I can't remember ever being more satisfied with the talent we have at tailback (not to mention the running ability of both QBs). The closest I can recall is the great run of fullbacks in the late 80's and early 90's. Any other opinions?

When our "worst" option is getting 5 ypc, it's a great problem to have. What are the experts' opinions on each players' pass blocking abilities?

Cam is the best at pass blocking it looks.

Bryant is a stud. If football were still played like it was in the 80's, he would be in discussions for 30-carries a game and the Heisman Trophy. We're talking George Rogers, Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Mike Rozier type ability... Folston is not far behind him, maybe a bit shiftier than Bryant with a little less power in his game, but the combination is awesome. I really think the two of them are closer to each other than other recent "Thunder and Lightning" combinations like LenDale White and Reggie Bush where one is clearly different stylistically than the other. Should be great fun watching the two of them over the next 2-3 years (hopefully 3 given the way the NFL is devaluing the RB position and making it more important than ever for those guys to have degrees to fall back on)...

 

Golson is simply electric and his ability to extend a play by escaping pressure is unique...he's part Michael Vick with the elusiveness, but without the top end speed or immediate desire to run when the play breaks down. He has great pocket presence and awareness, but he scares the hell out of me with the way he grips the ball and exposes it away from his body while moving...somewhere a defensive player who studies film is noticing this and it WILL cost a turnover at some point. I really believe that if we were stuck with Rees again this season, that the Rice game would have been far closer than necessary, and the kind of frustrating game we have seen too much of since Kelly arrived (think USF, Temple, etc.)

 

Things are looking up in the offensive weapons area for sure.

We are the only fanbase in the world more concerned with our RBs pass blocking ability than their ability to run the ball.

We are the only fanbase in the world more concerned with our RBs pass blocking ability than their ability to run the ball.

 

can't block. won't play.

 

most coaches will tell you that.

We are the only fanbase in the world more concerned with our RBs pass blocking ability than their ability to run the ball.

 

If that's what you take away from my question, you misunderstood. We all can see their running ability so if that's consistently good, the remaining differentiators are pass catching and pass blocking. The former doesn't appear to be all that necessary at the moment but the latter is critical. That's how the discussion should be framed.

We are the only fanbase in the world more concerned with our RBs pass blocking ability than their ability to run the ball.

 

Because the coach makes it known running ability is about 4th on the list of things that get a RB playing time.

Because the coach makes it known running ability is about 4th on the list of things that get a RB playing time.

 

Right after moxy...

If that's what you take away from my question, you misunderstood. We all can see their running ability so if that's consistently good, the remaining differentiators are pass catching and pass blocking. The former doesn't appear to be all that necessary at the moment but the latter is critical. That's how the discussion should be framed.

If you think there is no differentiation between their running abilities, I can't even begin to fathom having this conversation with you.

 

Bryant by a mile

Folston in Second

Cam can come in when the game is out of reach

If you think there is no differentiation between their running abilities, I can't even begin to fathom having this conversation with you.

 

Bryant by a mile

Folston in Second

Cam can come in when the game is out of reach

 

Typical overdramatic reply, color me surprised. We have two very good backs and a third good back. How is this such a hard conversation to have. Are you this condescending in real life or is it just an Internet toughguy persona?

 

Edit - now that I'm off my phone, here's where I'm coming from:

 

I'm a hardcore fan with a casual understanding of the X's and O's. I've never played or coached football. The "eye test" is all I've got and full disclosure, a lot of times it's wrong. The other part is, since I'm not qualified to speak technically on the matter, I trust the decisions of the team and coaches moreso than some random dude on the Internet. We have a lot of football intelligence on this board, no doubt. But if CBK plays Cam, the team votes him a captain, and a very football-intelligent broadcaster likes the kid and says "underrated is a disservice to the kid," well, then I have to imagine that collection of people has determined it's not just about "running ability" with our backs. In those other facets, Cam does well enough to warrant carries.

 

With that said, it is glaringly obvious how talented and powerful and explosive GB is and I hope he gets the lion's share of the carries. ND isn't the only team to value traits beyond running ability so highly, if in fact that is why GB doesn't get 70% and Folston the remaining carries, with Cam riding the pine. But, all I can do is speculate. I come here as I hope to do so politely, but your replies make it very tough to continue a civil discussion without feeling like an idiot when I know fully well, I'm not an expert in the game.

Edited August 31, 201410 yr by toddrhodes

Typical overdramatic reply, color me surprised. We have two very good backs and a third good back. How is this such a hard conversation to have. Are you this condescending in real life or is it just an Internet toughguy persona?

I'm quite possibly more condescending in real life.

I'm quite possibly more condescending in real life.

 

Please see my update

The backs are excellent--but if REES was the QB we wouldn't be getting 300 yards rushing, that's a guarantee!

 

Golson does SO MUCH for the running game---he keeps LBs thinking and scares safeties away from the LOS---that will open things up for all our backs all year long---The multi-dimensional skills of EG and the scary big arm will give us lots of big gains on the ground.

 

aloha's

Typical overdramatic reply, color me surprised. We have two very good backs and a third good back. How is this such a hard conversation to have. Are you this condescending in real life or is it just an Internet toughguy persona?

 

Edit - now that I'm off my phone, here's where I'm coming from:

 

I'm a hardcore fan with a casual understanding of the X's and O's. I've never played or coached football. The "eye test" is all I've got and full disclosure, a lot of times it's wrong. The other part is, since I'm not qualified to speak technically on the matter, I trust the decisions of the team and coaches moreso than some random dude on the Internet. We have a lot of football intelligence on this board, no doubt. But if CBK plays Cam, the team votes him a captain, and a very football-intelligent broadcaster likes the kid and says "underrated is a disservice to the kid," well, then I have to imagine that collection of people has determined it's not just about "running ability" with our backs. In those other facets, Cam does well enough to warrant carries.

 

With that said, it is glaringly obvious how talented and powerful and explosive GB is and I hope he gets the lion's share of the carries. ND isn't the only team to value traits beyond running ability so highly, if in fact that is why GB doesn't get 70% and Folston the remaining carries, with Cam riding the pine. But, all I can do is speculate. I come here as I hope to do so politely, but your replies make it very tough to continue a civil discussion without feeling like an idiot when I know fully well, I'm not an expert in the game.

The problem with the Cam McDaniels and Joe Schmidts and Matthias Fairleys of the world is that they are a remnant of the Weis/Mediocrity era. They're probably great people with good stories and fine talent.

 

But we don't get to the next level with those types of guys on the field. We crush Rice the Rices of the world, beat the UNCs, sure. We're not beating FSU, Georgia, Oklahoma with those guys though.

 

I'm not trying to be condescending towards you specifically, I'm just sick of the ND world hyperventilating every time an undersized white guy at ND, who is clearly a back up best, scraps his way into our hearts and minds. I still have PTSD from people comparing Tommy Rees to Tom Brady.

I agree with you Pregame. You can't help to not root for Schmidt, but he simply doesn't have the physical capability to man a defense that you want/hope to compete with/beat the elite teams in college football.

I get what you're saying, but they exemplify what ND is all about, at least to me. My main point is, their coaches and peers nominated them Captains which does bring with it an expectation that they will lead on and off the field - it's hard to argue they are all wrong.

While CM and 25 did okay, BIG greg bryant a looks like Todd Gurley. He wants the rock and he wants it often. He's big, powerful and freakish fast. He's a legitimate starter in the NFL that's what we are looking at with him.

What was his average carry? 9-12ypc?

8.9 according to ESPN. It was 7-ish until that last run I think. A beastly performance, to be sure!

While CM and 25 did okay, BIG greg bryant a looks like Todd Gurley. He wants the rock and he wants it often. He's big, powerful and freakish fast. He's a legitimate starter in the NFL that's what we are looking at with him.

 

 

Sorry Chiro. I respect you a lot, but Bryant and Gurley aren't even close. Bryant may be the best back we have had in a long time, but after seeing what Gurley did to what was being called a very good defense in Clemson, I have to say Gurley may be the best back that college football has seen in a while. Let's see what we can do over the next few weeks.

 

 

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