Who was the better RB? Roy Helu or Brandon Jackson?

[I am I]

Great question!

I have thought since BJax was a redshift he got the shaft. He was a solich recruit, no? He could block, catch, run inside and break long runs as well. He just had a certain leverage that Helu doesn't have, IMO. While helu has produced and has better stats overall, I think it is fair to say that for whatever the reasons were BJ didn't get a chance to shine full time. I think the Cotton Bowl was a perfect example... IMO, the way callahan didn't use him in that game directly led to his early departure. He just seemed to be able to make something out of nothing.

Now helu on the other hand, by circumstance, has had ample opportunity to shine and has been very productive. I think he has a Marcus Allen type slashing running style that is very deceptive. He too can catch very well. However, I don't see him finishing long runs like BJ...how many times does Helu have a run of 20+ yds, but no score? He ran for well over 100+ yds against both VT and OU, but had ZERO td's.

For me, it depends on this season...if helu goes for 1200 and 10, then he'll have proved himself. Whereas, even though BJ didn't have those stats, he still has a leg up, methinks...it comes down to helu staying healthy

 

[Husker Richard]

Not even close (well sort of close)...

B-Jax played for Callahan and didn't even begin to see the bulk of the carries until at least a quarter of the way into his final year. If B-Jax didn't get buried on the depth chart due to favoritism like frequently happened under BC, this wouldn't even be a point to argue in my opinion.

B-Jax is/was the best back we've had at Lincoln since....? This is the real question in my opinion. Who was the last really really really good back (almost great) prior to B-Jax?

And yes, if Helu stays healthy and plays like he did at Va Tech ALL YEAR, I will alter this tune a little bit about the 'not even a question' statement.

Not favoritism! Sometimes, good players get buried. That's the nature of the game. If Callahan really played favorites, BJax wouldn't have gotten his shot as a junior. We had a four-back stable that year and Jackson emerged to take charge because he proved his worth, even though he was coming back from some injuries and being mostly invisible to Husker fans. Now we want to go back and claim Callahan played favorites with Lucky? How? Lucky had his shot that year, and couldn't hang onto it and Callahan went with Jackson instead.

Cory Ross (right before BJax if I remember) was pretty darn good, too.

I think Jackson and Helu are pretty different styles. I love watching Helu but I would hardly mind a back like Jackson either. I think I'll go with Helu just because he's more recent in memory.

Listen to player interviews about the Callahan era and how people got to see the field... from their mouths (or mouthes? .

Keller over Ganz anyone???

 

[carlfense]

Not even close (well sort of close)...

B-Jax played for Callahan and didn't even begin to see the bulk of the carries until at least a quarter of the way into his final year. If B-Jax didn't get buried on the depth chart due to favoritism like frequently happened under BC, this wouldn't even be a point to argue in my opinion.

B-Jax is/was the best back we've had at Lincoln since....? This is the real question in my opinion. Who was the last really really really good back (almost great) prior to B-Jax?

And yes, if Helu stays healthy and plays like he did at Va Tech ALL YEAR, I will alter this tune a little bit about the 'not even a question' statement.

Not favoritism! Sometimes, good players get buried. That's the nature of the game. If Callahan really played favorites, BJax wouldn't have gotten his shot as a junior. We had a four-back stable that year and Jackson emerged to take charge because he proved his worth, even though he was coming back from some injuries and being mostly invisible to Husker fans. Now we want to go back and claim Callahan played favorites with Lucky? How? Lucky had his shot that year, and couldn't hang onto it and Callahan went with Jackson instead.

Cory Ross (right before BJax if I remember) was pretty darn good, too.

I think Jackson and Helu are pretty different styles. I love watching Helu but I would hardly mind a back like Jackson either. I think I'll go with Helu just because he's more recent in memory.

Listen to player interviews about the Callahan era and how people got to see the field... from their mouths (or mouthes? .

Keller over Ganz anyone???

I've heard that that was partly a problem of Ganz looking average in practice and Keller looking great in practice. Turns out that was the exact opposite when they actually played in real games. I don't know if that's true or not. I believe it. Ganz was a competitor . . . he turned it up a notch in games. I didn't ever see him practice.

 

[The Maudfather]

Gotta go with Bjax. I'll never forget that shovel pass that he took to the house against Texas in 06.

 

[carlfense]

Gotta go with Bjax. I'll never forget that shovel pass that he took to the house against Texas in 06.

That was a magical moment in a magical game . . . that ended in standard Texas related heartbreak.

I still won't forget how it kept snowing harder and harder, and the crowd got louder and louder.

 

[Enhance]

Not even close (well sort of close)...

B-Jax played for Callahan and didn't even begin to see the bulk of the carries until at least a quarter of the way into his final year. If B-Jax didn't get buried on the depth chart due to favoritism like frequently happened under BC, this wouldn't even be a point to argue in my opinion.

B-Jax is/was the best back we've had at Lincoln since....? This is the real question in my opinion. Who was the last really really really good back (almost great) prior to B-Jax?

And yes, if Helu stays healthy and plays like he did at Va Tech ALL YEAR, I will alter this tune a little bit about the 'not even a question' statement.

Not favoritism! Sometimes, good players get buried. That's the nature of the game. If Callahan really played favorites, BJax wouldn't have gotten his shot as a junior. We had a four-back stable that year and Jackson emerged to take charge because he proved his worth, even though he was coming back from some injuries and being mostly invisible to Husker fans. Now we want to go back and claim Callahan played favorites with Lucky? How? Lucky had his shot that year, and couldn't hang onto it and Callahan went with Jackson instead.

Cory Ross (right before BJax if I remember) was pretty darn good, too.

I think Jackson and Helu are pretty different styles. I love watching Helu but I would hardly mind a back like Jackson either. I think I'll go with Helu just because he's more recent in memory.

Listen to player interviews about the Callahan era and how people got to see the field... from their mouths (or mouthes? .

Keller over Ganz anyone???

I've heard that that was partly a problem of Ganz looking average in practice and Keller looking great in practice. Turns out that was the exact opposite when they actually played in real games. I don't know if that's true or not. I believe it. Ganz was a competitor . . . he turned it up a notch in games. I didn't ever see him practice.

Not to say this is true, as it is purely speculative, but that one just screams favoritism to me. Keller was a transfer from Arizona State with only one year of eligibility left. Callahan really wanted this guy because of his pro-style quarterback play.

So, even if Callahan thought Keller was better in practices, it wouldn't look very good if he had spent all this time trying to get him to come to Nebraska, but then switching up and giving the starting job to Ganz. It very well could have been a case of Callahan wanting Keller to succeed rather than than looking like a fool and giving the job to Ganz.

I think it also has fairly credible evidence. There have been numerous player accounts where Callahan would focus heavily on the first teamers and just let other guys stand around and watch. Perhaps Callahan never gave Ganz enough opportunities in practice to try and unseat Keller? We will never know; however, going by what we have heard about Callahan, it wouldn't surprise me if this were true.

 

[EZ-E]

I was unaware of Roy Helu's career being over. I saw the question and it said "Who WAS the better RB." Well, Roy has one more year to show what he can do.

 

[carlfense]

I was unaware of Roy Helu's career being over. I saw the question and it said "Who WAS the better RB." Well, Roy has one more year to show what he can do.

Eh. You know what it is supposed to be asking. How would you phrase it?

I suppose we could phrase it "Who has been the better running back so far?" if that is more acceptable.

 

[carlfense]

Not even close (well sort of close)...

B-Jax played for Callahan and didn't even begin to see the bulk of the carries until at least a quarter of the way into his final year. If B-Jax didn't get buried on the depth chart due to favoritism like frequently happened under BC, this wouldn't even be a point to argue in my opinion.

B-Jax is/was the best back we've had at Lincoln since....? This is the real question in my opinion. Who was the last really really really good back (almost great) prior to B-Jax?

And yes, if Helu stays healthy and plays like he did at Va Tech ALL YEAR, I will alter this tune a little bit about the 'not even a question' statement.

Not favoritism! Sometimes, good players get buried. That's the nature of the game. If Callahan really played favorites, BJax wouldn't have gotten his shot as a junior. We had a four-back stable that year and Jackson emerged to take charge because he proved his worth, even though he was coming back from some injuries and being mostly invisible to Husker fans. Now we want to go back and claim Callahan played favorites with Lucky? How? Lucky had his shot that year, and couldn't hang onto it and Callahan went with Jackson instead.

Cory Ross (right before BJax if I remember) was pretty darn good, too.

I think Jackson and Helu are pretty different styles. I love watching Helu but I would hardly mind a back like Jackson either. I think I'll go with Helu just because he's more recent in memory.

Listen to player interviews about the Callahan era and how people got to see the field... from their mouths (or mouthes? .

Keller over Ganz anyone???

I've heard that that was partly a problem of Ganz looking average in practice and Keller looking great in practice. Turns out that was the exact opposite when they actually played in real games. I don't know if that's true or not. I believe it. Ganz was a competitor . . . he turned it up a notch in games. I didn't ever see him practice.

Not to say this is true, as it is purely speculative, but that one just screams favoritism to me. Keller was a transfer from Arizona State with only one year of eligibility left. Callahan really wanted this guy because of his pro-style quarterback play.

So, even if Callahan thought Keller was better in practices, it wouldn't look very good if he had spent all this time trying to get him to come to Nebraska, but then switching up and giving the starting job to Ganz. It very well could have been a case of Callahan wanting Keller to succeed rather than than looking like a fool and giving the job to Ganz.

I think it also has fairly credible evidence. There have been numerous player accounts where Callahan would focus heavily on the first teamers and just let other guys stand around and watch. Perhaps Callahan never gave Ganz enough opportunities in practice to try and unseat Keller? We will never know; however, going by what we have heard about Callahan, it wouldn't surprise me if this were true.

Could be. Just passing on what I'd heard. I can't even remember where I heard it.

The important thing is that there is no doubt who was the better gameday quarterback.

 

[EZ-E]

I was unaware of Roy Helu's career being over. I saw the question and it said "Who WAS the better RB." Well, Roy has one more year to show what he can do.

Eh. You know what it is supposed to be asking. How would you phrase it?

I suppose we could phrase it "Who has been the better running back so far?" if that is more acceptable.

B-Jax is my kind of RB. I loved his running style.

Helu seems to be a kind of kid that fits what Wats wants to do.

 

[carlfense]

B-Jax is my kind of RB. I loved his running style.

Helu seems to be a kind of kid that fits what Wats wants to do.

Same here. BJax was a load. I think that out of our current running backs Burkhead's running style is most similar to BJax. Power, decisiveness, and vision. I'm not sure Burkhead is quite as fast . . . but to me they run similarly. Note that I'm not crowning Burkhead here. Helu is probably still the best running back on the roster. We'll see how it plays out.

 

[Landlord]

Great question! I think the Cotton Bowl was a perfect example... IMO, the way callahan didn't use him in that game directly led to his early departure.

Didn't he still have a broken arm or hand? At any rate, Lucky was absolutely tearing it up in that game, and B-Jax got his touches as well. We did a lot wrong in that game, but the runningback distribution wasn't part of it.

Keller over Ganz anyone???

People have pretty selective memory. Keller was the better quarterback that year, in my opinion. Ganz came in and threw the ball all over the place and got some yards, but:

a) we were always down big, and throwing it every down

B) he had a lot of touchdowns, but had a lot of interceptions too (Ganz lost us the Colorado game)

c) the Kansas State game was just as much Joe Ganz' "skill" as it was Callahan trying to rack up as many points and yards as possible.

2008 Ganz > 2007 Keller, but I don't think 2007 Ganz was good enough, but who knows?

 

[EZ-E]

Carlfense-One thing I forgot about as well is that Brandon Jackson came out early and was a 2nd round pick. I'm taking BJax.

 

[husker B-rent]

Helu no doubt.....there is a reason that people were surprised that jackson was drafted in the second round. he was projected to be drafted no sooner that the 4th round but green bay stretched it more than a little. they are somewhat close but helu is the clear leader.

 

[zoogs]

Not even close (well sort of close)...

B-Jax played for Callahan and didn't even begin to see the bulk of the carries until at least a quarter of the way into his final year. If B-Jax didn't get buried on the depth chart due to favoritism like frequently happened under BC, this wouldn't even be a point to argue in my opinion.

B-Jax is/was the best back we've had at Lincoln since....? This is the real question in my opinion. Who was the last really really really good back (almost great) prior to B-Jax?

And yes, if Helu stays healthy and plays like he did at Va Tech ALL YEAR, I will alter this tune a little bit about the 'not even a question' statement.

Not favoritism! Sometimes, good players get buried. That's the nature of the game. If Callahan really played favorites, BJax wouldn't have gotten his shot as a junior. We had a four-back stable that year and Jackson emerged to take charge because he proved his worth, even though he was coming back from some injuries and being mostly invisible to Husker fans. Now we want to go back and claim Callahan played favorites with Lucky? How? Lucky had his shot that year, and couldn't hang onto it and Callahan went with Jackson instead.

Cory Ross (right before BJax if I remember) was pretty darn good, too.

I think Jackson and Helu are pretty different styles. I love watching Helu but I would hardly mind a back like Jackson either. I think I'll go with Helu just because he's more recent in memory.

Listen to player interviews about the Callahan era and how people got to see the field... from their mouths (or mouthes? .

Keller over Ganz anyone???

I've heard that that was partly a problem of Ganz looking average in practice and Keller looking great in practice. Turns out that was the exact opposite when they actually played in real games. I don't know if that's true or not. I believe it. Ganz was a competitor . . . he turned it up a notch in games. I didn't ever see him practice.

Not to say this is true, as it is purely speculative, but that one just screams favoritism to me. Keller was a transfer from Arizona State with only one year of eligibility left. Callahan really wanted this guy because of his pro-style quarterback play.

So, even if Callahan thought Keller was better in practices, it wouldn't look very good if he had spent all this time trying to get him to come to Nebraska, but then switching up and giving the starting job to Ganz. It very well could have been a case of Callahan wanting Keller to succeed rather than than looking like a fool and giving the job to Ganz.

I think it also has fairly credible evidence. There have been numerous player accounts where Callahan would focus heavily on the first teamers and just let other guys stand around and watch. Perhaps Callahan never gave Ganz enough opportunities in practice to try and unseat Keller? We will never know; however, going by what we have heard about Callahan, it wouldn't surprise me if this were true.

Everyone from the coaches to the players have said that the starting job was an open competition. In fact, it was the Husker fanbase that just assumed Keller was an ubertalent and that the coaches were just trying to be nice when they said it was a close race so as not to make Ganz transfer. Turns out, Ganz was better than we all thought. But the coaches knew that and the fans didn't - but now we try to make like it was the other way around. Keller won the job outright, as BigWillie can tell you (might be where you heard it, carlfense). Some of the same Husker fans that wrote Ganz off as an afterthought then are now claiming coaching biases! (Not making an accusation at anyone, mind)

And how does focusing on the 1's supply evidence that Callahan played favorites? What's wrong with focusing on the starters? Different coaches have different philosophies, but concentrating on the 1's is a perfectly legitimate one. I'm sure Bo & co don't devote the same coaching and attention to 3rd teamers and scout team guys than they do the guys that are lining up every Saturday on the field.

I tend to think this "favorites" sentiment comes more from just the general anti-Callahan feelings many of us have (as you said - it's the kind of thing that "wouldn't surprise you" if it were true). I don't know though. Willie's one of the most knowledgeable people on this board, and he's called out Barney Cotton on favoritism more than Callahan, if at all.