Which type I-back do you prefer?

[ColoradoHusk]

With the strong camps by Mills and Washington, I thought it would be fun to get people's opinions on the type of I-back which fans on this board prefer.  There isn't a wrong answer, I just thought I would start a poll to get everyone's thoughts.

 

 

[Ulty]

The ideal I-back would have the physical toughness of Lawrence Phillips, the heart of Rex Burkhead, and a name as cool as I.M. Hipp.

[ColoradoHusk]

21 minutes ago, Ulty said:

The ideal I-back would have the physical toughness of Lawrence Phillips, the heart of Rex Burkhead, and a name as cool as I.M. Hipp.

I think LP was the perfect back ever at NU.  That dude had all of the physical tools.

[4skers89]

I vote both

[huskerfan333157]

I prefer a Barry Sanders type I back especially in college.  He was quick, elusive and could make anyone miss.  He could also catch out of the backfield.  I'm not a big bruiser fan.

[Undone]

Lawrence Phillips was the greatest Husker I-Back of all time. 

 

In the post-LP era, I think I've had the most fun watching Ameer. Hard to cast a vote for one of those two things.

[Scarlet Overkill]

Right tool for the job - you need both!

[Mavric]

Toughness is nice but speed puts points on the board

 

...more quickly than toughness

[Street Novelist]

I prefer Lawrence Phillips without the violent temper.

[Moiraine]

16 minutes ago, Street Novelist said:

I prefer Lawrence Phillips without the violent temper.

 

 

Don’t we all...

[I am I]

Ahman Green to me was the greatest. 

 

LP suspended in what could’ve been a Heisman season? No problem, stick in a true freshman. Pressure? What pressure?? All he did was bruise and cruise. 

Had a good pro career too. 

 

He glided so well. But could dip that shoulder and run some mofo’s over. 

 

Overall, I’ll take the bruised type back. On a carry by carry basis, they get the yards no matter what. 

[ColoradoHusk]

5 minutes ago, I am I said:

Ahman Green to me was the greatest. 

 

LP suspended in what could’ve been a Heisman season? No problem, stick in a true freshman. Pressure? What pressure?? All he did was bruise and cruise. 

Had a good pro career too. 

 

He glided so well. But could dip that shoulder and run some mofo’s over. 

 

Overall, I’ll take the bruised type back. On a carry by carry basis, they get the yards no matter what. 

It’s funny you think of Ahman as a bruising-style running back. I thought of him as a speed back, getting in the open field on an option pitch and flying down the sideline. 

[Nebfanatic]

I vote Herschel Walker type

[ColoradoHusk]

Going back thru the RB’s of my time here is how I would classify the best RB’s I have seen play since the early 80s. 

 

Rozier: great combo of size and speed

Keith Jones: pure speed back with sprinter’s speed

Ken Clark: power back with good speed

Derek Brown: speed and agility with decent power, versatile back

Calvin Jones: good combo of size and speed

LP:  best combo of size and speed. Most talented NU I-back ever

Ahman:  speed back who had power when needed. Probably the 3rd best I-back ever at NU

Helu: speed back who could break the long runs

Burkhead:  power back who could get tough yards between tackles by making himself small and finding the creases

Ameer:  good, but not great speed. Great power for his size, very quick and elusive with the ability to get to top speed after 1 cut. 4th best I-back in my lifetime at NU. 

[ColoradoHusk]

3 minutes ago, Nebfanatic said:

I vote Herschel Walker type

LP didn’t have the straight ahead speed that Herschel had, but LP had more wiggle and could make guys miss in the open field and in the hole.