Raheem Wants “To See If [Huggins] Can Do It”
August 18th, 2010
Joe’s feels the excitement for running back Kareem Huggins everywhere.
He’s quick. He could be the savior. All he needs is a chance. Fans seem to be losing their minds over this guy, who’s got no more than few good preseason, second-half quarters under his belt.
Joe agrees that Huggins has earned a shot after being out of football in 2008 and busting his butt with the Bucs last year and in the 2010 training camp.
But that’s just the reason Joe is not excited, Huggins has not run behind a first-team line and against first-team defense.
Simply put, he’s never done it when it remotely counted.
Raheem The Dream said today that he needs to see Huggins perform when it counts, too. And that might come on Saturday against the Chiefs.
“We want to try to get him out there a little bit earlier to see if he can do it,” Raheem The Dream said during his news conference today.
Joe is pulling for Huggins. He’s an easy guy to cheer for.
But Joe just doesn’t expect much. So don’t expect Joe to go all wild on Huggins if he turns in Derrick Ward-like numbers for his small handful of carries with the first team on Saturday.
And to the guy who keeps e-mailing Joe comparing Huggins to “Mr. August Earnest Graham,” Joe just can’t compare Graham, who ran for 1,000 at the University of Florida to Huggins’ career at 1-AA Hofstra. Calm down, buddy.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Joe,
I think most fans are realistic with their expectations. I don’t believe we are looking at him as a Pro Bowler. However, to say Ward looked awful on Saturday would be an understatement. Also, haven’t we as fans seen this act before? EG was considered just a preseason hero, when he finally got off the bench he was very productive. Again, not sayin Huggy will be a feature back, but I wouldn’t rule him out to be a contributor.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
So we’re now to add another rookie to the list of guys we really need to play well. …No slight to Huggins, but this isn’t pretty. THey need Derrick Ward in a big way.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Agree with troxell8t8. As I said in another post, I believe Huggins will have more carries than Ward at the end of the year because he is a “change of pace” back whereas Ward is a Cadillac wannabe.
So, Joe, what are you going to say if Huggins turns in Cadillac-like numbers for his small handful of carries with the first team on Saturday? Might that change your mind? Not predicting … just asking?
August 18th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Wasn’t Derrick Ward and Michael Clayton Mark Domminic’s biggest free agent aquisitions in 2009?
August 18th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
only if you count Clayton as an “acquisition”. Really he was just resigned
August 18th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Clayton was an unrestricted free agent… free… He was an aquisition. Dom got into a bidding war with Seattle (I know hard to believe) to sign Clayton.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Folks, meet James Wilder, Jr!
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/FSU-lands-nation-s-top-high-school-highlight-ree?urn=ncaaf-263445
August 18th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Joe here,
BuzzSaw – If Huggins has a strong night with the first team, Joe will be as excited as the next guy. The whole point is he has to prove he belongs.
August 18th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I think Raheem is doing the right theing seeing what the kid can do. You can only have an NFl career on the practice squad and in the second half of pre-season games so long.
Either give the kid a chance or cut him.
August 18th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
You have to keep with the spirit of “out with the old, in with the new”… If Ward had an outstanding year last year, which he did’nt, the situation would be differant. Cadilac Williams ran well against the first team defense, Ward sucked! Huggins shows promise, ward does not!
August 18th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Ward is not the only Cadillac wannabe, even EG is a similar styled runner. I don’t think we would lose anything by releasing Ward. In fact I think Ward is slower than Caddy & EG that also is struggling to break tackles. With Huggins we get some speed, “change of pace” like they call it. Defenses will have to put some effort to get used to a speedy back right after they are done facing a bruiser. With Ward and Caddy in rotation, defenses do not really have to worry about breakaway runs.
August 18th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Caddy is all break away runs. The guy is always a 10-20 yard threat. And I believe he still can move even now.
August 18th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
IF huggins works out. I’d like to see ward traded or cut(probably can’t trade him). Caddy starting, EG on goalline, huggins change of pace(hopefully he can pick up bliters), and that preston kid at Fullback or the other guy whoever is better I suppose.
August 18th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
@ Jonny
It’s not that Ward is a Cadillac wannabe, or that he is slower than Caddy or EG, or that he is struggling to break tackles. The problem with Ward is that he has no heart, he got his payday and now he’s dropped the pack and not willing to put in the work that his paycheck requires! Wish I could do that in the Navy, but we have this little two war scenario in Iraq and Afghanistan to think about! Trade the bastard for a 7th round draft choice, some team will offer him millions to be a lollygagger!
August 18th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Wow, huggins highlight video (youtube) is amazing… Yeah I know he isnt playing against quality teams, but man does he have moves and speed. Almost reminds me of a mini chris Johnson the way he blows through holes and those dreds a flappin’. Hope he capitalizes on his opp this weekend… Shouldn’t be to much of a chore because if I remember correctly KC run defense blows…
August 18th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
It’s about time that Huggins is getting put in the game ealier! Ward better perform well, or he just might lose his job.
Go Huggy Bear! Kick ass man!
August 18th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
I think that as much as this says about Huggins efforts last year (preseason and practice squad) and this year so far, it says far more about Derrick Ward and his failure to compete. Giving Huggins carries with the first team and second team means Ward will get second team/third team. That’s a huge slap in the face to Ward, and if it doesn’t wake him up, nothing will.
August 19th, 2010 at 12:26 am
I just hope Kareem can pull it off. We really need something positive right now. Freeman has lit the Spark with Williams, and now if Huggins can get his jets going, they might have a serious threat. Not ready for the title yet, but could set some good teams on their heals. I agree with the statement about Chris Johnson. Huggins has that look and Raheem may be on to something. What about Peanut? What’s in his future???? Not looking so good. I hope he runs one back on Saturday.
August 19th, 2010 at 1:14 am
They better not cut Clifton Smith!!! There’s several players that I’d release before him! What gives?
August 19th, 2010 at 3:43 am
I don’t want to get too excited about Huggins either, and I don’t expect him to be great. However, he is the only one of our running backs that could have made that big run against Miami. Once he hit the hole (albeit untouched) he veered left and kicked into a gear that no other RB’s on our team have, and picked up another 15-20 yards. The real question is, will he get that kind of blocking with the big boys?
August 19th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Patrick, what ” Gives” is that you aren’t a GM! You are a fast food employee. Cutting players doesn’t require a pre cut consultation with you, Burger boy! And yes, giving Huggins a chance is the right thing to do. He’s at least earned that.
August 19th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hey Joe, I agree about the EG comaprison, FL and Hoffstra are two different worlds. Is it fair to compare him to Priest Holms? Priest went to a big school, but did not get allot of playing time, was not drafted, but has made a name for himself in the league. Now, I am kind of kidding, it is a big leap to call him priest, but you never know. I qalso agree that we can all get gitty once he actually proves he belongs on the porch with the big dogs.
August 19th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Hope Huggins does well, it would provide another gear to the offensive speed… but what really makes some sense is making use of EG’s talents for a change. He’s proven himself as a RB over and over both august and in seasons past. Don’t know why management will not use his skills … in this area they seem as blind as the old mgmt.
August 19th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Marques Coltston came from Hofstra also…I’d take him on this team right about now .
August 19th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
If he does good, we just Can’t sign him to a big contract! Gotta be hungry to run fast!
August 19th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
he is more mjd than chris johnson, but i really do not want to get carried away with preseason play. He certainly appears to run harder and faster than ward. I would love for him to be a huge star but in all reallty i would be happy if he was just better than ward.