LaMont Jordan

Crossbones

Crossbones

Sell the fucking team!
Joined
Aug 30, 2005
Messages
91,235
Reaction score
103,625
So, what does everybody think about this guy?

I admit I was totally stoked when we signed him as a FA. From what I saw of him when he played in NY he was the real deal. Of course I only saw him on occasion and only in certain situations. He was always coming in fresh and wasn't expected to carry the load.

So he comes to Oakland and almost from day one he started slow. He has always looked to me to be a bit heavy and somewhat slow or sluggish -- especially hitting the holes. Why aren't more plays designed to run off tackle rather than wide? He can't run wide but that doesn't seem to sink in to his head or the coaching staff for that matter. He seems tentative hitting any hole when you contracst his style to Fargas' full steam ahead appraoch.

Did we make a mistake here? Seems so to me. I mean he's about as average from where I sit as they get. This is why I'm kinda on the "draft a running back (AP or Lynch)". I just think it would be better to do that and try and build around a premier running back than a WR. Isn;t that pretty much what San Diego did with Tomilson?

Thoughts?
 
I am not a fan of Jordan. Part of that could be because of my love of Zack Crockett, admittedly, but I think he runs like a wussy boy. For a guy that big, he ought to run a whole lot tougher than we usually see him running. I agree with you.
 
I'm not sure he's feature back material. I also agree that he should run a lot tougher for a guy his size. and we have no business running him wide. He may be a serviceable change of pace guy but he's a pretty marginal rb even behind this abortion of an OL. I think we need to pull the trigger on a RB this draft. We can fill the void at wr other ways.
 
I gues the Jets knew what they were doing when they just let him walk. That's the advantage the emcumbant team has a lot of the time. They are watching the guy daily in practice and see him up close and personal on game day.
 
1500+ yards from scrimmage on a shitty team last year, despite missing the final two games with an injury, says he's got what it takes. Maybe not league-MVP caliber skills, but he's got what it takes to be a quality starter in this league. Problem is, our line is too slow, the technique too risky and their aggregate skillset is too low to compliment his ability.
 
Well, in watching Kansas City's game for scouting purposes, Larry Johnson looks mighty similar to Jordan this season. His offensive line is crappy, and he stutters and hunts for the hole like Jordan does. He seems tentative and unsure picking his way along until something opens up, and even then, he doesn't explode, he just waits for it to happen. He's a far cry from the guy we saw tearing up the league last season. I was stunned by the similarities.

I won't suggest Jordan is anywhere near as explosive as Johnson is, but I find the situation similar. Good back becomes tentative and seemingly worthless behind a patchwork OL.
 
Oh come on Rupert. Johnson stutters and hunts for the hole? And then he goes for 172 yards. Please...comparing Jordan with Larry Johnson is laughable any way you slice it.
 
Rupert said:
Well, in watching Kansas City's game for scouting purposes, Larry Johnson looks mighty similar to Jordan this season. His offensive line is crappy, and he stutters and hunts for the hole like Jordan does. He seems tentative and unsure picking his way along until something opens up, and even then, he doesn't explode, he just waits for it to happen. He's a far cry from the guy we saw tearing up the league last season. I was stunned by the similarities.
Click to expand...

I totally disagree. Big difference is that Johnson knows how to follow his blockers and read the hole similar to what Priest did and even when he's tackled he's falling forward for an aditional couple of yards. He's a lot tougher to bring down than LJ and he's a lot more explosive when he hits the hole. Shitty OL or not, the guy is 3rd in the NFL in rushing and he'll surpass 1500 yards rushing IMO.
 
I respect Jordan...and yes I know hes having a crappier year then last year...possibly due to the O-Line problems as well...but still I belive we should drop A. Peterson with the first pick in the draft...why not have a shot at the best rb coming out of college? Anything but Joe Thomas or any other O-Line player man!
 
I was one of those who wanted to sign Jordan... The production we got out of him last season was probably near the top end of what he can do when utilized properly, which makes him a middle of the pack guy as far as NFL RB's go... He can be a grinder in the Rudi Johnson mold when started North-South by the playcall IMO... I really don't like him starting laterally....


It's still criminal that we don't get a guy who posted 70 catches last year involved in the current passing game...
 
He's too banged up for my taste. He's always nursing an assortment of injuries. Missed 2 games last year because of a toe. Back, ankle, knee. Something is always wrong with him. When the season starts its like he can never get better then 75% health. The team has a decision to make. His salary next year is $1 million but I think there is also a $2.625 million option bonus payment that is due before the draft.
 
The whole running game, featuring Jordan, is a bad confluence of properties:

1) The interior O-Line is as bad a group of players as I have ever witnessed on any NFL team and for the Raiders they are disgusting. There doesn't seem to be one of the lot that can even neutralize an opponent on-on-one, let alone get movement.

2) Jordan, as mentioned above, seems very unsure of where he is going with the ball. When he does get up a head of steam he can run with authority, but he has done very little of that to date.

3) The play selection for Jordan has been tailored for a quicker, more elusive running back rushing behind a line that can maintain its blocks and run to daylight. Jordan is not elusive but can be punishing. He gets the ball far too deep in the backfield.

I am in agreement with Rupert that Jordan would be an effective NFL calibre back behind a decent O-Line and not many backs, possibly pure speed to the corner types, could run behind our O-Line.

Jordan's salary is such that a decision will have to be made on his viability sometime next year.

2007 - $1 million
2008 - $4.7 million
2009 - $5.0 million

The fate of Jordan's career with the Raiders will depend upon the growth of the Raiders front line. He could prove to be a Tyrone Wheatley type runner if he is afforded a decent amount of protection against the first level of defense.

Jordan will never be a complete one back running game a la LT or Shawn Alexander but he could be an effective part of a tandem if his salary is reduced commensurately.
 
CrossBones said:
Oh come on Rupert. Johnson stutters and hunts for the hole? And then he goes for 172 yards. Please...comparing Jordan with Larry Johnson is laughable any way you slice it.
Click to expand...
Guess you need to watch Johnson's game yesterday. Only went for 75 yesterday. That's not 172 by any means. Yesterday he was hunting and pecking and rarely found the hole. So, the comparison is valid every way it can be sliced. Sorry to burst your rant.
 
Madturk said:
I totally disagree. Big difference is that Johnson knows how to follow his blockers and read the hole similar to what Priest did and even when he's tackled he's falling forward for an aditional couple of yards. He's a lot tougher to bring down than LJ and he's a lot more explosive when he hits the hole. Shitty OL or not, the guy is 3rd in the NFL in rushing and he'll surpass 1500 yards rushing IMO.
Click to expand...
So you watched the KC game yesterday? I'm not saying any of what you're saying isn't true. However, yesterday told a different story and my comparison is very valid. Sorry, it's true. Jordan would be better, and has been better, behind a more coherent set of blockers. Just like Johnson has been better when his line has been better. In the same situation I'd take Johnson every time. That wasn't my point.
 
LaMont Jordan should be running like Steven Jackson. He's not. To me, the biggest difference is their attitude. Jackson runs with a huge chip on his shoulder. Jordan runs like a wuss.
 
I would have to agree. He runs a lot like Kaufman after he was saved.
 
Larry Johnson has 891 yards, 10 touchdowns, and is averaging 4.1 yards per carry. LaMont Jordan has 410 yards, 2 touchdowns, and is averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Comparing the two of them is, at this point, laughable. Whatever you want to say about similarity of circumstances or running styles, the fact remains that Johnson is producing and helping his team win whereas Jordan is not. You want some guys to compare Jordan to? Okay... he's a little bit better than Dominic Rhodes, Kevan Barlow, and Reuben Droughns.

I'm ready for Adrian Peterson.
 
Uhhhh, the point was, you can make a running back worse by not blocking well. Unless you think 75 yards is a good game for Johnson. :rolleyes:
 
Jordan has quite possibly been a bigger bust in Oakland than Randy Moss IMO. He hasn't run the ball well on a consistent basis and has admitted to not putting much effort into his conditioning or learning the playbook. I really hope to hear "With the __ selection of the 2007 NFL draft... The Oakland Raiders select ____ ____, RB, out of the University of ____." in next years draft because Jordan's act is getting old.
 
Turo said:
1500+ yards from scrimmage on a shitty team last year, despite missing the final two games.
Click to expand...

I don't think you can lose sight a this. He did "produce" last season, although it was of a very pedestrian nature.

Seems like.... he was playing alittle quicker last year, seeing him in those first couplea pre-season games, I remember thinking "damn this guy's quick for a big man"... I don't get that impression anymore... and it seems like he carried defenders last season, were he mostly goes down on contact today.

Doesn't seem to be able to find daylight(don't know if any is ever there for him?), and he sure can't create for himself...

He otta be able to be a good back for us... a guy that can move the chains and punch it in, along with enough versatility that his presence doesn't scream "run only" like Crockett, but we're going to have to team him with a quicker back who can create some if we want a well rounded attack that can make some big plays once in a while... it's painfully obvious at this point that Lamont isn't capable of that(was that run from the goaline in Seattle the longest of his Raider career?)

If that help comes in the first round of next years draft, so be it.

TG makes a good point that he doesn't seem to use that powerfull bowlingball physique to punish defenses like he's capable of :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top