UTEP Week Pressers

I'm not trying to be pessimistic (it just comes naturally).

I don't really love the sound of Rhule saying in yesterday's press conference in reference to running backs that "we're going to play all four of them." Really don't like the sound of that. That probably means "nobody stood out in camp."

If we had four Ameer's or four <insert another great back here> then it would be fine. But we clearly don't.

Here's to hoping one of these guys gets it in his head to go ape s*** and blaze some trails for our offense early in the season.

 
One more...a specific quote from Rhule about Bonner:
 

"We can be in 11 personnel and all of a sudden, get under center and have him be the fullback."
I get it, and I hope it's great. I just don't think it's going to actually catch any team on our schedule off guard.

 
I'm not trying to be pessimistic (it just comes naturally).

I don't really love the sound of Rhule saying in yesterday's press conference in reference to running backs that "we're going to play all four of them." Really don't like the sound of that. That probably means "nobody stood out in camp."

If we had four Ameer's or four <insert another great back here> then it would be fine. But we clearly don't.

Here's to hoping one of these guys gets it in his head to go ape s*** and blaze some trails for our offense early in the season.


Yeah, it's especially not great when Rhule brought up the need for one of the backs to separate a few weeks ago. Something along the lines of "don't make us coaches decide who plays" and it sounds like the coaches have to decide. Still possible - and I would say even likely - that someone seizes the job during the season. But it's not ideal to go into games with uncertainty. I think the floor of the room is pretty high, but to approach the ceiling someone has to step up.

 
I'm not trying to be pessimistic (it just comes naturally).

I don't really love the sound of Rhule saying in yesterday's press conference in reference to running backs that "we're going to play all four of them." Really don't like the sound of that. That probably means "nobody stood out in camp."

If we had four Ameer's or four <insert another great back here> then it would be fine. But we clearly don't.

Here's to hoping one of these guys gets it in his head to go ape s*** and blaze some trails for our offense early in the season.


I don't think we have any Ameer's on this squad.  But I think our RBs are better than most people give them credit for.

 
I think the floor of the room is pretty high, but to approach the ceiling someone has to step up.


Well said.

Obviously I'd love for Rahmir to be the guy, great story and awesome that he came back.

But I'd somehow be surprised if it winds up not being Emmett.

In Rhule's presser yesterday, he also said "when we block [on a running play] for four yards, instead of just getting four, we need to get 12." I love that mentality for sure, and that's where it's on the backs. I think running back has flown way under the radar because of the turnover problems from last year combined with the huge news of Raiola signing with us for this season.

 
I don't think we have any Ameer's on this squad.  But I think our RBs are better than most people give them credit for.


You're probably right there.

I do think our spacing would do wonders for the running game. And if we throw a bunch of wide quick screens to the tall guys, I think that's going to help as well.

 
I don't think we have any Ameer's on this squad.  But I think our RBs are better than most people give them credit for.
The RBs all seem capable. Despite a lot of injuries, each RB that got the ball performed pretty well. They were mostly average and similar when it came to YPC and other metrics.

But they also faced a lot of stacked boxes because teams weren't all that scared of our passing game. Hopefully our RBs can get some space this season when they don't have to run with 8 guys in the box and one of them can separate themselves into being a clear #1.

 
Back
Top