Toby Gerhart

Toby's a better runner then Leonard, hands down.Toby has better vision and power, and like Don said stood up for himself.Maybe Toby was advised not to focus too much on his bench for fear of being labeled a fullback? IDK

Very nice article. It's refreshing to see a few sportswriters who actually speak the truth. The NFL does not believe that whites can be running backs, or cornerbacks. The thought process has to change. We need to keep tearing down this Caste System one block at a time.

http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nfl/iFRh_ITFuQ2XnKnGqxvXvQjG2INdiS_k?tag=coverlist_active;coverlist_footer

There is Toby talking at the combine, the video of him saying he is a runningback and doesn't want to be compared to guys like Alstott.

Leonard had a slightly better 40, Toby has the better vertical jump at 38 inches, Toby might have a little more initial burst. Toby is the better runningback out of the two, no offense to Leonard. Toby also had a better college career. Like others have said, he hasn't been a lead blocker and insists on playing halfback.Edited by: dwid

celticdb15 said:

Toby's a better runner then Leonard, hands down. Toby has better vision and power, and like Don said stood up for himself. Maybe Toby was advised not to focus too much on his bench for fear of being labeled a fullback? IDK

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I was thinking that too, that he held back on the bench press in fear of being labeled strong enough to be a fullback. He put up a really good amount of reps though, slightly less than the fullback that did the bench press, I wonder if the fullback went first.

Leonard was 226 at his combine though so his 4.49 is in reality about the same exact time as Gerhart's 4.53 at 231.

Alstott ran a 4.6 at the combine and should have never been switched to being mostly a FB but he couldn't find a team to let him be a HB even after he nearly rushed for 1000 yards as a backup. It's better to be used as Alstott was than Hester and Hillis currently are but it's still ridiculously racist and at the very least unfair even to those that don't acknowledge a Caste system exists.

A 40 time is SO overrated since track speed is irrelevant on a football field. IMO the Caste system initially used 40 times to prevent Whites from playing certain positions because they knew that's one area that some blacks excel (short sprints) at over Whites, but Whites have clearly closed the gap that existed so the only way to prevent Whites from playing skill positions is by just not playing them like they did to Hester and Hillis last year even though both were probably their teams best option at RB. The best players play, my ass...

JReb1 said:

A 40 time is SO overrated since track speed is irrelevant on a football field. IMO the Caste system initially used 40 times to prevent Whites from playing certain positions because they knew that's one area that some blacks excel (short sprints) at over Whites, but Whites have clearly closed the gap that existed so the only way to prevent Whites from playing skill positions is by just not playing them like they did to Hester and Hillis last year even though both were probably their teams best option at RB. The best players play, my ass...

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If you listen to the Caste clown announcers from the NFL Networkduring the Combine, when a black underperforms in the 40, they often will say that straight line speed isn't that important. Yet blacks' supposed slight advantage in straight line speed isfor all intents and purposesthe entire foundation on which the Caste System rests. Of course there's no one in the media to call anyone on their hypocrisy. If we can all agree that straight line speed is way over-rated when it comes to the overall judging of a football player, then why is the NFL overwhelmingly black year after year withfew to no deviations over time? What are the other advantages black football players have over White ones to account for them being so wildly over-represented compared to their share of the population (and of the pool of football players)?

from SI.com, by Don Banks
Spiller, Best and Matthews could all be legitimate first-round considerations at this point. And Stanford's Toby Gerhart, a Heisman finalist, flashed in his workout as well, running a very solid 4.53.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/02/28/snaps.combine/#ixzz0guzrrMzn
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription

I sure wish Sharp was invited to the Combine. He might have run the fastest time of all runningbacks.

In the early 1960's, results were what counted. There was little if any preoccupation with the "40 time."

more positive press from yet another wensite, MASNsports

Gerhart, who was the runner-up for the Heisman this year, had some scouts doubting whether he was fast enough to be a productive running back in the pro game, saying instead that he might need to be more of a fullback in the NFL.

Stanford's star back shut those scouts up by running a 4.53 yesterday. That number might not look too impressive when put next to Spiller and Best's mid-4.3s, but Gerhart has over 30 pounds on those guys and is a much more physical style of runner.

Jim Harbaugh's boy did well for himself yesterday.

overall, reading news today most everyone is really happy with his performance and many outlets went as far as saying he pretty much put the fullback talk to rest. kid's a baller!!!

Toby could have nailed a sub 4.5 40 y/d had he cut to 220lbs. Howvever, the 40 y/d is a grossly overrated stat.

Nice write up from bleacherreport.com. Some of the press starting to say it like it is.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/354930-its-time-for-toby-gerhart-to-get-some-respect

And another one:

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports-headlines/ci_14495424

Here is the same article soberwf posted on Gerhart with a live link. This is probably the best article I have read. This guy has the guts to tell it like it is! Enjoy it guys.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/354930-its-time-for-toby-gerhart-to-get-some-respectEdited by: white lightning

SoberWF said:

Nice write up from bleacherreport.com. Some of the press starting to say it like it is.



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/354930-its-time-for-toby-gerhart-to-get-some-respect

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Nice find. There is also a poll with this article "Is Gerhart a 1,000+ yard back at the next level?" so hopefully everyone reading this votes definitely for Gerhart!!!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/354930-its-time-for-toby-gerhart-to-get-some-respect#poll

You guys are hitting the nail on the head. Blacks do slightly better in the 40 yard dash and broad jump, but if you look at 10-15 yard burst, whites do just as good. We do better in the bench press and Squat showing more strength. When it comes to football speed in pads where short area burst and lateral agility is most important whites seem to consistently do better than blacks in how much our short shuttles are better than 40 times at the combine and Pro Day (showing start and stop on a dime ability and ability to make ONE quick cut). "Swivel" agility is also very close despite what the talking heads will tell you.

Last year Nate Swift and Brian Hartline led the WRs in agility mark and Austin Collie wasn't far behind. Eric Peterman would have been right up there if invited to the combine and Julian Edelman would have been the leader.

And Rodney King is a liar. If Toby finished in the top 10 in ALL the drills he ran in- That's got to make him a top 5 combine performer wouldn't it? (in addition to being the most productive back in the FBS and having a great game film). How many of the guys that even finished # 1 in a category are in the top 10 in all of them at there position. Very few!

Toby has SUPERIOR X-Y agility which is what you want in a back his size. He doesn't dance and makes one quick cut and bursts to the hole. He picks and slides and finds the seam and attacks it with great burst and power and is one of the best I've EVER seen for this style. And even his ability to make guys miss in tight space is better than average for an NFL power back and his vision and instincts are second to none.

He's much more instinctive than Brian Leonard. He also probably has better burst, he has better X-Y agility and is more powerful. The only advantage Leonard has is top end speed which is like icing on a cake. You don't need to light up the track with speed to be a good tailback.

Some interesting comments on the Gerhart article linked above:

Featured Columnist
2010 NFL Draft: It's Time for Toby Gerhart To Get Some Respect
Kevin Roberts

Is Gerhart a 1,000+ yard back at the next level?

*
Definitely
87.5%
*
Depends on the situation
12.5%
*
No way
0.0%
*
If by next level you mean Canada...
0.0%
*
I'm still undecided on him
0.0%
* Total votes: 24


Spencer Tucksen 223763 Nsmb-mushroom-1up_comment posted about 4 hours ago 1267506501 1958424 Spencer

While it isn't a running back league anymore, I think Gerhart could be very nice in the future.

The thing is, he doesn't catch much, and that is what the league is becoming. Backs with 80 catches are some of the best now (Ray Rice) and he will need that versatility. Hopefully his hands improve a bit. I know he didn't have much of a QB, but you know what I am talking about.

"If by the next level you mean Canada..." That was awesome.

Bryan Goldberg 9 Screen_shot_2009-12-07_at_1 posted about 2 hours ago 1267513705 1958736 Bryan

I fully agree.

A few days ago, I kept asking people, "in the event of a strong combine performance, what silly excuse will the pundits come up with next to denounce Gerhart's ability...?"

I'm alright with Spiller going before him, somewhere in the mid 1st-round. Spiller also had a terrific season, and he delivered at the combine.

But if Gerhart falls deep into the 2nd round, or later, it will be nothing short of racism. Plain and simple...

Andrew Jordan 263291 Default-user-icon-comment posted about 1 hour ago 1267514750 1958778 Andrew

Gerhart is the best back in this draft, cj spiller, and jahad whats his name don't EVEN stack up. the blacks that think they are supperior to whites in the physical aspect can suck it.

Eric Grady 142207 Default-user-icon-comment posted 39 minutes ago 1267516770 1958826 Eric

Great article Kevin! I've toyed with the idea of doing an article on this topic myself. Here are some facts to debunk false stereotyping:

Supposedly white men can't jump, yet 8 of 11 in world history to jump 2.4 meters or better in the high jump are white.

The NFL record for even "30 yard" runs in a season was just broken by Chris Johnson 9? followed by DeAngelo Williiams with 8 and Jim Brown with 7. Barry Sanders never had more than 5. It is very rare for a RB to have to run more than 30 yards in a straight line! I saw a link on a site called Draft Daddy that states lateral agility trumps speed on the football field and looking at combine performances of same sized athletes, Caucasians do just as well as African Americans in this regard.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/04/06/lateral-agility-trumps-40-yard-speed-on-football-f

Gerhart has ideal power, start and stop on a dime- and one cut bursting ability for a top Powerback prospect. His 4.53 40 time is close to average for a STARTING tailback in the NFL and was tied for the 8th fastest tailback at this combine. Just compare his film to top Powerbacks Charles Scott, LeGarrette Blount or Anthony Dixon. Gerhart ran faster than all these guys- and even was faster than Johnathan Dwyer- who most have ranked as the #2 or #3 tailback. Even Gerhart's swivel agility to make guys miss in tight space is above average for a Powerback.

Former perennial Pro Bowl backs like Emmitt Smith and Terrell Davis ran a 4.6 40. Knowshon Moreno and Beanie Wells ran about a 4.6 and Shonn Greene ran a 4.65 last year. Then there is Kahil Bell- who got carries last year after he ran a 4.76 40 after getting a combine invite after running for only about 400 yards on 2.8 YPC as a senior. If Gerhart doesn't get a shot there is something seriously wrong here!

I should also mention Peyton Hillis running for 5.4 YPC over his 3 1/2 games as a starter (the league average is 4 YPC) with a 130 yard 5.9 YPC game against the 7th best Jets rush defense got him benched. If you gave Hillis the same amount of carries last season as Chris Johnson, Hillis projected stats would be just as good (slightly less yds., more TDs). It would have been one of the greatest seasons of all time, but this got him moved back to FB. Jacob Hester is another guy who got moved back to FB in the NFL after being a good RB for the FBS championship LSU Tigers. And what about Danny Woodhead...He has the 2nd most career rushing yards for a RB in college football history (Division II), ran a 4.33/4.38 at his Pro Day with amazing agility numbers. Woodhead also had the most rushing yards in a pre-season game in the last 15 years for the Jets. So why did this guy go undrafted and why doesn't he get playing time? I see the same sociological thing that happened to African American QBs happening to white RBs and CBs.

It's simple: there are many fans like a friend of mine, who when the first time he saw Toby Gerhart play while watching the game with me and the guys after Toby was stopped for a 3 yard gain yelled "that's what happens when you give the white guy the ball" (without knowing anything about Gerhart). Top this off with the sociological fact that the first thing people notice about a person is their outward characteristics ie. race, size, gender if they are disabled etc. A person who stands out as different from the rest (according to sociological text book argument) has to do much more to prove they belong. Top this off with certain RBs like Eric Dickerson who stated that tailback is a a black mans "chosen position" And Rivals.com ranking 1 out of the top 100 H.S WRs white in a 75% white country and it is no wonder that the new black QB is the white RB!

We need to see more pieces like this one. Thank you for having the courage to write an intelligent article like this one. As a person old enough to remember when black QBs were kept off the field for their skin color, it is a shame to see the same thing happening to the white RB.

Jay Dee 248316 Dave_casper_comment posted 38 minutes ago 1267516811 1958827 Jay

"Gerhart is not a fullback. He's not a tight end. He's not a short yardage, goal-line, or third down back." You are absolutely right. He's the REAL DEAL!

The fact is, he will probably be asked to play FB or H-back because he's white. Call it what you will, but that's racism plain and simple.

As Spencer said, he MUST improve his pass catching, but his pass blocking is exceptional.

Let's say he goes to Kansas City at #39 in the 2nd round. He is a better back than Jamaal Charles and if given a FAIR, UN-BIAS chance, Toby will beat him out fair and square. But if the Chiefs start him, the racism speak will begin immediately.

Just like the radical blacks say that black QBs & coaches don't get a chance, white RBs & CBs don't either.

Not logical thinking, human beings that just so happen to be black, but the Farakahn blacks that are more interested in punishing whites for something their great, great grandparents may or may not have done.

The fact is that racism goes both ways, but whites aren't allowed to, or are too scared of being called a racist to call it out.

FANTASTIC ARTICLE! You just got a new fan! POTD from me!

Well Done!!!

Eric Grady 142207 Default-user-icon-comment posted 8 minutes ago 1267518655 1958896 Eric

The main issue is media like Yahoo/ Rivals stereotyping ignoring and underrating white tailbacks and hard headed fans who won't accept them and dumb coaches and GMs. For instance the Chargers GM cut Welker because they already had Tim Dwight (a similar player lol) and Nick Saban admitting he almost cut Wes for Marcus Vick in Miami. Just check all the Joe Six Pack comments out on message boards saying "Gerhart is a FB", "he has no moves". The guy has better moves than LeGarrette Blount and Charles Scott and is actually similar to Beanie Wells, but just try telling rowdy fans that. Gerhart is not like Brian Leonard- he has better instincts, vision, better ability to make one quick cut and burst to the seam and better power, but isn't quite as fast.

Joe Martinek broke the NJ H.S career rushing record and runs a 4.5 40, but only Vanderbilt looked at him as a tailback. Rutgers wanted him as a Safety and it took time on the scout team before they realized he was a tailback.

Check out Nile Knapp (4.43- 40) on Youtube- who lead the state of Georgia in H.S rushing this year. He has moves like Barry Sanders- yet got no FBS scholarship. Nile is one of 26 whites to lead their states in rushing in H.S, but I believe only 4 white RBs got FBS scholarships this year. Brandon Bourbon led the U.S in yards per carry (for 2000 yard rushers) 13+ YPC in Missouri and is going to Kansas, Drew Phillips- BYU, Matt Perez- Indiana, Brady Earnhardt (4.35 40) -Army and I think that's it. Channing Fugate ran for 3,000+ yards on 10.8 YPC in Kentucky, but is somehow seen as a FB by Tennessee. I actually think Fugate is a similar back to Gerhart, Beanie Wells, Marion Barber or a taller Michael Turner, but the only "PC" comparison would be Gerhart.

Anyway, sorry for the diatribe Kevin. Just thought I'd share some info to debunk stereotypes on this article. This issue bothers me as much as the old discrimination against black QBs used to. Most of the people to blame for this situation are in fact white though. It's like a self loathing or a white guilt thing. We SHOULD be looking to help blacks in poverty get more academic scholarships, but we should be helping white kids get equal opportunity when it comes to football and basketball scholarships.

I think the last comment should read we SHOULD be looking to help blacks and whites in poverty get more academic scholarships if they can cut it as students- and we SHOULD be helping white kids get equal opportunity when it comes to football and basketball.

Toby handled the press brilliantly, him or someone in his crew has their act together. He took the low hanging fruit of the drunks in the media and shoved it back at them.

ToughJ.Riggins said:

I think the last comment should read we SHOULD be looking to help blacks and whites in poverty get more academic scholarships if they can cut it as students- and we SHOULD be helping white kids get equal opportunity when it comes to football and basketball.

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True. The fact is there are more poor White kids in American then black and Latinos combined, yet the majority of White people assume poverty is a non-white problem and we only have special programs for kids of color to get a free ride in college which is a disgrace. This is why the Caste system bothers me so much. So many deserving Whites with the talent to play at an FBS school that are denied scholarships and if they walk on they have to go through a million hurdles to ever play.

Pretty good Bleacher Report article by an author who--because of Gerhart--has just come around to the fact that white athletes face discrimination.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/357158-toby-gerhart-jordan-shipley-riley-cooper-the-nfls-great-white-hopesEdited by: Fightingtowin

I see that idiot Brett Stephen is nothing more than a DWF.

Yeah I noticed about half the comments are the usual "why bring race into it" when a white player is involved

Also, as this writer mentioned, it will be interesting to see what 40 time Toby puts up on Pro Day. It will surely be faster and will only help his case even more.
Edited by: whiteathlete33