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2011 Running Backs Discussion

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CONGERSBUCKEYE;1964883; said:
I believe a weakness when TP was qb was that we did not get enough playmakers involved. I look at Florida, USC, Oregon and we have equal talent on offensive. Get the ball out of the qbs hands into Hall or Brown and let them beat a man on the outside with bubble screens or quick outs. We did it with Ted Ginn but have not seen much creativity since then. I also hope they utilize the TE more. I love to see Hall, Brown, and Berry on the field at the same time. Speed kills and they can all take it to the house.
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Yeah but everybody knows the Big10 doesn't have as much speed as, say, the SEC...
 
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k2onprimetime;1850102; said:
I'm really excited about Rod Smith
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BuckeyeNation36;1965401; said:
Me too. Sounds like a big RB with power and a burst. Can't wait to see him.
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I've also waited seven months since k2onprimetime somewhat flamboyantly declared his excitement for the prospect of Rod Smith in our backfield, and, after much deliberation, I, too, am now comfortable publicly stating that I can't wait to see him run the ball.
 
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CONGERSBUCKEYE;1964883; said:
I believe a weakness when TP was qb was that we did not get enough playmakers involved. I look at Florida, USC, Oregon and we have equal talent on offensive. Get the ball out of the qbs hands into Hall or Brown and let them beat a man on the outside with bubble screens or quick outs. We did it with Ted Ginn but have not seen much creativity since then. I also hope they utilize the TE more. I love to see Hall, Brown, and Berry on the field at the same time. Speed kills and they can all take it to the house.
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That offense was TP centric which is typical of a JT team from what we've seen. Before TP it was Beanie Wells centric. It's a product of finding an offensive indentity. Finding what you do best. This year's offense may be running centric.
 
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Ohio State football: Candidates ready to run
Four running backs are hoping to get their share of carries while Herron serves five-game suspension
Wednesday August 17, 2011
By Bill Rabinowitz
The Columbus Dispatch

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FRED SQUILLANTE | DISPATCH
Jaamal Berry: The sophomore, who saw limited action last season, has breakaway speed.
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FRED SQUILLANTE | DISPATCH
Carlos Hyde: The sophomore?s quick feet belie his stocky, 238-pound frame.
The incumbent is suspended for the first five games. Last year?s other main running back is trying to make the NFL.
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CRAIG HOLMAN | DISPATCH
Jordan Hall: The junior, now taking reps with the first team, can be used in run and pass situations.
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FRED SQUILLANTE | DISPATCH
Daniel Herron: The senior, suspended for the first five games this season, was a workhorse last season.

Yet the level of concern for Ohio State?s running back situation is much less than it is for its equally unsettled quarterbacks, largely because the Buckeyes believe that their running backs, though mostly short on experience, have no shortage of talent.

?I think we?ve got a group of guys who are very impressive,? coach Luke Fickell said after practice yesterday.

With Daniel Herron suspended for the first five games and Brandon Saine with the Green Bay Packers, the competition to be the opening-game starter is wide open.

Jordan Hall, who ran for 169 yards last year, usually takes the first-team reps. But the versatile Hall also has been split out as a receiver on some plays.

Three other running backs are in the hunt as well, and all have shown potential in camp. Sophomore Jaamal Berry, who averaged 8.3 yards on 32 carries last season, appears to be the best breakaway threat. Sophomore Carlos Hyde has shown surprising niftiness for a 238-pounder. Rod Smith, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound redshirt freshman, is a power runner with big-play potential.

Ohio State has practiced in full pads only since Friday. Fickell said the upcoming scrimmages will be crucial in establishing the pecking order.

?We?re working hard every play, making each other better,? Berry said. ?(We?re) taking every rep like it?s a game situation.?

That?s exactly how Fickell likes it.

?That?s one of the tougher positions on the field because it?s the one position that takes the most hits,? he said. ?That guy has got to keep getting up and getting back after it and wearing guys out.?

Knowing that the starting position was open, Ohio State?s running backs worked out particularly hard in the offseason. They ran on the practice-field sand pit to improve their leg strength and did agility drills, in addition to the normal weight training.

Cont...
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http://www.buckeyextra.com/content/stories/2011/08/17/candidates-ready-to-run.html
 
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Hyde is going to be a beast. Most people arent talking about him much but Hall could have just let him take the main spot for a while. I like Hall in the slot more and change of pace anyway so I see this as Hyde then Smith to carry the Buckeye torch going forward.

I'm not saying I dont want to see Hall and Berry breaking it in the open field but I'll feel much better about this offense if Hyde or Smith resemble a bit of Beanie Wells with the football.
 
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Personally, I like Jordan Hall the most. He's very durable despite his size and he always seems to hit the hole at 100mph. He's explosive yet shifty. His top end speed isn't that great but he's very quick.
I'm excited to see what Rod Smith can do. We heard all last bowl season that he was lighting up the practices. It should be fun to see him in there with the 1's in a live situation. Same goes for Hyde, although I see him more as a 3 yards and a cloud type of back. Again, I've never seen either of these guys in live situations with the 1's on the field so it should be interesting to see what holds true.
 
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What we had out there today was great to see. Those were arguably our third and fifth string running backs out there, running for over 160 yards between the two, and they made it look rather easy. Once Boom, Hall, and Berry return, the backfield is going to light up with speed and power. Boom has it all, Jordan has superb vision and quickness and has arguably the best receiving skills on the team, Berry is by far the fastest back and can break it loose whenever he touches the ball, Hyde is the ultimate power back with elusive speed and quickness for a big man, and Smith could become the best of them all, given time. By the fifth game, I expect to see the run game kicking ass and taking names. No holds bared...
 
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buckeyes_rock;1982175; said:
Berry was dressed for the game yesterday. I sure hope he's able to get in there soon. It'll be nice to have some speed and elusiveness mixed in with the power of Hyde and Smith.
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For a while now I've been wondering if he's going to make it out of the depth chart. I'm not a betting man but I'd put money on the table that we'll see other backs featured through the rest of his stay in Cbus.
 
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