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RB Bri'onte Dunn (dismissed from team)

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Nigel Tufnel said:
Mili, I don't want to argue with you anymore, because you just like to argue. Bottom line is that we have little experience at the position and half the people you mentioned in your prior post were not assigned to the RB position last year and were not projected to be at that position coming out of spring. The fact that this might have to change would seem to make it obvious that there are depth issues. I see no reason why tOSU can't rise above it, but it's an obvious area of concern.
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There's no "arguing" here. It's called a discussion board for a reason, and posting countering view points constitutes "discussion".

I agree with the first bolded part of your quote, and have agreed previously. We have one single person on the entire team (Samuel) with a career carry from the tailback position. We are indeed lacking in experience here.

As for the second bolded part, I fail to see why you can't, or refuse, to fathom that previous experience at a position--especially proven experience at a solid level--doesn't automatically turn to vapor once assigned to another position. Also, you haven't provided a recent depth that indeed shows or only "true" RBs as Weber and Williams. I would not be surprised to see Samuel listed not only as the #1 HB but also the #3 RB (or #2 RB, depending on the development of Williams).
 
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pnuts34 said:
I thought HBs were hybrid RB/WR, so the plan was for them to get carries anyway... So not sure where depth would still be an issue. Now the carries that Dunn would've gotten get split between JT, Weber, Samuel, Williams and Wilson
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Carrying the ball somewhere is not the same as replacing the only experienced power back.

Now osu has a depth chart of a redshirt freshman and a true freshman. They are replacing a legend and most importantly, a phenomenal blocker. Good luck turning to Dontre Wilson let alone McCall to pick up a blitz.

Curtis Samuel is a very good all purpose back. I'm not sure he's the right guy to move the pile on 4th and short and whatever dunn may have lacked, he could pound it downhill. And if you are forced to move Samuel from the H spot, you've now downgraded your H back position.

OSU is not screwed but they have razor thin depth. If Weber gets hurt, or you know, plays like a wide eyed freshman, they are in a pretty bad spot.
 
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Could you get two guys injured at the same position and have to lean on the third team guy?

I'm not certain we have a "Cardale" as a third back, maybe we do? Hopefully we don't have to find out, and I am betting Urban will make that wish too when he blows out his candies on his next bday cake.
 
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jwinslow said:
Carrying the ball somewhere is not the same as replacing the only experienced power back.

Now osu has a depth chart of a redshirt freshman and a true freshman. They are replacing a legend and most importantly, a phenomenal blocker. Good luck turning to Dontre Wilson let alone McCall to pick up a blitz.

Curtis Samuel is a very good all purpose back. I'm not sure he's the right guy to move the pile on 4th and short and whatever dunn may have lacked, he could pound it downhill. And if you are forced to move Samuel from the H spot, you've now downgraded your H back position.

OSU is not screwed but they have razor thin depth. If Weber gets hurt, or you know, plays like a wide eyed freshman, they are in a pretty bad spot.
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Said better than I did. Thank you.
 
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jwinslow said:
Curtis Samuel is a very good all purpose back. I'm not sure he's the right guy to move the pile on 4th and short and whatever dunn may have lacked, he could pound it downhill. And if you are forced to move Samuel from the H spot, you've now downgraded your H back position.
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Samuel showed good power for his size. Granted, he's not the bowling ball Weber is, but he's no scat back either.

jwinslow said:
OSU is not screwed but they have razor thin depth. If Weber gets hurt, or you know, plays like a wide eyed freshman, they are in a pretty bad spot.
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I'm totally comfortable with Samuel at tailback. He's no Zeke, but he's hardly a slouch, would be a solid 3-down back, and would likely be a 1,000-yard rusher if he played exclusively at tailback for 12 games. Now, if Weber and Samuel both become unavailable, then being down to one "true" RB will be a problem.

The RB talent is there, just not the game experience, save Samuel.
 
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MililaniBuckeye said:
Samuel showed good power for his size. Granted, he's not the bowling ball Weber is, but he's no scat back either.
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I don't mind using him as an early down back. I don't want to turn to him on 4th and short very often, which is something they did frequently with zeke.

Like I said, if something happens to Weber, they're in a bad place, because now they have one higher level player for two core positions, RB and H-back. The dropoff would be significant to Williams and Wilson (who hasn't been healthy in years).
I'm totally comfortable with Samuel at tailback. He's no Zeke, but he's hardly a slouch, would be a solid 3-down back, and would likely be a 1,000-yard rusher if he played exclusively at tailback for 12 games. Now, if Weber and Samuel both become unavailable, then being down to one "true" RB will be a problem.

The RB talent is there, just not the game experience, save Samuel.
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I think Weber and Williams can run forward well enough (though we'll see how they handle the pressure and ball security issues that freshman can struggle with). This offense is built to put up gaudy YPC numbers.

I question how well they'll handle the scheme, lead blocking, identifying blitzers and stopping them, etc. That's far from a given.
 
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jwinslow said:
Carrying the ball somewhere is not the same as replacing the only experienced power back.

Now osu has a depth chart of a redshirt freshman and a true freshman. They are replacing a legend and most importantly, a phenomenal blocker. Good luck turning to Dontre Wilson let alone McCall to pick up a blitz.

Curtis Samuel is a very good all purpose back. I'm not sure he's the right guy to move the pile on 4th and short and whatever dunn may have lacked, he could pound it downhill. And if you are forced to move Samuel from the H spot, you've now downgraded your H back position.

OSU is not screwed but they have razor thin depth. If Weber gets hurt, or you know, plays like a wide eyed freshman, they are in a pretty bad spot.
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I wouldn't call Dunn all that experienced, that's being a little overrated with him, yes he was a 5th year senior. But let's not make it seem like he played meaningful minutes. Matter of fact out of all of the RBs and HBs, Samuel and Wilson are the only ones with any meaningful experience.

Osu reloads, Urban and the staff recruited at a high level for instances like this. I wouldn't say Wilson is a downgrade at HB by any means, nor would be Campbell(who many seem to forget and also has game experience).

Osu isn't deep, but they're also no razor thin. If Weber got hurt like @MililaniBuckeye stated, Samuel would pick up the pieces. This is still a spread run game, not an I or triple option where a large RB is needed. weber has been prepared for the spotlight, he signed with Osu for a reason.
 
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jwinslow said:
I don't mind using him as an early down back. I don't want to turn to him on 4th and short very often, which is something they did frequently with zeke.

Like I said, if something happens to Weber, they're in a bad place, because now they have one higher level player for two core positions, RB and H-back. The dropoff would be significant to Williams and Wilson (who hasn't been healthy in years).

I think Weber and Williams can run forward well enough (though we'll see how they handle the pressure and ball security issues that freshman can struggle with). This offense is built to put up gaudy YPC numbers.

I question how well they'll handle the scheme, lead blocking, identifying blitzers and stopping them, etc. That's far from a given.
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It also wasn't a given how Zeke would handle these situations when Hyde left...
 
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Agreed that Zeke was a phenomenal blocker and we don't have anyone to replace him in that area (or replace him in the area of running the football probably either.)

And obviously you'd like all your players to be well rounded like Zeke was, but most good teams in CFB don't have running backs that are good blockers and they are fine. I've never heard of Oregon and and Baylor running backs being called good blockers and those offenses do OK. Derrick Henry is having a hard time getting on the field for the Titans b/c he is a disaster as a blocker. But the Tide's offense was OK with him in the backfield.

You can have a successful running game without your running back being a good blocker.

And I'd like to see our quick passing game become more sophisticated. Or maybe more simple. I don't know which---whatever scheme adjustment gets our pass catchers get the ball quick in a position to make plays. You don't need a blocking RB to do that.
 
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What's interesting about the discussion coming out of Dunn's dismissal is it has forced a blunt conversation about trying to replace the '14 and '15 running game. Put simply, it can't be. Not with current personnel. The fact Dunn is gone is but a blip in the grander scheme.
 
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Say what?!?! Zeke can play in any system. Best blocking back I've ever seen and that might be at any level not counting massive FB's. Deceptive straight line speed and phenomenal vision. Generational player. No way is he a product of the system - he just made the system look brilliant. Akers and Dobbins will both be good but they aren't here yet so who knows.
 
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