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

[Grahambo]

2 rushes for 2 yards...

I was thinking about his play at the USC game.

Good catch.

 

[GoldenDomer]

This thread needs to go back to how badass Greg looks. Seriously, if his production is half as good as the ink on his arms, then we are in for a show. This young man needs to push the pedal to the flo' and let his body go!

Maybe if he got the ball.

 

[EddytoNow]

This thread needs to go back to how badass Greg looks. Seriously, if his production is half as good as the ink on his arms, then we are in for a show. This young man needs to push the pedal to the flo' and let his body go!

This young man needs to be given an opportunity to show what he can do on the field. To date, he has not been given sufficient game time to do much of anything. Until he gets the opportunity to develop a rhythm, we will never know. Two carries per game is not even enough to feel like you are part of the game. Running backs need at least 15-20 carries per game to develop a rhythm.

With just two running backs returning, GB should get his chance. With the O-Line we have returning, there are no more excuses for not putting the ball in the hands of our two returning running backs. We should have a 1000 yard rusher this year with the second back running for 800 yards or more. Add in 500 yards rushing for Malik, and we should finally have a balanced attack on offense.

The only thing standing in the way is a pass happy head coach.

 

[woolybug25]

This young man needs to be given an opportunity to show what he can do on the field. To date, he has not been given sufficient game time to do much of anything. Until he gets the opportunity to develop a rhythm, we will never know. Two carries per game is not even enough to feel like you are part of the game. Running backs need at least 15-20 carries per game to develop a rhythm.

With just two running backs returning, GB should get his chance. With the O-Line we have returning, there are no more excuses for not putting the ball in the hands of our two returning running backs. We should have a 1000 yard rusher this year with the second back running for 800 yards or more. Add in 500 yards rushing for Malik, and we should finally have a balanced attack on offense.

The only thing standing in the way is a pass happy head coach.

This is one area of playcalling that I didn't like this season. Our runningbacks simply aren't getting enough carries. If you back out Golson & Ziare's rushing attempts, we only averaged 25 carries a game. That include rushing attempts by non RB's like Procise (10), Carlisle (7), Hunter (2) and Brown (1).

So if you back those out, our TRUE runningbacks only averaged 23.5 carries per game. Split between 3 runningbacks! That is simply too few carries to allow any one back to get into a rhythm.

 

[GoldenDomer]

I rewatched the Purdue game the other day, if he got some early carries where we was ripping off 10-12 yards easily, and they never went back to him! Makes no sense to me.

 

[tko]

pass blocking?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

It seems to be a simple answer: you can't rotate three backs in a game. Two at the most. Give each of the 10+ carries and ride the horse that's kickin.

 

[Nick Setta]

Folston and Bryant are going to be so dirty next year.

 

[kmoose]

I rewatched the Purdue game the other day, if he got some early carries where we was ripping off 10-12 yards easily, and they never went back to him! Makes no sense to me.

ND only got 3 possessions in the first quarter of that game. The first one went to Folston, the second one went to Cam McDaniel, and the third one went to Bryant. There were only four plays of that drive that happened in the first quarter, one of which went to Bryant (a 17 yard pass). In total, the drive was 12 plays, 5 of which went to Bryant. So it's not like he didn't get a chance early.

 

[GoldenDomer]

ND only got 3 possessions in the first quarter of that game. The first one went to Folston, the second one went to Cam McDaniel, and the third one went to Bryant. There were only four plays of that drive that happened in the first quarter, one of which went to Bryant (a 17 yard pass). In total, the drive was 12 plays, 5 of which went to Bryant. So it's not like he didn't get a chance early.

Right. But he played well, and we never went back to him.

 

[kmoose]

Right. But he played well, and we never went back to him.

That's true, but the only person who had double digit carries was Golson, so we didn't go back to ANY of the running backs.

 

[Wild Bill]

This young man needs to be given an opportunity to show what he can do on the field. To date, he has not been given sufficient game time to do much of anything. Until he gets the opportunity to develop a rhythm, we will never know. Two carries per game is not even enough to feel like you are part of the game. Running backs need at least 15-20 carries per game to develop a rhythm.

He needs to earn his reps. I want him to get 15-20 touches per game but not at the expense of a player, namely Folston, who may be outplaying him in practice.

 

[Wingman Ray]

Yeah Im not getting the disconnect here. So many teams get so much more out of such less rated talent. Is it an unwillingness to do thing, a lazy thing, a non coached up thing or just a doghouse thing?

Maybe 2015 is his year. Who knows?

 

[EuropeanDomer]

When i listen Kelly discuss about Bryant and Folston, i always think that he loves Folston and he does not like Bryant very much. Is very genuine how he praises Folston like if he was his own son and how he changes his speech regarding to Bryant saying he needs to improve and things like that.

 

[IRISH in MT]

When i listen Kelly discuss about Bryant and Folston, i always think that he loves Folston and he does not like Bryant very much. Is very genuine how he praises Folston like if he was his own son and how he changes his speech regarding to Bryant saying he needs to improve and things like that.

I get that feeling as well like Bryant is in Kelly's doghouse. 15 carries per game for both Folston and Bryant in 2015 and we win a minimum of 10 games. I doubt we get that kind of commitment to the run from BK though.

 

[irishtrain]

I have had over the years a few guys that just peaked my interest from an athletic point of view. Rudolph/Gray/Bryant/Nick Eddy/Nicholas etc. But Bryant is the one next year that if he can elevate his game to a split with Folston their offense will be offensive (pardon the pun ) to teams. I really hope that Kelly is not holding this guy back for personal reasons-I have a hard time believing that- but Bryant must be allowed to blossom. He can go!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

When i listen Kelly discuss about Bryant and Folston, i always think that he loves Folston and he does not like Bryant very much. Is very genuine how he praises Folston like if he was his own son and how he changes his speech regarding to Bryant saying he needs to improve and things like that.

I think that is a complete misinterpretation because I don't think coaches are that pedantic. Their success and their employment revolve around getting maximal production from all players. Kelly wants to motivate Greg to be better, maybe he sees more effort out of Folston or maybe Folston picked up key aspects (like pass blocking) but Kelly loves Bryant like he loves the other 84 + walk-ons.

They are a brotherhood and he only wants to see Greg succeed. We can argue about whether or not he's putting him in a position to succeed but I don't think we should be questioning the fealty of the team. It seems like a close-knit group with Stanley and K. Russell and Day coming back.

I think Russell could've tested into the first day. Watch his 11'1 broad jump video. I don't think his production supports it but his upside is huge and he looks very fluid out there.

These young men want to play for Kelly and I believe he wants them (most of them).

 

[Old Man Mike]

Folston was better than Bryant as the total package, and Kelly went with him to "feed him the ball". When pass protection was breaking down, and we absolutely HAD to protect to get Everett out of panic mode for a series, Cam came in and did that. This was essentially how the RB position evolved in the last part of the season, and I seriously doubt that Coach had no justifiable reason for playing it that way.

Next season: new chance for Greg. Hope he succeeds, and anyone who thinks that Kelly doesn't hope that too is nuts.

 

[GBdomer]

He needs to learn the playbook and BK also needs to dummy down the playbook

 

[Irish#1]

If GB has a break out year Koon will become unbearable.

 

[koonja]

If GB has a break out year Koon will become unbearable.

He will and I already am. Brace yourself.

 

[woolybug25]

He needs to learn the playbook and BK also needs to dummy down the playbook

The absolute #1 thing I hope he works on is his pass blocking. It's the biggest hurdle to his playing time. You simply cannot put a RB in the lineup for running plays alone. It signals the play to the defense and he was simply a liability in pass blocking.

 

[koonja]

The absolute #1 thing I hope he works on is his pass blocking. It's the biggest hurdle to his playing time. You simply cannot put a RB in the lineup for running plays alone. It signals the play to the defense and he was simply a liability in pass blocking.

Let's say he's a horrible pass blocker, he can still be used as a receiver in the flats. He has great hands. Coaches gotta find a way to get the players the ball IMO.

 

[BeauBenken]

He will and I already am. Brace yourself.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[woolybug25]

Let's say he's a horrible pass blocker, he can still be used as a receiver in the flats. He has great hands. Coaches gotta find a way to get the players the ball IMO.

Or we can just put a WR that knows what they are doing in that spot. He needs to learn the position he plays, not just expect the staff to figure out trick plays for him. Pass blocking is part of the role of a runningback, and once he figures that out, then watch out.

 

[adsnorri]

The pass blocking stance is way overrated in my opinion. If you are splitting carries between folston and Bryant 60/40 or whatever. Don't have the stats but if we passed the ball 60% of the time that would mean Bryant and folston would be in on passing plays approx. 45 plays/game and running plays approx. 32/game.

Out of the 45 passing plays Folston is getting 25 of them and Bryan is getting 20. Out of those 20 passing plays that Bryant is in for, at least half in my opinion should be him either getting a screen, running a flats route or being used on the perimeter as a slot/LB matchup problem.

So ultimately you are looking at 5-7 plays where he will be asked to actually pass block.

There is no way in hell you can tell me that we can't hide his inability to pass block by having him in on 3-5 step drops where he will not block for long or at all.

In a perfect world, he would not be asked to pass block at all.... Put him in and he can run in the flats all day. Blitz off that edge and he is wide open. Or put him up the middle on a 5 yard curl and he is the hot read.

For shit's sake, put the man in to make plays. Who gives a fuck if the other team thinks it is a run play.... Play action and hit Aliz Jones over the top. This is simple strategy but should not be overlooked.

Did USC use Reggie Bush to block, did AP block while at OKL, there are number of coaches that get their playmakers the ball no matter what. Kelly needs to do a better job of that. Put him in on the bubble screens that slow ass Robinson is catching. Have Folston in the backfield. No way you can key on a pass or run in this case....

 

[GoldenDomer]

Gotta get your best players the ball. I understand that pass protection is a significant role, but stick him in the slot and throw him bubbles if you have to. You can't keep a weapon like that standing on the sideline.

 

[Chi_IRISH]

Or we can just put a WR that knows what they are doing in that spot. He needs to learn the position he plays, not just expect the staff to figure out trick plays for him. Pass blocking is part of the role of a runningback, and once he figures that out, then watch out.

I have been looking at all of these posts over the last couple of days, and I think both sides of the argument are right. Yes, GB needs to figure out how to play in this particular scheme (assuming he's not), but yes a great coach maximizes his players talents and puts him positions to succeed. (The only coaches who sit the "better player" because of personal feelings, are fired ones)
1 possible comparison I could think of:
Watching the National title game I came away with a few observations on Ezekiel Elliot.
1. He's a load and runs with great power.
2. He runs zone well and stays within his running lanes
3. I have no idea how good his hands are, does that not make him a complete back?
4. I have no idea how his pass blocking ability is, didn't need to see much of it.
5. Most importantly Urbie put him in a position to succeed all night long! (Play calling etc.)

I hate to give that dude any credit anytime, but he did a great job this year after the VT game. He circled the wagons, and won the games he was supposed to and then won two that most think he should not have.

 

[woolybug25]

The pass blocking stance is way overrated in my opinion. If you are splitting carries between folston and Bryant 60/40 or whatever. Don't have the stats but if we passed the ball 60% of the time that would mean Bryant and folston would be in on passing plays approx. 45 plays/game and running plays approx. 32/game.

Out of the 45 passing plays Folston is getting 25 of them and Bryan is getting 20. Out of those 20 passing plays that Bryant is in for, at least half in my opinion should be him either getting a screen, running a flats route or being used on the perimeter as a slot/LB matchup problem.

So ultimately you are looking at 5-7 plays where he will be asked to actually pass block.

There is no way in hell you can tell me that we can't hide his inability to pass block by having him in on 3-5 step drops where he will not block for long or at all.

In a perfect world, he would not be asked to pass block at all.... Put him in and he can run in the flats all day. Blitz off that edge and he is wide open. Or put him up the middle on a 5 yard curl and he is the hot read.

For shit's sake, put the man in to make plays. Who gives a fuck if the other team thinks it is a run play.... Play action and hit Aliz Jones over the top. This is simple strategy but should not be overlooked.

Did USC use Reggie Bush to block, did AP block while at OKL, there are number of coaches that get their playmakers the ball no matter what. Kelly needs to do a better job of that. Put him in on the bubble screens that slow ass Robinson is catching. Have Folston in the backfield. No way you can key on a pass or run in this case....

So what you are saying is that on any play that Bryant is in the game the defense will know that its either a) a screen pass or rb flat b) a run? How is that any different from a defensive standpoint? They still stack the box and cheat safeties in either scenario. They know that we are either not going deep or missing a competent blocker and will get pressure. It's the same thing.

 

[koonja]

I think the 'GB sucks at pass blocking' and 'Cam and Folston are great at it' is the biggest misconception ever. I am not saying GB is good at it, but Cam got Golson killed multiple times this year. Not so sure about Folston, but neither of them are great pass blockers.

Bottom line is, a coach like Urban would find a way to get a player like Bryant on the field. He's in year 2. If you insist on him being a 6th lineman, then you should have him ready by now. Or use him in the flats. Or just feed him the rock.

There's ways to get the players to play.