Rank our Backs

[sutomcat]

Guys, I'm new to the board, so how about some of you with some insider information give us without a little insight on who is performing the best. Who gives us the best shot?

It has been a while since we had a team where we have seen so little of the RB unit going into the season.

There is no proven returning talent to speak of and even though Gulley, Smith and Rene are academically juniors, because of injuries and lack of playing time, we really haven't seen much from them.

Given that I have barely seen any of these guys play, it is really hard to rank them. As mentioned before, despite the lack of experience, I really like the depth and the breadth of talent here and am very optimistic about this unit's future.

Listing them by academic year:

Smith JR
Gulley JR
Rene JR
AAM SO
Broyld FR
Morris FR
McFarland FR

Allocating 7 of the 85 scholarships to the RB position is not a normal thing and we will see a couple of these guys get moved. Smith or AAM might become a FB down the road. Broyld is surely headed elsewhere next season. And one of these guys will likely get moved to the slot or to defense.

Based on DM's recent comments and the move of McFarland, it sounds like this is the most open competition for a starting job at RB in a while. The staff has not used a 'RB by committee' approach yet, and I don't think they will this season either. I am going to assume Broyld is a special case and is not in the running to be the starter. I will also assume Rene is too small to be a starter and will play on special teams and perhaps in the slot or in passing situations...he also has no chance to start. And I agree with Chip that McFarland has too much to learn to play, forget about start, at least for the early part of the season.

So in the end, it comes down to Smith, PTG, AAM and GM. I think two will play regularly with one getting 3/4 of the carries or so. No idea who those 2 are right now.

 

[Bornorange]

I rank them this way as no Officer would allow himself to be hit as often as these guys.
1. Morris: Private first class.
2. MacFarlane: Private in Basic training.
3. Gulley: Spec 4
4. AAM: First Sergeant.
5. Smith: Drill Sergeant

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Nah, Im a North Country Creeker, although if it was up to my wife (an Ithaca College grad) we be in Ithaca

got it

 

[Rocco]

AAM is our best back... Smith, Morris, PTG, don't know anything about Rene or Run DMC

I think we need to go wishbone with Broyld, AAM, Morris, Smith.

Gulley will put the ball on the ground which makes me nervous

Agreed on AAM. I think the gap has closed considerably between him and Smith, but I think Marrone goes with Smith against NW as a safety valve.

Based on Morris' speed and quickness, I think he will play unless the staff uses DMF over him. One of them will redshirt, maybe both (need some speed in the backfield though).

I would rather the staff give the change of pace carries to Morris or DMF rather than PTG, and give PTG & Broyld the screens and flats. I clench my teeth everytime PTG has the ball in his hands. I'd imagine I'm not the only one (cough, cough staff). Broyld will be lined up in the slot more than in the backfield this year I think. Get that kid the ball in space on a jailbreak or bubble screen.

Wishful thinking: One formation I want to see is Broyld, Morris and DMF in a wishbone with Sales and Kobena out wide. Motion Broyld. Might have to wait until next year (sub Funderburke in for Sales... upgrade). Lots of speed and guys that can outrun the D. That would be ridiculous, and exciting for the fans to watch...

 

[690West]

are you a fall creeker? Only decent bar in Ithaca

I wouldn't give Fall creeker drinks to my dog.

 

[690West]

I'll take the second one....

 

[orangenirvana]

I can't believe the hype and praise for AAM. I know he lost some weight, but he showed absolutely nothing a year ago. Not even a hint of a "flash." He waddled out to the huddle, took the handoff, and plodded into the pile for a 2 yard gain. That's basically AAM's synopsis for his 2011 season.

I'm sure he was good in high school. Everyone is good in high school. This ain't high school.

 

[RMH44]

I wouldn't give Fall creeker drinks to my dog.

...well, you probably shouldn't give any establishment's drinks to your dog. The PC police will arrive in full force.

 

[Rocco]

I can't believe the hype and praise for AAM. I know he lost some weight, but he showed absolutely nothing a year ago. Not even a hint of a "flash." He waddled out to the huddle, took the handoff, and plodded into the pile for a 2 yard gain. That's basically AAM's synopsis for his 2011 season.

I'm sure he was good in high school. Everyone is good in high school. This ain't high school.

Hard to show something when you are carrying around an extra cinder block above your normal playing weight (225-230). He was coming off an injury into last year, during which he packed on some serious baggage that he had trouble losing. In a skill position like RB, you can't just add on 35 lbs in 6 months and expect to perform at a high level. He was very good in HS. His film showed the potential. There was a reason why Marrone flew out to CO to have an in-home visit with him.

I'm not trying to set the tone that he is going to be 1st team BE or anything, I just don't think that Smith is that far ahead of him now that he is showing what he is capable of doing on the field. He might still be a year away. We'll see.

 

[money3189]

Based on what Ive seen up to this point ( spring game, practices, fan fest), not potential, These are ranked based on how hey can help us now.

1 AAM- IMO the gap has closed already between him and smith, has power, break away, pile moving ability, great feet, needs to catch the ball better

2 Smith- he will be consistent but consistently mediocre

3 Gulley- great on screens, draws and tosses, tougher runner then people think, fumble issues

4 Broyld- is the most dynamic out of all of them. He is a big fast body, versitile, catch and throw ability, wild cat ability.

5 George- potentially the best overall, complete back but needs a redshirt

6 DMC- potentially good, with his size and speed, needs a redshirt

6 Rene- is only good for some packages, reverses, screens, bubbles

 

[RICuse44]

I can't believe the hype and praise for AAM. I know he lost some weight, but he showed absolutely nothing a year ago. Not even a hint of a "flash." He waddled out to the huddle, took the handoff, and plodded into the pile for a 2 yard gain. That's basically AAM's synopsis for his 2011 season.

I'm sure he was good in high school. Everyone is good in high school. This ain't high school.

Agree completely. Still like smith. Needs consistent carries though.

 

[rrlbees]

Based on what Ive seen up to this point ( spring game, practices, fan fest), not potential, These are ranked based on how hey can help us now.

1 AAM- IMO the gap has closed already between him and smith, has power, break away, pile moving ability, great feet, needs to catch the ball better

2 Smith- he will be consistent but consistently mediocre

3 Gulley- great on screens, draws and tosses, tougher runner then people think, fumble issues

4 Broyld- is the most dynamic out of all of them. He is a big fast body, versitile, catch and throw ability, wild cat ability.

5 George- potentially the best overall, complete back but needs a redshirt

6 DMC- potentially good, with his size and speed, needs a redshirt

6 Rene- is only good for some packages, reverses, screens, bubbles

If you say your #2 is consistently mediocre and #1 has about 10 carries to his credit, then we have major issues at RB.

FWIW, the only thing I saw was the Rochester scrimmage and at the time, Smith was head and shoulders above everyone and looked like a beast.

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[LeMoyneCuse]

FWIW, the only thing I saw was the Rochester scrimmage and at the time, Smith was head and shoulders above everyone and looked like a beast.

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I feel like they've been saving him this summer. He didn't get many touches at the open practice.

 

[SUFan44]

If you say your #2 is consistently mediocre and #1 has about 10 carries to his credit, then we have major issues at RB.

FWIW, the only thing I saw was the Rochester scrimmage and at the time, Smith was head and shoulders above everyone and looked like a beast.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

That was almost 4 months ago. A lot can change in that time...

 

[rrlbees]

That was almost 4 months ago. A lot can change in that time...

That's why I said "at that time".

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[bevosu]

I think a lot of us, including me, were not wowed by what we saw Smith do in his limited capacity and usage, but late last season he showed some good stuff.

Coming out of spring practice he seemed to be the consensus starter. Unless he's dinged up I expect he will be the starter.

 

[kcsu]

I can't believe the hype and praise for AAM. I know he lost some weight, but he showed absolutely nothing a year ago. Not even a hint of a "flash." He waddled out to the huddle, took the handoff, and plodded into the pile for a 2 yard gain. That's basically AAM's synopsis for his 2011 season.

I'm sure he was good in high school. Everyone is good in high school. This ain't high school.

wrong he was great in HS not good great he has a chance to be a very good player for us im a little concerned that he just doesnt have the heart