One Last Man Crush Post

[bizkitlimped]

I'm sold!

[BucNY]

I like how this guy runs, some anger and some aggression. He just won't go down until he's got every yard he possible can. Would like the guy in the later rounds.

[bullg8rdaddy]

Taiwan Jones anyone?

[Skull and Bones]

I like Clemson's Jamie Harper

you mean you like a guy with the upside to be a starter and can actually block and catch and has the size to stay healthy?  Crazy.

[JDouble]

I like how this guy runs, some anger and some aggression. He just won't go down until he's got every yard he possible can. Would like the guy in the later rounds.

While he reminds me of Ahmad Bradshaw in size, strength, and speed......his running style reminds me a lot of Marion Barber. He's not the fastest, or biggest, or most agile but he has heart. It's kinda like a controlled chaos. He has great patience and understanding of the defense which is why he rarely has a run for loss of yards, but when it comes to the end of the run when it's time to bang heads, his style is just violent and relentless.

[JDouble]

Just in time for the 3rd day of the draft, Chad Spann 2010 highlight reel! It's kinda short and lacking considering the dude ran for 1388 yards and 22 TDs, but here it is none the less.

[Uncle Stan]

Don't overlook Scott from Maryland.

[JDouble]

I'm still hoping we get Spann. I know we have Bradford now, which was my 2nd favorite RB and I'm grateful, but you can't have enough great young backs. Spann isn't really any faster, so he wouldn't be the change of pace speedster than most fans want, but he is a smarter more complete back that could replace Caddy as our 3rd down back. I see Bradford more as our short yardage guy as well as Blount's main back up in case of injury. He could also be part time Fullback like Graham. Raheem even hinted at that in a recent interview.

The way I see it, either Caddy or Graham will be back this year to be that 3rd down back, but not both. Whichever one it is, it will most likely be their last year anyways. If we got Spann he could be that guy for us and he's 10 years younger, and more explosive. He's a sponge and would really benefit from a year with Caddie or Graham.

My perfect scenario is we cut Lumpkin, and don't resign Caddie. Keep Graham for this last year to be our third down back and to mentor Bradford and Spann. Bradford becomes our short yardage guy as well as Blount's main back up in case of injury. He also fills that part time FB role. Spann is mentored by Graham to become our 3rd down back, and Blount remains our #1 feature back. Fingers crossed!

I'll be really disappointed if we don't get Spann, which I know is likely...but my other guy is Nic Grigsby. He could also be our 3rd down back and he has that break away speed that everyone wants. He's not that small at 5'11" 200lbs, he's shifty as hell, and he ran a 4.38 at his pro day.

Sure wish the stay would be lifted today! I'm ready for some free agency and rookie camp!

Chad Spann 2009



Chad Spann 2010



Nic Grigsby 2010


Nic Gigsby Pro Day

[JDouble]

Maybe I should have some business cards made up that say DOM! SIGN CHAD SPANN! and go stick them under every windshield wiper at Raymond James and One Buc Place. 

[scoots]

Good call on this kid ...fun to watch and for a little guy would be an interesting change of pace back with the strength to go through the middle...

[JDouble]

        

       

       
          

   

      

[JDouble]

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/05/02/spann-kube-playing-the-waiting-game/a12p2n1/

[JDouble]

Ray Rice. Same exact size. Same exact 40 time. Same toughness and refusal to go down. Spann is a Ray Rice clone. Can you imagine replacing Caddy with Ray Rice? Sign Chad Spann.

[1Va bucsfan]

He and Ray Rice have the same build. Rice was 4.46 and Spann is 4.53 not a big difference. The one thing IMHO that separates the two Spann doesn't have a lot of experience as a reciever only 23 receptions in his time at NIU. Not sure if that's a result of the backs there not being heavily involved in the passing game or what but the few games of his I watched last year I like the guy. He didn't look to hot in the Texas vs the Nation game but I don't let one game sway me his whole body of work is ok he just needs to prove to be a better receiver than his stats suggest and at minimum he'll be on someones PS. Hopefully ours for your sake Jdub!

[JDouble]

He and Ray Rice have the same build. Rice was 4.46 and Spann is 4.53 not a big difference. The one thing IMHO that separates the two Spann doesn't have a lot of experience as a reciever only 23 receptions in his time at NIU. Not sure if that's a result of the backs there not being heavily involved in the passing game or what but the few games of his I watched last year I like the guy. He didn't look to hot in the Texas vs the Nation game but I don't let one game sway me his whole body of work is ok he just needs to prove to be a better receiver than his stats suggest and at minimum he'll be on someones PS. Hopefully ours for your sake Jdub!

Ray Rice only had 37 receptions in college, and 25 of those came his senior year...so that's not much different than Spann's 23 receptions. As with any college RB, it's hard to tell if they have good hands or not when they aren't given the chance. It's not like he had more opportunities but had drops. Spann was thrown to 25 times in college and caught 23 of them. Seems pretty dependable to me.

With the 40 time, Ray Rice ran a 4.48 and 4.49 at the combine. Spann wasn't invited to the combine, so all we have to look at is his proday. He ran a 4.47 and a 4.53 at his pro day. None of that is exact science, but the 40 times are very close and their game speed in college looks very similar. Ray Rice, to me anyways, looks faster now in the NFL than he did in college. It might be because he was 198lbs at the combine, and now is listed as 217lbs. It's 20lbs more weight to carry but I think most of that weight gain was in his lower half which really increased his explosiveness and overall speed. Spann is currently 202lbs, but I would expect him to increase his lower body strength just like Rice and play around 215lbs just like Rice.

When I watch Spann I see some Frank Gore and some Ahmad Bradshaw....but mostly I see Ray Rice. It's the toughness, the refusal to go down, and the combination of balance, vision, and patience that really makes me like this kid. From that article I posted above though, it sounds like the Colts are going to pounce on him as soon as free agency starts.