Theo Riddick or Cierre Wood?

[mrmiller8]

Just wondering who everyone prefers? I love both of them and they both have given huge runs throughout the year. Personally, I like Theo a little better right now, hes great out of the backfield and runs very tough between the tackles. He breaks a lot more tackles that I never thought he would. In my humble opinion he has been one of the best surprises this year. I know hes a athlete with tons of talent but I did not think he would be a feature back, kinda thought he was just filling in for cierre until he got back. Cierre has better breakaway speed and is a much better NFL prospect.

If you had to pick who would you rather have getting the touches in a big-time situation?

I'll clarify, I'm not saying I want one back to get all the carries nor am I bashing Cierre, love them both and they both bring different running styles to the table.

 

[BMT]

Love both also but if forced to choose I would take Cierre for less dancing and more speed. I still think Theo will be an NFL slot-rb. Would love Cierre back next year, not sure it will happen, but still will be loaded at RB.

 

[Irish YJ]

I love both, but Cierre IMO is on a different level. This year started slowly for him with the suspension and doghouse issues. In that, Theo earned the spotlight for doing the right things. Even so, the average yards per carry speaks for itself. I don't really care much to be honest. Using both works well, and we are so lucky to have 3 guys that compliment each other. I truly hope CW comes back next year.

 

[mrmiller8]

I think Kelly should sit him to lower his draft stock!!! Maybe he will come back! Just kidding...

 

[Emcee77]

I like Cierre better as a pure RB. Theo is getting as many reps as he is getting because he is such a great receiving threat.

 

[Irish Jacky]

Cierre is more explosive and, I think, faster.

Theo is more versatile because he is the better receiver.

If forced to choose, I'd have to go with Cierre.

* Don't sell Cam McDaniel short. He's not on a lot of people's radar but this guy can flat out run (he's a 4.5). He's also a very hard runner. I don't think we'll miss a step if Cierre decides not to come back. With GAIII and Cam (I don't know much about Will Mahone) we'll be well stocked at the RB position next year.

 

[mrmiller8]

Cierre is more explosive and, I think, faster.

Theo is more versatile because he is the better receiver.

If forced to choose, I'd have to go with Cierre.

* Don't sell Cam McDaniel short. He's not on a lot of people's radar but this guy can flat out run (he's a 4.5). He's also a very hard runner. I don't think we'll miss a step if Cierre decides not to come back. With GAIII and Cam (I don't know much about Will Mahone) we'll be well stocked at the RB position next year.

What about Amir Carlisle, he'll be looking for some touches too. We shouldn't miss a beat as far as talent in the backfield should cierre leave.

 

[jerboski]

I'll go against popular opinion here, and go with Theo. Cierre is electric and a very talented back but I believe Theo wears the defense out because he runs so hard and is always creating contact with tacklers, dishing it out so to say. I think Cierre has more gamebreaker ability but I love Theo in the passing game, catching the ball as well as blocking and by the time we reach the 4th, Theo runs so physical that I think teams begin to shy away from him and he starts hitting long runs when it matters most in the 4th.

 

[mgriff]

In our offense, a tailback like Theo who can catch the ball well out of the backfield is a great variable to add. I think that's why he's been getting so much game time, and his hard running is only helping his case.

Cierre is a great player, and he can catch as well, but not as well as Riddick. They are a great duo to have, and the homerun threat of GAIII gives us a solid stable of backs to rely on.

 

[RDU Irish]

So was there any word on why Cierre didn't see more carries last week?

For the record, I'll take both. Don't think you can play one back, depth to keep them fresh is a must. If they have slightly different skill sets, all the better.

I don't see how Cierre goes pro unless he finishes off the year with three or four 100 yard games.

 

[McGlovin]

I love how shifty Theo has looked this year, seems like he's making a lot more guys miss. I particularly loved his run at the end of the Oklahoma game to push us ahead 30-13. You can't really lose with either guy though.

Speaking of next year though, even without Cierre, ND is absolutely loaded again. How do you see the depth chart in a hypothetical without Cierre? Also how do you see the carries getting split up?

 

[Irish Jacky]

What about Amir Carlisle, he'll be looking for some touches too. We shouldn't miss a beat as far as talent in the backfield should cierre leave.[/QUOTE]

Good catch! My bad!

 

[ACamp1900]

Nothing is wrong with Theo obviously... Great back, but I honestly feel Cierre could be one of the best backs in the country if he were given the reps.

 

[Emcee77]

Nothing is wrong with Theo obviously... Great back, but I honestly feel Cierre could be one of the best backs in the country if he were given the reps.

Exactly. It's tough to start giving reps to Cierre when Theo is playing so well. He has had some clutch runs for us, especially the one at the end of the Purdue game to get us in easy field goal range and the nail in the coffin against OU.

But still, I feel like Cierre is just waiting to really go off ...

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Cierre is the better player but I love both of them.

 

[Riddickulous]

Riddick is more versatile. Wood is the better pure running back.

Love 'em both, but I'll go with Wood.

 

[JadeBrecks]

Wood. I think Riddick seems to go down a lot easier. Wood tends to break more tackles. This was real bad until the BYU game. If you a big play back my vote is Wood.

 

[DillonHall]

I don't think Cierre would be as effective without Riddick, and vice versa.

 

[ErieIrish13]

Call me crazy, but i believe Cam will be one of our starting backs next year if CW doesn't come back. GA3 has much more talent, but if he doesn't become the total runner Kelly wants, he may only split carries with Cam. And as other people have said, Carlisle will be hungry too

 

[Riddickulous]

Call me crazy, but i believe Cam will be one of our starting backs next year if CW doesn't come back. GA3 has much more talent, but if he doesn't become the total runner Kelly wants, he may only split carries with Cam. And as other people have said, Carlisle will be hungry too

Don't sleep on Will Mahone. His power is the perfect complement to Atkinson's speed.

 

[jerboski]

Call me crazy, but i believe Cam will be one of our starting backs next year if CW doesn't come back. GA3 has much more talent, but if he doesn't become the total runner Kelly wants, he may only split carries with Cam. And as other people have said, Carlisle will be hungry too

I agree, Cam just gets it. Love his running style and effort

 

[IrishSpartan]

Theo just because of that rediculous cut he possess that I have yet seen from anyone since LT

 

[Buster Bluth]

Wood. Not even that close.

 

[PraetorianND]

Theo just because of that rediculous cut he possess that I have yet seen from anyone since LT

Not to mention he never quits churning his legs. Beast.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I agree, Cam just gets it. Love his running style and effort

Based on one drive against the backups of one of the worst defenses in the country?

Atkinson and Carlisle will both be used at length before Cam is, in my opinion.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Conspiracy Theory:

Kelly is limiting Cierre's carries. Lowering his draft stock. Trying to keep him an extra year.

Btw, Cierre is better imo. Theo is more flexible.

 

[PraetorianND]

Conspiracy Theory:

Kelly is limiting Cierre's carries. Lowering his draft stock. Trying to keep him an extra year.

Btw, Cierre is better imo. Theo is more flexible.

 

[greyhammer90]

This is my favorite kind of argument.

 

[kmoose]

Nothing is wrong with Theo obviously... Great back, but I honestly feel Cierre could be one of the best backs in the country if he were given the reps.

Word on IE is that the kid can't hit the home run.

 

[rocket66]

Wood. Every single time.