What To Do With Jordan Howard?

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Activate the Nall

:shibe:

 

[remydat]

Nagy was asked about the frequency of JH's usage in today's presser. He said in no way is he trying to scale back his usage and there's a lot of football to be played, Howard will get his carries. Went on to say he's still learning how best to use all of the offensive weapons and their strong/weak points.

Coach speak IMO but will see.

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

5 games in and you know this? You really should be working in some NFL front office. It’s early, the coach is in his first year as a HC, both running backs are in their second year, the QB is only in his second year, the starting TE and the three best WRs are in their first year with the team-one of them being a rookie. The entire offense is in their first year in the offense. You have the patience of a 13 year old with his mom’s Victoria Secret catalog.

You seem pretty emotional right now are you on estrogen meds?

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

Nagy was asked about the frequency of JH's usage in today's presser. He said in no way is he trying to scale back his usage and there's a lot of football to be played, Howard will get his carries. Went on to say he's still learning how best to use all of the offensive weapons and their strong/weak points.

I think we are seeing that with trubisky. Play calling is improving at least it looks that way last two games catering around what the offense can do best. He needs to just find where/how Howard will work in all this. It shouldn’t be hard Howard is a g

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Coach speak IMO but will see.

Certainly could be coach speak. There are certain times in games when JH's strengths don't fit the rhythm of the game. I'd like to see some passes to him out of the flat, make the D think he'll be running and get him out in the flat and let him work his talent.

 

[remydat]

I dont disagree but just dont think Nagy values him. Dude clearly looked to have worked on pass catching but Nagy still largely ignored it after the first game or 2.

 

[bamainatlanta]

I dont disagree but just dont think Nagy values him. Dude clearly looked to have worked on pass catching but Nagy still largely ignored it after the first game or 2.

It's not just his hands that were a problem. It's knowing where to be, being a factor in the pass blocking, and being a threat once you catch the ball. He's not a threat with the ball on a passing route. He takes too long to accerelate.

 

[remydat]

He's got an 86 pass blocking grade from PFF. It was 82 his rookie year and 75 last year so pass blocking was never a huge issue.

He obviously can't run dynamic routes like Cohen but again his hands where much improved.

 

[swz01]

He’ll be gone this offseason. A between the tackles runner can work in this scheme but they need the speed to create mismatches in passing game against LB’s. Think we’ll trade him and draft someone in 3rd or 4th.

 

[Gaucho]

If we can get a second or better for him trade him.

Absolutely a 0% chance we DT a 1st or 2nd for Howard. Lucky to get a 4th

 

[BearFanJohn]

You seem pretty emotional right now are you on estrogen meds?

Actually trying to make a point and even be a little light hearted. Limitations of the internet. Or maybe it’s you?

 

[Chicago Staleys]

Howard has the big runs in OT to put this team in position till the turtle decided a 53yrd FG was a chip shot.

 

[Sammich]

Yeah at this point I make Cohen the primary back and Howard should be spelling him. Might as well drop the pretense that Howard is the starter.

Howard was a good insurance policy if Mitch sucked and Cohen stalled. But if we going to have Trubs throw 35 times a game and want Cohen to get 15-20 touches then Howard is surplus to requirements in the long run.

Not sure what your definition of "primary" back is, but in 20 career games, Cohen has only had over 9 carries in a game FOUR times. Cohen is too small to be the primary back and highly doubt he would hold up with 20 touches per game for an entire season.

 

[remydat]

Not sure what your definition of "primary" back is, but in 20 career games, Cohen has only had over 9 carries in a game FOUR times. Cohen is too small to be the primary back and highly doubt he would hold up with 20 touches per game for an entire season.

20 touches is running and receiving. So that would be 7-10 rushes and 7-10 passes. In today's NFL, primary backs that can catch don't really need 20 carries any longer. Barkley had like 13 carries and 9 catches in his big game this week for example. Further, we don't know if he would hold up as we have never tried. We are just speculating based on size but we don't need to pound Cohen. That is what you have a Howard for.

 

[SugarWalls]

I think TL90210 really phrased it best.... When you think of the playmakers on this team Jordan Howard is sitting damn near the bottom. This offense is scoring more points than we have seen in years, and over the last 2 weeks they have been pretty electric. The passing game is clicking, and points are being scored. The little end around run plays are working, and Cohen's play is too good to warrant him coming off the field.

I like Jordan Howard in pass pro, but I don't see any reason to warrant giving Howard the ball for more touches than he is already getting. Why give Jordan Howard the ball when it takes away from Trubisky and the pass game, or Cohen/Gabriel??

 

[remydat]

I think TL90210 really phrased it best.... When you think of the playmakers on this team Jordan Howard is sitting damn near the bottom. This offense is scoring more points than we have seen in years, and over the last 2 weeks they have been pretty electric. The passing game is clicking, and points are being scored. The little end around run plays are working, and Cohen's play is too good to warrant him coming off the field.

I like Jordan Howard in pass pro, but I don't see any reason to warrant giving Howard the ball for more touches than he is already getting. Why give Jordan Howard the ball when it takes away from Trubisky and the pass game, or Cohen/Gabriel??

Don't think it is about more touches. It is about making sure he is being used properly. We agree he is at the bottom of the playmakers list but he for fucking sure is ahead of Benny and yet they got Benny running on 2nd down in the last drive. He also is much better in short yardage than Cohen yet they got Cohen running on 3rd and 1 and he inevitably tries to bounce outside and fails.

So the point is to use him in the situations he is best suited for. Playmaker or not, it was Howard that gashed the Dolphins in OT and set up the FG not anyone else. There is a clear role on this team for him and the issue is Nagy hasn't quite figure it out yet. There is no real reason for Cohen to be anywhere near the field on 3rd and 1 unless he is on the field with Howard.

 

[SugarWalls]

Benny was very clearly filling in for Howard as he was getting a breather from his previous 2 runs.

Edit: are you suggesting the bears single best play maker in Cohen sit on the bench on 3rd and 1? Okay John fox.

 

[TexasBearfan]

If he don't fit you must acquit

 

[Mdbearz]

Early on he was catching the ball well, and I thought that it would be the opposite, that Cohen would lose touches. I honestly think it would be foolish to let him go now, because a cold weather game when you need the ability to run the ball, he will be a great asset.

 

[dweebs19]

Jordan Howard's usage has gone down each week. I think the writing is on the wall. Howard won't be a Bear next year. If the Eagles or anyone offers a 3rd round pick, I would take it.