RB's

[spaceap6pack]

I have been wondering this for awhile and have been meaning to ask . . . . what is the deal with Mario Brown and his ability to not get on the field? Were some bridges burnt, or is he just unable to crack the lineup of Forte, Talley, and Bronson? His play in both the Villanova and the Championship Games of 2010 still resonates with me. Any information? I remember his fading away last year and he has never recovered.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

He's red shirting this year, either because of all the depth or injury, possibly both.

 

[EWURanger]

Mario played as a true freshman in 2010. IIRC, he's RSing this season due to some injury issues and the amount of depth we have at RB in general. Yes, he struggled some in 2011 but so did our entire running game most probably because of all the OL issues. No doubt he will benefit from a RS season and come back stronger next season.

 

[sunday]

I'm not trying to be "Debbie downer"....but "all the depth we have at the RB position this year." Really? Depth, meaning 'good on paper?' I don't think our run frightens anyone. We have quick Backs and at least one Big Back...but I'll be darned...no bust loose and scare the defense, running back. Blocking....? We have to find a way with this O-line to do something on the ground. :roll:

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I'm not trying to be "Debbie downer"....but "all the depth we have at the RB position this year." Really? Depth, meaning 'good on paper?' I don't think our run frightens anyone. We have quick Backs and at least one Big Back...but I'll be darned...no bust loose and scare the defense, running back. Blocking....? We have to find a way with this O-line to do something on the ground. :roll:

Taiwan Jones type players don't come around too often. :roll:

 

[Sylvergunsuperman]

I'm not trying to be "Debbie downer"....but "all the depth we have at the RB position this year." Really? Depth, meaning 'good on paper?' I don't think our run frightens anyone. We have quick Backs and at least one Big Back...but I'll be darned...no bust loose and scare the defense, running back. Blocking....? We have to find a way with this O-line to do something on the ground. :roll:

Taiwan Jones type players don't come around too often. :roll:

We are getting 147.1 yds per game and 4.1 per carry. I say that's pretty dang good. We don't run the option like some of the other schools do. We are a pass first school who uses the run to keep the opponent honest and away from our receivers. And many a pass go to the back out of the backfield. Yes a guy like TJ is awesome for your team, but I don't think just because we don't have one guy getting all the yards doesn't mean that the opposing team is not worried about our run game. We have guys that can take it to the house on any givin' play. :thumb:

 

[LDopaPDX]

I think what sunday is saying is that there are times it literally seems like we have no running game. When opponents stop us, we have no backup plan for running the football. And I agree, there isn't a lot of playmaking ability at RB right now. Our guys are young and functional, but they need to learn to create. If we can get that done, wow, it's gonna be ridiculous to match up against.

 

[Dozy]

If I recall correctly, our last couple of games (playoffs) of the 2010 championship year were without TJ... With the right passing attack, it can still be done without that super-special RB.

 

[HannahO]

Running behind zone blocking is truly a learned art. The whole concept of slow to - fast through is very foreign to most young rb's that are coming out of a power running game in most h.s. blocking schemes. You see them figuring it out as the season progresses.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Running behind zone blocking is truly a learned art. The whole concept of slow to - fast through is very foreign to most young rb's that are coming out of a power running game in most h.s. blocking schemes. You see them figuring it out as the season progresses.

Good point. Very few HS teams using zone rushes. But these guys have all been in the system for more than a year. Hopefully, we continue to get better because, as mentioned earlier, if we can find a legit rushing threat we're going to be damn near unstoppable.

 

[clawman1]

Running behind zone blocking is truly a learned art. The whole concept of slow to - fast through is very foreign to most young rb's that are coming out of a power running game in most h.s. blocking schemes. You see them figuring it out as the season progresses.

I hope they figure it out soon, the season if more than 1/2 over, well the regular season anyway. Peaking during a 5 game playoff run is acceptable :thumb: .

 

[sunday]

I see us needing a stout running game with ball control & running out the clock late in the game. (We haven't needed it...but I think we will). We do have sure handed receivers, but with the cold coming and wind howling, a running game that grinds it out is an ingredient I would love. Having the ability to march down the field in an extended drive, wears out the defense and opens the passing offense. :thumb:

 

[talon38]

Ok, so here is what I've learned from going to a EWU O Lineman meeting in fall camp. Take this with a grain of salt. In High School, the O Line could open up 3-4 foot holes for the RB to go through, very nice. In college, the get a 1-2 foot hole which may only open for 1 second. The emphasis was on the RB to hit that specific hole on-time. Any studder steps or so called "jukes" into that hole may well cost them, that's how close this game is played. Once the RB clears that hole, there should be an O lineman on a LB/DB, then the RB makes his juke or cut into the open for Xtra yardage. As they say, this is NOT HS football, hit the hole then make your cuts as far as the RB goes.But if the hole is not open at the line of scrimmage, they have to improvise or cut early. So goes College football. Not as easy as it seems!!