The Running Back Room

Hunter94 said:
Zig is the only RB with any real experience at this level.........that may come in handy??
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I think all the backs will come in handy. He needs to show more consistency this year if he wants more carries. His career thus far it seems he can't find a rhythm. I am attributing that to poor coaching. He may be one who benefits from this new staff.

 
Dilly Dilly said:
Member the days when being beat out by a walkon made a guy work that much harder?  I do.
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Moiraine said:
I don’t think you know what that means. 

You stated right in your post that Frost has mentioned Ozigbo. That was the only proof you provided. Even after you said “news came out” and none of that news backed up your position. Still all I recall you saying is Frost talked about him. It’s not a straw man when it’s actually what your argument was. 

Like I said earlier this isn’t even relevant. Ozigbo will likely be the 3rd or 4th string RB but will still get quite a few carries because that’s what Frost does.
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Cough cough, he's Co Number 1, I was just trying to tell you guys.

 
KingBlank said:
It wasn't a pick....I still don't understand where you are getting this from.  He was practicing with the ones for 2 weeks, those are just facts. 
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Again, that wasn't the issue most people had with your posts. They were frustrated by your answers when they asked you why you thought Ozigbo was running with the ones.

 
FTW said:
Miles Jones has definitely been making some noise lately. I could see any of these three guys lining up in Duck R spot too. Perhaps we see the diamond formation again like we did with Taylor Martinez, Rex Burkhead, and Roy Helu.
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We never saw the diamond with those three (I don't believe). Helu's senior year was 2010 under Watson, and Beck was the one that would occasionally use diamond, starting in 2011 with some combo of Burkhead, Ameer, Aaron Green and Braylon Heard on the field.

 
Hunter94 said:
Zig is the only RB with any real experience at this level.........that may come in handy??
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In JUCO  Bell has done some very impressive things.

"Bell. As mentioned, he's a two-time JUCO All-American that rushed for 1,187 yards and seven touchdowns in his freshman season and followed that up by rushing for 1,217 yards and 11 scores this past season. He also helped Arizona Western reach the JUCO National Championship game this past season". I don't think the competition at this level will be that big of an adjustment for him, the guy can play.

 
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Experience as a RB is not important. You need to know the playbook, that's very important. It's an instinctive position, though, really about the easiest non-specialist position to come in as a young player and succeed.

That's why if you're Bell or Ozigbo or really any of these guys, you're looking over your shoulder at Washington. If he's as good as everyone says, he will be hard to get off the field. As he learns more and more, he stands to get more and more reps. Coach Held has talked a great deal already about getting him up to speed, learning how to be a college athlete, learning the playbook. They know what they got there, and they'll work hard to get him to a position where he can succeed. 

 
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brophog said:
Experience as a RB is not important. You need to know the playbook, that's very important. Understand pass protection, when to release, route trees, all that stuff. It's an instinctive position, though, really about the easiest non-specialist position to come in as a young player and succeed.

That's why if you're Bell or Ozigbo or really any of these guys, you're looking over your shoulder at Washington. If he's as good as everyone says, he will be hard to get off the field. As he learns more and more, he stands to get more and more reps. Coach Held has talked a great deal already about getting him up to speed, learning how to be a college athlete, learning the playbook. They know what they got there, and they'll work hard to get him to a position where he can succeed. 
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Not True. Guys who are used to carrying the ball in game situations are going to learn better ball protection, blocking, making positive yards on broken plays etc.the intangibles you just cant teach. We've had some great backs here but they were almost always better in their junior and senior years due to experience. Bell already has 2 years experience and productivity at a high level that's a big part of why hes #1 to start the season.  

 
Big Red 40 said:
Not True. Guys who are used to carrying the ball in game situations are going to learn better ball protection, blocking, making positive yards on broken plays etc.the intangibles you just cant teach. We've had some great backs here but they were almost always better in their junior and senior years due to experience. Bell already has 2 years experience and productivity at a high level that's a big part of why hes #1 to start the season.  
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Think Wisconsin would rather have Jonathan Taylor or experience? Oklahoma prefer Adrian Peterson or experience? Both of those players rushed for nearly 2000 yards as freshman. Ron Dayne did if you count the bowl game, which the NCAA didn't at the time. There have been many 1000 yard rushers in college football history as underclassmen. You don't choose experience over a great young back. 

 
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When the coaches say 'running back committee,' I'm inclined to believe them. I don't think Zig's position as 2nd, MW's as 3rd or GB's as 1st is that relevant. At all. They're all going to play and they're all going to play heavily.

Hell, GB could get the first carry, Zig could get the next two and then MW could get the next two. In that scenario, it doesn't matter what order they were listed on the depth chart.

I still maintain I'll be surprised if Zig finishes higher than third in overall running back carries come season's end.

 
I think things will naturally evolve to what makes the most sense. Honestly if Washington's production on the field is so much better than the other guys and you want him on the field as much as possible to help you win. I believe the coaches are going to do that. I think they will rotate and keep guys fresh but I am sure if Washington is a cut above the others he will get all the touches he needs. Good coaches will adjust to what is working and what gives them the best chance to win. Everyone goes in with a plan, but sometimes you adjust your plan to what is actually happening.

 
Landlord said:
We never saw the diamond with those three (I don't believe). Helu's senior year was 2010 under Watson, and Beck was the one that would occasionally use diamond, starting in 2011 with some combo of Burkhead, Ameer, Aaron Green and Braylon Heard on the field.
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Yeah you're right I'm thinking of 2011 maybe 2012 I recall (Taylor) Martinez in diamond with Burkhead and Ameer. Either way, it's gonna be fun seeing formations and trying to put our best athletes on the field at the same time.

 
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