Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi St. (Rd 4 #105)

[Fouts2herbert]

The difference between being smaller than 5'9'' and taller than that at wide receiver: no threshold to you?
That is not unlike the difference between 31 & 3/4rths vs. 32 & 1/4 inch arms for pass rushers: one is significantly below a threshold (33''?) and pro evaluators pause to consider it.

At that low a weight, 6 pounds is not insignificant, as you are trying to suggest.
What if it were 8 pounds?

170 pounds is a threshold for small receivers, and Atwell is well below it ... but Thomposon?

And Atwell is not exactly missing games.

LOL, you win, Thompson is a giant compared to Atwell!

[Steve]

It was interesting how Vidal had that really good game in pass pro, and then struggled with it in other games.
A 2nd year player being inconsistent, or the coaching staff was being unclear in his assignments, and in preparing for those Ds?

It is worth noting that it wasn't just Vidal. There were a lot of games where we just plain struggled across the board, regardless of the position.

I do think that there were some of the games where both Vidal and Hampton, when they got exposed, yes they missed their guy, but it seemed like they body language and the other team giving us some looks ... maybe they got caught looking to see where they could help out, and not their primary assignment where the blitz or stunt actually came from.

Kind of being the little dutch boy with the finger in the dike ... it's fine until the holes are popping up all over the place and you cannot reach them all.

Hampton and Vidal need to get better and at times stick to their assignments a bit longer, having the confidence in the OL and the play call that there will be an answer to whatever the D is doing to attack us. But the bigger issue is that it is up to McDaniel to have more answers and have everyone ready this season.

The other thing that I think McDaniel can do is to really keep things in better situations. Defenses ate our OL alive last year because they kept us in 3rd and long. Defenses can use most of their playbook on 3rd and long, but the offensive playbook shrinks a bunch. If McDaniel can keep us on schedule or ahead of schedule more often, then the defenses playbook shrinks and the offense playbook gets bigger, and he can be more aggressive.

[sonorajim]

It is worth noting that it wasn't just Vidal. There were a lot of games where we just plain struggled across the board, regardless of the position.

I do think that there were some of the games where both Vidal and Hampton, when they got exposed, yes they missed their guy, but it seemed like they body language and the other team giving us some looks ... maybe they got caught looking to see where they could help out, and not their primary assignment where the blitz or stunt actually came from.

Kind of being the little dutch boy with the finger in the dike ... it's fine until the holes are popping up all over the place and you cannot reach them all.

Hampton and Vidal need to get better and at times stick to their assignments a bit longer, having the confidence in the OL and the play call that there will be an answer to whatever the D is doing to attack us. But the bigger issue is that it is up to McDaniel to have more answers and have everyone ready this season.

The other thing that I think McDaniel can do is to really keep things in better situations. Defenses ate our OL alive last year because they kept us in 3rd and long. Defenses can use most of their playbook on 3rd and long, but the offensive playbook shrinks a bunch. If McDaniel can keep us on schedule or ahead of schedule more often, then the defenses playbook shrinks and the offense playbook gets bigger, and he can be more aggressive.

I agree and would point out McDaniel is Very detail oriented. Also Day, Hardwick and Lal are the only returning offensive coaches. Maybe we'll get a look at Max McCaffrey coaching more protection details to RB/ FBs in training camp. It's a lock to be different. We have gotten some quality adds to our auxiliary blocking personnel.

[Whydachargers?]

Given the horrific state of the O-line, I think what Vidall accomplished last year was phenomenal.

With ACTUAL blocking this year, we'll get a read on how well he cuts back, takes advantage of lanes, and sets up MORE blocks downfield.

But all things considered, I was impressed.

Vidal was easily our best running back last season. That said, I'm hoping Hampton can step it up a few notches this season. And I still like Amar Johnson. I really like him even though he's likely a practice squad guy..

[richpjr]

Vidal was easily our best running back last season. That said, I'm hoping Hampton can step it up a few notches this season. And I still like Amar Johnson. I really like him even though he's likely a practice squad guy..

Vidal was "best" because he was healthy. When Hampton was on the field, I'd take him 100 times out of 100 times, even with last years OC and oline.

[sonorajim]

Vidal was "best" because he was healthy. When Hampton was on the field, I'd take him 100 times out of 100 times, even with last years OC and oline.

Hampton is a beast when healthy. Vidal gets more out of what he has. I like both and will leave it at that. We have a good RB room with Mitchell's speed, FB Ingold. McD should get the run working well for us.

[21&500]

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[powderblueboy]

LOL, you win, Thompson is a giant compared to Atwell!

I see how you like my Chaincrusher like debating style.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Hampton is a beast when healthy. Vidal gets more out of what he has. I like both and will leave it at that. We have a good RB room with Mitchell's speed, FB Ingold. McD should get the run working well for us.

I think the Vidal backers might be a little surprised with playing time this year. I see Vidal as depth. Hampton is RB1 and Mitchell will see the 2nd most touches.

[Steve]

I think the Vidal backers might be a little surprised with playing time this year. I see Vidal as depth. Hampton is RB1 and Mitchell will see the 2nd most touches.

Possible, but when McDaniel has had depth he used it. In SF they mixed in Mitchell and Deebo Samuel at RB (2021). In 2023, Achane had 800 yards as a rookie, while Mosert was the leading rusher (1012 yds) and Jeff Wilson was a change of pace.

The goal is not to run up a single players stats, but to make sure that they get deep into the playoffs or the SB. I don't think they will want too much wear and tear on one player. When McDaniel has not had a lot of options is when he has tended to "feature" a player (whether it is a receiver or runner). A lot of it will depend on our OL and D. If the goal is to control games in the 2nd half with a lead, McDaniel will spread the ball out to every RB on the roster so long as they can keep grinding out possession and end the game.

Of course that is what he was doing when he put 70 on the Broncos.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Possible, but when McDaniel has had depth he used it. In SF they mixed in Mitchell and Deebo Samuel at RB (2021). In 2023, Achane had 800 yards as a rookie, while Mosert was the leading rusher (1012 yds) and Jeff Wilson was a change of pace.

The goal is not to run up a single players stats, but to make sure that they get deep into the playoffs or the SB. I don't think they will want too much wear and tear on one player. When McDaniel has not had a lot of options is when he has tended to "feature" a player (whether it is a receiver or runner). A lot of it will depend on our OL and D. If the goal is to control games in the 2nd half with a lead, McDaniel will spread the ball out to every RB on the roster so long as they can keep grinding out possession and end the game.

Of course that is what he was doing when he put 70 on the Broncos.

Every team in the NFL mixes in other RBs in today's NFL.

My point was Vidal will be a clear 3rd in touches.

Hampton might not be a "bellcow" with 70% touches but I estimate he gets 60% and then it will be Mitchell with his elite speed in the Achane role. MM went out of his way to pound the table for Mitchell, or should I say post wanted posters.

[sonorajim]

Every team in the NFL mixes in other RBs in today's NFL.

My point was Vidal will be a clear 3rd in touches.

Hampton might not be a "bellcow" with 70% touches but I estimate he gets 60% and then it will be Mitchell with his elite speed in the Achane role. MM went out of his way to pound the table for Mitchell, or should I say post wanted posters.

I'm sure they want a healthy RB roster in post season. Toward that end, using Vidal frequently to lighten the load seems likely.
It'll be interesting with a new OL, OL blocking scheme and McDaniel. We'll run. How much, with whom, against whom will be adjusted frequently.