The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Torrain needs a few carries to get warmed up, he is not a good fit as a 3rd down back, he is more of the workhorse variety (if he keeps healthy) Hightower + Helu is a great combo... Yup, I see why this thread was started. =)

Listened to Rich Tandler, RealRedskins.com, on 106.7 The FAN DC area and he said that Torain should be on the opening day roster and that Royster should be cut and signed to the practice squad. He said that a 6th round choice should pass through waivers.

He never addressed the possibility of a trade, but he doesn't see how Torain could be released. He said that Hightower has yet to show that he can carry the ball an average of 15 to 20 times a game for an entire season (Deadskins brought that up on this thread), but he felt that Helu will be the second back and get his share of the carries, not Torain. He felt that Torain will probably be inactive for a few games this year.

In summary, he said that he would be shocked if Torain is not on the opening day roster, but he would not be shocked if he is not on the team by the end of the season. He did not elaborate on how Torain might not be on the team at the end of the season. Since he already said that Torain should not be cut, he seems to be incinuating a trade.

I could see things play out like Tandler says, but my gut says that Shanny will trade him before the season starts.

Listened to Grant Paulsen, sports journalist and broadcaster who covers the Redskins, on 106.7 The Fan DC Area. He said that Hightower is #1. Helu # 2 and Torain should be #3 stepping in to relieve Hightower or Helu. He acknowledges that Torain is a two down back because he is not very good at pass protection (I add that Torain may have improved since he has been back we will find out tomorrow). He thinks that Royster is possibly being hidden to sneak him into the practice squad. His reasoning is he has not carried since the first game. He said that looking back at last year's preseason, Torain was handled in a similar fashion (I pointed this out on another thread). I say if Royster only gets around five carries, then Paulsen and 1nik ( he also mentioned that they might be hiding Royster) might be on to something. 1nik gets credit since he mentioned first.

Trade not even mentioned. That is two days in a row that I have listened to a man, who makes his living writing and talking about the Redskins, basically are say no trades since they both say Torain will #3, Royster will be on the practice squad and by not mentioning the possibility of a trade.

Despite The Hogster, Paulsen and Tandler, I am going to stick with my gut and my trade opinion.

If Royster does carry around 5 times tomorrow, I will relook that. If Royster gets significant playing time, I say a trade is on ( I put "a" trade because I am not ruling out a significant playing time performance by Royster attracting attention for a trade. Draughn and possibly Williams should be the 4th quarter back.

Plenty of decent free agent running backs out there; Joseph Addai, Ryan Grant, not sure if Marion Barber has been picked up by anyone yet.

jwmann2 wrote:Plenty of decent free agent running backs out there; Joseph Addai, Ryan Grant, not sure if Marion Barber has been picked up by anyone yet.

Marion Barber is with the Bears.

True. Decent backs are out there, but Torain is due to make less than $500,000 this year. What a bargain! Grant took a pay cut, but I doubt that it is that low.

I think this discussion all hinges on special teams. I don't believe Hightower plays ST. Not sure about Helu, if he doesn't than Torain better or he might get traded or cut. I don't see 3 rbs making this squad and none playing ST. I believe Royster can play ST and that might be why they'd rather get a 6th or more likely a 7th rounder for Torain. Maybe a 6th two years from now.

Remember, all 4 make little money so keeping any of them isn't a cap issue.

fredp45 wrote:I don't see 3 rbs making this squad and none playing ST.

Are you saying we won't keep 3 RBs who don't play STs, or we won't keep 3 RBs? I have to assume the former, because nobody goes into a season with less than 3 RBs. But it is not unthinkable that none of your RBs play STs. We have plenty of STers from other positions.

This is a very different year being that we have the new kickoff rules.

In tonight's game, it appeared that Shanny's goal was to look at Torain and Royster for the 3rd running back position. Torain clearly runs with more authority than Royster and punishes tacklers. Royster appears to be better at recognizing the when to cut back. They both caught balls out of the backfield. I didn't get to observe Royster with pass blocking. Torain needs work in this area. At one point bumping into Beck. Torain clearly was motioning that it was his bad. Though Royster is a perfect fit for Shanny's ZBS, he would be a justt an average back in offenses that don't use that scheme. He also put ball on the ground in an "audition." Torain won the 3rd position in my opinion.

I doubt that anyone will trade for Royster and I doubt that anyone will claim him off waivers and add him to their 53. Royster is headed for the practice squad.

I have to agree with all of you that believe that Toraini will be on this Roster on opening day. Royster isn't ready and Torain is a fit for this offense and he the authoritative runner that we don't have.

The only way we trade Torain is, if someone makes an offer that we can't refuse - a 6th or 7th won't cut it.

Royster also suffered a mild concussion tonight

1niksder wrote:Royster also suffered a mild concussion tonight

Hmmm, "mild" concussion? What a convienent injury - as convienient as Royster's fumble. Not saying that either was and is not legit, but if they help enure that he passes through waivers and on to the practice squad, then both issues are worth it.

My gut feeling of a trade was probably nothing more than an upset stomach.

After the fumble, Royster was a different back. Some plays he was real careful, some plays he was careless (bowling thru and hoping to break free)> The mild concussion was legit, he was taking huge hits last night.

SKINFAN wrote:After the fumble, Royster was a different back. Some plays he was real careful, some plays he was careless (bowling thru and hoping to break free)> The mild concussion was legit, he was taking huge hits last night.

Maybe "mild concussion"= IR?