Marquee Rookie HB Irons Itching to play

[Mike]

Honolulu (AP) - His manner is shy and respectful...except for the eyes. HB Kenny Irons, touted as the next one, is quiet and respectful of HB Cates, but he can't hide his becoming tense at the thought of playing.

Two seasons ago, Cates had over 1200 yards rushing, over 2000 all-purpose yards, in an 8-6 season. Cates supporters were upset that they didn't get to see their man play in the playoffs, being edged by MIN. Cates carried the ball, all right, and was the hero of the 2017 season.

After less than 900 yards last season, people thought Cates was getting tackled by Father Time. That it was time to move on. That was probably in the back or front or some sort of area in HON GM Kevin Fillman's mind when he seized the opportunity and drafted the Irons Man. Irons had the best combined seasons rushing in the preseasons.

Cates detractors gained some steam when they noted that Cates had all those yards but few points. That is perhaps their best point. Cates touched the ball 393 times that 2017 season. While he may be the best workhorse this league has seen, only 8 TDs in 393 touches is a touchdown every 49 plays. That is insufficient when those touches represent 40% of Honolulu's plays for that season!

Irons, though, might have to wait. Cates is on pace for just under 1400 yards. More importantly, the Big Papa has 4 TDs already. That's a TD every 30 touches. With the rise of others like WR Windsor, Big Papa doesn't have to be the man anymore, and his touches are now 36% of plays.

Irons, though, while showing respect for the #3 all-time HB (and perhaps would have been #1 on a good team), is putting out some argument against Cates. Whenever he mentions Cates, he also praises the new revamped O-Line. It's just this savvy youngster's way of saying 'Gee the star isn't shining THAT brightly'.

Irons can only look on to WR Hass taking up the rookie awards this year...or maybe a trade is in the making? Irons just smiles and walks away whenever that issue is brought up...

[Connecticut]

Irons would be starting for the Coyotes, thats for sure!

Rob
:)

[KevinGMHON]

irons can develop and i dont have to rush him out as cates is doing pretty good right now

[Green Bay Bombers]

HON GM Kevin offered to trade RB Wesley Cates to the GBBs in the preseason before TC was run. GM Jimmy Hanlon rejected the deal. Kevin was asking for a DB Hanlon considered indispensable. When queried as to why the trade failed, Hanlon deferred to GBB Player Personnel Director Rashaan Dumas. Dumas was quoted as saying "Cates is done... too old and taken WAY too much of a pounding to be considered as a front line player for the Green Bay Bombers this season." Wary of the constant bickering as to Cates value for his entire career, GM Hanlon nipped it in the bud. Asked about this decision last week, Hanlon chose to take the high road: "... obviously, we erred in our assessment of Cates. While we open ourselves to debate as to whether this player could contribute in our system, he has proven he still has game in the Hurricanes system." That is why Hanlon voted for Cates to continue to shoulder the load in the Honolulu rushing attack this season. If he gets hurt, Irons is a viable sub.

[Mike]

Gentlemen,

Over 5 games, HON is #2 in rushing first downs.
Over 14 games last season, HON was #13 in rushing first downs.

I can't attribute that to Cates waking up. I say the O-Line has improved tremendously.

Also, HON is #1 in first downs offence, #1 in first downs given up. Last year they were #7 & #5 respectively. It also looks like other aspects of offence and defence have increased.

Assuming that continues, the only thing stopping the Hurricanes is their #15 scoring offence. (16 last year with Cates running).