05-22-2017, 03:45 PM
(05-22-2017, 02:55 PM)Hoofhearted Wrote: I wouldn't put a whole lot of emphasis on that stat tho. It goes without saying that taking on a blitzing LB or DL in the NFL is vastly different than NCAA. NFL also does a better job of disguising those blitzes. But he will be better than Hill as a rookie in pass pro, and we'll be running a lot more quick read plays, so that means that Mixon should be running out of the slot or backfield over Hill every week in those instances. Mixon will almost certainly get more snaps than Hill, but I doubt he gets more touches, especially when Gio returns.
He's a better pass blocker than Hill was coming out, and Hill obviously played a lot. With as many rookie RBs as I see playing every year, I think people either (a) overestimate how important pass blocking is for a RB (none of them are going to be great at stopping 250+ lb defenders) or (b) how hard it is to teach a RB how to block at the NFL level.
Basically, I see no reason not to play Mixon from jump unless he somehow disappoints in TC. They took the risk for a reason. Now play him. He can't be worse than what we had last year.
Plus the drafting of Mixon all but ensures that Hill won't be around next year. Why wait to integrate Mixon when he's clearly the future lead back?
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.
