Glen Coffee Height/Weight Comparison

by 49ers Rule on Jul 28, 2009 8:01 AM PDT

I keep hearing that Coffee is considered to be too tall, thin & lanky to be a premier running back in the NFL. I'm as big a Frank Gore fan as any (I have his jersey & autographed rookie card), but I think the intention is for Coffee to ultimately play a much larger role in this offense than just a Gore handcuff.

Quoted from rotoworld.com:

Coffee, listed at 198 at Alabama, weighed in at 209 at February's Scouting Combine. The Niners consider him a "downhill" back, but it's hard to imagine Coffee threatening Frank Gore's goal-line carries. Coffee is lanky with skinny legs. He looks more like a handcuff for Gore.

Taking height/weight numbers from nfl.com, it seems like the ideal size is about 6'0" 220 lb. I'm just trying to open up some discussion about Coffee's future with the 49ers and shed some light on what ideal size is at the running back position.

Numbers after the jump...

NFL.com has Coffee listed at 6'0" 209 lb.

Here are the top 10 running backs in total rushing yards from 2008.

Adrian Peterson 1760 yd 6'1" 217 lb

Michael Turner 1699 yd 5'10" 256 lb

DeAngelo Williams 1515 yd 5'9" 217 lb

Clinton Portis 1487 yd 5'11" 221 lb

Thomas Jones 1312 yd 5'10" 212 lb

Steve Slaton 1282 yd 5'9" 215 lb

Matt Forte 1238 yd 6'2" 216 lb

Chris Johnson 1228 yd 5'11" 200 lb

Ryan Grant 1203 yd 6'1" 222 lb

Ladainian Tomlinson 1110 yd 5'10" 221 lb

Average for top ten running backs 5'11" 219.7 lb

Also, note the presence of 3 rookies on the list. Slaton was a 3rd round pick (89th overall), Forte was a 2nd round pick (44th overall), and Johnson was a 1st round pick (24th overall).

The only other rookie back of note here would be #17 Kevin Smith 976 yards 6'1" 217 lb. And by the way he was a 3rd round pick (64 overall).

The main point I'm trying to make is: Don't get down on Coffee because people say he's too lanky for the position. If his draft position, height & weight, and the promise to add 10 lbs are any indication, he should have a fairly bright future.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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I seem to remember...

… reading after the draft that Coffee would like to move closer to 220. My memory could be wrong, though.

by sfgfan on Jul 28, 2009 10:18 AM PDT reply actions

Yes, here's a link.

It was Barrows that reported on this:

49ers Blog and Q&A: Niners draft weekend: mission accomplished

The other players also fit nicely into that tough-minded mold. Running back Glen Coffee was described over and over as a downhill runner. When GM Scot McCloughan watched him on tape, he thought he was looking at a much bigger man. Coffee weighs about 210 pounds. In a few years, McCloughan said, Coffee will be up around 220.

by 49ers Rule on Jul 28, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

chargers LT

i remember when AD (viks) was talking about going up to 225 or something like that on espn. LT said that his best year was at 210.

so i know weight plays a roll but clinton portis also said he was dropping weight because he watched his tapes from last year and said that he lost his break away speed, so he was going to go back to his weight from 2 years ago in hopes to get away from the pack unlike last year where he kept getting chased down.

by whitemike1644 on Jul 28, 2009 10:44 AM PDT reply actions

So is Coffee a large goal line/short-yardage type back?

Or is he just a large back in general?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 28, 2009 12:13 PM PDT reply actions

I don't really think...

… he’s a “large” back from a physical standpoint. The thought (or the propaganda being pushed from the powers that be) is that he runs like he’s a lot bigger than he is.

by sfgfan on Jul 28, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Alright.

Makes sense, because based on his size alone he looks like your average-sized NFL back…

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 28, 2009 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Average-sized

To me, he seems like he could potentially be a poor-man’s Frank Gore. A little less speed and vision, but a little more power. He also comes complete with the potential fumbling issues!

by sfgfan on Jul 28, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

The thing about Coffee is..

that he runs too tall… not that he’s actually too tall to play RB.

http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com

by supraman on Jul 28, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Rathman

wants to coach his RB unit to be the toughest on the team, and I’m positive the first thing he’ll address with Coffee is how to stay healthy, while running people over.

With the proper coaching, his running won’t be as critical.

I’m not even going to relate that Adrian Peterson’s big knock was upright running style when he was drafted. AP could run flat footed and he’d still be a great back.

Hopefully Rathman can teach Coffee how to keep his shoulders low.

by Andrew Davidson on Jul 28, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Brandon Jacobs 6’4" 264 lb, Steven Jackson 6’2" 231, Lendale White 6’1" 235 lb are large backs. Coffee (until he puts on a little weight) is a little on the slim side. Tack on 8-10 lbs, and he’s the perfect size for an elite NFL back.

Downhill runner directly translates to “likes to run people over instead of juking.” See – Brandon Jacobs, Jonathan Stewart, Marion Barber.

Check out all the video of Coffee talking about his ripped up jersey & liking to lower his shoulder & hit people. =)

by 49ers Rule on Jul 28, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Brandon Jacobs is too small

We need 7’ tall running backs like I make in NCAA. How are you going to take a 7’ tall guy?

Go 49ers

by iaalexeeff on Jul 28, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

ask his knees

by Andrew Davidson on Jul 28, 2009 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Especially...

… a few years down the line.

by sfgfan on Jul 28, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions

/agree.

There’s a reason that 7’ tall running backs don’t exist, while 5’9" backs flourish: leverage.

My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.

by shlecko on Jul 28, 2009 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions

There's nothing like responding thoughtfully to sarcasm

You always look smarter

If I gotta play, I'm gonna play 'till I win,
Since I gotta be here, I can´t wait to begin

by albertoleecho on Jul 28, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Because taking a sarcastic comment with a logical point...

and reinforcing the logic behind it is always considered a sign of stupidity…?

My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.

by shlecko on Jul 28, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions

hahah

…played..

by 2ninersonecup on Jul 28, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Notice the absence of one Frank Gore

I think Coffee can take the running game to the next level.

As good as Gore is, he’s not enough to have an elite rushing attack in the NFL. By adding Coffee, who can run far, the niners could finally have that again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kZWmeaRmL4

If I gotta play, I'm gonna play 'till I win,
Since I gotta be here, I can´t wait to begin

by albertoleecho on Jul 28, 2009 3:18 PM PDT reply actions

That run goes for 12 yards in the NFL.

I’m not too hopeful about Coffee, to be honest. I’ve mentioned before that two-back offenses really only do well when they have runners with different styles of running: Thunder/Lightning, Slash/Smash, etc. Coffee is basically a younger Michael Robinson, so I don’t see why people think he’s going to be Chris Johnson to our LenDale White or Jonathan Stewart to our Deangelo Williams.

My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.

by shlecko on Jul 28, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions