2009 tOSU Running Backs discussion (official thread)

[HorticullyBuck]

I really dont understand the thinking many people are saying about RB's other than boom and saine getting legit playing time competing for the #1 or 2 spot. their all untested. Boom and saine are both veterans now. aside from more injuries (saine) it really shouldnt be that big of a debate i beleiveas long as TP is behind center.

 

[GoodLifeSean]

I really dont understand the thinking many people are saying about RB's other than boom and saine getting legit playing time competing for the #1 or 2 spot. their all untested. Boom and saine are both veterans now. aside from more injuries (saine) it really shouldnt be that big of a debate i beleiveas long as TP is behind center.

While I see your point, I would just like to say everyone said the same thing last year with Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor. Hyde and Berry both have similar potential to mix things up. Not saying it will happen, but they have a shot. This is why people are saying these kind of things. It's hope that thing that we as Ohio sports fans constantly have.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I think that by the end of the season, barring injury to either, the tandem of Boom and Zoom will be rated among the best in the country, regardless of how folks currently feel.

 

[NFBuck]

I think that by the end of the season, barring injury to either, the tandem of Boom and Zoom will be rated among the best in the country, regardless of how folks currently feel.

That's the big thing...health. Running a more wide-open offense and an improved passing effort from TP, there's gonna be lots of yards up for grabs. With Boom, Zoom and (presumably) Berry...that's a lot of talent and potential.

 

[Buckeye86]

That's the big thing...health. Running a more wide-open offense and an improved passing effort from TP, there's gonna be lots of yards up for grabs. With Boom, Zoom and (presumably) Berry...that's a lot of talent and potential.

and Hyde, I actually think Hyde may get more playing time than Berry initially due to his size and ability to move the chains in short yardage situations

then again, Boom can run with some power too so who knows what is going to happen with the freshman

no matter how it shakes out, its pretty exciting to have so much talent in the backfield

 

[Meyer]

Haha I agree on Best maybe being better alone than Boom and Zoom. That kid is insane.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Haha I agree on Best maybe being better alone than Boom and Zoom. That kid is insane.

Well, Boom rushed for more yards against USC than Best did.

 

[generaladm]

1,000 yd season for Boom is really a reasonable expectation. Even if he doesn't improve his YPC (4.9 in 08), he will only need about 205 carries to get in the 1,000 range. Pitt had 243 carries in 05, his first year as a starter (even with T. Smith getting 136), and I'd say that Boom will start this season about at the level Pitt reached around mid-05, maturity wise. Beanie had 274 carries his first starting year, but he was expected to carry the offense. I'd predict between 220-240 carries for Boom. I'd also expect his YPC to get a little bump, so I'm saying 1150-1300 yds for Boom.

A lot depends on the scheme and play calling, of course. With Boom as the #1 RB, teams will be forced to respect the run. But, they also have to respect TP's legs, and arm. Will opponents assign a spy to TP? That could open up a hole in the secondary for Boom to aim for, and lead to some play-action opportunities. If the safeties start to play up, that could cause some havoc in coverage, especially with a mobile QB. This could be a good year to use the run to set up the pass. If Ds are worried about containing TP, there should be enough wiggle room up the middle for Boom to move the chains on his own. Mix that up with a TP keeper, and a play-action or straight up long ball, and we could have the D guessing which way to go. A lot depends on how they choose to get TP his rushing yds. Will they give him a pass option first, primarily, or will they incorporate some run option or designed keeper plays? Either way, Boom should get enough designed runs to be in the top 5 of Big Ten RBs. I'm thinking Boom, 1200+; Zoom, 600-800; and I can't call TP's numbers until I see how his passing has developed. I'd say at least 400, with the possibility of 800+ if he runs more than 10 times a game. As long as there are no injuries, or just sub-ability play, I don't see the freshmen seeing much outside of special teams and garbage time.

 

[Buckskin86]

OSU football: Coaches look for third wheel at tailback
Sunday, July 19, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Members of the Ohio State coaching staff are fond of saying that at tailback, they need a "pair and a spare."

They've got the pair, in Dan Herron and Brandon Saine. It's the spare that might be a concern.

Two highly touted incoming freshmen have been in the news recently -- Jaamal Berry was arrested and charged with drug possession in June, and Carlos Hyde failed to qualify academically.

Berry is on campus and eligible to play after his charge was reduced to a misdemeanor. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman said it was too early to speculate what role Berry might play this fall.

Hyde plans to attend and play football for Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, retake the ACT and enroll at OSU in January.

In the meantime, Bollman said, Jermil Martin has moved from fullback to tailback.

"He's a tough guy, a big guy who can run the ball well," Bollman said of Martin, who is 6 feet and 227 pounds.

Martin could help fill the "big back" void left by the departed Chris Wells. It was a role that Hyde (6-1, 230) was expected to play this fall.

"I felt I was going to be a big part in the offense; that's why this (academic issue) is really bumming me out," Hyde said.

Certainly, more pressure will be placed on Herron and Saine.

Herron redshirted in 2007, then served as Wells' backup last season, rushing for 439 yards. Saine played significant minutes in 2007 before injuries sidetracked him last season.

"Those guys are reaching points in their careers when they should really be very productive players," Bollman said. "But you certainly want to have another guy or two there to add more firepower."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU football: Coaches look for third wheel at tailback

 

[Yertle]

I think that by the end of the season, barring injury to either, the tandem of Boom and Zoom will be rated among the best in the country, regardless of how folks currently feel.

Although I agree that Boom and Zoom are a terrific pair or RB's, do you really think they'll get the stats to be household names in college football? Personally, I don't. Actually, I think it would be an interesting poll to do an over-under on highest season yardage total for a Buckeye RB.

Put it this way, assume the Bucks go crazy on offense this year and average 420 yards a game. That's 5,460 yards (the record number of yards per season under JT is 2007 with 5,049 I believe. In 2006, they came up a yard short of 5k at 4,999). How many is TP going to throw for? Let's assume all of the reports are true and he's going to focus more down field and and get the ball into the WR's hands more. Plus there's Stoneburner who should stretch the field. Ok, so TP get's 2,500 yards? That leaves 2,960 yards on the ground. How is that distributed?

You gotta figure over 500 will be backups and WR reverses. That leaves 2,460 for Boom, Zoom,.... and Pyror!

Given that, I'd be willing to bet that Boom and Zoom can each have fantastic years (in general overall performance) but mediocre years on the stats sheet. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Buckeyes without a 1,000 yard rusher this year. Too many players to spread the carries to.

 

[Bucks21]

It's early but hoping for most of the offensive to stay healthy, I expect the o-line to be improved over last year especially with Boren and Brewster bringing the nasty. If Boom stays healthy I think he is your starter. He is just tough, with real good vision. I put Boom at going over a thousand this year, probably about 1150 yards. Then I would say Saine is going to get around 500-750 maybe more depending on his health and Boom's. My guess is Pryor will end up around what he had last year which was 853 yards. Then who knows about the rest of guys.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Although I agree that Boom and Zoom are a terrific pair or RB's, do you really think they'll get the stats to be household names in college football? Personally, I don't.

I said I think they'll be one of the best RB tandems in the country...never said they'd be "household names".

 

[matcar]

I said I think they'll be one of the best RB tandems in the country...never said they'd be "household names".

I really liked what I saw from Boom last year. I have to admit, I wasn't expecting to be impressed, but in the end Boom won me over. I really like his style of running. He hits the hole well and seems to make quick cuts and get his 4 yards. He also doesn't fall backwards much. So I've got no worries about him with 20 carries a game. If Saine can come anywhere close to meeting the expectations we had of him upon his arrival, we'll have quite a tandem. If Saine does not do that, then we'll need to find SOMEONE to spell Boom.

 

[BB73]

I really liked what I saw from Boom last year. I have to admit, I wasn't expecting to be impressed, but in the end Boom won me over. I really like his style of running. He hits the hole well and seems to make quick cuts and get his 4 yards. He also doesn't fall backwards much. So I've got no worries about him with 20 carries a game. If Saine can come anywhere close to meeting the expectations we had of him upon his arrival, we'll have quite a tandem. If Saine does not do that, then we'll need to find SOMEONE to spell Boom.

You just did that on the keyboard.








What can I say - I have no shame, and the offseason is just way too long. :tongue2:

 

[Meyer]

I can spell Boom...