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2006 Running Backs Discussion

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jlb1705

jlb1705

hipster doofus
Bookie
Ok, so maybe it's not so great, and maybe even not so much of a debate. What do you folks make of the Buckeyes' stable of RB talent (geez, it feels really good to say that).

During the AA bowl today, it was remarked that C. Wells would be starting next season in Columbus, or at least pushing for PT. Granted those announcers are on crack - but I think there's some room for debate. After all, going into the 2002 season, a lot of people had Lydell Ross written into the number one slot on the depth chart before #13 came in and took the spot.

So, what do you all think?

Of course this discussion begins (and perhaps ends) with Antonio Pittman. The back half of the season (after Penn State), Pittman was superlative. He found the happy side of the 100-yard mark in every game but two in that stretch - once against scUM (85 yards, 3.7 ypc) and once against Illinois (96 yds., 4.4 ypc.) He topped 1300 yards for the season in the Fiesta Bowl. He seems to be poised for stardom next season, and some would say he's proven everything he can as far as the starting role is concerned. I really liked the way he performed this year. People have been clamoring for a big power back for a while now, but Pittman has the speed and quickness to go around people, and showed this season that he can pick up the tough yards running inside at the end of a Big Ten season. I'd love to see them feed this guy the ball next season.

Chris Wells' 3-touchdown performance in the AA bowl was the impetus for this thread, so I'll move to him next. He brings size and a true power running style that none of the other backs on the roster has like he does. Because of a variety of reasons, I don't think C. Wells will push Pittman for carries for the most part. I do think he may have the opportunity to see action in short-yardage and goalline situations though. The latter is an area where the Buckeyes seemed to struggle during the first half of the season, even against inferior opponents. One thing that has been missing from the Ohio State arsenal lately is the ability to line up and run the ball even when the defense knows that that's exactly what's going to happen. C. Wells could be the man to change that.

M. Wells was second on the depth chart behind Pittman this year. People were predicting big things for him this year - even predicting that he would at some point take over the starting job. Fortunately for Coach Tressel and Buckeye fans, Pittman performed well enough to quash that notion. Still, in limited action, M. Wells showed some things that indicated a bright future for him. With the emergence of Pittman and the coming arrival of the younger Wells, what will his role be? Will he be able to hold off C Wells for that second spot, or even push for some of Pittman's carries? Will he see some time as a slot receiver perhaps - to utilize his quickness against isolated DBs? I'd kinda like to see him tried out in that role - not as a move away form the RB position - but in kind of an all-purpose Reggie Bush-type of role.

And what about Haw. There was a significant portion of the Buckeye fanbase that wanted to see this young man start this past season (doghouse tenure notwithstanding). After being relegated to 3rd string mop-up duty this past season, will he even see any touches this season? Does anybody think the proverbial "light bulb" will come on for him?
 
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I think that Pittman has Salidified the Number 1 spot with a GREAT year this year...and C. Wells will back him up with some PT like what Maurice Wells did this year. The only way that C. Wells will get some Major PT next year is if he just blows the coaches away in the spring. Thats my opinion.
 
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Actually the whole thing is debatable.

You've done the ground-work so here is a summary and an extension.

What if there is a role for all 4 running backs?

Pittman - Meat and Potatoes, your go-to guy

Wells - Short yardage or goal-line

Wells - receiver out of the backfield and speed / scat back

Haw - kick returner and alternate to Pittman and Wells in respective roles.
 
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I think that Pitman will still be the man. He is tough, does not fumble, reliable and a junior. After that I see the following:

Pittman = 17-20 carries a game very similar to this year.
CWells - 10-14 carries a game
MWells = Very limited carries that go with being a 3rd back (see Schitkner and Haw this year)
Haw = Not much of a role.
 
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blufftonbuck said:
I think that Pitman will still be the man. He is tough, does not fumble, reliable and a junior. After that I see the following:

Pittman = 17-20 carries a game very similar to this year.
CWells - 10-14 carries a game
MWells = Very limited carries that go with being a 3rd back (see Schitkner and Haw this year)
Haw = Not much of a role.
Click to expand...

Haw...will he stand up or not?

I agree with C. Wells getting carries. How can you not let this kid run?
I think his Spring ball performance will determine his role this year.

Mo Wells bides his time to make a great duo with C. Wells in '08 barring Haw emerging.....wow,,,,, good all around no matter!
 
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Pittman gets the majority of the carries. It's his job to lose, he's proven enough.

C. Wells comes in when either a) Pittman's struggling, b) Pittman needs a breather, and c) short-yardage situations (except against Michigan with under a minute left :)).

M. Wells and Haw come in in long-yardage situations when Pittman's tired and during the blowouts.

This of course barring any injuries. JMHO.
 
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sandgk said:
Actually the whole thing is debatable.

You've done the ground-work so here is a summary and an extension.

What if there is a role for all 4 running backs?

Pittman - Meat and Potatoes, your go-to guy

Wells - Short yardage or goal-line

Wells - receiver out of the backfield and speed / scat back

Haw - kick returner and alternate to Pittman and Wells in respective roles.
Click to expand...

I like this and hope this is what the staff does with the talent back there.
 
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Pittman has earned his role as the primary back. Barring an injury or an off the field snafu, he'll remain that. If Wells completely blows people away during the season, I can see him getting more of a LenDale White sort of role.

As for Maurice Wells, well, I don't know. He could replace Pittman on plays that call for a scat back.

And for Haw...hmmm. He'll play the fourth quarter of the Indiana game. He's good and I like him, but he's in the doghouse for a reason. And if the proverbial light bulb ever does come on, will it be bright enough to jump the three ahead of him?
 
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Pittman had a fantastic season. Starter.
Pittman did get beat up at times. And he is still a bit light for goal line situations.
Mo Wells, looked like a freshman, but improved as the season went along.
Not a full time back, because of size. Has speed and a burst.
Needs to get much stronger, he will.
Haw? Do we know much of anything? Has some size and very speedy. Catches the ball well.
Still a mystery.

So, it looks like CWells has a real opportunity for playing time.
He already has size,speed, strength.
It could come down to how fast he learns to block.:biggrin:
"The Truck" is coming in the spring!:biggrin:
 
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What I'm really hoping for is good competition amongst the guys at this position. I hope M. Wells is not content to let C. Wells take his job. Heck, I hope neither of them is content to let Pittman be The Man. By the same token, I could seen C. Wells being a good goalline back right off the bat, but I think Pittman has improved by leaps and bounds in that area. He's tough enough to carry in close quarters, and he's become much better at finding the small crease and pushing through it. I hope Pittman's not content to take it inside the 10 and then let somebody else do the finishing.

Somebody broke down the carries to about 27-34 carries a game between the top two backs. In this offense, and given the fact that a significant portion of the rushes and yardage will also belong to Troy Smith, do you think there are really that many carries to be shared. I know Tressel would still love to be a "run first" type of coach, but with the weapons this team has in the passing game, do you really think that'll happen this coming season?

Also, when people are breaking this down, don't discount the value of the blitz pickup. None of the other three have the experience that Pittman has in that department.

If M. Wells is indeed relegated to the third spot on the depth chart, I hope he's still getting touches as a receiver in the slot. I know they're getting pretty deep at WR as well, but in my opinion, M. Wells has skills that need to be put to use.
 
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Judging by the top running backs that have come out of this game the last few years I don't think there's any way you can't give this guy the bulk of the carries. I know some of you guys won't agree but running backs with this size and speed don't come along very often. I know Pittman has proved himself and is a senior but I don't think think he can match the same kind of an impact C. Wells can. I say we just feed the big guy from the begining and spread in some pittman carries when Wells is tired.
 
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My best guess is that Pittman will start the season as the starter. If Chris Wells can earn the starting spot over Pittman before next seasons opener than all I can say is WOW! We are in for something really special. Not that we aren't anyway, but I'm talking heisman trophy finalist in his freshman year special. Why? because first of all Pittman is a beast. And second I just don't see Tressel not giving Pittman the start unless C. Wells' play is just unimaginably good.

The way I see it playing out is Pittman starting the N Illinois game and C. Wells getting some carries early and then being given a chance to really show his stuff in the second half. A call to Ms. Cleo also has me thinking M. Wells will get some carries, but his role role will be reduced to being the 3rd back and seeing most of his time in special situations or plays designed around his speed and the 4th qtr of a blowout.

Is Haw gonna end up being our scout team running back this season? That's an amazing statement to our depth at running back right there. All I can say for Erik is I hope he bust his ass and keeps his head on straight because I don't see where his carries are gonna come from. I actually kinda felt bad about writing that because I'd like to see him get more opportunities than I envision for him. Here's to a lot of monster blowouts for you Mr. Haw. :cheers: It would be awsome for him become a special teams demon and see him earn PT the hard way. Do yourself proud Erik.

As the season progresses I see our backfield becoming a two headed creature that is Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells. Thats all the crystal ball has to show me tonight. May they help to bring the Crystal Ball home next season.

tressel_trophy_wh.jpg

:oh::io: LETS GO BUCKEYES!!
 
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I commented in the AA Bowl discussion that I'd be happy if JT dusted off Woody's old 1975 playbook and ran "42" or the T-Formation at the goal line with Pittman and C Wells. :biggrin:

With Pittman, Troy's and C Wells' abilities, they could run a ton of misdirection inside the 10 without the risks of the one-back option pitch, which seemingly always resulted in a TD or a fumble this season.
 
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How I think it should go:

Pittman -- feature back all year long
CWells -- a few carries here and there at the beginning of the season, particularly late in the games against our lesser foes; a larger role as the season goes on, but still pretty limited to short yardage situations
Haw -- pretty limited role, only sees significant action if there is an injury to Pittman and CWells isn't yet ready to be the feature back
MWells -- a very limited role, unless there are significant injuries to multiple players

How I think it will go:

Pittman -- feature back
CWells -- very limited action early on; splits 8-10 carries with MWells by the end of the year
MWells -- limited action early on, decreasing as the year goes on as CWells gets more experience
Haw -- very limited role
 
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