Running back question...

[CaliforniaTide]

I've been holding off this question for awhile simply because I'm trying to wait and see what CNS and his staff were doing and how we were discussing it but I'm still a bit confused.

I thought when CNS was hired, his RB philosophy was to use two RBs, typically an inside guy and an outside guy. But based on whenever we talk about the situation, it sounds as if CNS is looking for a full-time starter.

My question is whether or not CNS' original philosophy was to have 2+ dependable RBs or is he really looking for 1 full-time RB? I don't have a problem with what he's doing and I'm not questioning it, I'm just trying to get the confusion cleared up.

 

[LCN]

I've been holding off this question for awhile simply because I'm trying to wait and see what CNS and his staff were doing and how we were discussing it but I'm still a bit confused.

I thought when CNS was hired, his RB philosophy was to use two RBs, typically an inside guy and an outside guy. But based on whenever we talk about the situation, it sounds as if CNS is looking for a full-time starter.

My question is whether or not CNS' original philosophy was to have 2+ dependable RBs or is he really looking for 1 full-time RB? I don't have a problem with what he's doing and I'm not questioning it, I'm just trying to get the confusion cleared up.

I heard him say in an interview last year that he always wants to have at least 2 dependable backs to rotate unless he has a guy who is clearly superior . He cited Lorenzo White as an example . White carried the ball around 30 or more times a game at MichSt when CNS was there as an assistant coach .

It could be that he wants a pure starter at the position to be relieved in spots by T.Grant . Just a guess , don't know .

 

[RogueElephant]

I think he will use all the RBs based on situations he sees in games. He seems to favor a mulitple back running game and I think he will use each Bama back to their own strength given the game situation which is good IMO.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I can say that the staff was not bowled over at all with the state of the "stable," if one can call it that, when they arrived. Also, as Jess has alluded, RU still has to work his way out of CNS's dog house. The circumstances, to me, seem ideal for one of the outstanding RB recruits to work into the rotation...

 

[BamaInBham]

I can say that the staff was not bowled over at all with the state of the "stable," if one can call it that, when they arrived. Also, as Jess has alluded, RU still has to work his way out of CNS's dog house. The circumstances, to me, seem ideal for one of the outstanding RB recruits to work into the rotation...

Could not agree more with your first and last sentences. Seems that Ingram is the most likely.

 

[drjohn432]

My parsing of the coach's statements are that he will play the best guy we have, and would like more than one option.

 

[BamaNate]

I still think Griffin will step up as the #1/#2 back based off of his power running and blocking ability

I think he will be used similar to how Brain Leonard was used at Rutger

 

[nooneLT]

I can say that the staff was not bowled over at all with the state of the "stable," if one can call it that, when they arrived. Also, as Jess has alluded, RU still has to work his way out of CNS's dog house. The circumstances, to me, seem ideal for one of the outstanding RB recruits to work into the rotation...

that's really too sad. I think Upchurch can be something special if he gets his head on straight and gets out of CNS's doghouse. Every time I see him in practice he proves why he's the most complete back we have right now. Now all he has to do is prove that he can be dependable on and off the field.

 

[ihateorange365]

Seems like everyone is TRYING to go to a two back system, from college all the way to the NFL. I think the days of Shaun and Bo and Hershel carrying the ball 35 times a game are over for most. Plus you have to have guys now who can catch the ball out of the backfield. :BigA:

 

[Bamabuzzard]

A two back system is fine. But you have to keep it at two backs for it to ultimately be effective. I think teams get too carried away with the 1-2-3-4 punch. Most RB's have to get a "feel" for the game before they start producing at their maximum level. Handing a back the ball once/twice a series, taking him out, and him sitting the next series, going back in and getting anther one to two carries ultimately does more harm than good.

I hope we find those two backs and ride them like a rented mule this season. Instead of using a combination of Grant, Upchurch, Coffee, Griffin, etc.

 

[bmcklv]

A two back system is fine. But you have to keep it at two backs for it to ultimately be effective. I think teams get too carried away with the 1-2-3-4 punch. Most RB's have to get a "feel" for the game before they start producing at their maximum level. Handing a back the ball once/twice a series, taking him out, and him sitting the next series, going back in and getting anther one to two carries ultimately does more harm than good.

I hope we find those two backs and ride them like a rented mule this season. Instead of using a combination of Grant, Upchurch, Coffee, Griffin, etc.

Agreed. A lot of backs don't get started good until they've been hit a couple times to get their blood up.