Is there anyone out there besides myself who would like to see the every-down-back job be Aldridge's to lose next year in his senior season? I feel like he's kind of the forgotten back and still think he's more talented than Hughes. I'd like to see what he could do with Verducci's offensive line.

I agree with you coaster. He is the only 5* back we have and IMO he has not been utilized properly.

Let's face it. All of our backs could produce at any school with an offensive line.

Robert Hughes is the perfect zone blocking scheme RB. Aldridge is a more traditional north and south runner. Both can be successful with a good line.

If we ran more traditional I, I'd want Aldridge to get more carries. I think Gray is a healthier and overall more balanced version of what we've wanted Aldridge to be, but he's more of a traditional back.

 

Lets be honest, if Hughes had better wheels, then he would be a great zone back. I think there will continue to be holes that he doesn't get through unless he sheds a few and goes back to his frosh weight. He's definitely the most patient and has the best vision, but hes still got some things to work on (sometimes doesn't use his size to his advantage too).

 

Since we're probably going to be emphasizing a 3 wide set again, I want Allen to be the guy. One extra receiver for defenses to worry about. By far needs to learn patience more than anyone else in the backfield, but at the same time he needs blocking to be there for him, and that didn't happen either.

Lets be honest, if Hughes had better wheels, then he would be a great zone back. I think there will continue to be holes that he doesn't get through unless he sheds a few and goes back to his frosh weight. He's definitely the most patient and has the best vision, but hes still got some things to work on (sometimes doesn't use his size to his advantage too).

 

This is why I'm not much of a Hughes fan. Even out of high school he couldn't run under a 4.6 and he's bigger now = probably slower.

Aldridge can't be that every down type back...he doesn't have any break-away speed of Allen and Gray. I hear that while Armando Allen has a faster '40 time, Jonas Gray catches up and passes him meaning he has the top speed to pull away from the secondary once he gets in the open field and they don't catch him from behind (ie. Aldridge vs. MSU and Hughes vs. Stanford)

I agree totally. Aldridge is a good back who hasnt been utilized properly. They need to use him better so he can get drafted. Its better for the program in general.

The problem I see with the "running back by committee" approach that we've been using is that it tips our hat offensively IMHO. Sorry, but if Aldridge came into the game then we all knew what was happening...and so did opposing defenses. When you have two dominant backs (cliche but true to mention Reggie Bush and LenDale White) you can get away with it, but we don't have ANY dominating RB's....just 3 very very talented guys that, to this point, haven't delivered to the best of their ability IMHO (whatever the reason for that might be).

I agree totally. Aldridge is a good back who hasnt been utilized properly. They need to use him better so he can get drafted. Its better for the program in general.

 

How would he be used better? I see a lot of people make this statement about a given player, but there are a lot of things you could be meaning in saying that. Explanation would help, and further the dialogue, por favor, because I am interested.

Aldrige is a very good back and I agree that he has not been used like he could have. I believe if our line is as improved this year as I think it will be watch out for Allen. He will hit the hole then turn on his jets. I believe with good blocking he is a treat for a TD every time he touches the ball.

 

I know that is a bold statement but I truely believe it.

Personally, I don't think Aldridge ever got over the knee injury he suffered senior year of high school. I don't have any proof of this but he simply has not been the dominant, one cut runner that everyone expected. To me, it doesn't look like he runs with confidence.

How would he be used better? I see a lot of people make this statement about a given player, but there are a lot of things you could be meaning in saying that. Explanation would help, and further the dialogue, por favor, because I am interested.

 

How about not only giving him the ball on 3rd and 1 in I form.

How about not only giving him the ball on 3rd and 1 in I form.

 

Thanks. Now granted Im in Germany right now but Im watching the same damn video feed everyone else is. He comes into the game, runs well, picks up good yardage, seems to be on a role, then Charlie changes the game plan and starts relying almost exclusively on the passing game. Then he brings in Hughes or Allen. Dont get me wrong they are good runners as well and love watching them but they arent better than Aldridge. He needs to get some good blocking as well and Im not talking only about the line. Several times I watched Aldridge get stuffed before the line of scrimmage because Schwap whiffed on his block. Hell I played defense and havent been on the field in over 20 years but I truly believe I could put in a better effort blocking. How's that?

Aldridge is our 4th best RB before Riddick/Wood/Teo arrive on campus. He was a 5* but he had some serious knee injuries and he hasn't shown it on the field.

 

He has some bad habits including looking to initiate contact with linebackers in the open field instead of looking to absorb and keep gaining yards. I'd actually like to see him get less carries than Allen, Hughes, and Gray this year. Allen is the best right now, Hughes might have the greatest potential and Gray is gaining fast (i underestimated him).

 

Aldridge is a really good kid so I take no pleasure in saying that but 5* or not he's not one of our 3 best RB's.

I appreciate it. I've heard anything from "move him to fullback" to "make him the featured back", so being used "better" can be a little vague.

 

I've long been a skeptic, but he showed more and more down the stretch last year. A year ago, I would have said if anyone should be moving to fullback, its Aldridge. Now, I'm thinking we should try to persuade Hughes to cross train between the two, and let Aldridge be more of a traditional back.

 

Between the dynamic we established last year, and the addition of two more RBs to the mix, I have a hard time believing anyone is going to be a featured guy, no matter how good he is. Most schools in the country would be giving the ball to Joe McKnight 20+ times a game on the ground and about 5 passes a game through the air, but no matter how good a guy is, USC is going to give no more than 15 carries to someone unless there are injuries. Thats just how it is at USC, and it seems like the direction the Irish are taking things, if for no other reason than to keep everyone contented on PT.

 

I think that its going to come down to maximizing the skill set around the RB. If our team strength ends up being two TE sets, then Aldridge or Gray makes sense, even Hughes if he shapes up. If we go 3-4 wide most of the time, then Allen or Cierre out in space is what I'd want if I'm Jimmy Clausen. I'd like the staff to balance between maximizing player personnel sets and telegraphing what they want to do, but I don't think any one back had earned the ability to force the coaching staff to build offensive gameplans around him. Not yet at least; that distinction currently belongs to Golden Tate and Michael Floyd.