A ’Missing Csonka’ Released

[Don Wassall]

The Bears released Marc Edwards, their starting fullback. Few fans will notice, as Edwards was beefed up intoone of those white blocking backs who almost never touch the ball and are sneered at when they do.


I can remember watching Edwards when he played for Notre Dame. He was a fullback then too, but ran the ball a fair amount. He ended up with 1,591 rushing yards and a very impressive 27 rushing touchdowns at ND. He was a bull, very strong and also quick and elusive for his size. He knew how to run and get to the endzone, as he gained over 6,000 rushing yards in high school and scored 73 times.


But you can see the typical backward progression. A rushing superstar in high school, turned into a college fullback but still a very successful runner when given the opportunity, then is drafted bythe 49ersin the second round and turned into a backfieldoffensive lineman. In 9 NFL seasons Edwards rushed for a total of just 405 yards.


It's not quite as tragic as the misuse of Rob Konrad, but Marc Edwards could have been a very good power back in the NFL, yet another of this era's "missing Csonkas."

 

[voice]

Don,

I commented on your thoughts on another thread. Most top backs in the NFL aren't burners. Does anyone think Corey Dillon runs faster than a 4.7 today? No way. Even if he is 4.6 that is still nothing special by what NFL scouts think as fast.

Dillon is very good at following his blockers and then powering through LB's , CB and Safeties.

I follow the Vikings and Mewelde Moore is a good running back. He follows his blocks and then has good field vision. He is also good at bouncing off tackles. The knock on him is he ran a 4.65 at the combine and lasted till 4th round. He is a lucky man that he can overcome this "handicap" because he is black.

It is a Caste system that whites don't get recruited to play in College. Period.

 

[whiteCB]

Thank you voice I know quite a lot of white football players ot be screwed over by the caste system. Though about Marc Edwards he was Mr.Ohio back in the day meaning he was voted the best football player in the state and ran the ball extremly well in h.s.

 

[Bear-Arms]

Delete this post.

Edited by: Bear-Arms

 

[Bear-Arms]

Bryan Johnson(white) will be the starting FB, and I guess they had to release either Edwards or McKie. However, Edwards had led the team in TD catches prior to his release, so why release him? Edited by: Bear-Arms

 

[castefootballer]

Marc Edwards {Norwood HS}played against my Highschool in Ohio{Goshen
HS} and held the record at one time for most points scored ever in a OHSAA game
....I believe it was 68 to 67 in triple over time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Edited by: castefootballer

 

[Don Wassall]

Bryan Johnson(white) will be the starting FB, and I guess they had to release either Edwards or McKie. However, Edwards had led the team in TD catches prior to his release, so why release him?

Because being used as a human battering ram for nine years had taken its toll. The better question is, how did he last so long? Not many blocking fullbacks have long careers.

 

[Realistic]

voice commented "Most top backs in the NFL aren't burners."



I'd agree. I was watching Edgerrin James and he doesn't look that
fast. It seemed like every game on Sunday afternoon had a chunky
(or altogether fat) black running back with the exception of Warrick
Dunn. And what about Jerome Bettis at 5-11 and 255? No way
he runs better than a 5.0 in the 40. How fast is Duce Staley at
5-11 and 242?

They're good at following their blockers and they run with a forward
body lean so they can get positive yards after contact but I can't
believe they are that fast.