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Message: [QUOTE="CIL, post: 2287654, member: 22"] Jury should still be out on this one. I thought the performance against an inferior opponent was unacceptable. Unlike last season, I'm not so sure the OL is to blame. CCSU did not always have 8 in the box - so we should have been able to run the ball more effectively. I think the biggest issue with the run game right now are the running backs. I am not sold on Strickland as an every down back. He has not shown the vision needed to run successfully in a zone scheme. There were probably 3 or 4 occasions where he had a cutback lane open for potentially large gains and he decided to run right up the guard's butt. This continues to be a problem. We saw the best and worst of Neal last night. In space he is electric and can fly. He makes the defense account for him whenever he is out on the field and can be used in multiple ways. A way I'm not convinced he should be used in consistently between the tackles. He's not strong enough to fight through arm tackles and like Strickland, does not possess great vision. I like him as a third down back used in draw plays, screens, or motion into the slot. On the plus side, I was really impressed with what Pierre brings to the table. Granted it was against CCSU's second team, which is probably closer to my alma mater Hamilton in talent than Syracuse. Pierre showed excellent burst for a big kid, and demonstrated instinctive running skills. He had a few cut backs, bounced a couple outside, and found daylight anytime he had some. That's how the zone scheme should work. We also didn't show a ton in our running game today. We pretty much ran dives in a zone scheme all day with a little read option mixed in. I wouldn't be surprised if Pierre moves up the depth chart sooner than later. Next week will be a good litmus test with where our running game really stands. We know Shafer is going to attack us all game - and we know cutback lanes will be open a lot. I think we'll know as soon as next week if this is same ol same ol with the running game. [/QUOTE]

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