09-15-2020, 02:50 PM
(09-14-2020, 06:50 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Mixon needs to step it up and become a 3 down back. I know Gio is really good at picking up rushers and blocking, but I feel like that has to be largely effort/practice/willingness to get good at that rather than innate talent that you either do or don't have.
59% of the snaps and 3.6 YPC for a guy who wants to be considered an elite back isn't cutting it.
That is almost exactly the same percentage he played last year.
I think a lot of it has to do with what Taylor saw happen to Gurley when he was with the Rams. Gurley carried that offense in '17 and '18, and broke down at the end of each season.
'17...Played 82% of snaps, 279 carries and 87 targets. Only lasted 15 games
'18...Played 86% of snaps, 259 carries and 81 targets. Only lasted 14 games
When they gave Gio that big contract I think they were planning on him getting more touches, but he still played 40% of the snaps last year compared to Mixon's 60%. Who knows, maybe Joe would not be as effective if he had to play every down and wear himself out blocking.
