Who will be the man at running back next year ?

[44oranges]

I would like to see morris get more time this year. I think he could be the man.

 

[Libero2]

I think McFarlane will be "the guy" while Phillips is the Change of Pace back, who plays at the end of tight games. Morris will get some carries. Strickland is then darkhorse if he is ready to go day 1 you never know what might happen

 

[Dcuse]

I would like to see morris get more time this year. I think he could be the man.

Until George Morris gets contact lenses, he shouldn't see the field.( no pun intended) Every accurate pass thrown his way missed his hands by 2 feet.

 

[Chip]

Until George Morris gets contact lenses, he shouldn't see the field.( no pun intended) Every accurate pass thrown his way missed his hands by 2 feet.

I think he had some alligator arms catch attempts as well.

I just don't see him being anything more than 3rd string with the occasional carries.

 

[44oranges]

With the offense changing I think you will see morris as the feature back.

 

[Crusty]

As long as it is not done by committee I will be happy.

 

[ssbriefcase]

Depends on who the rb coach is..

 

[Trueblue25]

McFarlane's the real deal in my opinion. Needs to work on catching passes as well though.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

I don't care but let's pick the best two and stick with them. I wouldn't mind seeing a lot of formations with Philips or Estime in motion along with a true tailback.

 

[Cuse_Albs]

Erv on 3rd downs i think is a forgone conclusion, I think its a battle between Morris and McFarlane to be the featured back. I wouldn't rule out a committee backfield though again...even though I really hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[kcsu]

I think that Strickland is going to start and be our best back in a very long time

 

[cuseguy]

Jordan Fredericks.

Strickland moves to safety.

 

[44oranges]

k

 

[javadoc]

Depends on who the rb coach is..

Interesting

 

[Trueblue25]

Jordan Fredericks.

Strickland moves to safety.

don't think this is entirely insane.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I don't think he'll be the man, but Barry Baker is in the mix to get carries.

 

[Franz69]

Strickland moves to safety.

NO NO NO NO NO

 

[44oranges]

What!!!

 

[jekelish]

1A Run DMC
1B Erv
3 GM2

 

[PhatOrange]

I rarely think a frosh comes in and wins but the 3 frosh are going to push. I think Strickland ends up winning the job.

Had Perkins not torn his ACL I think he would have made noise.

Decide for yourselves if any of the 3 freshman will contribute.

Strickland:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/424922/highlights/187598384

Perkins (junior tape):


Fredricks:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1576908/highlights/210251396

 

[Orangello]

However it plays out it will make absolutely no sense.

 

[timkay99]

Morris should be the guy if the OL returns to the road graders they were under Marrone. He is more of a 1 cut and go back who isn't as agile as a Gulley to be making jump cuts within the hole.

I worry about McFarlane and Phillips being able to stay healthy toting the rock 15-20 times a game. Think they are better served as 3rd down/change of pace backs or playing some slot at times to find mis-matches.

Strickland is the wild card who has a real chance to make an impact as a freshman. Only concerns are whether he is physically ready and he runs a bit upright (which is an easy fix). He is the best at accelerating and getting to top speed quick.

Bottom line is if the OL doesn't get better at run blocking, RB's are going to have some problems.

 

[TheCusian]

Morris should be the guy if the OL returns to the road graders they were under Marrone. He is more of a 1 cut and go back who isn't as agile as a Gulley to be making jump cuts within the hole. I worry about McFarlane and Phillips being able to stay healthy toting the rock 15-20 times a game. Think they are better served as 3rd down/change of pace backs or playing some slot at times to find mis-matches. Strickland is the wild card who has a real chance to make an impact as a freshman. Only concerns are whether he is physically ready and he runs a bit upright (which is an easy fix). He is the best at accelerating and getting to top speed quick. Bottom line is if the OL doesn't get better at run blocking, RB's are going to have some problems.

I actually think the woes in run blocking are tied to our inability to score. We played behind in just about every game - esp once Hunt went down. We had to pass and everyone knew it. No running QB (outside of Kimble vs Duke). It made our Oline look much worse tag it was, IMO.

 

[timkay99]

I actually think the woes in run blocking are tied to our inability to score. We played behind in just about every game - esp once Hunt went down. We had to pass and everyone knew it. No running QB (outside of Kimble vs Duke). It made our Oline look much worse tag it was, IMO.

I don't follow. We weren't a good pass blocking team to begin with, so being down made that look worse. I think we were better at pass blocking then given credit for honestly.

But run blocking was a struggle to open holes against ACC competition. People were hard on Gulley for not getting enough yards when he is making guys miss at the LOS. People were hard on McDonald/Moore for some of the runs when the inside blocking forced them to bounce outside and look worse. I do think a number of plays fans think were sweeps were designed inside runs where the blocking wasn't there.

I can't pin down why we struggled so much inside (regression of Trudo was a definite factor, as well as the injuries up front), but need improvement there for these backs to have a chance to get to the open field.

 

[TheCusian]

I don't follow. We weren't a good pass blocking team to begin with, so being down made that look worse. I think we were better at pass blocking then given credit for honestly. But run blocking was a struggle to open holes against ACC competition. People were hard on Gulley for not getting enough yards when he is making guys miss at the LOS. People were hard on McDonald/Moore for some of the runs when the inside blocking forced them to bounce outside and look worse. I do think a number of plays fans think were sweeps were designed inside runs where the blocking wasn't there. I can't pin down why we struggled so much inside (regression of Trudo was a definite factor, as well as the injuries up front), but need improvement there for these backs to have a chance to get to the open field.

We ran less than we would have because we were constantly playing from behind.