2010 tOSU Running Backs discussion

[BrutusBobcat]

I didn't want to derail Jamaal Berry's thread with thoughts and opinions about the battle for carries in 2010, and figured it was time for a thread on this since spring practice isn't that far away.

This season, when fully healthy, we only saw Herron and Saine. Fans were impressed with Hall, but we didn't see him much at all in games that were still in doubt and when Herron and Saine were both available. Martin ran strong in his very few carries, but again there wasn't much indication that the coaches have bigger plans for him.

As mentioned in Berry's thread, the staff really didn't want to redshirt him, which a lot of people took as an indication that he may have been ahead of Hall in their eyes, and potentially would have taken carries away from Saine and Herron.

Judging by the Rose Bowl, it does look like Herron and Saine are 1A and 1B at this point, though here on BP we seem to be a little more pro Saine.

As if five backs fighting for carries weren't enough, Carlos Hyde and Roderick Smith are coming in, and both look like guys who can possibly contribute. That's seven guys, plus Pryor getting carries, and one football. In the past, Tressel has shown a willingness to use as many as three backs regularly, so there's probably only room for one guy to get meaningful carries.

Barring injuries, my speculation is that Herron remains the lead back, and that Berry starts taking away carries from Saine. Keeping in mind that Tress isn't going to give a kid playing time at RB until he's picking up blitzes and blocking, figure on the two incoming Freshmen seeing only garbage time reps until late in the season. It's possible that one will redshirt, and if so, my guess would be Hyde.

The real question to me is Hall. Obviously, the kid can play, but he's caught in a log jam with established upperclassmen in front of him and bigger guys coming in behind him. In any other year in the Tressel era, he'd be getting a lot more reps than he has.

On the positive side, this is amazing depth. Even in a near worst-case scenario where two backs are hurt and a backup (or two) proves to be ineffective, there are still 3-4 guys on the roster who can step in. It's almost enough to make you want to see the triple option.

 

[MUBuck]

I didn't want to derail Jamaal Berry's thread with thoughts and opinions about the battle for carries in 2010, and figured it was time for a thread on this since spring practice isn't that far away.

This season, when fully healthy, we only saw Herron and Saine. Fans were impressed with Hall, but we didn't see him much at all in games that were still in doubt and when Herron and Saine were both available. Martin ran strong in his very few carries, but again there wasn't much indication that the coaches have bigger plans for him.

As mentioned in Berry's thread, the staff really didn't want to redshirt him, which a lot of people took as an indication that he may have been ahead of Hall in their eyes, and potentially would have taken carries away from Saine and Herron.

Judging by the Rose Bowl, it does look like Herron and Saine are 1A and 1B at this point, though here on BP we seem to be a little more pro Saine.

As if five backs fighting for carries weren't enough, Carlos Hyde and Roderick Smith are coming in, and both look like guys who can possibly contribute. That's seven guys, plus Pryor getting carries, and one football. In the past, Tressel has shown a willingness to use as many as three backs regularly, so there's probably only room for one guy to get meaningful carries.

Barring injuries, my speculation is that Herron remains the lead back, and that Berry starts taking away carries from Saine. Keeping in mind that Tress isn't going to give a kid playing time at RB until he's picking up blitzes and blocking, figure on the two incoming Freshmen seeing only garbage time reps until late in the season. It's possible that one will redshirt, and if so, my guess would be Hyde.

The real question to me is Hall. Obviously, the kid can play, but he's caught in a log jam with established upperclassmen in front of him and bigger guys coming in behind him. In any other year in the Tressel era, he'd be getting a lot more reps than he has.

On the positive side, this is amazing depth. Even in a near worst-case scenario where two backs are hurt and a backup (or two) proves to be ineffective, there are still 3-4 guys on the roster who can step in. It's almost enough to make you want to see the triple option.

Good post, my only disagreement being that I think Smith is more likely to redshirt than Hyde. Hyde is already enrolled and should have the advantage of spring practice. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if both redshirted.

 

[OHSportsFan]

I didn't want to derail Jamaal Berry's thread with thoughts and opinions about the battle for carries in 2010, and figured it was time for a thread on this since spring practice isn't that far away.

This season, when fully healthy, we only saw Herron and Saine. Fans were impressed with Hall, but we didn't see him much at all in games that were still in doubt and when Herron and Saine were both available. Martin ran strong in his very few carries, but again there wasn't much indication that the coaches have bigger plans for him.

As mentioned in Berry's thread, the staff really didn't want to redshirt him, which a lot of people took as an indication that he may have been ahead of Hall in their eyes, and potentially would have taken carries away from Saine and Herron.

Judging by the Rose Bowl, it does look like Herron and Saine are 1A and 1B at this point, though here on BP we seem to be a little more pro Saine.

As if five backs fighting for carries weren't enough, Carlos Hyde and Roderick Smith are coming in, and both look like guys who can possibly contribute. That's seven guys, plus Pryor getting carries, and one football. In the past, Tressel has shown a willingness to use as many as three backs regularly, so there's probably only room for one guy to get meaningful carries.

Barring injuries, my speculation is that Herron remains the lead back, and that Berry starts taking away carries from Saine. Keeping in mind that Tress isn't going to give a kid playing time at RB until he's picking up blitzes and blocking, figure on the two incoming Freshmen seeing only garbage time reps until late in the season. It's possible that one will redshirt, and if so, my guess would be Hyde.

The real question to me is Hall. Obviously, the kid can play, but he's caught in a log jam with established upperclassmen in front of him and bigger guys coming in behind him. In any other year in the Tressel era, he'd be getting a lot more reps than he has.

On the positive side, this is amazing depth. Even in a near worst-case scenario where two backs are hurt and a backup (or two) proves to be ineffective, there are still 3-4 guys on the roster who can step in. It's almost enough to make you want to see the triple option.

Actually had a friend (jokingly) say the same thing yesterday. The depth is crazy good next year.

 

[BuckTwenty]

We have 4 guys that have proven very effective at running the ball (Herron, Saine, Jordan, Martin) and 3 that have yet to prove that in S&G (Berry, R.Smith, Hyde). That's a hell of a stable. I think Iowa would have killed to have a stable like that when they had 6-7 injuries at RB a few years ago.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if we move Jermil Martin back to FB. It would open up some room at RB and allow us to have 2 very dangerous RBs on the field at the same time when Zach Boren isn't in. Jermil would be a really nice new wrinkle at FB in this offense that the defense would have to account for. And with that said, I'd love to see Jermil get some more carries. Pretty easily one of my favorite Buckeyes on this team with the way he runs the ball.

If Jermil doesn't go back to FB, I have a hard time seeing Roderick or Carlos playing next year, unless they absolutely insist on doing so. I think redshirting Rod is a must. If Hyde redshirts this coming year, I think technically that would make this past year his greyshirt season (correct me if I'm wrong there...).

Though I'd hate to see it, we look ripe for a disgruntled player at this position, angry about playing time, wanting to transfer out. I certainly hope these guys have some patience. Their times will come.

 

[Buckeyecty4]

I didn't want to derail Jamaal Berry's thread with thoughts and opinions about the battle for carries in 2010, and figured it was time for a thread on this since spring practice isn't that far away.

This season, when fully healthy, we only saw Herron and Saine. Fans were impressed with Hall, but we didn't see him much at all in games that were still in doubt and when Herron and Saine were both available. Martin ran strong in his very few carries, but again there wasn't much indication that the coaches have bigger plans for him.

As mentioned in Berry's thread, the staff really didn't want to redshirt him, which a lot of people took as an indication that he may have been ahead of Hall in their eyes, and potentially would have taken carries away from Saine and Herron.

Judging by the Rose Bowl, it does look like Herron and Saine are 1A and 1B at this point, though here on BP we seem to be a little more pro Saine.

As if five backs fighting for carries weren't enough, Carlos Hyde and Roderick Smith are coming in, and both look like guys who can possibly contribute. That's seven guys, plus Pryor getting carries, and one football. In the past, Tressel has shown a willingness to use as many as three backs regularly, so there's probably only room for one guy to get meaningful carries.

Barring injuries, my speculation is that Herron remains the lead back, and that Berry starts taking away carries from Saine. Keeping in mind that Tress isn't going to give a kid playing time at RB until he's picking up blitzes and blocking, figure on the two incoming Freshmen seeing only garbage time reps until late in the season. It's possible that one will redshirt, and if so, my guess would be Hyde.

The real question to me is Hall. Obviously, the kid can play, but he's caught in a log jam with established upperclassmen in front of him and bigger guys coming in behind him. In any other year in the Tressel era, he'd be getting a lot more reps than he has.

On the positive side, this is amazing depth. Even in a near worst-case scenario where two backs are hurt and a backup (or two) proves to be ineffective, there are still 3-4 guys on the roster who can step in. It's almost enough to make you want to see the triple option.

Saine has surpassed Herron IMO. Can't imagine Herron being the lead back going forward. Saine was better in every big game rushing and catching the football. Herron is a solid RB, but he's not dynamic like Berry or even Hall. He doesn't have the one cut acceleration or natural running skills of Berry or Hall IMO.

If he wasn't a veteran back in the system, I would imagine he'd have a hard time seeing carries next year given the current stable. However, given his experience I imagine he'll continue to get a lot of carries, but I have no doubt Saine is the primary guy next year. Furthermore, I would look for Hyde or Smith to establish themselves as the short yardage or goalline back. Berry and Hall likely fight it out for the big play type back, who get a few carries a game to see if they can rip off a big run given their homerun hitting ability.

I dont want to come across as ripping Herron, I just don't see the explosiveness or dynamic running ability that Berry and Hall bring to the table. And Saine established himself in big games this year as the guy who deserves #1 status.

 

[MaxBuck]

Herron is our best inside runner, IMO, and the best at pass-pro. Saine can hit the home run with greater frequency because of his great speed; he's also the best receiver from the RB position. I think we'll see in 2010 pretty much what we saw in 2009: these two runners getting most of the load.

 

[Bucknut24]

wans't Saine the one starting the games at the end of the year? I gotta feeling that will continue..

Any chance Hyde could get some goal line carries?

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Judging by the Rose Bowl, it does look like Herron and Saine are 1A and 1B at this point, though here on BP we seem to be a little more pro Saine.

They both had 14 carries in the Rose Bowl with Saine having 3 yards more rushing, and didn't Saine start (and score the game's first TD)? So if the Rose Bowl tells us anything, it's Saine 1A and Herron 1B, not the other way around.

 

[bucknut502]

I would like to see Saine play some fullback to get him in pass-routes 1 on 1 with linebackers and still have an explosive back like Berry in at tailback. Or even line Saine up in the slot on occation. He may just have the best set of hands on the team. But I think what I want more is a 2 back, shotgun formation with Saine and Berry. That would be too many sub 4.4's in that backfield for a defense to deal with. I think we will see JT get somewhat creative next year with all of this talent.

 

[Scarlet'n'Gray]

In my opinion, Herron and Saine are still pretty even at the RB position. I want to see them share the ball, with Herron taking inside runs and Saine spreading the ball out more. 2010 is going to be interesting with Pryor feeling more confident, maybe more option plays? It'd be pretty interesting.

 

[Class'13]

The scariest part of all this is that Saine is a senior, and everyone else will be coming back in 2011.

 

[NUTS4theBUCKS28]

we have one hell of a stable in the backfield in the coming years

 

[cincibuck]

Herron is our best inside runner, IMO, and the best at pass-pro. Saine can hit the home run with greater frequency because of his great speed; he's also the best receiver from the RB position. I think we'll see in 2010 pretty much what we saw in 2009: these two runners getting most of the load.

With the kind of depth the bucks have at RB and with the loss of Small, and possibly Carter, Washington not quite ready, would it be possible that the coaches might look at putting Saine in the receiver corps? Right now Posey seems to be the only deep threat on the team.

 

[buc320]

Thanks a lot for a bunch of good tips. I look forward to reading more on the topic in the future. Keep up the good work!
If you are looking to purchase a designer handbag, Coach purses should be your first choice. Coach handbags are something that you will get a lot of use out of and you will appreciate it more than just an average coach purse which from the coach outlet store

 

[pnuts34]

With the kind of depth the bucks have at RB and with the loss of Small, and possibly Carter, Washington not quite ready, would it be possible that the coaches might look at putting Saine in the receiver corps? Right now Posey seems to be the only deep threat on the team.

I don't think putting one of your best RBs at a different position would help us. The way the WRs will get better is through reps, just like our D this year was pretty inexperienced, and they got better, our WRs will too. Saine switching positions in his senior year would be a bad move IMO. I really believe our WRs will be fine this year given time and reps. And our RBs are just an embarassment of riches this year and we should sit back and enjoy how the rest of the nation will be very envious. :osu: