2010 tOSU Running Backs discussion

[pnuts34]

Sorry buddy, but he's NOTHING like Boldin or Boston! He's a pure big RB than punish the defense and control the clock. Don't see where you're getting him to be a WR when he's never played the position. It sounds like you're playing NCAA 2010 too much. Why would u change a kid to another position in college, especially when our roster will have 6-7 kids on schollie(depending on if Posey comes back for a senior year) after Smith's RS year?
I'm sure Taylor Graham will be alright, but the guys in the 2011 class are very athletic QBs who will not be in a pro-style under center, offense all the time. Tress would want to use their athleticism like he does with TP. Graham might be alright, but he still has to fight off Guiton and Reed for the time being, not to mention the kids who come in for 2011 class.

 

[RobotParty]

Sorry buddy, but he's NOTHING like Boldin or Boston! He's a pure big RB than punish the defense and control the clock. Don't see where you're getting him to be a WR when he's never played the position. It sounds like you're playing NCAA 2010 too much. Why would u change a kid to another position in college, especially when our roster will have 6-7 kids on schollie(depending on if Posey comes back for a senior year) after Smith's RS year?
I'm sure Taylor Graham will be alright, but the guys in the 2011 class are very athletic QBs who will not be in a pro-style under center, offense all the time. Tress would want to use their athleticism like he does with TP. Graham might be alright, but he still has to fight off Guiton and Reed for the time being, not to mention the kids who come in for 2011 class.

Where do you get the idea that Smith is a power RB? In every highlight reel that's surfaced since he was a freshman in high school, he makes a good cut or takes a good lane and outruns everyone to the endzone... over and over again. Vision, cut-back ability and speed are his forte, not trucking LBs and wearing out defenses. It's also funny you mention that it doesn't make sense for him to switch to a position he's never played before when the top-level WR he's being compared to, Bolden, was a QB and safety in high school... Making poor assumptions about what you think is best for someone will often come back in the form of a festering crow feast.

 

[Buckskin86]

Coach Jim Tressel likes this problem: 1 ball, 7 running backs: Ohio State Football Insider
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
February 05, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In Ohio State seasons past, Jim Tressel sometimes was left searching for a third tailback.

Entering this fall, he should have seven, and on National Signing Day on Wednesday the Buckeyes coach made clear how much he thinks of at least one of them.

"I think Brandon Saine may be one of the most under-talked-about running backs in the country," Tressel said. "He has tremendous hands, tremendous speed and he can do so many things."

The lack of attention is directly linked to playing time and carries. Last season, Saine averaged 5.1 yards per carry and 13.2 yards per reception, combining for 963 total yards in 13 games. However, he averaged only 12 touches per game and only twice carried the ball more than 15 times in a game.

Dan Herron, another back whom Tressel again made clear he likes, had more carries than Saine (153 to 145) but 139 fewer rushing yards (739 to 600).

It sounds like Tressel would like to increase the role of Saine, a second-team All-Big Ten selection by conference coaches, though Herron's role likely won't diminish much. That could make it difficult for backs three through seven to find playing time.

"There are guys waiting over here for a crack," running backs coach Dick Tressel said. "That's great. The issue becomes making sure we have enough practice time for each of them so we can identify their skills and find out how best to use them."

The other running backs will be sophomore Jordan Hall, redshirt freshman Jaamal Berry and new recruits Carlos Hyde and Roderick Smith, as well as fullback/tailback Jermil Martin, a redshirt sophomore from Glenville.

Hall showed some moves last season while gaining 248 yards and averaging 5.2 yards per carry, mostly at the end of blowouts. And Berry was one of the biggest names in last year's recruiting class before redshirting because of repeated hamstring issues.

"The flashes we saw we think are very good," Jim Tressel said of Berry.

Hyde is coming off a year of prep school, so he's older than an average freshman, and Smith is physically mature and one of the highest-ranked recruits in Ohio State's class. In other years, either of the freshmen could be expected to contribute right away.

In 2010, though, it wouldn't be surprising if the Buckeyes redshirt two players from the group of Hall, Hyde and Smith, with Saine and Herron taking the majority of the action and Berry getting a shot as the No. 3 tailback. It's hard to bet against Smith, though.

The options abound.

"It's a problem I kind of like," Jim Tressel said.

Coach Jim Tressel likes this problem: 1 ball, 7 running backs: Ohio State Football Insider | Ohio State Buckeyes - cleveland.com - - cleveland.com

 

[pnuts34]

Where do you get the idea that Smith is a power RB? In every highlight reel that's surfaced since he was a freshman in high school, he makes a good cut or takes a good lane and outruns everyone to the endzone... over and over again. Vision, cut-back ability and speed are his forte, not trucking LBs and wearing out defenses. It's also funny you mention that it doesn't make sense for him to switch to a position he's never played before when the top-level WR he's being compared to, Bolden, was a QB and safety in high school... Making poor assumptions about what you think is best for someone will often come back in the form of a festering crow feast.

SMith has always been considered a power back! He outran people because he wasn't playing against the best competition in IN. He's not playing WR, that's a pipe dream. He's constantly compared to Beanie Wells and Eddie George, and that's high praise. Smith is a pure RB, and not an ATH like you're alluding to. Bolden was an ATH in High School and didn't play a drop back passer role, he was primarily in the spread and could use his legs and arm. And QB in HS is a position where coaches put their best athletes at times when they don't have that good of athletes at other skill positions. Guys like CLinton Portis, Asante Samuel, Roscoe Parrish and Joseph Addai have played QB in HS as well, but never played the position again after HS. And this year Christian Green and Spencer Ware(as well as Nukeese Richardson last year) are all examples of ATH who had to play QB because they were the best ATH for their schools but won't be playing QB in college, and were it not for their athleticism wouldn't have played QB in HS. That point about Bolden playing different positions is irrelevent, especially when Boldin played QB out of necessity and he played WR(sparingly) during his years in HS. Smith is rated as one of the top RBs in every publication, why would he all of the sudden change to be a WR, especially when we just brought in 3 WRs in this class? And making ignorant comments about a recruit that u obviously know nothing about make u sound moronic.

 

[Buckeye86]

link

a look at the offensive skill positions (including running back) from thebuckeyebattlecry.com

 

[Buckfan09]

SMith has always been considered a power back! He outran people because he wasn't playing against the best competition in IN. He's not playing WR, that's a pipe dream. He's constantly compared to Beanie Wells and Eddie George, and that's high praise. Smith is a pure RB, and not an ATH like you're alluding to. Bolden was an ATH in High School and didn't play a drop back passer role, he was primarily in the spread and could use his legs and arm. And QB in HS is a position where coaches put their best athletes at times when they don't have that good of athletes at other skill positions. Guys like CLinton Portis, Asante Samuel, Roscoe Parrish and Joseph Addai have played QB in HS as well, but never played the position again after HS. And this year Christian Green and Spencer Ware(as well as Nukeese Richardson last year) are all examples of ATH who had to play QB because they were the best ATH for their schools but won't be playing QB in college, and were it not for their athleticism wouldn't have played QB in HS. That point about Bolden playing different positions is irrelevent, especially when Boldin played QB out of necessity and he played WR(sparingly) during his years in HS. Smith is rated as one of the top RBs in every publication, why would he all of the sudden change to be a WR, especially when we just brought in 3 WRs in this class? And making ignorant comments about a recruit that u obviously know nothing about make u sound moronic.

Why would he switch? Hmm, because some student athletes switch positions like they switch majors. Devon Torrence, Jake Stoneburner. Just think about it, Its not be a bad idea to use his height and jumping ability which is evident by his bball prowess.:!

 

[Bill Lucas]

Why would he switch? Hmm, because some student athletes switch positions like they switch majors. Devon Torrence, Jake Stoneburner. Just think about it, Its not be a bad idea to use his height and jumping ability which is evident by his bball prowess.:!

No offense but switching a highly touted RB as big as Smith to slot receiver makes zero, ZERO sense. That's all I'll say on the matter as anything else I add would probably be considered offensive or a flame.

 

[pnuts34]

With all of the depth at RB this year, I'm hoping a kid like Berry or even Hall for that matter doesn't get discouraged and think about transfering. With Boom and Zoom gone next year, our talent at this position could be even better! With another year in the weight room and in the offense, a depth chart with Berry, Hyde, Hall, Smith and Martin would still be loaded with talent!
And I hope the idea of Smith switching positions never gets in the minds of the coaching staff!!!

 

[buckeyesin07]

No offense but switching a highly touted RB as big as Smith to slot receiver makes zero, ZERO sense. That's all I'll say on the matter as anything else I add would probably be considered offensive or a flame.

This is spot on. There's about 3 other RBs on the roster that we'd move to WR before we most Smith to WR.

 

[pnuts34]

This is spot on. There's about 3 other RBs on the roster that we'd move to WR before we most Smith to WR.

There are? Who are 3 RBs that you would switch to WR? I hope you're not being serious

 

[BigJim]

There are? Who are 3 RBs that you would switch to WR? I hope you're not being serious

He didn't say that he would switch any RBs to WR..

 

[Buckeye Nut]

With all of the depth at RB this year, I'm hoping a kid like Berry or even Hall for that matter doesn't get discouraged and think about transfering. With Boom and Zoom gone next year, our talent at this position could be even better! With another year in the weight room and in the offense, a depth chart with Berry, Hyde, Hall, Smith and Martin would still be loaded with talent!
And I hope the idea of Smith switching positions never gets in the minds of the coaching staff!!!

Boom's only a redshirt junior. Everyone besides Saine is eligible to be back in 2011.

 

[pnuts34]

Boom's only a redshirt junior. Everyone besides Saine is eligible to be back in 2011.

That's right because he RS is frosh year. Wow that's some serious depth for the next couple of years! Boom will really be fighting for PT next year after these young guys get a year of gametime exeperience.

 

[pnuts34]

Just a question, it might sound a little crazy, but would Jordan Hall consider a RS if he doesn't earn the 3rd or 4th RB slot? There might be a little more PT available next year with Saine leaving

 

[buckeyesin07]

There are? Who are 3 RBs that you would switch to WR? I hope you're not being serious

I am being serious about what I posted--perhaps you should reread it. I wouldn't switch any of them to WR. But before I switched Smith to WR (which is beyond a ridiculous idea), I would switch any of Berry, Hall, and Herron to WR.