Reviewing Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West

West, built in the same mold as one Jamaal Charles, is a smaller, shiftier back. His quickness is exceptional, and displays good vision and patience to set up a running lane. Unlike last year’s back up Knile Davis, West does not always look for the home run, and if only four yards available to him, he will take what he’s given, rather than push for the big 20 yard gain,

Moreover, West is excellent catching the ball out of the backfield and in open space. Andy Reid’s offense has always incorporated a well rounded, pass catching back. Jamaal Charles is perhaps the best all purpose back in pro football, and is simply lightning when he can get the ball. West, similarly, can be a threat whenever he gets the ball and is a good fit for the Andy Reid west coast offense.

Ware, on the other hand, is more a stockier back. He is excellent after contact, finishes runs wonderfully, grinding out the extra few yards, and is perfect in short yardage situations. However, he also displays some shiftiness that is unexpected from a back of his stockier nature. He has the ability to make men miss in open space, and while he is not as good at catching the ball out of the backfield as the proficient West is, he does offer excellent blitz recognition and pass blocking skills.

West was the first back up to put his name forward after Charles’ injury. However, West himself missed the Chiefs’ Week 12 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Ware then stepped up to the plate, rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown, and looking every bit as good as West. In the games since then, the two have split carries. However, Ware, from the eyeball test, looks like the more effective back. But do the stats back that up?

This year, West has rushed for 634 yards on 160 carries. That gives him a yards per carry of 4.0 yards and has ran the ball into the end zone four times. Ware, on the other hand, has only had 72 carries. But with these carries has produced 403 yards at 5.6 yards per carry. He also has found the end zone six times, and is excellent in short goal-to-go scenarios.

While those stats look impressive, and are impressive, it certainly tips the hat towards Ware. However, the receiving numbers tell a very different story. West has been a menace out of the backfield, hauling in 20 receptions for 214 yards and a touchdown. That is top quality production. Ware has not quite matched him here, catching only 6 passes for 5 yards and not finding his way into the endzone.

However, Ware’s game is not about causing damage in the passing game. He is a hard running, North-South type of running back who actually possesses some real wiggle in open space. He is not a Danny Woodhead type back who poses problems in the passing game, so his receiving stats are slightly skewed.

Next: Wrapping up...