Running Back Position = the Monster Mash?

[CodyGlenn34theRuskSensation]

Nice win by the Huskers on Saturday!

 

I haven't opined on the running back situation since I speculated just before the release of the depth chart that I thought Lucky would start and Glenn would be right behind him. Maybe that was just beginner's luck on my part?

 

Just wanted to give my thoughts on the RB performances from Saturday and then get down to the topic that makes some posters cringe at the thought of it.

 

Before I address that topic.............

 

Lucky - I think he played well and has improved his overall game. I like his quickness and little juke moves. Nice hands on the bubble screens and little dink passes in the flat. I like the strategy of giving Lucky the majority of the carries in the 1st half when the defense is fresher and his quickness and shifty moves prove effective. My only real concern about Lucky is that hopefully he will not be prone to injury. With his hamstring issue on one series to the shot he took (which was a big one and probably would have put me in the hospital for weeks) that took him out of the game. I don't want to make too big of an issue out of this, but I hope he will have the durability. Overall, I was impressed with Lucky.

 

Glenn - In the 1st half, I think the staff made sure to run Glenn a fair number of times between the tackles to soften up the D, and I also think the staff wanted to get film on the linemen and their schemes against live competition. I was pleased to see Glenn get the yards he was able to in the first half because the coaches had him in there on some real PREDICTABLE plays in short yardage and the goal line situation and he came through every time! On some of his carries, I think the ENTIRE stadium and half the state of Louisiana knew that he was going to tote the rock on the play. The staff didn't give him any tosses or sweeps to the outside or any opportunity to showcase that facet of his game in the 1st half. In the 2nd half, I was not at all surprised to see Glenn begin to dominate and reel off first down after first down. The defense was getting worn down and the staff loosened up the reins on Cody and gave him the freedom to show he can get the corner and he showed what he can do when given that opportunity. Would like to see him work more on his blitz pickup and also continue to hone his skills running up the middle.

 

Jackson - Great TD run and he showed a lot of heart on that play. It seems he got the raw end of the deal in this game on number of carries. Although the staff had him in the game on other plays, it was generally grunt work of having to pick up linebackers or not being thrown the little bubble screen passes. Maybe BJax will get a better opportunity this coming week.

 

Wilson - He started off in a blaze of glory. Awesome TD run that was called back. After the TD run was called back, I thought LaTech did a nice job on Kenny the rest of the game. I am concerned about the fumbling but I think that situation will improve over time. Here are the two things that concern me about Wilson. Right after his long run that was called back, I told a friend of mine I was watching the game with that LaTech should seal the perimeter when Wilson is in the game and force him inside (yes, I root for the Huskers but this was my observation). Another concern I had with Wilson is that on a number of his up the middle runs, he ran through the hole very upright and it seemed to make for a big target for the defenders. He also seemed to be waiting to get hit on his runs up the middle and LaTech seemed to be able to tackle him fairly easily as well which surprised me. I think the staff can work with Wilson on his up the middle runs and his approach to these runs.

 

Since Nebraska should roll over these first two opponents, I think it's a nice strategy by Callahan and staff to get all 4 backs in the game. Nich. State should be another opportunity for all 4 backs to get a good number of carries and experience. Even with a possible fumble here or there, the team is going to come out victorious. Why not give them all playing time?

 

Now for the real question, as we approach the USC game..................

 

IS IT TIME FOR A 2-HEADED (NOT 4-HEADED) MONSTER AT RUNNING BACK?

 

Although we would all like peace, unity, and happiness, there gets a point in the season that if you aren't playing the best player on a certain play at the ideal situation, then it could really end up costing the team. (Example - Not putting Glenn in the game on goal line situations).

 

I think we are nearing the point where it's time for the 2-HEADED MONSTER.

 

THE TIME IS NEAR.......PREPARE FOR THE DOMINATING 1-2 PUNCH.......

 

Lucky and Glenn!!

[AR Husker Fan]

I don't think so, no. One thing about the West Coast offense is that it is predicated on matchups. Depending on down and distance, the defensive package, and so forth, you want to put in the guy that has the best chance of sucess for a particular play.

 

What I mean is that when you have one or two running backs, you tend to call plays to their strengths. That is, you base your play calling more on the talent on the field then on the playbood per se. I think that Callahan and Norvell tend to call the play that they think has the best chance of sucess for a particular situation - and that determines to some extent the personnel, rather than the other way around.

 

Two other factors have to be considered as well. First, the chance of injury. All it takes is a couple and all of a sudden you're having to throw in a back that hasn't had any carries. Not good - better to give them all some touches every game in the event that you lose any for any appreciable time. Second, the fatigue factor. Unless someone gets the hot hand, rotating them means that you always have fresh legs in the game.

[Hunter94]

i agree.....the Nichols State game needs to see all 4 backs getting touches...

but as the season wears on, yes we will probably see 2 guys get 80% of the plays, but again, it depends on how they all continue to develop, injuries, etc.

i think later in the season BJ will end up playing an important role for this team, he is a smart guy, seasoned and once he learns to alter his running style a bit, he too will be a valuable asset...don't count this guy out....he will improve and surprise many before season's end........

 

 

hunter

[ttheKid1*18]

I think this four back thing could work. At the end of the game, guys were still getting big carries and had a lot of energy in them. Did you see the run by BJax? I think this thing could work, since it gives fresh legs all throughout the game.

[hack]

do not fear the beast with two backs?

[Alex 4.0]

Did you see the run by BJax?

NO and I didn't see a replay of it either. I was using the can at the time and missed it. I guess I will have to wait til the BC show to see it. UNLESS someone has it and puts it on YouTube

 

You know, i think it will be a play the hot hand situation, but it seemed to work to get a couple backs around 10-15 carries and then get the other guys in to have fresh legs, I would be more scared of a 4-headed monster than a 2-headed monster

[zoogs]

I noticed at one point we were on third-and-short, and ran with Lucky...

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

The run by BJax was awesome. Lucky had some of the most impressive cuts of the game. Glenn just blew people up and it was great to see him make that high light hit on the one defender before the next one took him on. Wilson showed much promise but will have to protect the ball better. I hope to see what Wilson can do on kickoffs but they kept kicking away from him.

 

I agree that we should keep the four back rotation to get them all reps and to keep them fresh.

[ttheKid1*18]

I think Lucky will continue to be the main guy because of his receiving ability. He has some great moves off the screens and swing passes, and he can really make people miss.

[admo]

Now for the real question, as we approach the USC game..................

 

IS IT TIME FOR A 2-HEADED (NOT 4-HEADED) MONSTER AT RUNNING BACK?

 

USC is pretty darn tough last I checked. I can see them all getting "some" snaps, just not as evenly distributed. The situation will be different - on the road, national TV, a night game, etc. It's good to have four guys like this, because someone will have "jitters", and someone else will step up. They ALL want that chance to prove something. They aint just running through the motions. But heck, SoCal will probably try to stop the run, and Taylor will go to the air and we have some monsters out there too.

[AR Husker Fan]

Did you see the run by BJax?

NO and I didn't see a replay of it either. I was using the can at the time and missed it.

 

***SNIP***

Dude...that's why you keep your empty beer bottles close by!

[CodyGlenn34theRuskSensation]

AR Husker Fan,

I fail to see your point. I guess we can agree to disagree.

I don't think they should go to a 2-back system for the Nich. State game, I think they should keep it 4 backs because Nich. State is such a lightweight that they can all benefit from the experience and the team will still come out with a nice win. You mention injury and that certainly is a risk - but that's why they all rotated in fall camp and why they are rotating here at the beginning of the season. Game experience and live reps give them the foundation to build from that they can tap throughout the year if needed.

 

You also mention that when there are 2 backs used that the coaches tend to call plays that utilize their strengths. I CERTAINLY HOPE SO! It would be a shame to call plays that only utilize their weaknesses. Kinda hard to win those games!! Also, when you are rotating 4 backs, I would like to think that the coaches are still trying to put players in the right positions to utilize their strengths. This really just points to my overall underlying feeling and that is that I don't think that all 4 running backs are equal. The stats don't reveal that, the fumble totals don't reveal that. The number of broken tackles don't reveal that.

 

All of this doesn't matter now because the schedule has two lightweight teams right off the bat that are essentially guaranteed wins.

 

I just hope it doesn't take a heartbreaking loss to realize that the coaches should focus on more than keeping everyone happy with a 4-man rotation. Would hate to see another goal line series of plays that end in a fumble that cost us the game and then someone states the obvious, "Well, the coaches should have used our short yardage specialist there instead of trying to ensure that someone got a certain number of carries during a game."

[huskerdavo]

we should let cally decide but overall i think as long as they seem to be equally talented the coaches will continue using each of their individual strengths to win games.

[CodyGlenn34theRuskSensation]

I like to look at production and what my eyes see. Hype and hoopla can only get you so far.

 

After Wilson's two fumbles (one that was lost at a critical point on the field), I can't say that I was sitting in my living room jumping up and down about his great track speed and sprint records.

 

In the end, I just want what is best for the team.

 

Apparently, I'm the only one that thinks there are some real differences with these backs and that they are not all equal performers.

 

That's ok....I don't mind being unique

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

"Well, the coaches should have used our short yardage specialist there instead of trying to ensure that someone got a certain number of carries during a game."

You honestly believe that is the case?