'13 FL RB Greg Bryant (R.I.P.)

[Irishbounty28]

He's already been passed by Cam for the closer role, which is actually the more prominent running back position for Kelly teams. Riddick last year, and Jonas the year before...

Those were the players we counted on when we needed to run the football. The staff has never, and will never ask GAIII to carry that burden because they know his skill set doesn't match up.

He will be used in a similar role next year more than likely, and get around 5 reps a game. He isn't going to not play during his senior year, and be relegated to special teams. If he took meaningful reps with two very good upper classmen in Riddick and Wood, than he will definitely continue to get carries next year.

 

[koonja]

He's already been passed by Cam for the closer role, which is actually the more prominent running back position for Kelly teams. Riddick last year, and Jonas the year before...

Those were the players we counted on when we needed to run the football. The staff has never, and will never ask GAIII to carry that burden because they know his skill set doesn't match up.

He will be used in a similar role next year more than likely, and get around 5 reps a game. He isn't going to not play during his senior year, and be relegated to special teams. If he took meaningful reps with two very good upper classmen in Riddick and Wood, than he will definitely continue to get carries next year.

If I said he would not get carries, I apologize and I didn't mean to give that impression. I think he'll get 5-10, depending on how close the game is. Closer the game, I expect Cam and Folston/Bryant to take over. They just have 'it', and the younger ones have 'it' more than Cam but Cam is certainly earning his keep.

 

[Irishbounty28]

If I said he would not get carries, I apologize and I didn't mean to give that impression. I think he'll get 5-10, depending on how close the game is. Closer the game, I expect Cam and Folston/Bryant to take over. They just have 'it', and the younger ones have 'it' more than Cam but Cam is certainly earning his keep.

I was just going off of your comments on moving him to safety, which I know you said were from last year. You also stated in the first post that GAIII would be "squeezed out" which I took as significantly decreasing his reps.

He will not be getting squeezed out in my opinion because he will be playing the same role next year, which is where my response came from.

Just clarification.

 

[koonja]

I was just going off of your comments on moving him to safety, which I know you said were from last year. You also stated in the first post that GAIII would be "squeezed out" which I took as significantly decreasing his reps.

He will not be getting squeezed out in my opinion because he will be playing the same role next year, which is where my response came from.

Just clarification.

I just see Cam/Folston especially getting much better, but I don't think GAIII has any room for improvement. That's why IMO he'll be used less next year.

 

[ACamp1900]

I just see Cam/Folston especially getting much better, but I don't think GAIII has any room for improvement. That's why IMO he'll be used less next year.

GAIII from the end of last year when he was nothing but a speed burst to now is a huge improvement in itself... he still has room to grow obviously... but he's a much better back now imo... he actually makes cuts, uses his blockers more and seems to see the field better.

 

[koonja]

GAIII from the end of last year when he was nothing but a speed burst to now is a huge improvement in itself... he still has room to grow obviously... but he's a much better back now imo... he actually makes cuts, uses his blockers more and seems to see the field better.

His cuts cannot compare to Cam/Folston and probably Bryant's, and that makes the difference IMO.

 

[PANDFAN]

Jonas is one of my all time favorites, but by all accounts, Gray was simply not giving it his all until his senior year. He was good enough to play his freshman year, but fumbled in the red zone after a long drive nearly costing ND the Navy game.

Gray was built like an NFL RB and ran fine from day 1, it was a committment issue apparently.

I think he is a very differnt story than GAIII.

i was there at the pitt game, there was NO excitement but disappointment until that run!!!

 

[ACamp1900]

His cuts cannot compare to Cam/Folston and probably Bryant's, and that makes the difference IMO.

I didn't compare him to anyone... you said he can't grow... so i shared my thoughts on him regarding just the last 10 months or so... he's gotten much better.

 

[koonja]

I didn't compare him to anyone... you said he can't grow... so i shared my thoughts on him regarding just the last 10 months or so... he's gotten much better.

He can grow in the sense that he'll run tougher and be more decisive, but being able to cut like a RB is a talent you're born with. You can fine tune it a bit, but it's natural. I think the others have much more room to grow since they are born with the RB gene IMO.

I know you didn't compare him to anyone else, but I am because I think those others will be taking his carries.

Making cuts >>>>>> breakaway speed for RBs.

Edit: I hate having to say 'IMO' all of the time, lol.

 

[Irishbounty28]

He can grow in the sense that he'll run tougher and be more decisive, but being able to cut like a RB is a talent you're born with. You can fine tune it a bit, but it's natural. I think the others have much more room to grow since they are born with the RB gene IMO.

I know you didn't compare him to anyone else, but I am because I think those others will be taking his carries.

Edit: I hate having to say 'IMO' all of the time, lol.

Lateral movement is just as much a god given gift as speed. Turns out only one running back on our team has elite speed, which means that while he is here it will be utilized as much as possible. IMO GAIII is the only running back that can be "guaranteed" to have a role next year in the backfield. Cam/Folston/Bryant and Carlisle all will battle eachother for spots. GAIII isn't battling them for a spot.

 

[DillonHall]

Lateral movement is just as much a god given gift as speed. Turns out only one running back on our team has elite speed, which means that while he is here it will be utilized as much as possible. IMO GAIII is the only running back that can be "guaranteed" to have a role next year in the backfield. Cam/Folston/Bryant and Carlisle all will battle eachother for spots. GAIII isn't battling them for a spot.

GAIII will absolutely have to battle very hard this year and during the offseason to continue to get playing time.

 

[Irishbounty28]

GAIII will absolutely have to battle very hard this year and during the offseason to continue to get playing time.

I meant for the same role, not spot. My bad. He will have to practice hard, and continue to improve yes. He doesn't have the same skillset to play the same role, therefore he will not be evaluated the same throughout practices. I will almost guarantee that.

If Bryant and Folston turn out to be beasts and do everything backs, GAIII will still get touches and Cam and Carlisle will not.

Of course if he just turns in his cleats and says I made it, and doesn't show up in another practice he will not play, but if he continues to play on par with what he is right now he will continue to get snaps in some role.

 

[SoIll]

juice up george and let him play ILB next year lol

 

[Irish Insanity]

Who's going to run the camera????? Video, or I call BS....it never happened!!!!

Forget a video. Its been tossed around many times about an IE tailgate prior to a game. Let that be the moment.

I would advise everyone to remain neutral on this subject. There have definitely been rumors from VERY reliable sources that he wanted to transfer and other comments obviously disputing that. I think it is far too early to know either way. He literally could be changing his mind every week for all we know.

I've always looked at it as transfering was always on his mind, and still may be, but that he is beginning to listen more to the coaches and his dad. The quote from his dad:

“Yes, he’s frustrated, but what five-star freshman wouldn’t be? Those are just growing pains. He’ll be just fine. He needs a year to mature in the program.”

Always seemed to me his dad understood his frustration, but also understood the maturing process and that he needed to stay. But that he was on our side. Maybe its just me, but thats how I read the quote.

 

[connor_in]

Forget a video. Its been tossed around many times about an IE tailgate prior to a game. Let that be the moment.



I've always looked at it as transfering was always on his mind, and still may be, but that he is beginning to listen more to the coaches and his dad. The quote from his dad:



Always seemed to me his dad understood his frustration, but also understood the maturing process and that he needed to stay. But that he was on our side. Maybe its just me, but thats how I read the quote.

Personally, I think a lot our players from far away and especially the warmer climate guys all have times in freshman year that they consider going back closer to home. Heck, many nonnathlete freshman go thrum the same feelings without hearing whispers from people associated with other schools.

 

[stlnd01]

On Bryant: It seems foolish to act like these situations are black-and-white, yes-or-no. It's like Tuitt and coming back next year Or lots of recruiting situations. Kids honestly don't know, and despite our impatience for answers they really don't need to decide right now. They might be leaning one way or the other, but we don't really know until we know. You know?

On Atkinson: I think he has become a "better" running back, especially over the last month or so. Question is how much better can he get? I just don't see him holding off Folston and Bryant forever. But if he does, watch out, because it means he's the real deal.

 

[anarin]

I love how everyone has jumped off the GAIII train and jumped on the Cam/Bryant/Folston bandwagon. But here's the thing; GAIII is no superstar back, BUT he is getting better and seeing the field better. I'm not going to anoint anyone the future when we have seen so little of the sampling, you take away Folstons big run against Oklahoma and he is averaging 3.3 YPC. Bryant isn't getting the "king of the hill" award because of his physique.

As far as I'm concerned our backfield is VERY average at the moment. There is a reason Kelly has run it by committee, NO ONE is good enough to take it by the balls. I was one of the biggest supporters of Cam at the beginning of the year, and I called him being the go to back (dont believe me? read back through older threads) before the year was over. But he is an average back that drops his head and gets 3 yards and a cloud of dust up the middle, and doesn't have the break away speed to make a difference on the outside. Yes I love his gritty style, but I'm a realist when it comes to his ability.

So what do we have? 5 running backs that can't be the man. One of them has to step up, I don't think GAIII will just pack it in.

 

[IrishLion]

IBut he is an average back that drops his head and gets 3 yards and a cloud of dust up the middle, and doesn't have the break away speed to make a difference on the outside. Yes I love his gritty style, but I'm a realist when it comes to his ability.

I might disagree with this. He doesn't have the break-away speed, but he has more than enough speed to make a difference on the outside. He did so against USC. He made one cut, got outside, and hit a huge gain along the sidelines (not to mention he showed the stiff arm he always uses for extra yardage).

And it's not just USC. Cam has had quite a few productive runs around the end. He's got the necessary vision, acceleration and cutting ability to be a threat on the outside... he just doesn't have the GAIII speed that turns a 25-yard gainer into a homerun.

Cam is almost exactly like Theo in my opinion. Theo was a bit more shifty, but he didn't have that high top-end speed either.

This is just a bunch of words that mean to say: I don't think you're giving Cam enough credit on his ability to run outside lol.

 

[anarin]

This is just a bunch of words that mean to say: I don't think you're giving Cam enough credit on his ability to run outside lol.

Well why didnt you just say so!!!!

When I say make a difference on the outside, I really mean homerun. Wouldn't it be nice to have a RB in our backfield that almost makes you hold your breath when he gets a pitch to the outside?

 

[koonja]

I'll take a guy who can make great cuts every run over a guy who's going to break away 1/80 carries.

You do not need home run threats to play the RB position.

 

[stlnd01]

He's got the necessary vision, acceleration and cutting ability to be a threat on the outside... he just doesn't have the GAIII speed that turns a 25-yard gainer into a homerun.

Exactly. We've all seen Atkinson and Carlisle and even Folston (almost) break big runs and take it to the house. In 100+ career carries, McDaniel never has. He's a grinder and he gobbles up tough yards, and that's great. Every once in awhile he even pops a big chunk run. But you need guys who can hit the home run now and then - so offense doesn't have to always be so damn hard - and it's hard to call Cam RB1 if he can't.

 

[anarin]

I'll take a guy who can make great cuts every run over a guy who's going to break away 1/80 carries.

I'll take a guy that has world class speed and can learn how to make these cuts over the guy that won't wow you. GAIII can be a game breaker if he can improve his vision, everyone knows this. This is why he still gets his reps and chances.

 

[koonja]

I'll take a guy that has world class speed and can learn how to make these cuts over the guy that won't wow you. GAIII can be a game breaker if he can improve his vision, everyone knows this. This is why he still gets his reps and chances.

He's not going to learn to make the cuts. He's seeing the hole fine for the most part, but he does not have the natural agility and cut back ability required.

That's not going to grow overnight, or over the span of his junior/senior season.

It has almost nothing to do with vision. It's the ability to cut on a dime that GAIII does not have.

 

[anarin]

He's not going to learn to make the cuts. He's seeing the hole fine for the most part, but he does not have the natural agility and cut back ability required.

That's not going to grow overnight, or over the span of his junior/senior season.

It has almost nothing to do with vision. It's the ability to cut on a dime that GAIII does not have.

He as improved alot this year. I'll admit I've been negative about his running this year, but I haven't given up on him turning into a great back. If he puts the work in, anything is possible.

 

[IrishLion]

Well why didnt you just say so!!!!

When I say make a difference on the outside, I really mean homerun. Wouldn't it be nice to have a RB in our backfield that almost makes you hold your breath when he gets a pitch to the outside?

To be honest with you, I don't even think Folston or Bryant has that hold-your-breath speed. That type of speed is rare, at least the type of home-run speed I'm thinking of. GAIII has it. He's the only running back on the roster that scores on that run against Oklahoma, everyone else would've been cut off by the safety's angle (with the possible exception of Amir, but we've only seen his open field speed one time).

Folston and Bryant might have more top-end speed than Cam (and we really don't even know that on Bryant yet), but it's rare to find a guy with GAIII speed.

Sammy Watkins and DeAnthony Thomas are the guys I can think of with comparable speed (but more shiftiness), and they don't come around every year.

 

[T Town Tommy]

It drives me crazy wathcing GAIII run the ball. At this point in his career it would appear that he would know how to cut back and hit the holes and lower his shoulders when he runs. Sadly, I think he shies away from contact too much... almost like he is afraid of it. He shows flashes at times, but his inconsistency is very apparent.

I like the potential of Folston as he appears that he can be the back of the future. More reps are needed and another year or two getting stronger will help. Out of all the current rbs, I think he has the most upside.

Bryant is still a question mark. Is his injury going to hold him back? Is he as good as he was advertised out of high school? Don't really know at this point obviously.

I love watching Cam get physical when he runs. He is a great grind it rb. But he can't be the featured back if the Irish wants to be successful moving forward. But his desire is awesome.

Of course, all of this won't matter when Bo pulls the plug for the Irish. He will be the featured back by game six next season. He has all the strengths of the backs already there. ( Yes... it's just a teaser. But admit it... it's fun to think about.)

 

[dublinirish]

if GA3 is afraid of contact now playing against teenagers then what is he gonna be like when he gets to the NFL..

 

[T Town Tommy]

if GA3 is afraid of contact now playing against teenagers then what is he gonna be like when he gets to the NFL..

Gotta be tough to be a scout team player.

 

[koonja]

if GA3 is afraid of contact now playing against teenagers then what is he gonna be like when he gets to the NFL..

Just my opinion, but he has no business being an NFL RB.

He may get signed as an undrafted, but I wouldn't expect him to make it for more than a year.

 

[tussin]

It drives me crazy wathcing GAIII run the ball. At this point in his career it would appear that he would know how to cut back and hit the holes and lower his shoulders when he runs. Sadly, I think he shies away from contact too much... almost like he is afraid of it. He shows flashes at times, but his inconsistency is very apparent.

I like the potential of Folston as he appears that he can be the back of the future. More reps are needed and another year or two getting stronger will help. Out of all the current rbs, I think he has the most upside.

Bryant is still a question mark. Is his injury going to hold him back? Is he as good as he was advertised out of high school? Don't really know at this point obviously.

I love watching Cam get physical when he runs. He is a great grind it rb. But he can't be the featured back if the Irish wants to be successful moving forward. But his desire is awesome.

Of course, all of this won't matter when Bo pulls the plug for the Irish. He will be the featured back by game six next season. He has all the strengths of the backs already there. ( Yes... it's just a teaser. But admit it... it's fun to think about.)

Not so sure about that. We were saying the exact same thing about Bryant when he committed.