Comparing LT and Moreno

by ChristianL on Sep 18, 2010 12:23 PM MDT

Knowshon-moreno-27-2009-nfl-san-diego-0jyx8u_medium

Comparing any Denver player with a San Diego Charger could seem blasphemous, but a simple question crawled into my head last night: how did LaDainian Tomlinson do his rookie season and how did that compare with Moreno's "slightly disappointing" rookie season?

It's a simple enough question - one that could be answered with little research, but what I found out I was not expecting.

The answer would forever change the way I look at Moreno.

The Numbers:

This is how all of this started. Upon some simple research I discovered that Moreno and Tomlinson's 1st season stats were eerily similar when put into context:

Moreno:

3.8 YPC / .028 TPC (TDs Per Carry)
Yards with 339 Carries: 1288

LDT:

3.6 YPC / .029 TPC
Yards with 339 Carries: 1236

It should be noted that Knowshon had only 247 carries his rookie season - 92 carries less than Tomlinson in his rookie season. Also - Knowshon only started nine games last year. That number is staggering when you figure that he barely missed the 1000 yard mark by a whopping 53 yards.

So what if he didn't have any 100 yard games. The kid played pretty well for a rookie with a shaky offensive line.

The Measurables & Scouting:

Knowshon Moreno:
Height: 5-11 Weight: 210

Scouting: More quick than fast, he brings solid size. Superb at reading the action and finding the openings, he is very elusive and also a strong option in the passing game.

Ladanian Tomlinson:
Height: 5-10 Weight: 215

Scouting: Excellent instincts and vision. Sees cutback lanes and will wait for plays to develop. Great burst when he hits the hole. Plows through arm tackles. Good receiving chops.

I don't think I have to point out much here. Nearly the exact same size and they seemingly excel in the same aspects of their games - reading the hole well and being an option in the passing game.

However, something I haven't covered here: Moreno is significantly slower than LT was in his prime. LT was recorded as running a sub 4.4 40 yard dash while Moreno ran a 4.55 40 yard dash at the combine. There are reports that Moreno should have ran a sub 4.5 40 at the combine but didn't inexplicably. In today's NFL that could single handedly put a damper on Moreno's career.

I don't believe it will, though. While he may not be able to grab the crazy long TD runs like Chris Johnson, Moreno is more than capable of being a great running back. His elusiveness alone should make him a threat on every play to go 30 - 40 yards and most likely will. His ability to find the hole and let plays develop will consistently make him a threat around the goal line. And lastly, his pass catching will keep him versatile and make teams constantly account for him.

Time will really tell for Moreno, but it is way, way too soon to be calling him a bust. Some of us need to curb our expectations as he will probably never have end up with 99 yard TD runs ala CJ2K, but he can and will be an effective weapon in our offense for some time.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

Just had a flash back

To when we used to compare Cutlers stats to all the great QB’s in history to convince our selves he was going to be great.

I think it is a little unfair to compare Moreno to LT. LT was a once in a generation type player. Was.

by Jeeeeens on Sep 18, 2010 3:02 PM MDT reply actions

Newbies

don’t usually call posters dishonest on MHR.

To compare Moreno with LT is disengenous and not at all honest

ChristianL used facts in his post. You have the right to disagree, just not the right to always be right. Tone down your comments or our little community will skip right past them.. as I probably should have.

"A man's life is dyed the color of his imagination."

Marcus Aurelius

by hairybear on Sep 18, 2010 3:52 PM MDT reply actions

Way too early to make any comparison to LT

Just my opinion: But, until Moreno learns to run without slowing down, without over faking, and going sideways, and learns to run with straight ahead conviction he will always just come up short of being a star running back. Don’t get me wrong he is good but in no way comes close to LT. He has this season to prove me wrong and I hope he does.

Based on last week’s game against Jaguars he has not changed and left way too many yards on the field. Until he learns that you can’t make that extra shake & fake in the NFL and will just continue to be average.

oc60

"I'd rather have a lot of talent and a little experience than a lot of experience and a little talent." " Adversity is Your Asset" "Make Greatness Attainable By All" John Wooden

by oc60 on Sep 18, 2010 4:28 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

HAHA

LT came into the league on a garbage team, and faced 9 man fronts.

IMO

by Foilhat on Sep 18, 2010 5:01 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

how is that different from moreno?

How does anyone stay warm without a neckbeard?

by neckbeard's nephew on Sep 18, 2010 8:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Reading comprehension isn't some people strong suits.

Time will really tell for Moreno, but it is way, way too soon to be calling him a bust. Some of us need to curb our expectations as he will probably never have end up with 99 yard TD runs ala CJ2K, but he can and will be an effective weapon in our offense for some time.

I didn’t say he’d be LT great. I said it is way too soon to be saying really anything other than he was a rookie.

Why does Madden suck at ranking the Broncos so much?

by ChristianL on Sep 18, 2010 6:07 PM MDT reply actions

Maybe it's just me but i see as heck wouldn't be judging my RB at this point in the season.

Moreno is still getting into the swing of thing since his injury, and your young o-line has to have time to improve. I wouldn’t worry about judging Moreno until week 6 or so, after your o-line has time to work together and play as one unit, until then it’s just a guessing game.
This response was to the Moreno doubters, not about your post. Hell if i was to pass judgment on M.Cassel after week #1 our season is over:P

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.
The Raiders continue to be the proverbial pile of shit from the sphincter of the football gods.

by CPT.Caveman on Sep 18, 2010 8:50 PM MDT reply actions

Dang it Caveman..why did you have to fall in love with the chiefs?

Out of respect for your fandom I won’t even follow the convention of calling them the chefs. Seriously, you would make a fine Bronco fan…but I know you aren’t t two-timer, so I won’t hold my breath. :)

by idahobronc on Sep 18, 2010 9:06 PM MDT up reply actions

+1million billion

Caveman has unusual objectivity for a visitor from another squad. He makes it hard to hate a Chiefs fan, seriously :)

~Davus.X~
Est. 1967
"Bleeding Orange and Blue for 43 years"

by Davus.X on Sep 18, 2010 9:12 PM MDT up reply actions

Yep CPT. is a good cat!

You, my friend, are proof you dont need to have big floppy feet and a red nose to be a clown!

"I actually watched the World Cup. I HATE baseball. Hockey’s over. Hey, at least we have the WNBA. Oh, man. I’m making a noose. Want one?"

Harv Neptune.

by boydy2669 on Sep 18, 2010 9:24 PM MDT up reply actions

It's to early to make a call on Moreno...

He get’s dinged up it seems, pretty easily. I want a durable back who is healthy for the most part and participate with team activities. At this point he is behind the curve of ‘team’ knowledge and football ready. Find a back who doesn’t fall into the injury game…

by bfree2bronc on Sep 18, 2010 10:20 PM MDT reply actions

I don't know why...

…but I have had the feeling about Moreno that he just doesn’t want it bad enough. The guy has all the tallent and skill needed but not the fire in the belly. Maybe his “NoShow” Moreno holdout forever left a bad taste in my mouth, but he just doesn’t seem like a guy who wants anything more than a payday.

You could always look at TD or Mike Anderson and know that they just wanted to win, they had that competitive “thing” going on.

Hey, what do I know- any body need a toe? I can get you a toe, Dude.

I too dabbled in pacifism once...

by waltersobchakbronco on Sep 18, 2010 10:45 PM MDT reply actions

wanna see

what he has in store in year 2. The oline is 50% of a great running back and he hasn’t had a great one yet.

Personally – sometimes he reminds me of Gerald Wilhite. He is undoubtedly a great athlete, but he tends to leave his feet too often and runs a bit out of control. Hopefully he can harness his athletic talents and prove guys like wyo wrong.

by super7 on Sep 19, 2010 12:28 AM MDT reply actions