We have at least 3 quality backs returning with Charles Scott, Keiland Williams, and Richard Murphy. Any concerns? I see Scott as the starter, since he's more versatile, with a good blend of power and speed. KW and RM have plenty of speed and moves, but I don't see either running with authority between the tackles. Both should be great on passes to the flat and on sweeps, but I'm a little concerned about our power running after CS. Is Ridley a backup to CS? Anyone else concerned about the power run? I'll be in San Jose this week, so not much posts out of me.
Deepest part of this team. I think Ridley, QJohnson and Scott all share duties with short yardage game. Scott runs a little too straight up for me to be effective on short yardage (see Kentucky game, 4th down play).
I agree that these 3 can get the job done on short-yardage, but that Kentucky play is a bad example because it was due to a missed block by an OLine (Hitt, I think). Scott does have a very up-right style of running though.
I have absolutely no concerns about RB, although I'm very curious to see how the carries are divided. I believe Charles Scott brings the most to the table as a complete RB right now, thus he's my pick for being our primary RB. He can pass-block, he can catch out of the backfield, he can run up the middle & he can bust it to the edge (although not as well as the other guys). Scott's improvement from his freshman to his sophomore year really impressed me, and it showed me that he's willing to work hard at being a better player. So, although we didn't get to see him in the Spring Game, I'm also making a bit of an assumption that he's continued to work on his game & is a better player than he was last year. Richard Murphy can do it all too though. He runs hard between the tackles (probably fights the hardest to keep going out of all of them) he's just not as strong as Scott. Richard Murphy will also take some snaps at the slot WR position, like he did last year. IMO, the only thing stopping Murphy from being the primary back is that right now he's built more like a WR than a RB & needs to add some thickness/bulk. Keiland has the biggest playmaking potential, but our coaches want consistency, effort, & versatility, which Keiland has not been. He doesn't hit the hole very well, he goes down wayyy too easily with contact, he makes some poor decisions (cut back in the SECCG), and he doesn't have great ball control (fumbled in the Spring Game). I've heard a lot of good things about Ridley (the next Hester), and he did good in the Spring Game considering he's a RS Freshman & was running behind the 2nd string OLine against the 1st string DLine. Personally, I don't think we'll be seeing Holliday back on the football field, but if he does come back I think we'll see some very interesting plays for him (direct snaps at QB, etc).
What he said. 'Cept I think Murphy may be big enough to break out this year if the OL stays healthy and is as good as we think.
each of those top 3 have their strengths and weaknesses. i think it will be interesting to see if the coaches have been able to capitalize the strengths in the playbook and pull the guys up out of those weaknesses at practice. in any case, i really feel that RB is a strong position for us. Hester will be missed, but i'm thinking CS or RM is gonna step up and get on that track.
This writeup makes it sound like he averages about 2.5 yards per carry (he had no fumbles lost in 2007).
I think the missed block was by Ryan Miller who was subbing for the injured Brett Helms, a very underappreciated member of the Oline. I think CS will be the primary but RM and KW will get a lotta carries. First player to fumble will go to the back of the line. Don't forget about Quinn Johnson who has sort of been in the background but is a very good blocker and looks like a good receiver. Picture this - Quinn Johnson who is a very good blocker, Charles Scott who is a good blocker and Richard Murphy in the backfield at the same time. Can you see what's coming?
Tiger Championship Gumbo: Start with equal parts veteran offensive and defensive linemen. Add the best stable of running backs in college football. Add a blend of speed by mixing in the fatest college football player of all time. Toss young, hungry, and hard-hitting phenoms into the secondary. Chop up and toast defenses with a highly talented yet still underrated wide receiving corps. Some people prefer seasoned (but soured) quarterbacks with their Tiger gumbo, but I recommend using a rookie.
