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

[Irish Insanity]

Theo> Wood. One impressed his teammates in camp and has played meaningful minutes as a young NFL guy. The others career is already up in smoke

As far as Bryant, I don't think he's going anywhere. I don't mind him seeing less time until he gets his head to the same spot his ability is.

 

[koonja]

lololol

....

No shit it'll be different in two years. Cierre Wood was a senior in 2012 for the Oklahoma run and Greg Bryant is a sophomore for any possible game breaking run against Arizona State.

And while we're at it, clearly the better RB when Wood averaged 6.5 and Riddick 4.8? Okay chief. Cierre Wood brought a level of consistency to position not seen since...Julius Jones? Can you point to a recent ND back who can top an average of 5.1/5.1/6.5 for their three years as one of the main backs? You continue to almost criminally undervalue Wood. It's a shame he wasn't on the squad for 2013.

You should have clarified. Now that I know you're comparing Greg as a RS freshman to Senior Cierre, I wouldn't have argued since you're not really saying anything. I think we all agree Cierre as a senior is better than Bryant as a RS freshman. I do not believe Senior Cierre will come close to Senior Bryant, though.

Not even close. YPC does not always indicate who the better running back is. There's a million examples of this being true. Hell, 2 weeks ago, Greg Bryant had the best YPC on this team by a significant margin (over 1 yard over both Folston and Cam). Anyone think he was the best RB on the team? Even I don't.

Cierre? Consistency? I don't see it. If anything, Theo was the consistent one.

Theo was the starting RB for the team that went to the NC, and he was for a reason. You think Kelly was exercising some personal vendetta against Cierre when we were fighting for a title? I doubt it, and 'I'd be upset if he did.

If you want to know who the better RB was, just look at the games down the stretch and who the team went with.

Oklahoma: Theo 19, Cierre 7.
Pitt game: Theo 22, Cierre 15.
USC: Theo: 22, Cierre 8.
Alabama: Theo 10, Cierre 4.

Cierre was not the better runningback. He was fast, and talented, but Theo made better cuts, decisions, had better hands, and ran harder than his backup did.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

You should have clarified. Now that I know you're comparing Greg as a RS freshman to Senior Cierre, I wouldn't have argued since you're not really saying anything. I think we all agree Cierre as a senior is better than Bryant as a RS freshman. I do not believe Senior Cierre will come close to Senior Bryant, though.

Not even close. YPC does not always indicate who the better running back is. There's a million examples of this being true. Hell, 2 weeks ago, Greg Bryant had the best YPC on this team by a significant margin (over 1 yard over both Folston and Cam). Anyone think he was the best RB on the team? Even I don't.

Cierre? Consistency? I don't see it. If anything, Theo was the consistent one.

Theo was the starting RB for the team that went to the NC, and he was for a reason. You think Kelly was exercising some personal vendetta against Cierre when we were fighting for a title? I doubt it, and 'I'd be upset if he did.

If you want to know who the better RB was, just look at the games down the stretch and who the team went with.

Oklahoma: Theo 19, Cierre 7.
Pitt game: Theo 22, Cierre 15.
USC: Theo: 22, Cierre 8.
Alabama: Theo 10, Cierre 4.

Cierre was not the better runningback. He was fast, and talented, but Theo made better cuts, decisions, had better hands, and ran harder than his backup did.

True Cierre was a senior, and was redshirted, but he only played three years at ND. I think if he would have taken his first three more seriously, and stayed for his fourth, he would have had his name pretty high in the books; pun intended.

When Kelly was building the program, he had to fill the roster, but I am betting the current roster doesn't have a lot of guys that are going to so openly smoke weed, and sire unplanned children. No Cam quips please. This guy (CAM) and his bride are worthy of a whole different conversation. Team building.

And to end the discussion, who is playing (well) in the NFL? And where is the other? Some times it is more than raw gifts. I admit my agenda and perspective value the one who gives the most effort and works the hardest to achieve his and his teams goals. So that does count for a lot.

Few players have the gifts of Wood. Few players have the heart and mind to take their talents as far as Riddick.

 

[ACamp1900]

Sorry if it's been covered, what is his status moving forward? Expected to be 100% for ASU??

 

[returnofthemack]

You should have clarified. Now that I know you're comparing Greg as a RS freshman to Senior Cierre, I wouldn't have argued since you're not really saying anything. I think we all agree Cierre as a senior is better than Bryant as a RS freshman. I do not believe Senior Cierre will come close to Senior Bryant, though.

Not even close. YPC does not always indicate who the better running back is. There's a million examples of this being true. Hell, 2 weeks ago, Greg Bryant had the best YPC on this team by a significant margin (over 1 yard over both Folston and Cam). Anyone think he was the best RB on the team? Even I don't.

Cierre? Consistency? I don't see it. If anything, Theo was the consistent one.

Theo was the starting RB for the team that went to the NC, and he was for a reason. You think Kelly was exercising some personal vendetta against Cierre when we were fighting for a title? I doubt it, and 'I'd be upset if he did.

If you want to know who the better RB was, just look at the games down the stretch and who the team went with.

Oklahoma: Theo 19, Cierre 7.
Pitt game: Theo 22, Cierre 15.
USC: Theo: 22, Cierre 8.
Alabama: Theo 10, Cierre 4.

Cierre was not the better runningback. He was fast, and talented, but Theo made better cuts, decisions, had better hands, and ran harder than his backup did.

I don't think Kelly had a vendetta, I think he benched Cierre for his off-field conduct, which I completely agree with. If somebody's screwing up off the field they have to be held accountable. But it was always damn clear who was the better RB as far as physical talent - Riddick was basically Cam McDaniel except slower.

 

[connor_in]

Sorry if it's been covered, what is his status moving forward? Expected to be 100% for ASU??

He's playing for ASU this week? I had heard he was transferring from all those people immediately following the Navy game, but I had no idea he would suit up and play for ASU so soon.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I don't think Kelly had a vendetta, I think he benched Cierre for his off-field conduct, which I completely agree with. If somebody's screwing up off the field they have to be held accountable. But it was always damn clear who was the better RB as far as physical talent - Riddick was basically Cam McDaniel except slower.

Cierre's only standout year was in 2011, which admittedly was very good. Still in both 2011 and 2012, he lost the job of the workhorse back. Jonas Gray was clearly the #1 back (except at the goal line) before he was injured, and in 2012 Theo became the workhorse back. I don't think Cierre responded well to whatever happened to Heistand's blocking scheme (to be honest the run blocking under Heistand has been pretty bad).

On Theo vs Cierre, Theo was exceptionally elusive despite his lack of top end speed, was a better receiver, and fought harder for yards. Kelly trusted him to get the first down when we needed it. That's the guy I want on my team.

 

[irishknight35]

I guess his supposed injury status was not brought up during the press conference today. Hate to assume the worst but he's seemingly in the doghouse or not a serious contender for carries currently.

 

[ACamp1900]

Why would you assume that? Just bc there was no update?

 

[irishandy]

Greg needs to be patient and his time will come. As far as for everyone else R-E-L-A-X!

 

[GoIrish41]

I guess his supposed injury status was not brought up during the press conference today. Hate to assume the worst but he's seemingly in the doghouse or not a serious contender for carries currently.

I'm sure the coaches see what I'm seeing from Greg. A guy with a ton of potential that spends a little too much time dancing than hitting the holes with authority. When he stops trying to put so many moves on the defense, he'll probably get more carries. I'd love to see what he can do when he gets in the open field ... he just isn't going to get there much if he dances in the hole.

 

[irishknight35]

Why would you assume that? Just bc there was no update?

It's just more so my disbelief that no one asked about it and it wasn't brought up in an injury update like Kelly did for the guys on defense. I have no idea why he didn't play but he definitely looked dejected on the sidelines because of it. Could have been any number of things. We all know Greg wants his carries each week but he needs to start rounding into form and putting all those talented pieces he possesses together.

With how well Folston has played its not too concerning but you want to keep talented guys like Greg engaged and ready to play but only if he has earned it and shown he is capable of operating within the offense.

 

[Buster Bluth]

You should have clarified.

Or don't be so defensive? Or don't jump up my ass over things you're not reading correctly?

You'd have to be a GB fanboy to immediately come to the thought of "in two years we'll revisit this!" Ummm, hello...the game is in a few days.

I do not believe Senior Cierre will come close to Senior Bryant, though.

I'm still buying what Bryant has to offer. But if anyone compared Wood's RS Freshman highlight tape with what Bryant has done in his RS Freshman year....well they wouldn't agree with you. Bryant hasn't done anything nearly as noteworthy.

Cierre Wood 2010 Highlights (Can't Be Touched) - YouTube

Not even close. YPC does not always indicate who the better running back is. There's a million examples of this being true. Hell, 2 weeks ago, Greg Bryant had the best YPC on this team by a significant margin (over 1 yard over both Folston and Cam). Anyone think he was the best RB on the team? Even I don't.

Are you really comparing three season's worth of averages to that? Are you literally on drugs?

Cierre? Consistency? I don't see it. If anything, Theo was the consistent one.

...why can't they both be consistent? It's not like they were George Atkinson.

Regardless, Riddick's 4.8 average for the whole season is worse than any full season Wood had. That should say something about their abilities to run the ball.

In 2012, Riddick only had four games with an average over 5.0; Wood only had two under 5.0.

Theo was the starting RB for the team that went to the NC, and he was for a reason. You think Kelly was exercising some personal vendetta against Cierre when we were fighting for a title? I doubt it, and 'I'd be upset if he did.

Aren't you the guy who was saying for the first six weeks of the season that Kelly is leaving a better runner on the sideline, Bryant, in favor of a lesser talent?

If you want to know who the better RB was, just look at the games down the stretch and who the team went with.

Oklahoma: Theo 19, Cierre 7.
Pitt game: Theo 22, Cierre 15.
USC: Theo: 22, Cierre 8.
Alabama: Theo 10, Cierre 4.

Cierre was not the better runningback.

Well "the stretch" is a weird way to phrase nonconsecutive games (8, 9, 12, and 13). What's the matter, did Riddick's game 11 against Wake Forest (6 carries for 20 yards) not fit your narrative?

He was fast, and talented, but Theo made better cuts, decisions, had better hands, and ran harder than his backup did.

...then why were his runs, on average, 26% worse than Wood's? 6.5 vs 4.8. Cierre Wood's 2012 season, admittedly with his head up his own ass, ran the ball better than Riddick.

 

[Pachuco]

Riddick was the lesser talent, not as smooth or prolific as Cierre. However, he made it easier to root for him, because he overcame confidence issues to ball out his senior season. It just so happened that was an epic year, and his passion was symbolic of that rollercoaster rise and then fall. It's tough to back up the lightning talent who squanders his opportunities during the fade out when the thunder rolls in and makes the loudest, last hoorah. But yes, that lightning had some serious flash. I loved them both back there.

I'll hold out for Bryant, just like I did for Theo. Theo is one of my favorites to do it, and I base that off his drive and determination to succeed. I hope Bryant keeps pushing too.

 

[scUM Hater]

Riddick was the lesser talent, not as smooth or prolific as Cierre. However, he made it easier to root for him, because he overcame confidence issues to ball out his senior season. It just so happened that was an epic year, and his passion was symbolic of that rollercoaster rise and then fall. It's tough to back up the lightning talent who squanders his opportunities during the fade out when the thunder rolls in and makes the loudest, last hoorah. But yes, that lightning had some serious flash. I loved them both back there.

I'll hold out for Bryant, just like I did for Theo. Theo is one of my favorites to do it, and I base that off his drive and determination to succeed. I hope Bryant keeps pushing too.

How many times did Riddick switch positions?

 

[ulukinatme]

I really get tired of seeing fans stump for guys based on stars. Support the guys on the field, they're obviously the ones that earned their playing time.

*Disclaimer* This post was mostly intended for the idiots like the guy that sat behind me at Michigan, suggesting that Bryant should be getting every damn carry. I realize Greg is currently banged up, which is why he didn't see playing time Saturday.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kelly says that Greg Bryant has practiced all week. Sat last weekend with an ankle.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDatRivals/status/530501735975251970">November 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[gkIrish]

Here we go...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> running back Greg Bryant appears to be expressing frustration over his playing time: <a href="http://t.co/bJTMS3iUms">pic.twitter.com/bJTMS3iUms</a></p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/status/533815875326189569">November 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[NCND]

Surprised? El oh El

 

[T Town Tommy]

Here we go...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> running back Greg Bryant appears to be expressing frustration over his playing time: <a href="http://t.co/bJTMS3iUms">pic.twitter.com/bJTMS3iUms</a></p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/status/533815875326189569">November 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I don't question a coach on who he is playing or not playing since I don't see practice, etc. There is a reason in most instances why someone isn't seeing the field. In Bryant's case, he needs to look at himself and ask why he isn't seeing the field instead of complaining about it. Just my opinion.

 

[gkIrish]

I don't question a coach on who he is playing or not playing since I don't see practice, etc. There is a reason in most instances why someone isn't seeing the field. In Bryant's case, he needs to look at himself and ask why he isn't seeing the field instead of complaining about it. Just my opinion.

Did you watch Max Redfield sit on the bench today lol?

 

[IrishLion]

I don't question a coach on who he is playing or not playing since I don't see practice, etc. There is a reason in most instances why someone isn't seeing the field. In Bryant's case, he needs to look at himself and ask why he isn't seeing the field instead of complaining about it. Just my opinion.

Usually I would agree. However, the narrative has been that he needs to do the things that Cam can do, because Cam is good in pass pro and reliable with the ball.

However, Cam has struggled in pass pro and now drops the ball in a big moment. With no big game to play for, I hope Bryant gets his reps now.

 

[wizards8507]

I don't question a coach on who he is playing or not playing since I don't see practice, etc. There is a reason in most instances why someone isn't seeing the field. In Bryant's case, he needs to look at himself and ask why he isn't seeing the field instead of complaining about it. Just my opinion.

I don't care who gets the touches... we should be running for 250 against a team like Northwestern. Against an inferior opponent you control the game and run it down their throats.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Did you watch Max Redfield sit on the bench today lol?

LOL...

seen it a thousand times with K. Drake and Saban. Saban had his reasons all the while we were screaming for Kenyan to see some action. Sadly, once the light came on for KD, he goes and gets a nasty injury.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Did you watch Max Redfield sit on the bench today lol?

I agree. Kelly is doing a piss poor job at getting his talented bodies in the right spot at the right time. That's on him. Bryant is wasting away. He can't do what Cam does? What he can't be slightly below average at pass blocking and fumble the ball away to blow the game for us? Yeah, Cam sets a high precedence doesn't he?

 

[T Town Tommy]

Usually I would agree. However, the narrative has been that he needs to do the things that Cam can do, because Cam is good in pass pro and reliable with the ball.

However, Cam has struggled in pass pro and now drops the ball in a big moment. With no big game to play for, I hope Bryant gets his reps now.

That's hard for a coach to do though. I would suspect that Cam still does those things in practice and Bryant does not. A coach still goes with who he trusts and it appears he doesn't trust Bryant as much. (kinda funny saying he trusts Cam and Cam goes and puts it on the carpet today)

 

[D-BOE34]

Cam has been much better in pass pro than the rest. Tonight may have changed things up but to this point... no! I watched TF dive at ankles that weren't even close. To my wife I said WTF is he doing?? A walk on would give a better effort. Overall IDK but don't act like 1 game dismisses what Cam has done.

Blows my mind what board members say after 1 game.

EDIT: Watch TF during AZ State

 

[Crazy Balki]

Cam has been much better in pass pro than the rest. Tonight may have changed things up but to this point... no! I watched TF dive at ankles that weren't even close. To my wife I said WTF is he doing?? A walk on would give a better effort. Overall IDK but don't act like 1 game dismisses what Cam has done.

Blows my mind what board members say after 1 game.

EDIT: Watch TF during AZ State

I have to say that is on coaching then. Why is it that every single damn running back we have is struggling with pass protection? That can't just be a coincidence. That's coaching. Kelly, Alford, get your shit together ricky tick. I'm tired of this.

 

[Crazy Balki]

That's hard for a coach to do though. I would suspect that Cam still does those things in practice and Bryant does not. A coach still goes with who he trusts and it appears he doesn't trust Bryant as much. (kinda funny saying he trusts Cam and Cam goes and puts it on the carpet today)

Okay, I can understand that in fall camp or in the first 2 or 3 weeks, but this is week 12 man! It's pretty obvious at this point who is performing in game and who isn't. Who gives a damn about practice if it's clearly not translating to the game!? This isn't rocket science Kelly! Get your head out of your ass.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

I was hoping these retweets would stay off the site. Obviously a 19 year old is pissed about his playing time. The fact is that Folston is killing it and there is some reason that Cam is getting PT over GB. I don't know and except for maybe a few guys on here nobody else knows what practice looks like. Maybe GB isn't better than Cam at what we need from the RB2. I doubt anyone can say with any honesty that he should be starting over Folston.