Upchurch's position

[Trobinson97]

Okay we all knew going into the season that Roy was the #2 back behind Ingram and Trent was #4. However, with Trent coming out against FIU last weekend, and another great day today, coupled with the planned move to slot for Grant where does this put Upchurch once he's healthy again? Is Trent the clear #2 back now or does Upchurch reclaim his spot?

I like Roy, and I think he has the potential to be an ALL SEC type of back if he could only stay off the bike and on the field. Trent is a young, powerful and bruising back though and Saban has pretty much confirmed that he thinks Trent is better now*. It would be hard to take carries away from Trent and Mark though with as well as they are playing.

I was hoping Roy would have a great senior year and have a chance to get picked up in the draft. Of course, it's still early but it looks like Trent's success is going to significantly lessen those chances. So what do you guys think, is the senior now cemented in as the third stringer?

*In the post game conference, when asked about the offensive line and the rushing game, CNS made the comment:

"The one thing that gets overshadowed is we have two really pretty good backs...Roy's not too far behind when he's playing so we really have three...Terry Grant gives us a different dimension."

 

[jameshall198]

The key to this question is going to be keeping Upchurch healthy. If we can get him healthy and keep him that way, then it is going to be up to him to reclaim that spot. If not, then TR is going to keep it, simply because he earned it. Either way it goes we have a solid back field and a promising future. I wish Upchurch the best of luck, but as I said, it is up to him, and him staying healthy!

 

[M2J]

I think Upchurch will get his PT if he can stay healthy and running like prior to the injury.

He may be our best blocker and is solid as a pass catcher too.

 

[TommyMac]

It's a "problem" any coach would love to have. RU will get PT when he's healthy again, poor guy, he just can't seem to shake the injury thing and he's such a stud when he's healthy too.

It gets even better in 2010 with the addition of Jalston Fowler and Eddie Lacy. Coach Saban will have a whole stable of future NFL backs at his disposal. _green: Plus, as we all know, he'll still be out there crootin more. :tongue:

 

[Bamatide44]

Roy is as much a gifted athlete as any running back in the SEC. It's too bad that he can't stay healty. He does have a future in the NFL, but only if he gets rid of that injury bug. Hopefully, we'll get a lot out of him for the upcomming games. We need him!

 

[p'colabamaman]

About the fact that he can't stay healthy, sometimes I think that he runs too hard. LOL. Maybe he should try to dodge a tackler instead of running him over.

 

[Tidewater]

Comments about Upchurch not being too far behind to me are just an acknowledgment that Upchurch is slightly injured right now.
I would say that, all things being equal between Trent and Roy, Coach Saban will be one of those guys to play the senior (see JPW & GMac last year). To give the senior a chance to get drafted, to keep his younger players healthy.
Right now, Upchurch is the better blocker and the better pass catcher coming out of the backfield.

 

[gamersfuel]

not to sound like a broken record but we know the guy who gives the team the best chance to win is going to get the nod. wouldnt surprise me to see trent get it based on the fact that he seems to never lose yardage and moves the pile everytime..upchurch is the better blocker and finds holes better right now. maybe they will be 2A and 2B. who cares though, they both will get carries and saban will go with who is hot

 

[Trobinson97]

Comments about Upchurch not being too far behind to me are just an acknowledgment that Upchurch is slightly injured right now.
I would say that, all things being equal between Trent and Roy, Coach Saban will be one of those guys to play the senior (see JPW & GMac last year). To give the senior a chance to get drafted, to keep his younger players healthy.
Right now, Upchurch is the better blocker and the better pass catcher coming out of the backfield.

Well, CNS said Upchurce is not too far behind when he's playing. That to me sounds like Trent is the better back when both are healthy. I do agree with you that Saban will likely give the upper classmen the nod. They both give us excellent chances to win but this is Upchurch's last hurrah and Richardson has another two years to shine.

 

[bamaee04]

I know others have commented about this as well, but the way Upchurch ran the ball as we finished off the beat down of TN last year I want him to get his share of carries. With the exception of that fumble in the Va. Tech game, he was the punshing runner we have seen when he can stay healthy. Here's hoping that he will be healthy enough to tote the rock this week against the hogs. We need to have some long, sustained, punishing drives this next week to keep their offense off the field. Not that ours hasn't been great so far this year, but the hogs certainly showed some explosive offense last night against GA. We need our full stable of runners' to keep our defense fresh and theirs tired for late in the game...

 

[BubbaOne]

Roy has unfortunate injury history but when he plays he goes 100% CNS will play Roy behind Ingram next week, what a nice problem to have We have Ingram, followed by Roy, Followed by Trent, then Grant, then Goode you looked quick on his one run, then RS Lacy, then next year Corey Grant, Jalston Fowler and we RS Marrow who is a strong FB We have not had this problem for some time our future looks strong

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I think that CNS will give Roy a chance to hold on to the #2 spot, but if he doesn't produce he could fall to #3.
I love the role that Grant has now. Let the really physical runners wear them down, then when the Defenses hands are on their hips, we send in the seasoned speedy little guy. The Pistol formation gives our physical backs a chance to hit the hole and burst thru. It also gives our speed back a chance to shoot thru and make big plays.

All of our Running Backs will benefit greatly from having an acurate QB. Teams will have to respect the pass, and that keeps them from stacking the box to stop the run.

 

[Tidewater]

that fumble in the Va. Tech game, ...

I had momentarily forgotten about that. That was a careless fumble. That kind of play does not endear him to the coaching staff.

 

[CapstoneTider]

Grant seems to have a hard time against lines were a tackle must be broken. If he can get through untouched, he has the instincts and speed to take it to the house. He is an athlete and not really NFL running back in my book.

Ingram and Trent are both superior backs that have the same ability plus can break the tackles. Ingram is turning into a NFL complete package RB, dangerous out of the backfield with soft hands. Trent can take a no gainer and strength his way to three or four yards. I predict he will leave with the record book. Both will be no lower than second round draft picks, if not first.

Upchurch is NFL material but we all know about the injuries. He could very well have followed in Coffee's footsteps and started this year. He was a Parade All America and #8 back in country out of HS. More touted than Coffee.

If he's healthy, he is a big asset to the team. The tandem of he, Ingram and Trent is the best in the country.

My comparison's when healthy.

Ingram 10
Coffee 9
Trent 9
Grant 6