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

[Wild Bill]

Predictability isn't an issue if execution is proper and players are winning one on one match ups. Navy is as predictable as it gets and they manage to shove it down our throats each year.

If the defense is playing honest, and the offensive players are completing their assignments and consistently winning match ups, each play should be a positive gain. If the defense decides to cheat, run play action on third and short. The mere threat of a big play will force a defense to play honest in a close game.

I think that's what I respect most about Saban's style at Bama. Everyone knows they're going run, play smart and beat you physically at the point of attack. They get decent results.

 

[Cackalacky]

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.

This is more where I am at, not that Cam is the clear cut #1. I dont think anyone is the clear cut #1. If whoever does what the coaches expect the RB to do, they will get the touches. When that happens and who it is unclear now until fall starts.

 

[irish#underground]

TF & Bryant gets the bulk of the carries unless the simple things like blocking, learning the audibles or catching a simple swing pass gets to be to hard for them(oh and fumblenitis).Cam gets mop up time which isnt bad bcause if this offence plays the way i think they could, defences will be soft by the 4th quater. Just my opinion.. Lets eat!!!

 

[koonja]

TF & Bryant gets the bulk of the carries unless the simple things like blocking, learning the audibles or catching a simple swing pass gets to be to hard for them(oh and fumblenitis).Cam gets mop up time which isnt bad bcause if this offence plays the way i think they could, defences will be soft by the 4th quater. Just my opinion.. Lets eat!!!

Basically how I feel. I'd buy the argument that Cam might be our primary goal line back, since agility and athleticism are less important on 3rd and goal from the 2.

He's low to the ground, runs hard, and has a good build.

 

[Irish8248]

Basically how I feel. I'd buy the argument that Cam might be our primary goal line back, since agility and athleticism are less important on 3rd and goal from the 2.

He's low to the ground, runs hard, and has a good build.

I understood your position until this one ... GB is the epitome of who i want in the backfield when teams are pinned up against their own end and we need 2-3 yards to cross the goal line. Cam is reliable and im a huge fan, but theres no question he benefits from defenses having to spread out. Will Cam get me that TD on 3rd and goal from the 2? Sure, i would have trust in him that his will to score will power him through. Put GB back there and my confidence is sky high. Powerful RB who can lower his body and run straight at a defense and at the very least pick up 2-3 yards without having to worry about shaking or sprinting. GB was born for that role IMO. His appeal is that he has the potential to bring even more than that to his game. Cam is a near complete back but GB should hands down get the ball to seal the deal when needed

 

[ulukinatme]

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.

TF and GB aren't superior, otherwise Cam would be riding the bench mostly this season, and I think you'll find that's not going to happen. They might be superior from an athletic standpoint, but they don't necessarily have the mental edge over Cam. I would say they probably don't have all aspects of the position down either. Cam is solid in all areas, but yes, he probably doesn't have much room to grow. I'm willing to bet, even though TF and GB are superior as you say, it's still going to be Cam and Tarean splitting the reps at the beginning of the season, and GB will quickly be getting opportunities to see how he's recovered as the season goes on.

 

[Irish8248]

Essentially the Tommy Rees debate but change the position and Cam is less controversial because he doesn't commit turnovers

 

[irish#underground]

TF and GB aren't superior, otherwise Cam would be riding the bench mostly this season, and I think you'll find that's not going to happen. They might be superior from an athletic standpoint, but they don't necessarily have the mental edge over Cam. I would say they probably don't have all aspects of the position down either. Cam is solid in all areas, but yes, he probably doesn't have much room to grow. I'm willing to bet, even though TF and GB are superior as you say, it's still going to be Cam and Tarean splitting the reps at the beginning of the season, and GB will quickly be getting opportunities to see how he's recovered as the season goes on.

Well we'll see this year when its no restrictions & our offence is in full bloom

 

[Domina Nostra]

As he showed with Redfield last year, Kelly is tired of his stud athletes riding the pine.

Basically, I think Kelly is going to figure out a way to keep Cam involved because he earned it, but unless he shows himself to be BETTER than GB and TF, I think they will get the bulk of important carries.

Being better is not always about potential. Many though Wood was better than Riddick, but that was not true. Riddick was not fast, but he had tons of shake and tons of heart, and great hands.

Cam is more than a servicable back, he's a very good BSC conference player. If we only had one of TF and GB I would be happy that Cam was the other guy. But it appears to most that GB and TF may be special. I'm in the crowd that expects nothing but good stuff from Cam, but also expects GB to prove himself the better player.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Essentially the Tommy Rees debate but change the position and Cam is less controversial because he doesn't commit turnovers

Tommy is not on Cam's level...

 

[Buster Bluth]

Many though Wood was better than Riddick, but that was not true. Riddick was not fast, but he had tons of shake and tons of heart, and great hands.

Not to hijack the thread, but I won't agree that Theo Riddick was better than Cierre Wood. Wood didn't have his best season in 2012, but still averaged 6.5 yards a carry (Riddick: 4.8). In fact all of Cierre Wood's seasons had a higher average than Theo's one season in Kelly's offense as an RB.

Cierre Wood gets an unfair reputation in my opinion. He's Notre Dame's 8th all-time rusher (with a spar season) and his 5.3 average is the second best among the top ten.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Not to hijack the thread, but I won't agree that Theo Riddick was better than Cierre Wood. Wood didn't have his best season in 2012, but still averaged 6.5 yards a carry (Riddick: 4.8). In fact all of Cierre Wood's seasons had a higher average than Theo's one season in Kelly's offense as an RB.

Cierre Wood gets an unfair reputation in my opinion. He's Notre Dame's 8th all-time rusher (with a spar season) and his 5.3 average is the second best among the top ten.

I agree.

But I also think that we got the best that Theo had to offer in 2012. I am not sure we ever saw, over an extended period, the best Wood had to offer.

 

[magogian]

Not to hijack the thread, but I won't agree that Theo Riddick was better than Cierre Wood. Wood didn't have his best season in 2012, but still averaged 6.5 yards a carry (Riddick: 4.8). In fact all of Cierre Wood's seasons had a higher average than Theo's one season in Kelly's offense as an RB.

Cierre Wood gets an unfair reputation in my opinion. He's Notre Dame's 8th all-time rusher (with a spar season) and his 5.3 average is the second best among the top ten.

Cierre Wood was really good, especially in his second to last year, but I think he had something of a boom/bust problem in his final year, similar to but not as bad as GA3. In other words, Wood would break off long runs but he was inconsistent.

Riddick, on the other hand, would more consistently get you at least 3-4 yards.

I haven't seen the numbers on this, so I could be wrong. But that was my impression.

 

[ulukinatme]

Cierre Wood was really good, especially in his second to last year, but I think he had something of a boom/bust problem in his final year, similar to but not as bad as GA3. In other words, Wood would break off long runs but he was inconsistent.

Riddick, on the other hand, would more consistently get you at least 3-4 yards.

I haven't seen the numbers on this, so I could be wrong. But that was my impression.

This is my point. Cam is a very reliable back and shows great consistency, the kind of back you want on the field lots. He's not a big home run threat, but Kelly seems to favor consistent backs that do the right things as oppose to GA III's. Cam took over the 2013 season after Carlisle and GAIII proved to be very hot/cold. Theo got the bulk of the attention when it mattered most in 2012, while Cierre played the #2 role. Before that, Jonas Gray started taking away carries from Cierre as he got consistent and started living up to his potential...until he ended up blowing out his knee against BC late in the year.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He's not a big home run threat, but Kelly seems to favor consistent backs that do the right things as oppose to GA III's.

With good reason. A RB who gives you 3-4 yards consistently is always preferred to someone like GAIII who breaks the occasional long run, but gets stuffed at or behind the line more often than not, even if their YPC stats are identical. The former RB puts the team in manageable down & distance scenarios, which keeps their play-calling options open; the latter RB is a wildcard, but he's going to force you into obvious passing situations too often.

 

[Redbar]

Also, I think Coach is looking for a decisive back. Too often Cierre and GAIII, would slow down approaching the line of scrimmage trying to pick their way through traffic instead of hitting the whole and being physical. Once Jonas realized this was the style of play coach wanted his minutes increased as did his production.
Folston is a shifty back but he hits the whole decisively then gets shifty at the second and third level. His physicality at the line of scrimmage makes him a complete runner.

 

[EddytoNow]

IMHO Cierre Wood and George Atkinson frequently danced around looking for the big play and often missed the opportunity for the drive-sustaining 5-10 yard run. Theo Riddick and Cam McDaniel, on the other hand, are north-south runners who need only a crease to get the short gains that sustain drives. Cam and Theo also proved to be much better blockers, frequently providing the key block that allowed our quarterback (not known for his elusiveness) to remain in the pocket and get his passes off before being sacked.

Cierre, in particular, did not block as well as Theo. Atkinson, on the other hand, proved unable to catch the ball consistently. In hindsight, we might have been better off with George Atkinson at Cornerback or Safety. However, he was forced into the running back position due to injuries and our prior lack of success recruiting running backs.

Bryant and Folston look, at this point, to be more complete backs. They are natural running backs, they can catch the ball, and they appear to be adequate blockers. As they play more (and I expect to see them a lot this fall), we will get a better sense of their ability to do all of these at a BCS level.

With this offensive line depth and these three running backs, it is do or die time for our running game. If we want to recruit a top running back every year, we need to show that we are going to run the ball and run it well. BK calls the plays. If we don't run the ball the running backs will be under utilized and under-produce. If BK utilizes the running game as a key part of this year's offense, it will be up to Harry Hiestand, his pool of highly-rated offensive lineman, and our three running backs to make it work.

BK plays to his strengths. If the running game is clicking, I suspect we will see a more consistent running game and fewer three passes and punt possessions.

 

[irishfan]

Cierre has more talent than Theo, but there is a reason why Theo started the whole year and had more touches. Just like there is a reason why Theo is pushing for serious PT in Detroit and Cierre is on his 2nd practice squad.

 

[FLDomer]

Cierre has more talent than Theo, but there is a reason why Theo started the whole year and had more touches. Just like there is a reason why Theo is pushing for serious PT in Detroit and Cierre is on his 2nd practice squad.

Weed?

 

[johnnycando]

Weed?

Heart.

Drive.

Discipline.

Desire.

 

[koonja]

Not to hijack the thread, but I won't agree that Theo Riddick was better than Cierre Wood. Wood didn't have his best season in 2012, but still averaged 6.5 yards a carry (Riddick: 4.8). In fact all of Cierre Wood's seasons had a higher average than Theo's one season in Kelly's offense as an RB.

Cierre Wood gets an unfair reputation in my opinion. He's Notre Dame's 8th all-time rusher (with a spar season) and his 5.3 average is the second best among the top ten.

That's fair, as long as you've backed down from your previous stance of 'Cierre is better than Theo and it's not even close', lol.

Watching Cierre during his last year upset me, while Theo inspired me. For that reason, I'd still take Theo over Cierre, but Cierre was very talented.

 

[ulukinatme]

It's all about the heart, man. Theo had it, you could see when he took over in that USC game in 2012. Cam has that heart for sure. You want guys like this carrying the rock because they'll fight for every inch. They may not get you a ton of 25 yard gains, but they'll push the chains consistently.

 

[Irish#1]

Also, I think Coach is looking for a decisive back. Too often Cierre and GAIII, would slow down approaching the line of scrimmage trying to pick their way through traffic instead of hitting the whole and being physical. Once Jonas realized this was the style of play coach wanted his minutes increased as did his production.
Folston is a shifty back but he hits the whole decisively then gets shifty at the second and third level. His physicality at the line of scrimmage makes him a complete runner.

GA III would pull up a chair and wait for things to clear. He didn't like contact.

 

[FLDomer]

Heart.

Drive.

Discipline.

Desire.

Soooo weed.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Wait Bryant smokes weed?

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Wait Bryant smokes weed?

The weed talk is about Cierre Wood.

 

[FLDomer]

Wait Bryant smokes weed?

Ha, idk but Cierre did and it seemed it could have cause the the lack of motivation, heart, discipline and desire.

 

[Irishman77]

Theo will have a wonderful career playing on Sunday. Wood will not. Also when wood fumbled the ball on the goaline against Pitt I puked.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Ha, idk but Cierre did and it seemed it could have cause the the lack of motivation, heart, discipline and desire.

I just got lost. It says Greg Bryant as the thread name but I was reading more about Theo, Cierre, Cam, and weed than anything.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Watching Cierre during his last year upset me, while Theo inspired me.

I'm taking this to mean that Riddick has nice abs.

That's fair, as long as you've backed down from your previous stance of 'Cierre is better than Theo and it's not even close', lol.

As a runner I don't think it's that close, and if I were running a spread I'd take (a mentally 100%) Cierre Wood every time.