Who do u want starting in our backfield??

[Clausen2Kamara]

It's an interesting question...A very good problem to have with such a great depth chart. IMO, I would start AA at RB and James Aldridge at FB...I think this would give opposing defenses fits. Like CW said we could split AA out wide if they are in nickel or run him if they are in base D. Aldridge could also tear them up in nickel with his power running style...I know a lot of ppl love Hughes on this board and so do I but Aldridge showed me a lot of grit last year...I don't know what happened to Hughes...Maybe a soph slump I hope? I really thought he'd be the guy last year but it just didn't seem like he was all there...I love Gray's potential as well. I think he could potentially emerge as our best all around RB with experience. Then throw in Wood and Riddick...wow.

 

[Brown]

I think the team is going to be in a lot of spread formations (3 WR sets) and AA is the only seasoned back who compliments those formations.

His YPC was a full run better than any of the alternatives as well.

Hughes and Aldridge days of even just a few carries a game are numbered.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Depth.

 

[Riddickulous]

To answer the question, I want someone other than Allen. I hate him as a football player. He takes hours to hit full speed (see the disastrous run from the USC game, where he had a gigantic hole to the outside and got ONE yard before Taylor Mays ran him down) and it takes a soft breeze to take him down. Hughes is inconsistent. Aldridge doesn't see the field enough (about the only production he had was getting stuffed on 3rd and short). Jonas, I think, is like Barry Sanders, always looking for the big run and not positive yardage.

Allen should be used as a slot back, catching passes out of the backfield.

Hughes should be the between the tackles guy.

Aldridge should be the 3rd down back or the fullback.

For the 3-wide sets and spread formations, I'd rather have a running back who can block. Three receivers and Rudolph is enough to get open.

 

[Freeman Ara]

It's an interesting question...A very good problem to have with such a great depth chart. IMO, I would start AA at RB and James Aldridge at FB...I think this would give opposing defenses fits. Like CW said we could split AA out wide if they are in nickel or run him if they are in base D. Aldridge could also tear them up in nickel with his power running style...I know a lot of ppl love Hughes on this board and so do I but Aldridge showed me a lot of grit last year...I don't know what happened to Hughes...Maybe a soph slump I hope? I really thought he'd be the guy last year but it just didn't seem like he was all there...I love Gray's potential as well. I think he could potentially emerge as our best all around RB with experience. Then throw in Wood and Riddick...wow.

I think Hughes was hurt last year during the SD St. game. He got bent back near the goal line and I don't think he was ever the same again.

 

[TDHeysus]

...and got ONE yard before Taylor Mays ran him down...

I think Allen would be OK if they can get him in the open where he can make some moves and use his speed, his greatest attribute. In Allen's defense, Taylor Mays has RB speed, freakish speed for a DB. I always thought Allen just couldnt free himself from defenders due to horrible blocking that has been going on at ND for a while now.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I really believe Jonas Gray is the best running back on this football team.

He is a combo of Hughes' size and Allen's speed

 

[Brown]

There isn't a better way to judge a running back's productivity than looking at average yards per carry.

Armando Allen was a full yard better than the other RBs on the team.

His YPC was 4.4, everybody else was in the low 3s.

3 WR sets isn't just about giving the QB more passing options. The set spreads out the defense, usually requiring the defense to go into a Nick package. This opens up the field, and allows quick scat-back types like AA to be productive. He's also one of the most versatile we have at the position, and a legitimate receiving option out of the backfield, which allows the offense to be more diverse/creative with the playcalling, and keeps the defense on their toes.

Whether we like it or not, AA's skill set best compliments the current make up of the team (3 good WRs, and a phenom QB).

Of course Jonas Gray looks the best out of all the team veterans, he hasn't had a legitimate opportunity yet (you can liken the mentality to fickle fans rooting for the 2nd string QB to take over; the 2nd string QB is usually much less experienced and/or talented).

It's going to be hard for any of the underclassmen to breakthrough at the RB position this season. Next year, hopefully, one of Riddick, Jonas, and/or Wood, step up to compete with AA for serious playing time at the position. Wood probably has more raw ability than any of them.

 

[Junkhead]

I want Allen, Aldridge, Hughes, and Gray to start. Out of the SUPER Full House backfield that I just invented.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Isn't this discussion a little moot until we see what product the O line can put on the field? It won't matter who we have in the backfield until the O line shows it can start to blow people off the LOS.

 

[adsnorri]

Might sound a little crazy but i think jonas is the best back based solely upon talent... just an armchair judgement though because of his lack of PT. His high school highlights were crazy, In some games last year he had some nice moves(besides a fumble), and Did you see that move in the open practice during scrimmage? WOW. He should be playing instead og hughes in my opinion. Top two backs... AA & Jonas with aldridge at fb. Of course Running backs are not good without a good line, but AA and Jonas have the best opportunity to make that first defender miss, then take it to the house.

 

[notredomer23]

To answer the question, I want someone other than Allen. I hate him as a football player. He takes hours to hit full speed (see the disastrous run from the USC game, where he had a gigantic hole to the outside and got ONE yard before Taylor Mays ran him down) and it takes a soft breeze to take him down. Hughes is inconsistent. Aldridge doesn't see the field enough (about the only production he had was getting stuffed on 3rd and short). Jonas, I think, is like Barry Sanders, always looking for the big run and not positive yardage.

Allen should be used as a slot back, catching passes out of the backfield.

Hughes should be the between the tackles guy.

Aldridge should be the 3rd down back or the fullback.

For the 3-wide sets and spread formations, I'd rather have a running back who can block. Three receivers and Rudolph is enough to get open.

i disagree so mmuch. Allen is our guy

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Allen is fantastic. I think he will have a great season. The other guys are good too.

Help is on the way.

 

[Swash]

Here is a video from the Irish Sports Report page on wsbt about Tony Alford and the running game

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[Clausen2Kamara]

Thanks for the responses guys....I respectfully disagree with posters that said Gray is our best RB. He has proven nothing. He may have looked good against other teams 2nd stringers but I do not believe he is our most complete back yet. I think he has a lot of potential and will continue to get better but AA is the best RB which complements our team the best IMO.

 

[IrishAddiction]

Its on the O-line, but whoever has the most FOOTBALL speed im all for, not exactly the same as 40 speed... Vision is nice too. So im guessing either Allen, Gray, or Wood. what?! yea thats right i said the freshmans name.

 

[WaveDomer]

Another take

Another take

I'm going to take a different angle on this question: Who do u want starting in our backfield? Walter Payton. Screw it, it's the offseason and I'm here to dream.

 

[IrishAddiction]

by the way, excellent video swash. i like to see those high energy coaches here at ND. i hope our running game takes off like a damn freight train this year.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Here is a video from the Irish Sports Report page on wsbt about Tony Alford and the running game...

Nice post buddy. Tony Alford is all business. I'm fired up!

 

[amgarvey]

I think Armando has looked really good from what I have seen from practice. Much,much quicker and more decisive. I think this is the year he fulfills his potential.

 

[notredomer23]

Well, since Aldridge is now our starting fullback(I love that move), its down to Allen, Hughes, and Gray pretty much. I dont see Hughes starting, so either Gray or Allen is our guy, edge Allen

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I'm going to take a different angle on this question: Who do u want starting in our backfield? Walter Payton. Screw it, it's the offseason and I'm here to dream.

Friggen lol. Since we're dreaming, I am the starting tailback. I score the winning touchdown at the last second after rushing for 400 yards. Then I die. lol. Heisman trophy is securely packed away in my hotel room next to my rosary and underwear.

Wut?

 

[NDinL.A.]

I've been following this thread, and I don't have an allegiance to any of these guys. (I do love Wood though!) Hughes is my fav, but he stunk it up last year after he got popped, injured and fumbled vs. SDSU. If you blow on Allen he goes down, and Aldridge can't do anything without a real line. And Gray soured me the way he ran in the rain vs. Navy. I know a lot of people are huge on Gray, and they may be right, but I get the feeling that it's like the backup QB syndrome that others have talked about. He's the guy we want because of the poosibilities...until he starts behind that crappy line.

Who do I want in the backfield? The best damn back. Allen, Gray, Hughes, whoever. And w/ Alford in the fold, a new guy w/ no allegiances or biases, I think the best will play.

And here's a section from the ESPN article just written on CW and ND:

"Tony, what do you think about the running backs?" Weis asked.

Weis may have had one foot out the door last December, but running backs coach Tony Alford, who twice turned down overtures from Florida coach Urban Meyer, leapt at the chance to leave Louisville to coach for him.

Armando Allen rushed for 585 yards in 2008.
"We still got ball-security issues," Alford said. He is not happy that halfbacks Armando Allen and Robert Hughes both put the ball on the ground in practice Wednesday.

"We'll get it worked out," Alford said. "No. 5 (Allen) is a real guy."

"I think he's real, too," Weis said.

"No. 33 can be a real guy," Alford said of the 5-11, 237-pound Hughes. "You lose six, eight pounds, you'll be that much more explosive."

"There's a clear line of demarcation between 1 and 2 and 3 and 4."

"I guess we have to plan on playing 1 and 2 a lot," Weis said.

It sounds like it's all Allen and Hughes, w/ Gray way back and Aldridge the FB. Let's hope the line can allow these guys to show their talents...

 

[fightinirish68]

JONAS GRAY IS THE TITS.

HES THE FUTURE GO TO GUY I BELIEVE

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I agree AA and Hughes will be our 1-2 punch this year. AA has more power than many believe. He may look like he goes down easily a lot cuz there are 3 defenders in his face when he touches the ball. He is not a pounder like Hughes even the he looked hesitant at contact a lot last year which I couldn't believe with his size. I think he will bounce back this year for sure tho. AA will emerge this year IMO. He looks much more stronger...We'll see.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I've been following this thread, and I don't have an allegiance to any of these guys. (I do love Wood though!) Hughes is my fav, but he stunk it up last year after he got popped, injured and fumbled vs. SDSU. If you blow on Allen he goes down, and Aldridge can't do anything without a real line. And Gray soured me the way he ran in the rain vs. Navy. I know a lot of people are huge on Gray, and they may be right, but I get the feeling that it's like the backup QB syndrome that others have talked about. He's the guy we want because of the poosibilities...until he starts behind that crappy line.

Who do I want in the backfield? The best damn back. Allen, Gray, Hughes, whoever. And w/ Alford in the fold, a new guy w/ no allegiances or biases, I think the best will play.

And here's a section from the ESPN article just written on CW and ND:



It sounds like it's all Allen and Hughes, w/ Gray way back and Aldridge the FB. Let's hope the line can allow these guys to show their talents...

That's what she said.....hehehe!

 

[NDinL.A.]

That's what she said.....hehehe!

Yeah, I left myself open.

Yeah, I left myself open.

That's what she said!

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Yeah, I left myself open.



That's what she said!

LOL!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

JONAS GRAY IS THE TITS.

Geez. Read this twice and busted out twice. I guess I needs me some tits. Just some boobies curled around my delicious face for a moment...

 

[chyrspchuck]

i love cierre as well he's a bad ass. i don't really like armando, i just feel he half asses it......

i feel like i've been out of the loop, i'm super pumped about aldridge playing fullback. i wish he would have panned out at tailback but at least he's playing one last season. even if he will only get 2 carries......