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

[ulukinatme]

Watch the play at 1:47.

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Cam is extremely underrated and he's done nothing but run like a mad man. He isn't a Jerome Bettis and knocks people on their ass but he certainly doesn't go down on first contact. I'm surprised people still doubt Cam; I would not be mad one bit if he got the first hand off of the season this year

Absolutely agree. He's no Bettis, but none of our backs last year fought for yards like Cam did. Theres a reason he received the bulk of the carries, while Folston added to his own touches as he gained the trust of the coaches, as well as Atkinson losing touches as the season went on. Cam proved time and time again that you don't need 5 recruiting stars to be consistent and do all the right things. I think Cam will get the first hand off of the season, sharing the load with Folston initially, with GB quickly getting opportunities to see how he handles his return from injury.

Its not about doubting Cam as much as it is trying to stay realistic. Sure, he is consistent and is one of those guys that's not great at anything but just good at football. It will eventually catch up with him and hopefully it catches up with him after ND. When you have guys like Folston and Bryant with Cam being able to come in and clean up, then you have a 3-headed monster. Kinda like the Giants used to have with Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Derrick Ward.

I disagree, I think he's a great running back. He's shown he has great vision, he has sure hands, he's a good blocker, he can catch when needed, and you know he's going to fight for yards, you're getting 100% from him when he's on the field. All those things make a great running back, at least at the college level. Is he a big home run threat? No, but thats what we had Atkinson for. George lacked many of those traits, thats why he lost his opportunity to be the #1 guy. If Cam wasn't a great running back, I don't think he would have beaten out Carlisle and Atkinson the way he did last season.

I think Cam is good. I just think Folson and Bryant are better. I haven't seen alot of Bryant...but enough to believe he is better. I guess it's a good problem to have. I did forget about that great run against USCum.

Neither Folston nor Bryant can be considered better, otherwise they would have gotten more carries than Cam last year. Yes, I know Bryant was banged up, but thats all the more reason to question if he's more prepared in all facets of his job. Folston and Bryant are more athletic, but that doesn't mean they execute everything better or have all the mental aspects of the job down. Neither guy is a more complete back...not yet anyway. Give Folston another year or maybe half a season, I think he'll eventually surpass Cam. I don't know if he's got the heart Cam has, but I think he's got all the other qualities that he needs to have and he'll be special.

 

[Irish8248]

cam is a workhorse -- end of story. He shows up, does hat you want him to do, earns every yard and plays near flawless football. Count em in as someone who thinks the world of him. Will he be an NFL HOF or heisman winner? No -- but he damn well may be one of the most reliable backs in ND history. Ill take a Cam every year

 

[ulukinatme]

cam is a workhorse -- end of story. He shows up, does hat you want him to do, earns every yard and plays near flawless football. Count em in as someone who thinks the world of him. Will he be an NFL HOF or heisman winner? No -- but he damn well may be one of the most reliable backs in ND history. Ill take a Cam every year

Yup, same here. You've got to have some consistency with your running back. Kelly favors experience too, as history has shown. Folston and GB will certainly get their touches this year, but I think it's going to be Cam as #1 to start the season with Folston close behind at #2, and GB earning reps at #3.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Yup, same here. You've got to have some consistency with your running back. Kelly favors experience too, as history has shown. Folston and GB will certainly get their touches this year, but I think it's going to be Cam as #1 to start the season with Folston close behind at #2, and GB earning reps at #3.

IMO, Folston #1, then Bryant or Cam, at least in game 1.

It will be all about who is producing consistently in practice. If Bryant is inconsistent, I agree Kelly will not insert him over Cam early in the season. But if Bryant is playing like a 5-star, Kelly will absolutely bench Cam or Folston.

My guess is that Bryant will get more touches very quickly. I wonder if we see McDaniel featured more on special teams (like Ala. does with their RBs).

 

[koonja]

Would I be wrong if I said he seemed more "put together" than jacked? You know like the fat girl with boobs doesn't count? I just feel like he isn't the monster you guys make him out to be and I may be WAY off! By no means am I saying he isn't a solid, powerful back, but he doesn't impress me as much as say, Trent Richardson. That isn't comparing styles, that is just comparing physique and how Trent walked funny because he was so massive.

I know what you're saying. 'Powerful' wouldn't be the first word I use to describe him. I think Folton will be more of a pile pusher and goal line back. I guess I think of him as more powerful.

I think of Bryant as explosive. Not Oregon-back-esque, but extremely quick, strong and will run through arm tackles, although not like a Trent Richardson.

He's a rich man's Theo.

 

[Irish YJ]

TF and Cam have both proven themselves worthy of reps. And yes, Bryant has only practiced... but I'm gonna trust BK will do the right thing and give him his chances so long as he's putting in the work and looking good in practice. Unproven yes, but you can't deny his potential. My bet is he's 1A or 1B by mid season. I hope we get a heavy dose of him against Rice so we can all end the speculation and talk about fact and data. At the end of the day, I think we have faith that BK will play him is he performs.

 

[IrishLion]

The first time I see Cam in the backfield on 3rd and 1 I'm going to need a new TV. Yeah, he runs hard and looks composed when his helmet comes off mid-run but doesn't make anyone miss and and he doesn't run over anyone. Golson is going to make a huge difference on 3rd down this year...as he did two years ago.

I'm sorry, but these two things are the things that Cam does best lol.

On any effective Cam McDaniel run:

Cam is rarely taken down by the first man; more often than not the first guy whiffs.

Cam is rarely taken down by a single defender; help has to be on the way.

When Cam is getting tackled, he finishes every run with violence. Legs churning, pile/defender moving, shoving defenders into the turf with a desperate stiff-arm, doing everything he can to get over the defender that's now hanging onto his legs and get extra yards.

So he is exceptional at making the first defender miss however he can, and he's exceptional at running through the tackler and picking up extra yards at the end of the play.

 

[Irish#1]

As I said earlier, should I have said, water tastes better in cereal than milk?

The point was how ridiculous it sounds. As much as I hope GB goes out and becomes a monster, I am not discounting Cam like 90% of this board. Last year no one thought he had a shot, and he became the go to back. One year later, the same exact thing. And over what? Because a guy was a good high school player and has a ripped physique that makes koon drool? (not a shot at you koon haha)

It's okay. Everyone is always enamored with the shiny new car and not the three year old model that continues to run perfectly.

 

[Cackalacky]

If Cam does not get the majority of snaps at the beginning of the season, I will be shocked. It starts out Cam, TF, GB in my book. Cams only limit is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. If GB and TF start making that happen, they will obviously play more just like Riddick took snaps away from Wood.

 

[koonja]

If Cam does not get the majority of snaps at the beginning of the season, I will be shocked. It starts out Cam, TF, GB in my book. Cams only limit is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. If GB and TF start making that happen, they will obviously play more just like Riddick took snaps away from Wood.

It would shock you if Tarean Folston is our #1 back to begin the season? He's our most complete back, IMO.

As much as I joke about Bryant, if I had to take one back it'd be Folston right now. Bryant has the ability to change my mind, we'll see.

Cam's good and will help us win games, but Folston's a more athletic Cam IMO.

 

[Cackalacky]

For the record koon I can't see what you post unless someone quotes you. I know better than this but....

Yes it would shock me heading into fall ball if Cam is not considered by the coaches as the most trusted and solid back out of the three. Once game planning starts and on-the field production is gauged it will definitely shake things up. But yes at the end of last year Cam was a leader and the most consistent. TF showed flashes but he still did not do it all. We have not had that since Riddick.

 

[koonja]

For the record koon I can't see what you post unless someone quotes you. I know better than this but....

Yes it would shock me heading into fall ball if Cam is not considered by the coaches as the most trusted and solid back out of the three. Once game planning starts and on-the field production is gauged it will definitely shake things up. But yes at the end of last year Cam was a leader and the most consistent. TF showed flashes but he still did not do it all. We have not had that since Riddick.

It's OK, we can disagree about something, lol.

I think Folston has been trustworthy as well, but Cam has gotten the late game carries so I see your point. I do expect Folston to be our #1 still.

 

[Cackalacky]

It's OK, we can disagree about something, lol.

I think Folston has been trustworthy as well, but Cam has gotten the late game carries so I see your point. I do expect Folston to be our #1 still.

It is ok to disagree. As to the bolded I assume you mean you still see him as the #1 RB regardless, as opposed to him being the #1 still (implying he was the #1 previously)?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Who had the only rushing touchdown against the U of M in '12?

 

[koonja]

It is ok to disagree. As to the bolded I assume you mean you still see him as the #1 RB regardless, as opposed to him being the #1 still (implying he was the #1 previously)?

I don't have the stats in front of me, but I saw him as our #1 back at the end of last year, and expect him to be starting out this year.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

For the record koon I can't see what you post unless someone quotes you. I know better than this but....

Yes it would shock me heading into fall ball if Cam is not considered by the coaches as the most trusted and solid back out of the three. Once game planning starts and on-the field production is gauged it will definitely shake things up. But yes at the end of last year Cam was a leader and the most consistent. TF showed flashes but he still did not do it all. We have not had that since Riddick.

I believe at the end of last year we saw the emergence of Tarean Folston, I believe he ended the season as the number one back. What were the numbers over the last three games (including Rutgers) for total touches, YPC, etc

 

[Cackalacky]

I don't have the stats in front of me, but I saw him as our #1 back at the end of last year, and expect him to be starting out this year.

cfbstats.com - Tarean Folston 2013 Player Statistics - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

I do have the stats in front of me and they were pretty much equal in reps and production in November and January. However this includes the Navy game where TF had 140 yards on 18 attempts. Cam had 117 against Brigham Young and the other games our running game was largely ineffective. So I don't think you can make a claim either way. Its as you are wont to say "your opinion."

Vertiate... see the link above.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Just found the stats:

- BYU -

McDaniel - 24, 118yds, 4.9 ypc
Folston - 13, 78, 6.0ypc

- Stanford -

McDaniel - 4, 17, 4.3 ypc
Folston - 14, 50, 3.6 ypc

- Rutgers -

McDaniel - 17, 80, 4.7 ypc
Folston - 17, 73, 4.3 ypc


I guess I remembered incorreclty. It looks like it was more of an even split as we ended the year. Folston was making his move but he wasn't the runaway number one, but neither was Cam so I guess it ultimately comes down to fall camp.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

So, after all this, we really don't know anything; even who had the only rushing touchdown against Michigan in '12!

 

[IrishLion]

It was Tommy!

 

[Cackalacky]

Just found the stats:

- BYU -

McDaniel - 24, 118yds, 4.9 ypc
Folston - 13, 78, 6.0ypc

- Stanford -

McDaniel - 4, 17, 4.3 ypc
Folston - 14, 50, 3.6 ypc

- Rutgers -

McDaniel - 17, 80, 4.7 ypc
Folston - 17, 73, 4.3 ypc


I guess I remembered incorreclty. It looks like it was more of an even split as we ended the year. Folston was making his move but he wasn't the runaway number one, but neither was Cam so I guess it ultimately comes down to fall camp.

Iits not really remembering correctly or not I think . TF was flashy and showed his potential while Cam was more workman like and all in all our running game was dreadful last year (for many reasons). That plus everyone's wish to get GB on the field is leading to some high expectations for this upcoming season. Probably some that should be tempered until after the Michigan game anyway.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Just found the stats:

- BYU -

McDaniel - 24, 118yds, 4.9 ypc
Folston - 13, 78, 6.0ypc

- Stanford -

McDaniel - 4, 17, 4.3 ypc
Folston - 14, 50, 3.6 ypc

- Rutgers -

McDaniel - 17, 80, 4.7 ypc
Folston - 17, 73, 4.3 ypc


I guess I remembered incorreclty. It looks like it was more of an even split as we ended the year. Folston was making his move but he wasn't the runaway number one, but neither was Cam so I guess it ultimately comes down to fall camp.

Point is both have proven themselves to be reliable, workhorse backs, which most teams are lucky to have even one. I trust both to be able to get the 1st down/touchdown (in the same way we couldn't for GA3). I think Folston will be our best back this year, although Cam has definitely has proven that he deserves to be on the field. Hopefully GB is as good as everyone thinks he his, but Folston proved as a true freshman that he's the real deal against D1 competition.

Also, am I the only one who liked Folston's HS tape better than GB's?

 

[wizards8507]

Point is both have proven themselves to be reliable, workhorse backs, which most teams are lucky to have even one. I trust both to be able to get the 1st down/touchdown.

We were 82nd in the country last year in rushing. I sincerely hope that the coaches aren't going into this season feeling "lucky" to have two "workhorse backs." The status quo from last year's backfield just isn't good enough. Maybe 2013 Cam and 2013 Folston were about equal in their production, but I'm looking for Folston and/or Bryant to make significant steps forward going from their Freshman to Sophomore years.

 

[Grahambo]

We were 82nd in the country last year in rushing. I sincerely hope that the coaches aren't going into this season feeling "lucky" to have two "workhorse backs." The status quo from last year's backfield just isn't good enough. Maybe 2013 Cam and 2013 Folston were about equal in their production, but I'm looking for Folston and/or Bryant to make significant steps forward going from their Freshman to Sophomore years.

Good thing Tommy Rees turned on the after burners late in the season! Lol


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[Grahambo]

Please stop looking at stats when comparing TF and Cam. TF is the superior back; as is GB. As Wizards stated, if ND is gonna succeed, it'll be up to them to take the next step in their development. Cam is what he is and that's a solid back. Little room to grow and take his game to a higher level.

Have EG and not Rees will also help.


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[koonja]

cfbstats.com - Tarean Folston 2013 Player Statistics - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

I do have the stats in front of me and they were pretty much equal in reps and production in November and January. However this includes the Navy game where TF had 140 yards on 18 attempts. Cam had 117 against Brigham Young and the other games our running game was largely ineffective. So I don't think you can make a claim either way. Its as you are wont to say "your opinion."

Vertiate... see the link above.

Agree, which is why I'm surprised you'd be shocked if TF starts out as our #1 back.

Time will tell!

 

[Booslum31]

If Cam does not get the majority of snaps at the beginning of the season, I will be shocked. It starts out Cam, TF, GB in my book. Cams only limit is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. If GB and TF start making that happen, they will obviously play more just like Riddick took snaps away from Wood.

Having seen all of the posts it looks like I'm in the minority here on Cam vs. TF vs. GB. If I were playing on the other side of the ball Cam is the guy I'd most like to see break the huddle. TF would give me the most to think about with his patience, moves, and finesse. GB would concern me with the threat to take it to the house and what might happen to my arm if that's all i got on him, and with Cam I could expect a nice collision. As far as a passing threat out of the backfield...I'd put them in the same order. Last year with Tommy our offense was so damn predictable. Felt bad for Cam because when he came in everyone in the stadium knew we were running the ball.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

We were 82nd in the country last year in rushing. I sincerely hope that the coaches aren't going into this season feeling "lucky" to have two "workhorse backs." The status quo from last year's backfield just isn't good enough. Maybe 2013 Cam and 2013 Folston were about equal in their production, but I'm looking for Folston and/or Bryant to make significant steps forward going from their Freshman to Sophomore years.

Grahambo, exactly. Our running game has been stifled over the last few years by having a QB that was neither a running threat or a deep ball threat--loading the box proved to be the way to beat Tommy, and teams knew it. Our run blocking hasn't been high level for the most part either. Considering Folston played as well as he did as a freshman is pretty impressive.

Hopefully this year Golson can open up the running game. If the running game is stifled, most it most likely won't be because of the RB's.

 

[Irish#1]

GB and TF should take significant steps forward this year. It's the natural maturing process and feeling more comfortable in the system. I really wouldn't be surprised if any of them start the season. I do think BK will probably try to go with just two backs most of the time, except in mop up situations. It's hard to get into a rhythm when you split time with two others. If GB & TF take that next step, I expect Cam to be the guy that gets the mop up carries.

 

[EddytoNow]

The key isn't so much who gets the bulk of the carries as it is having some unpredictability in the offensive play-calling. When all of us couch-jockies can tell what the offense is planning to do based upon personnel on the field and the predictability of the offense, it's certainly no great challenge for a good defensive coordinator to do the same.

All three backs have to be dual-threat running backs. We have to throw the ball to all of them, and they all have to be able to run in short yardage situations. We can't have McDaniel, Bryant, or Folston utilized as situational players. It's too d*** predictable. We have to keep the defense guessing by having all three backs capable of every aspect of the offense.

In a similar manner, we can't telegraph a running play or a passing play by who we have on the field at the wide-receiver position. All of our wide receivers must be able to block, run routes that get themselves open, and catch the ball.

I think Bryant, Folston, and McDaniel are all capable running backs and pass receivers. BK likes backs that can provide pass protection, as well. The running back who can block, run, and catch passes usually gets the bulk of the snaps. This year will likely be no exception.

Greg Bryant will get his chances. The more he produces, the more he plays.