Our Feature Running Back Heading Into '15
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ssbriefcase
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The rb group was a mess behind the scenes this year. Absolutely a pitiful and toxic environment. I would honestly not read too much into what "seems" like shortcomings for any of them. I'm really hoping Morris and McFarlane come out on the other side in beast mode, for their sake..
CanadianSU
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Yeah I know he is a frosh. Seems to have a lot of potential. Do you remember the play vs BC when he burned about the whole team cutting back? Vintage Austin.
CUSU
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Interesting.. wish you could elaborate.
dinosaurbbq
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Having seen Tavon play almost all of his college home games live, I echo that. He was better than Reggie Bush in college, just used differently. Started 1 game at Tailback and posted 344 yards and 2 TDs on 21 carries and a total of 572 all purpose yards against OKLAHOMA! Other worldly.
dinosaurbbq
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I just want there to be a featured back. I said it before the season started that we needed 1 primary back getting the vast bulk of the carries for lots of reasons, including that it allows a back to get into a groove and be more productive as the game and season goes on, focuses reps on our strongest/best back, and year end results of having another 1,000 yard rusher would assist with recruiting by convincing RB recruits we are committed to the run and have an awesome Oline to run behind. The constant over-subbing of players at every position did a significant amount of harm to our otherwise already putrid offense. I don't think Lester totally fixed the problem of oversubbing either.
CanadianSU
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Obviously, comparing him to tavon is unfair for erv. But don't you see some similarities? seems to have really really good vision
cuseguy
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Morris and McFarlane are injured all the time.
Neither is suited to be an everydown back.
But neither is Philips.
That's why Gulley was the starter, tougher than the rest. But limited in many ways.
I'll repeat again, we really missed Jerome Smith, and once again we have no one to fill that role next year.
Hopefully one of the freshmen step up.
Neither is suited to be an everydown back.
But neither is Philips.
That's why Gulley was the starter, tougher than the rest. But limited in many ways.
I'll repeat again, we really missed Jerome Smith, and once again we have no one to fill that role next year.
Hopefully one of the freshmen step up.
CanadianSU
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I don't think if we had Smith out record would be much different.
The o line was awful. Jerome would have helped, but idk if he would have contributed significantly. Especially with the everybody plays thing.
The o line was awful. Jerome would have helped, but idk if he would have contributed significantly. Especially with the everybody plays thing.
Chip
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Erv is the ideal punt returner. He should be practicing catching punts all spring.
He can be used in a variety of ways on offense. No sense labeling him as full time slot receiver, or RB. Just let him soak it up and get him out into space as often as you can.
He can be used in a variety of ways on offense. No sense labeling him as full time slot receiver, or RB. Just let him soak it up and get him out into space as often as you can.
Chip
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I don't know if I agree. I think Morris lost time because he has no thumbs. If he's going to drop every pass, there isn't much use to get him out there. If they can fix this, maybe he's a nice comeback player.
It's a fresh start for all of these guys. See how hard they work in the offseason. I think any of them are capable of providing us with enough rushing yardage, as long as the OL significantly improves next year, and the passing game is at least an average threat.
I don't know that Smith has much more luck than PTG this year. Smith was more of a straight ahead runner, and this wasn't a straight ahead offense when it came to running the ball.
I'd like to see what Kimble could do returning punts.
Chip
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It would be unique to have a backup QB returning punts. He has the best wheels of the QBs, but I don't know how that translates to the open field, just haven't seen enough of it to know.
But assuming Estime is 100%, hasn't lost a step from his variety of leg/ankle injuries, I'd assume he's the #1 guy. Erv's quickness and ability to make cuts just seems to make him the best alternative candidate to me.
Millhouse
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kimble might be good at kickoffs. he doesn't screw around.
of course kickoff returners won't matter if the other ten guys continue to ole' everyone
Chip
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Agree with that last part. I think our KRs get blamed for a lot of things that aren't their fault. How could you not make the cut when there are 5 guys standing there waiting to rip your head off. Or why are you cutting, you need to run straight ahead (where there are 5 guys standing there waiting to rip your head off).
It would be great to have a really fast straight ahead runner who can potentially take them back. Which we don't seem to have. But it would be better to have good blocking so at least our slower guys can get it out closer to midfield. Maybe it's blocking schemes, I don't know, that's always the other blame. I just know we don't do it well.
Millhouse
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the tv coverage doesn't help. you watch the guy catch the ball at the goal line and he gets nailed at the 10 and you are left to wonder if the kick returner was the only Syracuse guy on the field
reedny
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We had so many injuries, and so little cohesion on the OL, I don't think we can really get a read on what our RB's are capable of. The only thing I can tell you for sure is: they all look about the same getting TFL'd.
None has the muscle/strength to be an every down back. McFarlane drops nearly everything thrown in his direction and seems incapable of executing a wheel route. GM3 is prone to injury.
On the plus side, we've seen pretty good bursts/flashes from both GM3 and Phillips.
None has the muscle/strength to be an every down back. McFarlane drops nearly everything thrown in his direction and seems incapable of executing a wheel route. GM3 is prone to injury.
On the plus side, we've seen pretty good bursts/flashes from both GM3 and Phillips.
Whoever the feature back is run North-South, hit the hole, and drive forward, no more dancers like PTG. PTG put the offense in way too many 2nd, and longs this year, because he didn't just hit the hole, and take the yardage that was there.
CIL
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Erv is a much better rb than most on this board are giving him credit for. Yes he is 180 pounds, but he's also 18 years old. I'm sure he'll end up close to 200 pounds or so in the next few years.
He has very good vision, nice burst, and is decisive when he hits the hole. I think he can be a very good back for us.
He has very good vision, nice burst, and is decisive when he hits the hole. I think he can be a very good back for us.
McFarlane should be the lead back with Morris and Phillips backing him up. He would be a 1200 yd back easily with carries. RB's need 15 or more carries a game to get their rhythm going. He has great top end speed yet he can cut on a dime. A rb coach should know this.
OrangeDW
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Based on what I've seen:
1. McFarlane
2. Phillips
3. Morris
I think McFarlane has looked the most like a feature back who can pound out the tough yards and break a long run. Phillips is the small, quick, "change of pace" back.
Morris, I really don't know. Showed some promise as a freshman to be a potential feature back, and then looked bad this year. He's 3 by default to me because I have no idea on Strickland, and I'll wait and see first.
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OrangeDW
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I remember when many on here said we wouldn't miss Smith and we had several more talented backs ready to take his carries anyway.
I wonder how AAM would have done if the staff said "Hey, you're getting the ball 20 times a game"? I think he would have had decent numbers or as good as Smith would have. I don't believe Smith would have done as well as 2013 due to the leanness/injuries with the o-line...not enough of a push.
