Bye Week Pressers

Well while you're trying to find your quote, here's a quote from back in spring camp: “Today I saw a burst in him (Dowdell), I probably haven’t seen a long run from him in other scrimmages,” Rhule said. “It was great to see that from Dante, he’s had a good spring.”

So Rhule knew a long time ago that Dowdell doesn't break long runs very often, but still decided to make him the starter.
Maybe you missed his answer early in the season when he was asked why DD was the starter.  And what Rhule said makes sense.

Basically said that Dowdell is a big, physical back that runs hard (at 6'2 225ish) and he can wear down a defense early on, then you have guys like RJ and EJ that can do other things as the game goes into the 2nd half.  

Me personally, I like this 3 back committee as is.  I feel like EJ is best - slightly over RJ, but both of them can catch passes and pass protect a lot better than DD.  And I wouldn't mind seeing Gabe Irvin get some more reps as well.  

We all know that Dowdell runs as hard as he can the moment he gets the ball until he gets hit or makes contact.  And his pass pro is bad.  

RJ appears to be the most well-rounded as a 6th year vet that is finally over 200lbs.  But if I want someone to carry the team in the 4th, I want EJ out there.  I've seen him answer the bell several times before.  

 
Maybe you missed his answer early in the season when he was asked why DD was the starter.  And what Rhule said makes sense.

Basically said that Dowdell is a big, physical back that runs hard (at 6'2 225ish) and he can wear down a defense early on, then you have guys like RJ and EJ that can do other things as the game goes into the 2nd half. 


So you mean being a home run threat wasn't the priority when Dowdell was chosen as starter? Well I'll be darned.

 
I kinda feel like Rhule has it backwards with Dowdell.  If he was the type of big back that it takes 2-3 people to take down each run and he still gets his 4 yards that wears a defense down physically and mentally.  He goes down pretty easily so he's not wearing anyone down and he's not breaking big runs

 
Early in the season as well but I'd have to find it.


You need a RB that can hit a home run before you get home run plays.  Not sure we have a RB on the roster than can turn a 20 or 30 yard gain into 60 yard TD.  That speed just isn't present in any of them.

 
Running backs can be taught to be a good running back.  You cant teach or coach a running back to be GREAT. They either have it or they don't. 

You can teach they all the drills in the world but you cant teach them instincts or vision.  DD was a 4 star RB in high school. Allot of kids can rush for 1500+ at the high school level being a down hill powerback in which DD is.  DD would be a great fit in a down hill style offense, running out of the I-form and power sets. 

EJ and RJ have show a little bit of having RB instincts but they don't get the carries enough per game to let it come to them.  Most of you wont agree but as a running back you need carries during a game to let the game come to you. its not always going to be there in the 1st quarter or half.

Look at Amir and Burkhead. Them boys had both instincts and the carries during games to make it happen. I truly believe we wont have a good back until we go with a true #1 and everyone else. 

 
Running backs can be taught to be a good running back.  You cant teach or coach a running back to be GREAT. They either have it or they don't. 

You can teach they all the drills in the world but you cant teach them instincts or vision.  DD was a 4 star RB in high school. Allot of kids can rush for 1500+ at the high school level being a down hill powerback in which DD is.  DD would be a great fit in a down hill style offense, running out of the I-form and power sets. 

EJ and RJ have show a little bit of having RB instincts but they don't get the carries enough per game to let it come to them.  Most of you wont agree but as a running back you need carries during a game to let the game come to you. its not always going to be there in the 1st quarter or half.

Look at Amir and Burkhead. Them boys had both instincts and the carries during games to make it happen. I truly believe we wont have a good back until we go with a true #1 and everyone else. 




I think a lot agree. It’s been brought up before. The coaches don’t seem to believe a RB can get into a rhythm, because they don’t allow that to be a possibility. 

 
Not from a presser but word is Tommi Hill was back to practice this week with Wright as the other corner.

Speculation is Buford will take Hartzog's spot at slot corner.  As was speculated around these parts.

 
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