This is on a few different threads, so I thought we could discuss it in one.

 

Has anyone ever seen a team use RB's like this? I've seen plenty of teams use 2-4 RB's, but not like ND where you get 1 series, then sit until it is your turn again.

 

I don't remember off hand, but was there a single series last night that used more than 1 RB? I understand you want to get them all some touches for whatever reason, but this just seems like a completely backwards way of doing it.

 

What RB can get a series, get 1-2 carries, the sit on the sideline for 30+ minutes of real time, then be expected to be at full strength, ready to make a big run?

 

Look at a team like Georgia, they had 5 different RB carry the ball 31 times yesterday in a close game vs. a ranked foe.

 

But Gurley got 20 of the carries and the rest got 1-4 to spell him. Now, I don't think we have a Gurley on the roster, but I don't understand why Kelly can't choose a "guy", whoever that is, to get 60% of the carries, then allow the other two to spell him based on matchups and what look the defense is giving you.

 

For the season, Bryant is averaging 1.5 yards per carry more than either Cam or Folston, yet he has the fewest carries of the three. Maybe there are some playbook issues keeping him from playing more, but it just seems odd that what appears to be your most talented back, gets the fewest carries.

Edited September 14, 201410 yr by corysold

I don`t see a RB that can distance himself from the other two.

Greg is still having a few problems with his assignments like missing the blitzing CB that ran right by him.

The problem this week was that Purdue`s defense was kicking our O Line`s butt. There were no holes at all.

The best game for the O Line was against Rice.

I actually wonder how much of the running back rotation is determined by CBK?

Seems like Alford would be the guy shuffling his kids in and out. Definitely don't think Cam should be getting more carries than Bryant.

Without a doubt, I think they need to pick a back and see what he can do for a period of time. Personally, I would love to see Bryant start, and play most of the first half and see what happens. Then have Folston play most of the second half and compare the offensive scoring results.

Plus, they need more quick hitting run plays, either up the middle, or quick pitches.

Without a doubt, Bryant, and Folston, are missing some assignments on pass blocking plays but the more experience they get, obviously the better they will get.

Greg is electric, but Folston is still the best back on the team. Yet I enjoy the veteran leadership cam brings. He takes what he's given and he has some nice moves.

 

I'm fine with the distribution, as someone else already said, there's not one guy better than the other 2. I actually like Kelly's use so far because it lets guys get in a rhythm during a series. If someone starts ripping off a series of 10-yard runs on a big drive, I'd bet that we see him come back out for the next series and - as Kelly says - ride the hot hand. We just haven't seen that yet. Is it the utilization of the backs holding is back or lack of cohesion of the oline?

I agree. I would like to see Bryant start and get over 50% of the carries. He's faster and more explosive than both Cam and Folston, and he's the youngest of all three. I love Cam's game, but would like to see Folston as the second back because of his speed. I could also see BK using Cam as a goal line type back.

I don't like seeing us switching to a different guy every series and only using one guy per series. No one can get in a rhythm and it could be the cause for the O-line's struggles.

 

Bryant is the best back, and should be treated as such.

Our offensive line needs to run until they puke because they can't open a hole to save their lives. If I remember correctly, most of our linemen were ranked top 5 in their position and most were ranked 1 or 2. They just got pushed around by Purdue's 2 stars last night.

I tried to pick up on difference in playcalling in relation to which back is in the game, but it seems that they are all three being called on to pass pro and run routes out of backfield beyond delayed-release routes and run about the same plays...

 

Bryant and Folston have the ability to make hard jump cuts and avoid more negative plays. I don't see much of that from cam.

I've never seen a three back rotation, where only one back is featured at a time, at Notre Dame.

 

The running back with the most promise is Greg Bryant, who is the most athletic of the three and the only one who can take it to the house without getting run down from behind. He also has good hands. His biggest problem is reading blocks down field. You'd think he'd be getting more time in these early easy games to get him seasoned both in reading cuts and pass blocking for the tougher games later on. But that's not happening.

 

My only guess is that Kelly is sticking with the rotation because (a) Cam is a captain, serviceable as a RB and good at pass blocking and that (b) Folston is a bit better than Cam running and is better at pass blocking than Bryant. I suspect that Bryant is the weakest of the three in pass protection due to inexperience reading defenses and perhaps technique.

We had the same problem last year with the oline, great at pass blocking but very average in the run game. This year they are subpar at both. I onlycaught the 4th quarter but couldn't understand why we wouldn't run the ball with Bryant and insisted on throwing.

Name att yds avg long TD

 

Bryant 22 119 5.4 17 (TD) 1

McDaniel 25 97 3.9 23 1

Folston 30 110 3.7 19 0

 

Bryant clearly the best so far (25% of season complete).

McDaniel is 2nd best by production

Folston has worst production.

 

I am o.k. with the 3 running backs. Much more frustrated with the O-line. I do think Bryant should get some more carries. We could start by flipping his and Folstons carries 22 vs 30.

 

It's all so dependent on down and distance, field position, defense game plan, audibles to runs, etc...ad nauseum. ND has much bigger problems than trying figuring out who to hand the ball off too. They all bring things to the table.

Edited September 15, 201410 yr by MantyIrish

I think Oklahoma has a running back by committee. They've been doing that for several years.

 

I hate it that BK does it.

I don't mind that all three get carries. I just don't understand d why it has to be so strictly 1 series at a time. Why can't you rotate two on a drive, two the next drive etc. at east then each guy is getting carries at most every two drives and sometimes back to back drives.

I don't mind that all three get carries. I just don't understand d why it has to be so strictly 1 series at a time. Why can't you rotate two on a drive, two the next drive etc. at east then each guy is getting carries at most every two drives and sometimes back to back drives.

 

I honestly think it's because Kelly is trying to keep everyone happy and thus, no one is happy. Each running back has had essentially a games worth of carries. But here's the thing that frustrates me...Greg Bryant has zero third down carries. Let me repeat that. Greg Bryant has no rushed the ball on third down.

 

Now a lot of that is because we generally haven't run on third down...but still. Zero rushes on third?

I honestly think it's because Kelly is trying to keep everyone happy and thus, no one is happy. Each running back has had essentially a games worth of carries. But here's the thing that frustrates me...Greg Bryant has zero third down carries. Let me repeat that. Greg Bryant has no rushed the ball on third down.

 

Now a lot of that is because we generally haven't run on third down...but still. Zero rushes on third?

 

Meanwhile, Cam is plugging along under 4 YPC. Not sure where we'd be without him.

Meanwhile, Cam is plugging along under 4 YPC. Not sure where we'd be without him.

 

where would we be without 3.7 yards per carry Tarean Folston?

cam is at 3.9 yards per carry.

I honestly think it's because Kelly is trying to keep everyone happy and thus, no one is happy. Each running back has had essentially a games worth of carries. But here's the thing that frustrates me...Greg Bryant has zero third down carries. Let me repeat that. Greg Bryant has no rushed the ball on third down.

 

Now a lot of that is because we generally haven't run on third down...but still. Zero rushes on third?

 

Wait. do we know the backs are unhappy? Or is it just the fans who are unhappy?

Meanwhile, Cam is plugging along under 4 YPC. Not sure where we'd be without him.

 

We wouldn't be meeting our quota of Grit and Moxy is where we'd be.

 

Wanna kid with grit and moxy who produces? Joe Schmidt. Get Cam the **** out of the line-up already. He has no field value to this team. Maybe leadership, since he's a captain, but it is a proven fact that every carry Cam gets, is a wasted play.

where would we be without 3.7 yards per carry Tarean Folston?

cam is at 3.9 yards per carry.

 

Although your thorn-in-side activity has been off the charts today, PT, this is absolutely a fair point. Why is Cam taking such a beating when Folston hasn't done d*ck either?

Although your thorn-in-side activity has been off the charts today, PT, this is absolutely a fair point. Why is Cam taking such a beating when Folston hasn't done d*ck either?

 

Oh. So when I give my opinions I'm a thorn in your side. Get real dude. Talking about football and not making anything personal.

Damn... We were debating the lack of a consistent running game/running back last year. We went into this season debating the same thing about the platooning backfield. It is clear that CBK's philosophy about the running back position does change no matter what the talent level is back there. The bigger question is whether we will be able to keep recruiting above average running backs if this is the established philosophy for our backfield.