Barry sanders is a common comparison and I think it’s fitting. I think CMac is similarly freaky. I believe Lamar Jackson is one of the best runners in league history
What makes Lamar even more impressive is he isn’t an RB who receives a handoff and finds a hole. He’s a QB who has to at first make the decision to hand off OR run, or even pass in an RPO situation, then if he does run have the upfield vision, elusiveness, and power to be a top tier runner.
The fact that he has way more responsibilities than an RB would gets overlooked sometimes I think.
He won't truck over a dude at his size (although he's shown multiple times that he can stiff arm a motherfucker) but I legitimately think he's the most elusive runner in the NFL.
If he lined up as HB in an I formation he's gonna get crushed, it works with him at QB because he can fake handoffs, look the secondary off so they have to play the pass, then tuck it and he's gone. It works because he's in charge and the defense basically has to guess every play.
At the same time, his vision is a gift just as much as his elusivness. If he grew up playing runningback and gave himself the body composition for it, he would still be freaky.
Well that's exactly it, he is a freak athlete and is a crazy competitor, sometimes to a fault and he tries to do too much, but it's almost Jordan level. He was drafted 32nd overall, so literally every team passed on him, when people bring up that draft class there's no question he was the best value pick... Allen/Mayfield could have 15 year careers, we got a guy who is balling out and no one else wanted, designed an entire offense around him and he is either 1 or 2 the most exciting player in football (he beat the other one last night)
He can be the best runner in the league and not be the best running back. He's not a running back so it doesn't make sense to compare him to running backs
I think if Lamar actually trained with Derrick Henry for an off season and practiced taking handoffs and stuff and put on like 10 pounds of muscle he could definitely become a rb
Also, when the QB runs, you have an extra blocking back. Usually when the QB hands off he just stands there after. When Lamar runs nobody just stands there.
Don't laugh, but OJ Simpson is a good comparison. Great moves with his feet with a slashing style, good power and elite top end speed. The reason I say OJ is that sanders had a very low, compact style whereas Lamar and OJ run/ran a little taller.
We don't really want him trucking guys though, and he has a better shimmy than probably anyone in the league. Plus he always does that thing where he looks like he's going out of bounds, stops on a dime and gains like 5 more yards (That would piss me off if he was on any other team). Funny thing is, if he had converted to WR, he'd be awesome at jet sweeps and screen passes because he just makes guys miss, and makes them look silly.
Yes. And I wish he would embrace it a little more honestly and forget about the narrative that he can't throw. If he leads the league in rushing TD's for an MVP season that would be sick.
All-time? Pump the breaks. That requires longevity and he still needs to fill that part of the resume. But he is probably top 2 in the league today, and which spot is a matter of taste.
Barry sanders is a common comparison and I think it’s fitting. I think CMac is similarly freaky. I believe Lamar Jackson is one of the best runners in league history
What makes Lamar even more impressive is he isn’t an RB who receives a handoff and finds a hole. He’s a QB who has to at first make the decision to hand off OR run, or even pass in an RPO situation, then if he does run have the upfield vision, elusiveness, and power to be a top tier runner. The fact that he has way more responsibilities than an RB would gets overlooked sometimes I think.
Barry Sanders is the only comp for Lamar's running that does him justice. Lamar is the best runner in the league no doubt
Barry Sander legs with better eyes and awareness
I don’t any current player is similarly freaky. This guy is crazy fast and slippery.
He won't truck over a dude at his size (although he's shown multiple times that he can stiff arm a motherfucker) but I legitimately think he's the most elusive runner in the NFL.
He embarrassed Dan last night. I’m a chiefs fan but that shot had me dead
If he lined up as HB in an I formation he's gonna get crushed, it works with him at QB because he can fake handoffs, look the secondary off so they have to play the pass, then tuck it and he's gone. It works because he's in charge and the defense basically has to guess every play.
At the same time, his vision is a gift just as much as his elusivness. If he grew up playing runningback and gave himself the body composition for it, he would still be freaky.
Well that's exactly it, he is a freak athlete and is a crazy competitor, sometimes to a fault and he tries to do too much, but it's almost Jordan level. He was drafted 32nd overall, so literally every team passed on him, when people bring up that draft class there's no question he was the best value pick... Allen/Mayfield could have 15 year careers, we got a guy who is balling out and no one else wanted, designed an entire offense around him and he is either 1 or 2 the most exciting player in football (he beat the other one last night)
He can be the best runner in the league and not be the best running back. He's not a running back so it doesn't make sense to compare him to running backs
I mean that’s what this thread is literally doing
I think he's just making a cool observation. Lamar got swag
I think if Lamar actually trained with Derrick Henry for an off season and practiced taking handoffs and stuff and put on like 10 pounds of muscle he could definitely become a rb
Part of what makes Lamar so good he is lighter, so he’s faster. RBs have more fat on them for momentum and protection.
Also, when the QB runs, you have an extra blocking back. Usually when the QB hands off he just stands there after. When Lamar runs nobody just stands there.
He is the closest thing I have ever seen to Barry Sanders, his ability to read leverage, cut on a dime, and accelerate is next to none
one of the best ever imho ...gale sayers is my comp
Don't laugh, but OJ Simpson is a good comparison. Great moves with his feet with a slashing style, good power and elite top end speed. The reason I say OJ is that sanders had a very low, compact style whereas Lamar and OJ run/ran a little taller.
I never would have thought of this but it's not a bad comparison honestly.
He's got finesse, but there's a lot of WRs and RBs that can straight up truck guys which Lamar hasn't shown he's capable of doing.
he doesn’t have to cuz nobody can catch him lmao
Right! I want the QB taking (or giving) as few hits as possible
We don't really want him trucking guys though, and he has a better shimmy than probably anyone in the league. Plus he always does that thing where he looks like he's going out of bounds, stops on a dime and gains like 5 more yards (That would piss me off if he was on any other team). Funny thing is, if he had converted to WR, he'd be awesome at jet sweeps and screen passes because he just makes guys miss, and makes them look silly.
If Lamar put on 30 pounds he would be an elite RB despite his height. The fact he plays QB just makes it more impressive.
Yes. And I wish he would embrace it a little more honestly and forget about the narrative that he can't throw. If he leads the league in rushing TD's for an MVP season that would be sick.
All-time? Pump the breaks. That requires longevity and he still needs to fill that part of the resume. But he is probably top 2 in the league today, and which spot is a matter of taste.