Our Feature Running Back Heading Into '15

[Trueblue25]

Who do you want to have the ball?
Morris
McFarlane
Phillips
Strickland
Feature all 4

Personally I think DM is the most talented/proven of the group. I think Phillips is hot on his tail but needs to put on some size. I think George will be fighting the young buck Strickland for scraps. I'm very excited to see what Dontae can do, he's putting up some monster HS stats and has great film. Wonder what will happen with Perkins and Fredericks as well.

 

[Full_Rebar]

Two years ago I was told Morris had the most talent of any RB on the roster at that time. Not sure what's happened, but maybe the light goes on before next fall. I like Phillips, but I'm not sold on him being a feature RB. I think his best role would be one like Sproles where he's handling the ball in a variety of ways.

 

[phil77]

Morris and Phillips share the load as the feature back. McFarlane take on the roll as Junior PTG (3rd down back and returning kicks).

 

[texascpa]

I've always liked GMIII, but I think Philips is the future and is the most electrifying. He needs to get the bulk of the carries.

 

[ssbriefcase]

Feature rb, that's hilarious. The only way that happens is if Smith's gone..

 

[Finwad32]

Give me DMC, and alot of him on 1st and 2nd. I'll take Phillips on 3rd and GMII when DMC needs a rest. Strickland, until proving otherwise, can fill in wherever necessary.

 

[Millhouse]

philips just doesn't look like a RB to me. tallish (as rbs go), light, and not exactly a burner

i'd rather see more of the other guys.

mcfarlane was good against Wake and got 12 carries the rest of the year. philips got 20. i'm not that sold on anyone, i think mcfarlane and morris were overhyped but so is philips imo

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think all four can be good. Not sure what happened to Morris. I've always liked Run DMC. Staff seems most invested in Phillips. Strickland is hopefully legit.

Good news is, good running backs come out of the woodwork all the time, and it's a position true freshmen can often handle well. We have some raw materials here. I still think in terms of raw talent the Morris/DMC combo is better than the Smith/PTG combo.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I think all four can be good. Not sure what happened to Morris. I've always liked Run DMC. Staff seems most invested in Phillips. Strickland is hopefully legit.

Good news is, good running backs come out of the woodwork all the time, and it's a position true freshmen can often handle well. We have some raw materials here. I still think in terms of raw talent the Morris/DMC combo is better than the Smith/PTG combo.

Raw talent is great, but give me on field concrete performance.

I don't follow recruiting, had no idea they were both JR's, but I've seen nothing from either Morris or DMC that makes me think they can contribute anything.

 

[Cuseman78]

tallish (as rbs go), light, and not exactly a burner

Other than the fact that Phillips is our shortest and quickest returning RB, spot on.

 

[Cuseman78]

tallish (as rbs go), light, and not exactly a burner

Other than the fact that Phillips is our shortest and quickest returning RB, spot on.

 

[Millhouse]

Other than the fact that Phillips is our shortest and quickest returning RB, spot on.

most 178 lb running backs are quicker than our returning players. that's not the same thing as being a burner

5'11 is tallish for tailback, especially a 178 lb one. even if other SU backs are taller

 

[phil77]

Don't think Phillips has the body to carry the load on offense. Seems to get dinged up a lot.

 

[BlackKnight76]

Phillips was the best of the group this year, but they'll all see the field.

 

[money3189]

I dont think Phiilips is a everydown back though he has a great skill set. I will like to see DMC first, with Morris and Strickland thrown in the mix. Phillips is the true 3rd down back that will be on every special teams as a returner. Not sure what to think of Perkins. I really like Fredericks on film. Somewhere we have to find a pounder. A one cut and go guy. Out of the guys on the roster next year DMC is the closest thing to that. We need a run game that gives us a gauranteed 3 to 4 yards. That was one of the problems this year. We would have a positive run play and then a negative run on the following play. No consistency. I know the injuries on the O line had something to do with that but I also thought scheme and poor coaching contributed to that too.

 

[xc84]

I like Morris.

 

[anomander]

I dont think Phiilips is a everydown back though he has a great skill set. I will like to see DMC first, with Morris and Strickland thrown in the mix. Phillips is the true 3rd down back that will be on every special teams as a returner. Not sure what to think of Perkins. I really like Fredericks on film. Somewhere we have to find a pounder. A one cut and go guy. Out of the guys on the roster next year DMC is the closest thing to that. We need a run game that gives us a gauranteed 3 to 4 yards. That was one of the problems this year. We would have a positive run play and then a negative run on the following play. No consistency. I know the injuries on the O line had something to do with that but I also thought scheme and poor coaching contributed to that too.

I actually think Ervs best position would be slot. Would love to see him moved there.

 

[MSOrange]

I was really excited about George Morris coming into this season so I was really disappointed to see him not do much atall this year. I'm not giving up on him yet. I'd really like to see him break out.

 

[Rocco]

Give me DMC, and alot of him on 1st and 2nd. I'll take Phillips on 3rd and GMII when DMC needs a rest. Strickland, until proving otherwise, can fill in wherever necessary.

Agree 100%.

 

[Rocco]

I actually think Ervs best position would be slot. Would love to see him moved there.

Amen. Give the kid the ball in space and let him work. He's not big enough to be a between the tackles guy.

 

[tep624]

Amen. Give the kid the ball in space and let him work. He's not big enough to be a between the tackles guy.

Yep.

And I think Strickland is going to see the field early and often.

 

[anomander]

Amen. Give the kid the ball in space and let him work. He's not big enough to be a between the tackles guy.

I wonder how much differently this position will be used next year?

 

[Orange4]

I think Erv, Ishmael, Estime, and Strickland are a good group of playmakers that can make some noise we just need the coaching and right play calling. Add Hunt in there and that's a lot for a defense to account for, now we just gotta stay healthy.

 

[CanadianSU]

Erv = Tavon Austin.

 

[money3189]

I actually think Ervs best position would be slot. Would love to see him moved there.

i agree