Roundtable: Kevan Barlow
The staff of 49ersNews was posed this question: Will Kevan Barlow rush for over 1,000 yards. In this Roundtable edition that question will be answered.Jeremy Burnham
Okay, let's keep this short and to the point. No he won't. Getting 1,000 yards while sitting on the bench is pretty hard, and that is where he's going to be by week 5...
Nick Newton
I'm with Burnham on this one. Barlow may not be benched, but as I stated in my last article, he shouldnt even be with us anymore. Hicks will handle most of the rushing detail for us this season. He's clearly the better back, and also more motivated. But theres one thing that Barlow will accell at this season when he IS running. And thats fumbling the ball away in crucial situations. Mark my words.
More Roundtable Discussion...
Vini Chopra
Let's not forget that Kevan Barlow, back up and all, with an offensive line was a 1000 yard rusher in 2003. I expect Frank Gore to compete with and push Kevan Barlow to a much better performance this season. And Maurice Hicks, as flashy and quick as he's been, just does not seem to come off as an all down back to me. I say Frank Gore takes Barlow's role before Hicks, who will be more of a 3rd down, change of pace back and a good one at that. But the offensive line on this team is so fragile, that I just don't see us having a powerful running game. If Jeremy Newberry goes down, we'll once again be weak on our interior and even with him in there (which makes a world of difference) Justin Smiley, Adam Snyder, and Eric Heittman haven't proven that they can push the line. So if Barlow does rush for 1000 yards, it'll be due to the improvement up front but since I'm not sold on that I'm going to say Barlow gets close, plays better, but with an instable line and Gore eating into his carries he does not reach the 1000 yard plateau.
Erik Klackner
I think there is very little doubt that Kevan Barlow will rush for over 1000 yards. But 1000 yards is no longer the litmus test for a running back. 1300 yards or more is a better measure of how successful a season a running back can have. You can rush for 1000 yards by averaging 62.5 yards per game on the ground. Even with Frank Gore and possibly Maurice Hicks contributing, that figure certainly won't help the 49ers win very many games. The 49ers as team are going to need to average around 135-140 yards on the ground per game to have a chance at winning the division, which is their stated goal. And Barlow is the primary man responsible for reaching that number. I believe he can do it. I think he will rush for over 1200 yards this season.
Chad Erickson
Yes Kevan Barlow will rush for over 1,000 yards. This season Barlow doesn't have the luxury of being the only featured back. Last season Barlow was pretty much it. There was no running back on the roster that put pressure on Barlow and made him feel the heat. Basically no Hearst to light a fire under his ass. This season it appears that rookie Frank Gore will carry those matches, and Mike Nolan has shown no ones job is safe, no matter how long you have been on the team, or the amount of money you make. Barlow should also improve based on a revamped offensive line, new running back coach, and an offseason program where he worked to improve on many aspects of his game. The biggest concern will be the offensive line, but with the additions of Jonas Jennings and the rookies they drafted the line will be improved under George Warhop and I look for Barlow to rush for over 1,200 yards this season.
Matt Gagnon
There is no reason he is not capable of doing so. Last year, with a swiss cheese offensive line, little to no passing game to compliment him, horrid playcalling and overall malaise on the team, he was only 178 yards short of 1000 yards. This years situation is much better.
Yes the line has struggled in preseason, but I sincerely believe they will come together as a unit quickly and actually be a quality offensive line. If Rattay can stay healthy all year, then he'll have a passing game to help him. And I believe that Mike McCarthy will be calling plays more suited for the talent we have on offense.
The only thing that would prevent Barlow from reaching the 1000 yard milestone is the play of Frank Gore, or Maurice Hicks (who has continued to impress a lot of people in the preseason). If one of those two really shines (which I believe Gore will) then it becomes entirely possible that snaps will be shared a great deal, and Barlow's status as the starter will be little more than "honorary". If say Gore reaches 500-800 yards himself, there is no way Barlow hits 1000.
Why do I say this? Look at 2002, when Barlow and Garrison Hearst began sharing snaps for real. He got 145 carries, and hit 675 yards, and Hearst missed a 1000 yard season, carrying the ball 215 times for 972 yards. And that was behind a much better offensive line, with a much better passing game.
As much as it pains me to say it (because I think he could be an excellent choice all things being equal) if you are considering him for your fantasy team, you might want to think again. He COULD perform for you, but I find it quite likely that the 49ers situation will end up like the Falcons - two excellent running backs sharing the load between them, so that neither has any real fantasy value. If you take Barlow, I recommend taking Gore as a backup.
Spencer Stegeman
Kevan Barlow has the (insert your chosen deity) given ability to be a top back in this league. The problem is that he is behind an O-line that is trying to find its self. When/if we get Newbery and Bass back...we will have made strides in getting a solid line that can open holes for him. Another major setback for Barlow is that his ego is working against him. On one hand he seems to try and be flashy,resulting in a loss or a one yard gain. And on the other hand, I don't think he is playing with too much confidence right now after coming off of last year's miserable season. Also,I believe that Barlow is the kind of guy that needs motivation,and if what I hear about Gore is true...Barlow is gonna step it up. Or else.
Do I think he has the ability to rush for a grand? Yes. Do I think he will? I'm not feeling too good about it. Especially while splitting time with Gore.
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