I was not implying that Carey was a better runner, just that he was running good and picking up good yards before he got injured. 4.3 is still a very good average. Ronnie Brown averaged 4.7 in 2003, and Cadillac 4.9 in 2004, and both were considered top level backs and 1st round draft picks. My point was only that 4.3 is still a very respectable average. It's more than Dominick Davis had with the Texans last year (3.9) and he just signed a nice new contract. Of course if I were Saban, as hot as JV was in 03, I'd-a stuck with him too. (And if I were Haslett, I'd-a benched Brooks LONG ago, but that's beside the point)
I've always been a Carey fan and thought he was playing well before he got hurt especially the Jawja game. I posted the stats NOT to show that Shy didn't produce as much as the others but to confirm the 4.3 average. I'm sure he would have gotten better with more caries and 4.3 ain't all that bad.
IMO the fact is that while Carey was a good back for us in 2003 he was not in the same class as JV and was not as good as Addai, so when he came back, which was much later than anticipated as he was expected to return before Addai but had problems with his rehab, he ended up backing up 3 superior guys. Going into last season he was 4th on the depth chart for a good reason, the 3 guys ahead of him were better in the minds of the coaches and having a regular 4 back rotation is next to impossible. Having to sit out the first 2 games I am sure did not bode well for his playing time last season either, pushing him further out of the mix. This season he admittedly came in with a better atttitude, in better condition and with a committment to get better and force them to use him because of his good play and he may have gotten more touches even if AB wasn't hurt. It was a darn good thing to because now he may end up getting a hundred or so carries this year. He may also end up returning punts, I'm surprised I have not seen or heard Miles mention anything about the return guys yet, They may want to keep Skyler from getting injured.