A very early RB prediction

[CaliCuse]

I believe that AAM will be the big surprise RB contributor this coming season.nHe will take over the power need. I think he is a bit faster than Jerome and is fighting for a paycheck after his college career is done. Morris and DMF will provide the other side of the running game with speed being the deal there. As far as PTG ? Who knows if he can stay on the field long enough to make the pros interested in him?Whether Erv gets snaps as a RB is debatable.

 

[Trueblue25]

Morris all day everyday

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Bold prediction, Cali.

One thing I do like - I think McDonald is more of a "spread the ball around the backs" guy than a "pound it using the same player over and over guy." We have a range of talents and I think we'll see them used appropriately. Plus, it gives a defense more to think about.

 

[Frozen]

Whether Erv gets snaps as a RB is debatable.

Since, in this scenario, he'd be the fifth-string RB, he'd be an obvious redshirter.

 

[Trueblue25]

Line Chris Slayton up in the back field and tell him to kill.

 

[dinosaurbbq]

Bold prediction, Cali.

One thing I do like - I think McDonald is more of a "spread the ball around the backs" guy than a "pound it using the same player over and over guy." We have a range of talents and I think we'll see them used appropriately. Plus, it gives a defense more to think about.

The downside of that is that it is very difficult to recruit a stud RB, because they know at many places they will get the bulk of the touches. There is a well-defined path to success for recruiting great backs. It is to feature a great back that rushes for tons of yards (certainly over 1000), garners all-conference or all-American attention, and gets drafted. With this draft demonstrating clearly that RB are being de-emphasized in the pass-heavy NFL, the draft results are taking a step back in this equation. SU's streak of 1,000 yard backs has been broken. If we spread the ball around to several different backs, we decrease the likelihood that any of them stand out and in my view, that any well regarded backs come to SU to play.

The other thing you do by spreading the ball around is that you involve more sets of hands beyond your best back or 2, which dilutes chances to take one to the house and you increase the chance of fumbles, missed blocking assignments and QB's getting killed, etc. Talent should see the field unless the most talented back needs a breather. George Morris is ready to dominate. In my opinion the best case scenario for recruiting a well-regarded RB this year or next is that GMII explodes and goes for 2,500 yards the next 2 years. Show that a talented back will get bulk of the touches here. Given the D something to fear rather than something to think about.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The downside of that is that it is very difficult to recruit a stud RB, because they know at many places they will get the bulk of the touches. There is a well-defined path to success for recruiting great backs. It is to feature a great back that rushes for tons of yards (certainly over 1000), garners all-conference or all-American attention, and gets drafted. With this draft demonstrating clearly that RB are being de-emphasized in the pass-heavy NFL, the draft results are taking a step back in this equation. SU's streak of 1,000 yard backs has been broken. If we spread the ball around to several different backs, we decrease the likelihood that any of them stand out and in my view, that any well regarded backs come to SU to play.

The other thing you do by spreading the ball around is that you involve more sets of hands beyond your best back or 2, which dilutes chances to take one to the house and you increase the chance of fumbles, missed blocking assignments and QB's getting killed, etc. Talent should see the field unless the most talented back needs a breather. George Morris is ready to dominate. In my opinion the best case scenario for recruiting a well-regarded RB this year or next is that GMII explodes and goes for 2,500 yards the next 2 years. Show that a talented back will get bulk of the touches here. Given the D something to fear rather than something to think about.

I disagree with your assumptions. I will elaborate more later.

 

[Symphony Steve]

dinosaurbbq wrote:

"There is a well-defined path to success for recruiting great backs. It is to feature a great back that rushes for tons of yards (certainly over 1000), garners all-conference or all-American attention, and gets drafted."

That has changed in the last couple of years with so many NFL teams going to RB by committee. With the short career shelf life for the lead bellcow RB's, they're more amenable to drafting guys with more tread left on their tires. And drafting players who don't project as every down backs. The new model could be, "Show us that you have certain skills to fit into a rotation, and we'll draft you."

 

[anomander]

I disagree. AAM will be the 4th string back. The 4th stringer just doesn't get that many carries, especially with these pass happy offenses. Plus it's obvious McDonald's offense has moved away from the power back, so it's not really a need. AAM just isn't the all purpose type of back that PTG, Morris, and McFarland are. That's not saying he won't get carries if there are injuries, but until then I wouldn't count on more then a couple carries per game.

 

[rrlbees]

Still wish we had Smith. Our leading rusher the last 2 seasons.

 

[CaliCuse]

Morris all day everyday

Maybe and it would be great for team if he emerges as that kind of player so win-win.

 

[Trueblue25]

Maybe and it would be great for team if he emerges as that kind of player so win-win.

Personally I'm a fan of McFarlane but Morris seems like the real deal every down back. Fortunately, at SU, we're spoiled with 4 backs that can contribute in different ways..including AAM and PTG as well.

 

[CaliCuse]

Personally I'm a fan of McFarlane but Morris seems like the real deal every down back. Fortunately, at SU, we're spoiled with 4 backs that can contribute in different ways..including AAM and PTG as well.

I'm sticking with my AAM spotlight. It appears that his contribution will be a bigger surprise than expected to many here. I would love to see a speed guy like Morris break the LOS and bolt to the end-zone untouched. For both Morris and DMF to be consistent this fall they both need to come in with added muscle mass to about 210lbs for each of them i the weight number. If PTG can stay on the field and not run parallel to the LOS he might contribute.. I hate when he takes the handoff and skitters sideways before being thrown for a loss because he can't turn the corner, Gully doesn't have the speed he thinks he does when doing that. He can't get outside and squared up to the goal line.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

1. The downside of that is that it is very difficult to recruit a stud RB, because they know at many places they will get the bulk of the touches. There is a well-defined path to success for recruiting great backs. It is to feature a great back that rushes for tons of yards (certainly over 1000), garners all-conference or all-American attention, and gets drafted. With this draft demonstrating clearly that RB are being de-emphasized in the pass-heavy NFL, the draft results are taking a step back in this equation. SU's streak of 1,000 yard backs has been broken. If we spread the ball around to several different backs, we decrease the likelihood that any of them stand out and in my view, that any well regarded backs come to SU to play.

2.The other thing you do by spreading the ball around is that you involve more sets of hands beyond your best back or 2, which dilutes chances to take one to the house and you increase the chance of fumbles, missed blocking assignments and QB's getting killed, etc.

3. Talent should see the field unless the most talented back needs a breather.

I numbered some stuff in your post.

1. Like Symphony said, running backs have a short shelf life, and I think the NFL's preference is to use them a bit more interchangeably. They're hesitant to draft RBs with high draft selections, and proven running backs don't fair particularly well in free agency. The NFL has shown that if you're good, they'll find you. I don't have any concern about our ability to recruit running backs.

2. I'm not sure your second point is true.

3. Some players are suited to different situations. Other teams capitalize on that. We're in position to do the same. We have so far to go to be a good offense that we'll need contributions from all kinds of guys in all kinds of situations. McFarlane, Morris, PTG and AAM can all bring something. Let's use it all.

FWIW, I think both McFarlane and Morris will prove to be better running backs than we've had in a long time.

 

[CU44SE]

Again, its clear to me that Jerome was forced out the door because he would get less playing time this year and his best option was to go to the NFL. Jerome initially said he was coming back. He couldn't catch the ball and was purely a runner, the offense was handicapped when he was in the game (I dont mean that disrespectfully, but when he was in we were going to run the ball). Its clear McDonald wants the RB to be multidimensional in the run and pass game. Therefore, I dont believe their is much of a role for AAM besides possible short yardage and goal line. Again, just my opinion but I think its pretty clear what these coaches want from the RBs.

 

[bnoro]

I'm sticking with my AAM spotlight. It appears that his contribution will be a bigger surprise than expected to many here. I would love to see a speed guy like Morris break the LOS and bolt to the end-zone untouched. For both Morris and DMF to be consistent this fall they both need to come in with added muscle mass to about 210lbs for each of them i the weight number. If PTG can stay on the field and not run parallel to the LOS he might contribute.. I hate when he takes the handoff and skitters sideways before being thrown for a loss because he can't turn the corner, Gully doesn't have the speed he thinks he does when doing that. He can't get outside and squared up to the goal line.

No, they don't need to add that much mass if you want them to have breakaway speed.

 

[CaliCuse]

No, they don't need to add that much mass if you want them to have breakaway speed.

Of course not,I know that and so do the coaches.We don't need or want any RBs who waddle out of the huddle They can't be too thin or the first hit takes them off the field. All RBs require a certain amount of power in their game.regardless of their major ability,if its speed.Staying upright and running isn't just a balancing act.

 

[CaliCuse]

Again, its clear to me that Jerome was forced out the door because he would get less playing time this year and his best option was to go to the NFL. Jerome initially said he was coming back. He couldn't catch the ball and was purely a runner, the offense was handicapped when he was in the game (I dont mean that disrespectfully, but when he was in we were going to run the ball). Its clear McDonald wants the RB to be multidimensional in the run and pass game. Therefore, I dont believe their is much of a role for AAM besides possible short yardage and goal line. Again, just my opinion but I think its pretty clear what these coaches want from the RBs.

You might be on the mark about GM's multidementioal requirements at RB and that Jerome didn't fit that ability but there are a few WRs or H Backs that can't qualify as receivers since they can't catch a ball while running a route .The need to be standing still disqualifies any player from being called any kind of receiver even the effn tight end position that is so woefully played now.Broyld needs to up this ability to get into the next level or contribute at this level NOW!

 

[bnoro]

You might be on the mark about GM's multidementioal requirements at RB and that Jerome didn't fit that ability but there are a few WRs or H Backs that can't qualify as receivers since they can't catch a ball while running a route .The need to be standing still disqualifies any player from being called any kind of receiver even the effn tight end position that is so woefully played now.Broyld needs to up this ability to get into the next level or contribute at this level NOW!

Are you kidding me? You bash Broyld more than anyone here combined for no reason whatsoever.

This is a post about running backs and you still have time to take a shot at Ashton