Running Backs - What Will We Learn This Spring

True2tRA said:
cornographic said:
True2tRA said:
grandpasknee said:
We will learn there are several big time studs in our backfield, each with different skill strengths, and that they will be used situationally based on the coaching evaluation of the opponents weaknesses.
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Exactly.

Four guys, pretty much all different styles. Gonna be interesting to see how the staff chooses to utilize them.

Hell, why not Cross at FB in certain situations? I could see Cross taking a FB dive to the HOUSE!
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FB? Well, in that case, go with Janovich. I think he's maybe a better back--moves, speed--than Cross:
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Yeah, better speed and moves than Cross......sure looked like it on that blocked FG against Iowa huh? He's is not a better back than Cross, and he better study up on the rules of the game. First thing you learn in football is the play isn't over til' the whistle blows.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11949728
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Better speed and moves than Cross, I stand by that.

 
Still tough to tell with the split groups but the story is Wilbon was getting most of the reps with the top unit today.

 
I'm personally high on Taylor because I've had the pleasure of being able to watch him play 3 yrs at Katy HS. And I know how he comes back after an injury (ACL). And he can block with the best of them ... you have to if you want to play at Katy. He is relentless about his training and conditioning. And as he always says on the field you have to step-up. When ever the Katy Tigers needed it he was the go to guy and he always delivered. He is dead serious about how he plays the game ... no smack talk or jive when he is on the field ... just hard nosed running. And when you need a yard ... he is the RB that will get it for you.

Take another look at this video. Early you will see he took a big shot to the head, his helmet came flying off ... and still watch how he kept moving the pile. I'll put my money on Adam every day and come game time you will be happy LSU screwed up and Adam told them to shove it.

I would have loved to see the faces on the LSU coaching staff if they ever had a chance to watch this video ... they probably looked like a 10

year old kid that just dropped his ice cream cone and watched it get run over by a city bus.

Keep me updated on the RB progress. Us Katy folks are eager to hear how he is doing up there. And I guess I need to thank ya'll for getting him some good cold weather gear since it is obvious he made it thru 2 winters already. I assume he has adapted to the cold weather up there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP_zQYt9o2w

I'll be checking in ... GO BIG RED

 
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Haven't heard anything about the Husker RB position lately, but I did run across this on the Katy Tiger Board a few days ago. I'm not totally up to speed on all the RBs, but don't disagree with any of this commentary except the "knee injury" which was qactually an ankle injury. What do ya'll think of this analysis?

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Let's see what we've got:

Leaving: Just one. Ameer Abdullah. sh#t. Okay, I'm fine now, let's move on.

Returning: Four RB's and one occasionally blocking but mostly ignored FB

Imani Cross - Sr - 215 career carries in three seasons, 5.4 YPC despite mostly being used in short yardage, had NU's longest carry from scrimmage in 2014
Terrell Newby - Jr - 121 carries, only 4.4 YPC in 2014
Adam Taylor - Soph - returning from a knee injury, ran for 2753 yards and 44 TD's as a Texas HS senior in 2012
Mikale Wilbon - RFr - 4-star RB from Chicago, Rivals250, turned heads on scout team in 2014
Andy Janovich - Sr - FB. Basically obsolete. Really wish we'd tried this kid at LB.
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The consensus from the media guys I've read so far is Cross and Newby have the early edge based on experience but Taylor and Wilbon are probably the more well-rounded backs that Riley prefers in his system.

And the thinking is we'll almost assuredly have a RB-by-committee approach - at least for awhile. At least two guys and probably more will get significant snaps until (if and when) someone separates themselves.

 
I'm wondering who will be that pivotal 4th quarter back to lean on for the running game. I think we'll see mostly a two back system during conference. Occasionally a third guy specialist. I also think the rotational guy (backup) will need to run between the tackles AND a threat to catch passes.

Ameer was a stud his SR year. After his soph season he just kept getting bigger and better (as a JR and SR). But his first time as a starter (half season with Taylor as a running threat): 14 games, 1137 yards, 8 TD, 81ypg, 5.0ypc. Not much of a breakaway threat either: 3 times with 25 yard runs or more in 14 games (33, 36,45). He did OK job filling in for Rex. I think the RBs will get the yards combined. And looking back at Ameer, it isn't too much to ask for the main ball carrier to get 75-85 yards a game, with some 100 yard days. I just don't know who that guy will be.

 
admo said:
I'm wondering who will be that pivotal 4th quarter back to lean on for the running game. I think we'll see mostly a two back system during conference. Occasionally a third guy specialist. I also think the rotational guy (backup) will need to run between the tackles AND a threat to catch passes.

Ameer was a stud his SR year. After his soph season he just kept getting bigger and better (as a JR and SR). But his first time as a starter (half season with Taylor as a running threat): 14 games, 1137 yards, 8 TD, 81ypg, 5.0ypc. Not much of a breakaway threat either: 3 times with 25 yard runs or more in 14 games (33, 36,45). He did OK job filling in for Rex. I think the RBs will get the yards combined. And looking back at Ameer, it isn't too much to ask for the main ball carrier to get 75-85 yards a game, with some 100 yard days. I just don't know who that guy will be.
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Imani would be a great 4th quarter back to run down the clock and absolutely crush spirits. Can you imagine being down a score or two; needing a stop and having a fresh Cross being fed the ball?

 
Bigred_inSD said:
admo said:
I'm wondering who will be that pivotal 4th quarter back to lean on for the running game. I think we'll see mostly a two back system during conference. Occasionally a third guy specialist. I also think the rotational guy (backup) will need to run between the tackles AND a threat to catch passes.

Ameer was a stud his SR year. After his soph season he just kept getting bigger and better (as a JR and SR). But his first time as a starter (half season with Taylor as a running threat): 14 games, 1137 yards, 8 TD, 81ypg, 5.0ypc. Not much of a breakaway threat either: 3 times with 25 yard runs or more in 14 games (33, 36,45). He did OK job filling in for Rex. I think the RBs will get the yards combined. And looking back at Ameer, it isn't too much to ask for the main ball carrier to get 75-85 yards a game, with some 100 yard days. I just don't know who that guy will be.
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Imani would be a great 4th quarter back to run down the clock and absolutely crush spirits. Can you imagine being down a score or two; needing a stop and having a fresh Cross being fed the ball?
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With the Cornhuskers leading, I do think he would be a handful to deal with in the fourth. I hope he will have the stamina. I don't know if he will ultimately become the regular starting I-back, but If anything, he needs to be in there inside the 10 yard line.

I think Adam Taylor could surpass him and take away Imani's carries (except near the goal line) by the Miami game. He has to stay healthy. Those two guys will battle for one spot IMO (bulk of the carries in between the tackles, some power, can absorb hits).

Newby & Wilbon will battle for the other spot (quick, jitter backs that have speed, excel in space, can catch the ball).

Two back system that will be played out the first 3 games or so, with all getting some carries, to determine the two main guys going into Miami game.

 
Doesn't really matter who the RB is. How the OL plays will determine the effectiveness of the run game.

 
I think Ameer and Rex overcame it as much as they could. Even at its best under Pelini the OL wasn't a dominant force, but you wouldn't know it given the pretty impressive skill position talent that came through here.

 
There is no way Ameer does what he did without at least a decent O line. Now, did they lay an egg in some big games??? Definitely. And, when they did, Ameer had bad games. But, you don't put up the stats like he did without some big guys in front of you doing their jobs at least on a decent level.

 
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