to open up this season all three backs will be used in similar situations. With jamal last season it was painfully clear that the Ravens offense was somewhat predictible. However with McGahee the Ravens will be given the opition of running almost any play in the play book, from screens, to swing passes, to seem routes, and ect. Any one of the 3 guys McGahee, Smith, or Anderson can run these plays and have much success doing so. My question to all of you guys (and girls) is who do u think will be more productive as the #2 back and why?

I like both guys and i think both will have increased numbers this season, but i beleive that if Musa can stay healthy he will be a great #2 back in Billicks system. Musa runs with explosive power but also have the sneaky speed to outrun defenders to the edge. I'm sure like me most of you guys here were excited by Musa's proformance doing the preseason last year. With more one back sets and he ability for each one of the guys to proform in those sets, defenses will have to be honest and guess more. Coming out of UGA i thought Musa would be a special palyer in this league, but as we all know injuries have derailed his production. I'm a huge Jlew fan but i beleive in the last 2 season thata he held our running game back. I think with the offensive mindset to open things up a little more Musa will thrive behind the young athletic Oline. IMHO Musa will show people what he is capable of when healthy.

In his defense i beleive MA would be successful for the Ravens this season too. I just don't think he will be given the chances that Musa will this season. MA he very capable of running in a 1 back set as he is more of a one cut and go back. I also like his ability to run the screen and set up his blockers. I just don't think MA runs with the explosivness that Musa does. All in all i think the running game will be much improved this season and the back up tadem of Musa/MA will be productive for the Ravens. I just feel that Musa will productive more if he can stay healthy.

What do u guys/girls think?

[berad]

Mike is more powerful than Musa, and would be the Thunder to McGahee's Lighting

I think Musa may get the job, though. Given Andersons age.

P.J. Daniels may sneak in there, too.

Also, Do you think Musa will lose his 3rd Down Back role?

McGahee can catch just as well if not better.

[Ravensfan23]

Mike is more powerful than Musa, and would be the Thunder to McGahee's Lighting

I think Musa may get the job, though. Given Andersons age.

P.J. Daniels may sneak in there, too.

Also, Do you think Musa will lose his 3rd Down Back role?

McGahee can catch just as well if not better.

The thing is i really don't think Musa will lose playing time i actually think he will gain it. McGahee can catch just a well as Musa like u said but that adds to the unpredictibility of the offense i think. You could have a shotgun 2 back set with both McGahee and Musa/MA. You could run a double screen from that formation or have both of them run routes and put pressure on the defense. I think last season Billick stuck with Jlew almost to a fault. However this season i beleive that Billick will allow guys like Musa MA, even Green and McClain to get more time on the field. I think the running game will be much more effective, which will give the backs more opportunities. I don't think McGahee will be a 30+ carrier on a regular basis. I see him with a average of 20-25 carries a game which will allow Musa and MA to get about 10-15 carries to split. I see about 70-80 catches coming from the backfield 25-30 each for McGahee and Musa. I just think with the way things are looking to change with the Ravens offesne that Musa will get a greater opportunity to showcase his talents and i beleive he will take full advantage of those opportunities. I expect Musa to have about 400-500 yards rushing 3or4 TD's with 250 recieving yards. Thats a solid year for any back up running back. I may be a little bais because of my fanfare for Musa but i just think he will living up to his expectations this season.

[berad]

The thing is i really don't think Musa will lose playing time i actually think he will gain it. McGahee can catch just a well as Musa like u said but that adds to the unpredictibility of the offense i think. You could have a shotgun 2 back set with both McGahee and Musa/MA. You could run a double screen from that formation or have both of them run routes and put pressure on the defense. I think last season Billick stuck with Jlew almost to a fault. However this season i beleive that Billick will allow guys like Musa MA, even Green and McClain to get more time on the field. I think the running game will be much more effective, which will give the backs more opportunities. I don't think McGahee will be a 30+ carrier on a regular basis. I see him with a average of 20-25 carries a game which will allow Musa and MA to get about 10-15 carries to split. I see about 70-80 catches coming from the backfield 25-30 each for McGahee and Musa. I just think with the way things are looking to change with the Ravens offesne that Musa will get a greater opportunity to showcase his talents and i beleive he will take full advantage of those opportunities. I expect Musa to have about 400-500 yards rushing 3or4 TD's with 250 recieving yards. Thats a solid year for any back up running back. I may be a little bais because of my fanfare for Musa but i just think he will living up to his expectations this season.

If Musa can stay consistently healthy, that's a definite possibility.

I see Anderson as more of the 10-15 carries guy, with few catches.

And Musa as the few carries, and many catches.

[Reed_4_President]

I hope it's Anderson Musa gets hurt wayyyy to much

[Mahatma_Sloth]

I love Musa! hes pretty much the same back as JLew just a powerhouse, but i think a #2 is just somthin for paper in this offence! you can have so many looks with the backfield we have! shoot, i bet we could even have 3 of our backs in on any given play plus Mike can play fullback! possabilities are endless when you have such a diverse stable!!! and dont count Cory Ross out yet!!!!!

[Mahatma_Sloth]

I love Musa! hes pretty much the same back as JLew just a powerhouse, but i think a #2 is just somthin for paper in this offence! you can have so many looks with the backfield we have! shoot, i bet we could even have 3 of our backs in on any given play plus Mike can play fullback! possabilities are endless when you have such a diverse stable!!! and dont count Cory Ross out yet!!!!!

I always played Musa on Madden and sat JLew since we drafted him

[willis mcgahee run u over]

Mike Anderson

[Tiz]

I always played Musa on Madden and sat JLew since we drafted him

On NFL HC I would play Musa alot too.

AS for the question. Everytime Anderson was in last year he produced. I think he should have gotten more playing time but Musa really does bring more versatility to the offense and is quicker.

So it comes down to potential vs production. Musa has more potential but Anderson produces with more consistency. Potential wins out tho because the age difference.

[BigD]

On NFL HC I would play Musa alot too.

AS for the question. Everytime Anderson was in last year he produced. I think he should have gotten more playing time but Musa really does bring more versatility to the offense and is quicker.

So it comes down to potential vs production. Musa has more potential but Anderson produces with more consistency. Potential wins out tho because the age difference.

I agree I was saying all last season we needed to sit jamal down because he is a one dimension back and for a long time that was all we needed but now since everyone knows our running game we need a someone who can go over or around walls(Smith, Anderson, Mcgahee) and not just some one to go thru walls (J. Lewis) my money is on Smth for #2

[Tiz]

I agree I was saying all last season we needed to sit jamal down because he is a one dimension back and for a long time that was all we needed but now since everyone knows our running game we need a someone who can go over or around walls(Smith, Anderson, Mcgahee) and not just some one to go thru walls (J. Lewis) my money is on Smth for #2

Yup but my gratitude for what Jamal has accomplished in Baltimore wouldn't let me publically call for his benching.

[BigD]

Yup but my gratitude for what Jamal has accomplished in Baltimore wouldn't let me publically call for his benching.

I'm gratefull too but we can't let that get in the way of doing what's best for the team. Look at Ripken he was going thru a horrible slump right in the middle of him breaking the record for consecutive game any other team would have set him down for the good of the team but the did not.

[Raven07]

well..... we really dont know Musa's Full Potential due to the injuries that have plagued him over the years, my personal oppinion on musa is that if he can stay healthy throughtout the season, and can prove himself he is all that he can be....im sure he can find the perfect role......correct me if im wrong but we honestly dont know Musa's FULLEST potential...we've only seen glimpses of what he could be......only if he can stay healthy at a constant rate, will he be able to prove himself amungst the others....i truly believe that Musa HAS the potential to be a Feature back But is unable to prove himself due to medical reasons.....if he can stay healthy and prove to not only himself but to the others as well that he can be a Threat on the ground, carrying the Ball....Then yes he will eventaully be a Great back for us

[Khaine]

Yeah, I always love it when we see glimpses of Musa. Looks great every time he gets the ball, until the bad hit in the end

[Mahatma_Sloth]

Yup but my gratitude for what Jamal has accomplished in Baltimore wouldn't let me publically call for his benching.

Ravens fans will always remember that 2,000 yrd season like 5 yrds or sumthin from the single season record and 500 yrds on browns in 2 games ill miss him but probably not while i watch ray smash him!!!!

[Khaine]

... ill miss him but probably not while i watch ray smash him!!!!

I am looking forward to the 1st Lewisbowl.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

Lewisbowl nice! rofl

[Khaine]

Oh, once JLew went to

[Tiz]

Oh, once JLew went to

[Khaine]

Bits

[Tiz]

Bits

[berad]

Thanks. I don't completely disagree with what he said as I think the Browns have made news in FA regarding their OL the last two years while I think many of us have honestly felt some concerns with our OL and them protecting an oft injured Mcnair.

But our OL did an amazing job last year, 17 sacks all season, 2nd only to the Colts

Granted, some sacks were averted by McNair

But the only real struggle they had was in the running game.

And we have a lot of young guys within the organization stepping up, not FAs

Adam Terry

Chris Chester

Jason Brown

Soon-to-be Grubbs and Yanda

[Jesse Conroy]

P.J. Daniels may sneak in there, too.

I doubt it.

I think Musa will perform well as the #2 back, and will get the job done when McGahee is fatigued. I have always liked Musa, I think he is a great back and needs some experience.

Mike should get hand offs though as well, no-doubt.

[travis25]

I agree I was saying all last season we needed to sit jamal down because he is a one dimension back and for a long time that was all we needed but now since everyone knows our running game we need a someone who can go over or around walls(Smith, Anderson, Mcgahee) and not just some one to go thru walls (J. Lewis) my money is on Smth for #2

did i hear nfl hc that is my game. but i dont ever use musa. i trade for willis. before that i drafted reggie and lendale and use reggie as a reciever. lendale will be at 99 by first season. backup i usually get benson or gore

[MKdave]

You could have a shotgun 2 back set with both McGahee and Musa/MA. You could run a double screen from that formation or have both of them run routes and put pressure on the defense.

On a loosely related note (but not really!) is there anything to say that you cant have 2 QBs in on one play.Cuz if not thats what the falcons could possibly have done with vick and schaub, have vick running plays similar to running back option passes, just alot more frequently. and maybe what we could do. i dont watch much college football so i dont know that much about troy smith; but i read somewhere that he is pretty elusive once he gets out of the backfield.

I think coach billick might quite enjoy the prospect of making up plays in a 2QB set.

[Ravensfan23]

On a loosely related note (but not really!) is there anything to say that you cant have 2 QBs in on one play.Cuz if not thats what the falcons could possibly have done with vick and schaub, have vick running plays similar to running back option passes, just alot more frequently. and maybe what we could do. i dont watch much college football so i dont know that much about troy smith; but i read somewhere that he is pretty elusive once he gets out of the backfield.

I think coach billick might quite enjoy the prospect of making up plays in a 2QB set.

ATL actually used 2QB sets last season wasn't too successful. I don't think Billick will use a 2QB sets. If anything u will see a guy like Figurs or clayton line up at QB to use their speed. There is no reason to but Troy Smith in harms way when u have speed on offense like clayton, Figurs and even McGahee. I honestly don't even think Smith will step foot on the field in the regular season. I know many wanna see what the kid has but we have time. There is no reason to put him out there this season. Let the guy sit back learn the playbook, watch McNair in action and continue to fine tune his skills.