What Jonathan Stewart is missing
Stewart hasn't practiced once this offseason because of an ankle injury, missing a total of seven practices by my count. The injury isn't believed to be serious, but Stewart won't make up ground on DeAngelo Williams if he doesn't practice for a second straight summer. (Pre-draft toe surgery kept him out until camp last year, which helped solidify Williams' spot atop the depth chart.)
Stewart is arguably one of the five most talented backs alive; there just aren't many humans with the size, speed, and natural running instincts that Stewart possesses. But Stewart must get tougher if he wants to be one of the five best backs in the league. I'm not talking about his ability to break tackles, which is elite. He needs to show that he can withstand minor injuries.
Stewart ran with aggression as a rookie, but he often left the field during games, only to return later. He spoke about his injuries in the media to a degree I suspect John Fox was uncomfortable with.
Learning how to practice and play through pain is a typical part of the learning process for young backs, but Fox figures to continue favoring Williams until Stewart proves he can stay on the field consistently. No matter how talented Stewart is.
Comments
great point Gregg. I think J-Stew is a stud that just needs an opportunity, but he really does need to tough it through these nagging injuries.
Hopefully it's something he can deal with and overcome, because he can really be a special player in the NFL.
Posted by: BeastOrBust | June 1, 2009 06:58 PM
not this year
Posted by: scott c | June 1, 2009 07:29 PM
59th pick J Stew
122nd pick DeAngelo Williams
This is where I drafted this duo last year in a 10 team keeper. I was happy to have both of them last season even though they drove me crazy initially. I picked the one that should have done better only to see the other exceed expectations while the one I started disappointed. I even started both of them along with Gore in week 3 when I had Ronnie Brown on my bench for his 5 TD game. That said it paid off big time down the stretch. I see J Stew as a must have handcuff this year. He makes a great flex play against some of the weaker rush D's and if DeAngelo gets hurt you get the possibility of identical production. J Stews toe was an issue even in last years draft and lingered all through camp and preseason but his combine numbers and duck production was remarkable. If he can get the nagging things down the sky is the limit. I may start them both again and I'm hoping his injuries keep up until my draft so no one Stew (cock) blocks me. I must have this handcuff. The O-Line of Carolina is beastly. They return all 5 starters for the first time in team history. Travelle Wharton, Jordan Gross, Ryan Kalil, Jeff Otah, and Keydrick Vincent. If they stay healthy the Panthers are the favorite for the NFC South. They don't have much in proven depth behind them so their health is important. Steve Smith stands to benefit if they do - big plays up the middle of the field on play action stuff. Delhomme should be much stronger a year removed from Tommy John.
Posted by: bo thomas | June 2, 2009 01:14 AM
Great points here. No matter how talented Stewart is, he's not going to emerge as a stud if he can't shake the injuries.
Posted by: Wess | June 2, 2009 11:14 AM
This also underscores why DeAngelo Williams is as safe a RB1 as any in football this year.
John Fox likes veterans over "young" players as evidensed by Williams' numbers being so low for years despite obviously being the more talented back.
This just underscores the fact that Fox is not going to have the confidense in Stewart to up his carries any more that he did Williams' in his first 3 years.
In a 12 team league, Williams is a no-brainer top 6 pick IMO.
Posted by: Robert O. | June 2, 2009 11:42 AM
Top 6 of the first round, just to be clear.
Posted by: Robert O. | June 2, 2009 11:43 AM
"DeAngelo Williams is as safe a RB1 as any in football this year."
Really?
Last time I looked, the HIGHLY talented likes of AP, MJD, SJAX, Forte, Turner (and even to a lesser extent Gore, Jacobs and Portis) do NOT have a young and (arguably more) talented RB looking to steal CHUNKS of carries.
I like DeAngelo ... a lot, even ... but to call him SAFER than those guys is a stretch.
Posted by: Juggs | June 2, 2009 01:02 PM