Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="sutomcat, post: 294279, member: 27"] I think there are 3 roles to be filled at RB. 1) primary running back 2) backup running back (comes in when the primary gets banged up, gassed and occasionally might play a whole series as well) 3) passing situation specialist. I think Smith won the primary job and PTG won the backup in the spring. The passing situation job is up for grabs. PTG was not good catching passes as a frosh but appeares to have somewhat improved. He is not a natural receiver like Ant Bailey. You didn't mention Steven Rene, who in addition to making fair catches on the punt return team, also plays RB. He is, IMHO, too light to be very effective running the ball but he has the best hands of all the RBs (which is why he fair catches punts) and he is pretty good getting yards after making the catch. And he has been around for a while and should know his assignments well. If he can pass block, he will probably get this assignment and enjoy some PT at RB. Smith has had concussion issues and given his punishing running style, it would not be a major surprise if he has issues here in the future. PTG has also had some injury problems, enough for me to wonder if his body can hold up for a 12 game regular season. I hope he has committed to the weight program hard over the summer to get bigger and stronger. Anyway, given both primary ball carriers have had injury problems, there is a good chance another back will get some playing time. As you say, Morris and AAM are the top two candidates. I think/hope McFarland redshirts/gets moved to defense. Would not be surprised if Morris gets PT early in the season in the passing situations role, and it leads to a bigger role in the offense as the season progresses. I am not convinced Rene can beat defenders in the open field...if he can't, he shouldn't be playing in that role. Maybe PTG can continue to improve catching the ball...I think he can beat defenders in the open field. Morris looks to me like our best back in the open field in a long time...since the days of Rhodes and Reyes. It would be great to redshirt him. But we need someone who can beat defenders at RB. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?