Agreed about his possibly needing time to develop, but things going in his/our favor are:
1) His 3.75 grade point average. I look for hiom to pick up the offense and find his role quickly as allowed to. If his preseason snaps show promise he could move up the charts rapidly through the season. He might have to if Akers loses time again.
1a.) True, most positions take +/- three years to develop - except running backs and wideouts. The average career for a RB used to be 4 years; Emmitt Smith was a pariah. Don't know what it is now. To my eyes #1 or #2 running backs contribute in their first year, see more situationally or start in their second. That's where I'd slot Evans although i think he might surprise us and start by mid-late season.
2) Strength and conditioning - I'm still a bit muddled by the 200 vs.209 vs. 215 weights in the scouting reports; can't attach dates to them and he did bounce around betweeen colleges so those reports could have come at any time or - or - one writer was scabbing off another writer's older material. It happens. His injuries don't seem to fit the wrecked knee time bomb that Gurley brought into the league with him. (And I disagree vehemently with one writer's snide comment elsewhere that McVay ruined Gurley and he hopes McVay learned his lesson... Gurley was damaged goods and his knee was a time bomb coming in and McVay had him on a pitch count when the fuse on the time bomb got short.)
3) Evans appears to think for himself without being a Narcissus, and to have a strong belief system that extends beyond himself. I think he'll take quickly to good coaching and mentoring. I want to see how hard he works - I want to see if he'll arrive early, stay late, compete full-out, take extra reps if he can get them and make the most of what he has, stays attentive, does extra sets in the weight room.
In short Coy BAcon I see clearly where you're coming frombut don't share your apprehension. One of us is going to be wrong and I'm sure the other won't be there to say I told you so. We're good.
And Ramstein,while McVay wants to hold developing players back unti;l they're extra-ready, he's given his draftee running backs (Henderson?) quite a few snaps in their rookie years. I look forward to seeing how much of what Evans brings will translate into the men's league.
