Will Barlow have a better season than Hambrick did last year

[mad benjamin]

Last year, some people were high on Hambrick. Emmitt was gone, Ham was the up-and-coming, young bruiser that Parcells liked to use with no real competition in the backfield. Moreover, Dallas had an inexperienced QB, mediocre WRs but a solid O-line.

This year, Barlow is the man in SF. Same situation; his incumbent starter is gone, there is no other RB to challenge him for the job, he has an unproven QB and mediocre WRs and a depleted O-line.

Why should Barlow be expected to set the league on fire? He did well last year in limited starts with Garcia and TO/Streets in the lineup and with a couple more proven O-linemen. But how will he stand up as the focal point of the offense with so many other changes on his team?

Anyone have any logical reason why he is worth such a high draft pick?

[Azrael]

San Fran's starters on offense have really stunk in pre-season play. I thought Barlow could do well despite the lack of talent around him but I'm not so sure. I wouldn't be taking him in the 2nd round. He should do better than Hambrick but I don't think I want him on my team this year.

[deftdelivery]

You can't compare Barlow to Hambrick:

1 - Hambrick had very little experience starting or playing in any NFL games when he was given the start last season...Barlow has played and started in several games...he has the experience factor

2 - Hambrick does not have the talent Barlow does, quite simply...he cannot catch as well as Barlow nor possesses the same speed. He is an inferior back

3 - I believe the situation was different. Last season, the Cowboys ran the ball into the ground even with a horrific RB due to their superior play on defense. The 49ers don't have nearly the D Dallas did last season, and will have to play catchup. Hambrick's stats were inflated due to Dallas just trying to run out the clock...so you really can't compare Hambrick's success to Barlow yet. (I understand the Hambrick of old does have an edge on the Barlow of new due to the carries he received, but Barlow will be given plenty of oppurtunities in the passing game [no lt2, but still good enough])

Wow, I just used brackets inside of parentheses - is that legal? [/u]

[tomkatt]

Barlow is light years MORE talented than Troy Hambrick. However, I do agree that Barlow may be a bit overrated to start the year. He is going to be in a similar situation as Tomlinson, expected to shoulder the load. That will be new for him. I just remember Mike Shanahan saying that Barlow was the best RB available in the draft that year. He should produce good numbers in '04, I'm just not sure they will be good enough numbers to justify where some people are picking him. I like Barlow, and can't wait to see how he does. I'd feel much better about him if T.O. and Garcia were still there. Maybe Rattay and Lloyd will cause a stir though.

[irishboy]

i got barlow in the fourth and was glad to get him; i cant believe he fell so low

[kurtistb]

I got him in the 7th in my early draft league but in a later one I got him in the third (which I kind of regret since I already had portis and taylor).

[goleafsgo96]

The big difference between Hambrick and Barlow is talent- plain and simple.

[shockandawe_ffc]

I think Ricky Henderson would have gotten more yards than Hambrick did last year in Dallas. Yeah, Ricky Henderson- take any Ricky for that matter- Ricky Watters, Ricky Williams a la the Colts.

Forget the wins and losses and the o-line and the QB, Barlow should get a 1000 yrds combine before it takes Hambrick two seasons to get there.

[zombiez]

the biggest difference is that Hambrick was on a better team then Barlow is this year.....to all you guys that have been waiting to have him when he is surely the starter....go ahead and grab him, he will be remembered fantasy wise, as the RB that never was

[mad benjamin]

He may be better than Hambrick, but I definitely think his value is a bit overblown. We'll have to wait and see, but I'm not predicting him to be the 2nd round stud many people think he will be. But that's just me.