The Evolution of Marlon Mack
 

So I saw Marlon Mack a couple times in college. I always thought he was a pretty good breakaway speed back for college. I didn't imagine he would be on the Colts radar though. Mack did a great job running the ball against the Cowboys. He was breaking that first tackle and getting gains. But I was most impressed with his inside running. So I decided to go back and look at what he was like in college and see if there has been some improvement from then to now.


College
Here is a highlight reel of Macks college runs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-tnpYNPKH0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX5voGRRlT0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2wOZodibdc

Looks pretty good. Well, guys always look good in highlights. Mack has that quick twitch so guys don't hit him square and he can cause tacklers to slide off. Also, he has enough speed to pull away from the pack on those long runs.

But one thing I noticed when going back was that Mack was a bit of a bouncer. Meaning he would bounce his runs to the outside so he could use his speed. This is pretty common for those A+ athletes. They are either stronger or faster than everyone else, and for fast running backs bouncing it outside and outrunning everyone is usually the easiest path to success. You can't blame them for it because those are usually the runs they have the most success and they have probably been doing it since peewee ball.

The problem is, once you get to the pros, you can't outrun the defense to the sideline consistently. Defenders are as fast or even faster than you since the best athletes usually play defense. 6'2 230lb linebackers that can run a 4.5, you are not going to get around them and be able to cut upfield. This is usually one of the issues running backs have a problem with when transitioning to the pros. Especially if their game is built around speed and bouncing their runs to the outside.


Rookie Year
Now here are some rookie highlights for Mack. Remember highlights only show his best plays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsiEZSm-TN0

You will see here that Mack is still bouncing his runs outside. Now, I read that Mack had a hurt shoulder so that would cause him to bounce outside even more to protect that shoulder. What the highlights don't show you is all the times Mack tried to bounce the run outside and failed. It was quite a bit.

Notice the runs against the 49'ers and as soon as the hole isn't there (thanks to some atrocious blocking by Jeremy Vujnovich) Mack immediately resorts to bouncing it outside. It's his panic button fall back. It is successful here obviously, but most of the time it was not. And once defenders see this and know what you are going to do. They use the sideline as almost another defender and can cut off your angles.


2018
Mack was hurt earlier in the year, but since coming back has had some good games for the Colts and a couple 'meh' ones as well.

vs Oakland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rfP7_dMTkY

Mack starts to exhibit more patience and takes what the defense gives him. When he does get to the second level he turns it up a notch. Shows good situational awareness by making sure he goes for the first down and not the homerun. Follows his blockers well.

vs Buffalo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciUOqHAKHqM

This was a very good game for Mack, he weaves through the inside blocks on several runs very well. One thing I want to see him do more of, when he does get in a one on one situation with the safety I want to see him win that.

vs Cowboys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY6B7ioMam0

This is where I see Mack getting better. There are some patient runs here like at the 1:00 mark where Mack waits for the blocks to develop then springs for a first down. His inside running game is working well, squeezing between blocks, but now he is breaking that initial contact. 1:10 is a good example of this, so is 1:33. This is what elite backs do, they don't go down after that first contact. They are always getting positive yards, Edgerrin James was a master of this. His best run IMO is at 1:20 where he just blows past Jaylon Smith in a tight space who is unblocked.

For you Nelson fans, look at 1:02 where Nelson runs out to meet Vander Esch and pancakes him.


Patience
Laveon Bell is probably the poster child for patient running right now. Here is a breakdown of Bell's game if you want to see it explained. Oh and BTW, Kollman's channel is definitely worth subscribing to. One of the best football channel breakdowns on youtube and I think the guy has a tremendous knowledge for the game and is excellent at communicating it to the viewer. Big fan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl2NRdJMoK4

Mack is starting to demonstrate more patience. He is certainly demonstrating a lot of trust because he is going full speed and the hole is there when he hits it. But one of the toughest things for a back to develop is patience. The NFL is a high-pressure game and there is a lot of incentive to go go go! So to get a guy to relax sit back and wait for a hole to develop and defenders to over commit, well that almost feels contrary to how you play the game. But if Mack can do this and learn to vary his speed as a consequence, I think he will move into the upper echelon of backs in the league.

Another criticism is that Mack tends to run all out all the time. That is why he gets caught by a lot of shoe string tackles because it is harder to stay balanced when running all out. He is starting to vary up his speed some though, and by doing that he can juke defenders easier but also absorb and shake off that initial contact. If he saves that extra gear for when he gets into the open field he will be stronger by the end of the game. Not all runs require you to run all out, knowing the difference and when to do it is key.


Conclusion
Mack is auditioning right now to be the lead back going forward. The run blocking of this unit is very good and with an elite back it would be a very dangerous compliment to Luck. I don't know if the Colts will look to sign Bell or Hunt in the offseason, but I do bet there are conversations about it. Another option would be to take a back in the upcoming draft. The draft won't be as deep at RB as it was the last two years. But there are a couple guys worth considering. Mack needs to show he can continue to grow his game and become a better back. If he can, he will be the lead back next year and maybe even get that second contract as a running back.

If they do go the draft route, some of the guys to look at are:

Damien Harris - a patient well rounded back who is underused this year IMO. One thing about Harris, notice how he curves his big runs back towards the center of the field. Good backs will go away from the sideline because they know they are more dangerous the more space they have, something Mack needs to work on. One negative, Bama backs always look good because of their excellent oline.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCMtbO-aMgw

Devin Singletary - a smaller jitterbug type back that makes everyone miss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOBVfak4vk8

David Montgomery - I really like Montgomery, does his running style remind you of anyone? Reminds me of Edge, just maybe not as fast. Montgomery also has the opposite of the Bama line. They are just atrocious blockers so keep that in mind when watching him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnpJxA32HXE

EDIT
One more back you guys should watch is Josh Jacobs of Alabama. Kid is oozing potential and has been buried on Bama depth chart. The NC game is Monday. See if he pops up in it.

Mack looked very good against the Cowboys, but prior to that, I was not a believer. But I've been wrong before. I never felt that TY Hilton was an elite WR and was a bit surprised when the Colts ponied up all that money for him. Hines intrigues me, but he's certainly not a feature back. I go back a long way with the Colts, and I see Hines as having similarities to Lenny Moore. Valuable as a receiver and a RB. I'd love to be wrong about Mack, the Colts have other needs that should be addressed, so if Mack and Hines could be the answer; free agency and draft can be used to strengthen the D.

I see a lot of Darren McFadden in Mack's game. Great topline speed, decent vision and patience, but average to below average shiftiness and ability to run through contact. On that last point, Mack looked a lot better last week compared to previous games this year. If he can break more tackles at the 2nd level and reach his top gear, he'll be a really solid back for this offense.

With the stable of RBs the Colts have, I see a mid round pick as a prudent investment at RB, but that's it. Maybe a 3rd or 4th rounder. Is that the range these guys project in?

Also, at least for college guys, you can typically get full games rather than highlights by going to YouTube and typing in "(player name) vs."

We do have a bit of a log jam, and as a unit I think they can do pretty well.

The guys I mentioned are probably 30-90 range. Still a little early in the draft process and need to see how things shake out. One could slip into the first round if he tests well, but I doubt two.

Bryce Love could find himself in the third and he would be a dangerous weapon in this offense.

I'll believe it's an evolution when he plays like this past week consistently.

I think we could see Hines as a WR next year.

I think they will move him around a lot next year

I trade Mack for a backup long snapper

You and evolution don't really go together I hear.

I want to see him in the slot a little more. Kind of like Tyreek Hill.

I didn't even watch Mack in that clip. I watched a dominant O-Line that imposed their will on one of the best run stopping defenses in the NFL.

And when I say dominant, it was to a man...every friggin' one of them deserve kudos!

I just need to see it consistently from Mack. He'll have one game where he picks his running lanes, accelerates through, maintains good contact balance and is generally a dynamic player. Then he'll have 3-4 games in a row where he doesn't pick his lane right, gets tripped up by an ankle tackle, mishandles the ball in some capacity etc.

Anyone saying this performance proves Mack is RB1 next year is crazy. But it's still a very good problem to have if you accomplish absolutely nothing at the RB position in the offseason and still have Mack/Hines/Wilkins.

I can't help but think what Reich would do with a back as versatile as Bell.

The blocking was outstanding in the Cowboys game. Like a dominant college team vs an FCS school.

Yup. I don't think anyone here is saying it proves he is a #1, to be clear I certainly am not.

With the way this line is blocking he just needs to shake that first contact and he should have a big gain. He was good at that in college with a nice stiff arm and an ability to shed tackles with a nice sidestep and shoulder drop. I just wanted to acknowledge that he is showing glimpses of getting better. Will he continue or plateau is up to him. At the least he will be a change of pace speed back that the defense will need to keep an eye on.

Oh SNAP!

That is not a bad comparison. McFadden never really picked up the patience part of being a RB. He only had one gear and thought it was always a track meet. He still had a nice long career but was never a back I would put in that elite category.

Excellent post, Chromeburn. I appreciate the analysis, and pulling in all those highlight reels was pretty helpful to illustrate your points.

As others have said, the thing I want to see from Mack most before I'm fully onboard with him at the #1 next year is consistency. Premier backs don't have nearly the up-and-down fluctuations he's shown over his career as a Colt so far. That said, he seems to be trending up, but having Ryan Kelly back at center is a pretty massive contributor to his success.

I'll agree with you that the biggest difference between his off days and his big days is the level of patience and vision he's able to exhibit waiting for his blocks to develop and picking is moments. I don't think any play typifies the kind of running that best contributes to the offense more than the one here at 1:00 into the video:

https://youtu.be/JY6B7ioMam0?t=60

On this play, the blocking from the line is superb:

• Kelly engages the DT who is never able to shed his block.
• Joe Haeg gets just enough of the other DT who was swimming inside and would otherwise have had a chance to hit Mack in the backfield (we're lucky the zebras didn't call a hold on Haeg for this one).
• Nelson breaks upfield to just annihilate MLB trying to get to the edge.
• Mo Alie-Cox puts an absolutely key block on the rushing OLB which opens up the hole for...
• Castonzo, with Mack in tow, engaging the DE and completely overpowering him, bulldozing him 5 yards upfield and into the broken pile of linebacker Nelson made out of his blocking assignment.

Mack basically saddles up Castonzo and rides him like a draft horse for 5 yards, shifting outside and hitting another gear once he sees daylight. 1st down.

The Cowboys defense expected a run on this play but hedged a little, clearly unsure which direction the run would go, and every single Colt beat their 1-on-1 battle to free Mack for the run.

Where Mack impressed me was with his willingness to let the play develop in front on him and recognize his moment to finish with his legs.

Plays like this are the bread and butter of the Colts run game, but they require discipline and commitment from the entire line, as well as the RB, to be successful.

That's not true, God created it. He gave the Earth a slight nudge and over time biology corrects itself. What else does that?

Mack played with a bum shoulder his rookie year. It had to hurt like a mother ever time he took a shot.

Now, he will lower his pads, he doesn't favor either side, the hits the hole and then gives it the gas. He's so much better this year.

And it's part him, part having Luck at QB, having a damn fine O line, and a D that has allowed the O to play from even or up front the last six games.

Its not one thing, a lot of little things add up.

As a recent example of where his vision suffers, though:

https://twitter.com/BrandonThornNFL/...52076618039296

Wow, you can't ask for a better example than that. If he'd cut left instead of right, that could have gone for 15.

This is an example of where coaching matters. I believe that Rathman is coaching these guys up.

All the backs have been better at finding the seam and just going. The rookie from Miss may not have any wiggle, but he hits the hole and gets + yardage.

I'm not so sure about that. Sure looked like both holes collapses quickly.

They did, but if he'd zigged instead of zagged, he would have avoided the DB coming into the hole on the right.

Of course I think there were still some defenders downfield that weren't on camera, he might have spotted a safety coming up and just made a quick decision. Hard to say without the all 22 film.

Where? If he cuts left on that run, the safety pops off the block of the guard and he gains 4 yards less.

Player development is where coaching matters, exactly.

I see what you are saying. I saw a gif with some blocks down the field he could have followed. Trying to find it. It would have a much longer run and would have been more heading towards the sideline than upfield. Instead he cuts straight upfield past the closest blocker for four more yards. It was the safer bet to get good positive yards. Also I wonder if he is being coached to just get the positive yards run even if it is a short run. Reich and this offense want those 3rd and short down in their drives.

This one I think I am ok with because he is reading his blocks. The path to the left is getting cut off and Vander Esch is hidden by the double team.

What I do like about Mack. he makes a decision and goes. Yes, he will make mistakes. He has a millisecond to make a decision. But he doesn't hesitate like last year. He commits to his decision and gets + yardage.

There are some backs who just have "it". The ability to see the play unfold as if it were in slow motion. Mack is getting better at it. Here's what he does do, he make more + plays than - plays. He will put his nose down and get a yard.

He's not Edge. He's not Zeke. But he can run and catch, and he's not afraid to put his nose into the pile. IF Wilkins can show the growth next year as Mack has, how much fun will that be??? 1A and 2A. Hines could wind up a WR if they find a rookie RB who likes to hammer it between the tackles.

o


vs. TEXANS, 1/05 )) (Wildcard Playoff Game)


Mack had one of his best games ever in his young NFL career ........


24 Rushes

148 Yards

6.2 Yards-Per-Carry

1 Touchdown.

o

And pretty much sealed the win. Most overrated Colt ever, right Puck? :D

Think how many yards he’d have if he didn’t go down at the line everyone someone touches him.

I really liked Mack's elusiveness today, he made guys miss inside, and in the open field. Heck of a day.

How many times did he get ten yards after first contact today? Three?

He has changed that in the second half of this year. He has made some tough runs.

Give me Bell any day

Stop Cosplaying as Dam. Mack has improved admit it, man, there was a time you were right, but he got better. You should be happy.

Oh so give you one of the best players in the league? Duh. Doesn't change that Mack has really played well.