Fantasyfootballer.com's Gridiron


    
      
        Fantasyfootballer.com's Gridiron
        (https://www.fantasyfootballer.com/cgi-bin/theGridiron/YaBB.cgi)
      

        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Has Barlow already been named starter?
        
(Message started by: Daunte Williams on May 6^th, 2003, 2:39pm)

Title: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by Daunte Williams on May 6^th, 2003, 2:39pm

Fellas- I heard from another fantasy head that Kevan Barlow has already been named the starter in SF, but I have not found a link for it yet. Is this true, if so, does anyone have a link for it. I heard that Dennis Erickson would probably go with a 1 back set, but I did not hear that Barlow was definetely that guy yet. Any help... [smiley=footballsmiley.gif]

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 6^th, 2003, 2:48pm

Well, I ain't got no link, but here is my VERY preliminary thoughts on the situation...

Erickson, the new coach in town, would probably be better off making a youth movement and giving Barlow EVERY opportunity to be his starting tailback. That having been said, Hearst may still be the better of the two, especially when it comes to pass-protection blocking, not a trivial factor to be overlooked. But, I think Erickson's 49ers are going to go with Barlow, and Hearst somehow, probably after being cut sometime after June 1st, is going to end up starting in Detroit for his old coach Mariucci. That is why I do not think that the Lions have made much of an effort in procuring a solid, suitable tailback... Bryson [smiley=pullleeeeeeeze.gif] , Stewart :-/ ! That's my take for now... get back to me in July! ;)

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by Daunte Williams on May 6^th, 2003, 3:20pm

I agree completely Steg, but you have not heard anything official, correct?

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 6^th, 2003, 4:10pm

on 05/06/03 at 15:20:55, Daunte Williams wrote:

I agree completely Steg, but you have not heard anything official, correct?

Yea, no "news" yet!

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by ZAGS on May 6^th, 2003, 4:14pm

I told you that he was named the starter, but if you wan't the official story, it came out of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 6^th, 2003, 4:27pm

on 05/06/03 at 16:14:36, ZAGS wrote:

I told you that he was named the starter, but if you wan't the official story, it came out of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Via "the Gridiron Newsstand (http://www.fantasyfootballer.com/newsstand.htm)", here is a link to the 49ers page of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/index.html.

If you could tell me where to find this "official" story, I would be more than glad to believe it! [smiley=shrug.gif]

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by Keyshawn Johnson 76yards on May 6^th, 2003, 4:52pm

Don't worry Zags... I hear voices in my head to. ;)

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by ZAGS on May 6^th, 2003, 4:55pm

I have him on my roster on CBS, and I read it under his name. It is still on there if you wan't to read it.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by DirkDiggler on May 6^th, 2003, 7:07pm

on 05/06/03 at 14:48:41, StegRock wrote:

I think I said this exact thing in another thread! I think this will happen as well. If not, I like the sound of Maurice Clarrett as starting tailback for Detroit Lions.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 6^th, 2003, 7:15pm

on 05/06/03 at 16:52:56, Keyshawn Johnson 76yards wrote:

Don't worry Zags... I hear voices in my head to. ;)

[smiley=rollinwithlaughter.gif]

Yea, KJ 76, but yours are saying, "Kill, kill!" [smiley=gonecrazy.gif] [smiley=LMFAO.gif]

on 05/06/03 at 16:55:03, ZAGS wrote:

I have him on my roster on CBS, and I read it under his name. It is still on there if you wan't to read it.

ZAGS, you should know better than to go by those little player write-ups CBS Sportsline does. [smiley=pullleeeeeeeze.gif] I have found those things to be at best outdated (or at least based on old info, which I think is the case here) or at worst just incorrect. Even the rest of their information provision is just okay at best! Ultimately, they get (the basis for) their "stories" from the sources on "the Gridiron Newsstand", i.e., if it ain't on "the Newsstand", it ain't or that newspaper ain't yet on "the Newsstand", the latter of which is possible, but unlikely! But, I do think I know where CBS got the idea to make such an extrapolation. If you check out our "49ers Offseason Report" thread here in "the Red Zone", you will see discussion dating back about a month or two ago about the possibility of Hearst's becoming a salary-cap casualty. I think that is what they are predicating their prediction on. Whether they will be right or wrong, only time will tell, and your guess and my guess are as good as theirs based on the current information really coming out of the 49ers camp.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 7^th, 2003, 12:50am

on 05/06/03 at 19:07:40, DirkDiggler wrote:

I think I said this exact thing in another thread! I think this will happen as well. If not, I like the sound of Maurice Clarrett as starting tailback for Detroit Lions.

Double D, one doesn't necessarily preclude the other! Hearst would actually make a nice one- to one-and-a-half-year stopgap for Detroit.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by Daunte Williams on May 7^th, 2003, 1:01am

Just read that Barlow is having trouble with his surgicaly repaired knee & that Hearst will not be cut, so I guess my question is answered. [smiley=downthetubes.gif]

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by ZAGS on May 7^th, 2003, 8:40am

Do we have a link for this story? I could not find it on KFFL.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by Daunte Williams on May 7^th, 2003, 8:46am

It was on FFMastermind yesterday.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by PA Outlaws on May 7^th, 2003, 8:55am

That will change some things, won't it!

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by ZAGS on May 7^th, 2003, 9:26am

Thanks for the info. Looks like Hearst won't be going anywhere. That's a shame for those teams looking for RB's.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by DirkDiggler on May 7^th, 2003, 12:26pm

Well.... I think you are hearing half the story half the time. I have read numerous articles from Bay Area papers on the Barlow situation since I have him in my keeper league. Here is what I know:

Barlows knee problem is NO BIG DEAL. Just precautionary that they are holding him out. Mooch never gave him a chance to really learn the blocking scheme. Erickson seems more willing to throw him out there.

Erickson would like "to get Barlow more carries." Does this mean starter? No one knows exactly what this means YET.

All along, it was RUMORED that Hearst COULD be a SURPRISE June 1st cap casualty. I think a lot of this depends on what the 49ers needs are AND who is released June 1st. Right now they are under the cap, but don't have much flexibility if they want to bring in some more players.

Erickson is known for youth movements. He loves the young guys. As evidenced by what he did in Seattle. Every reporter seems to think he wants to get Barlow to be the man because Hearst does not have many years left in him. But what the heck do reporters know?

Only time will tell on this whole situation. I think the 49ers will release him to get some defensive help. Especially if some decent cornerbacks are released. But, with the desperate need for corners out there, I doubt too many will be released.

In my dream world they would release or trade Hearst, but will this happen? In my dream world yes, but in reality, only time will tell......

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by Philly on May 7^th, 2003, 1:19pm

I agree with DD on this one. I've been reading a lot recently and there is almost no solid info on the Barlow-Hearst sitch.

I personally think the stories [smiley=howtoput.gif] about Barlow being injured are being promoted by Hearst owners looking to unload him... just my conspiracy theory. [smiley=disguised.gif]

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 7^th, 2003, 1:35pm

I also just think that some of you all need to break old habits (I know they die hard, but...) and get with "the Gridiron Newsstand (http://www.fantasyfootballer.com/newsstand.htm)" and "The REAL Feed (http://www.fantasyfootballer.com/newsstand.htm)" and stop spinning your wheels with all those secondary and "thirdary" (???) sources. I know they are easy to glean from, but so is "The REAL Feed", and by the time you have gone between all of those other sites, getting deluded with a lot of watered-down rumor and speculation, you could have done the job and gotten closer to the real story all in one page, "the Gridiron Newsstand". Get the headline off "The REAL Feed"/from the "Big Media News Sources" on "the Newsstand"; then try to get some specifics from the local dailies or official sites on "the Newsstand"! That's what I do anymore, and I am a happier man and more efficient fantasy footballer for it! ;D

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by Daunte Williams on May 7^th, 2003, 1:58pm

I just like the way FFMastermind "Quick Bits" is set up and I have used it for a few years now, so that site will probably stick with me. I enjoy the Newstand and Real Feed, but I am not ready to make the full change yet. [smiley=rudolph.gif]

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 7^th, 2003, 8:20pm

Okay, f-i-n-a-l-l-y, Steggie here, borg of "the Gridiron", finds you all some pith on this issue, might I add, by way of "the Gridiron Newsstand", you know that one-stop shop I keep harpin' about. ;) The following speaks to and combines almost everything we have been discussing here:

Erickson Backs Barlow

Though Kevan Barlow did not take part in last Saturday's practices because of knee soreness stemming from surgery, new head coach Dennis Erickson had encouraging news for his third-year back.

"We've got to get Barlow more involved than he was a year ago. There's no question about it," Erickson told the Contra Costa Times. "It gives Garrison (Hearst) more time to rest up."

Speaking of Hearst, rumors have been circulating that the Niners think his best days are behind him. Those rumors are hard to believe when you consider Hearst rushed for 972 yards, averaged 4.5 per rush, and played all 16 games last year. Still, Hearst may soon discover that "resting up" actually means warming up on the bench or suiting up for another team.

Hearst was one of Steve Mariucci's guys, but Mooch now coaches in Detroit. As such, the loyalty that kept Hearst on the roster through two years of seemingly hopeless rehab probably went out the door with him. In addition to loyalty, Hearst was terrific in pass protection, which kept him on the field more often than Barlow.

"I never really learned how to (pass protect). I don't have a lot of weakness in my game. You haven't seen my game," Barlow explained to the Contra Costa Times. "I've played on and off. I haven't had the chance to showcase my talents."

Barlow, who felt Mariucci and former running backs coach Tom Rathman were "too cautious" in not letting him learn pass protection on the job, added that the new regime was "going to give me a fair chance to go out and learn it."

Nothing against Hearst, who is far from finished, but Barlow is bursting at the seams and needs to get at least 200 carries and 40 receptions in 2003. Barlow carried the rock 270 times in his first two seasons-including 145 last year-and he averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored eight times. If Barlow gets between 200-250 touches this season, we could be talking about the Sleeper of the Year.

I wasn't a huge fan of the Erickson hiring, which seemed like a desperate move for such an esteemed organization. But if he consolidates two into one in San Francisco's backfield, and if that one turns out to be a top-10 fantasy back, then I suddenly will become a huge fan of the Erickson hiring.

Hey, I don't care if Erickson-who has been the picture of mediocrity since leaving Miami-goes 8-8 in his Niner debut as long as his offense performs in fantasy leagues.

The link to the whole piece is: http://www.fanball.com/article.cfm/ID.1389. It also contains Fanball's take on RB Stephen Davis's new digs!

In any case, I hope this helps! [smiley=bow.gif]

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 7^th, 2003, 9:00pm

A-n-d, I found ya's another one from a source available on "the Gridiron Newsstand" [smiley=awwgee.gif] , more opinion than pith, but still worth a look-see:

Is it time for Barlow to take over?

San Francisco 49ers starting running back Garrison Hearst is still one of the better running backs in the NFL. He has had 2 injuries that that were said to be career ending injuries, only to return to the NFL and win the "Comeback Player of the Year " award twice. His last injury made him miss 2 whole seasons. When he came back, he had a thousand yard rushing season. So you may ask, why would anyone want to get rid of him? Because the 49ers' backup running back is Kevan Barlow. Barlow is showing so much that many think that it is time for him to take over the starting roll. I think he might be even with Hearst right now.

Now let's just say that we agree that they are even. If they are even, who should start? Here are some reasons I think maybe Barlow should.

Barlow is younger. He will be around a lot longer then Hearst will, and hopefully he will be a Niner for most of his career. Sticking with Hearst might make Barlow want to leave sooner then the 49ers would like him to. He's playing at a high level, he wants a chance to play now, and he does not want to wait.

Because Hearst is still a top back, the 49ers should be able to get a lot for him. The 49ers could find a team that is in big need of a good running back. There are quite a few teams that I think would jump at Hearst. The 49ers could pickup a player at a spot they need much more then a running back. For example, they could try to trade him for a top corner back.

Even without Hearst, the 49ers running back depth chart is still deep. Young Jamal Robertson would then get more carries, and he may end up to be a top back himself.

Here is the only reason I can think of that Hearst should start. Loyalty. Normally I am a fan of loyalty in sports. But in this case, this is a NEW LOOK 49ers this year. The loyalty that I would expect would be from the Mooch. Mooch is the one who talked Hearst into signing a contract. I don't expect 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson to show loyalty. He's a new head coach who's bringing in a new style of offense. He should do all he can to try and make this the best 49er team he can. Plus, Hearst signed his last contract because Mooch talked him into it. I don't think Hearst feels a ton of loyalty himself to the 49ers.

I am and have always been a fan of Hearst, but I think it might be time to pass the job to the younger Kavan Barlow.

:-/ Well, we'll call it "informed" opinion! [smiley=shrug.gif]

Here is a link to the article: http://www.allsports.com/cgi-bin/showstory.cgi?story_id=41242.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by ZAGS on May 7^th, 2003, 9:07pm

Thanks for the info Steg, I have never been a big fan of ffmastermind.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by PA Outlaws on May 7^th, 2003, 10:23pm

Great work Steg! [smiley=thumbsup.gif] I have to admit, I lived and died by FFmastermind, and I like it. Don't get me wrong I utilize all of the sources here just as much and probably more, but old habits are hard to break! I simply am a FF junkie and can't help it! [smiley=bonghit.gif]

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by Philly on May 9^th, 2003, 6:58am

I'd still like to see a "real" source address this. All I've seen so far is conjecture.

Fanball takes a snippet and offers their (uninformed?) opinion on it.

Allsports relies on their readers to submit news for them.

Now I'm not saying none of this can be true, but I'm certainly not going to pin my expectations of Barlow or Hearst on a couple of opinions. I'd really like to hear Erickson make a definitive statement on this issue.

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by PA Outlaws on May 9^th, 2003, 12:01pm

I think all must just wait until June 1! What they do with Hearst then will give a much clearer picture!

Title: Re: Has Barlow already been named starter?
Post by StegRock on May 9^th, 2003, 12:35pm

on 05/09/03 at 06:58:56, Philly wrote: