'09 NJ RB Theo Riddick (Notre Dame Man)

[military_irish]

any possibility theo moves back to rb next year? He showed some flashes of ability in 09 when he lined up at rb. kind of cierre-esque.

toma is more than capable in the slot, and we seem deeper at Wr than Rb.

riddick at reciever has just seemed like a square peg round hole kinda deal.

Would be interesting but next year the RB situation is pretty loaded, with bodies. Wood, Atkinson III, Cam Roberson, Cam McDaniel, and William Mahone. They may add one more this cycle of recruiting too.

Riddick would be a speed and shift guy. From what it seems Kelly's first two years he was a quick guy and a pounder. I.e Allen/Wood and Hughes/Gray last year and Wood/Gray this year. Kelly already has his two quick guys in Wood and Atkinson III, and looking for a pounder. I think Cam Roberson could fill that void (if he can stay healthy) and Mahone but he is a Freshman. Not sure how quick he can acclimate to the college game.

Not sure where Cam McDaniel fits. He is probably more of a quick guy, considering he is 5'10 and 192lbs.

So I think Riddick stays at WR because Kelly also wants athletes at WR to make plays after the catch.

 

[mick2]

good points whiskey and military.

i am excited to see what roberson can do. future at Rb looks pretty promising.

but man i wish we had 4 years of gray running like this

 

[UmphreakDomer]

i think theo was in the doghouse this week.

he was hopping around pretty good in that icon 22 (i think), post game celebration. they dont do much on mondays right? then pre-practice on tuesday he has a hammy? plus, BK said "no pain and will probably be ready this week"....

i'm not sayin, but im just sayin.

i think he stays at WR but i think he remains the decoy.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

This isn't probably the appropriate place to put this but I think it is being vastly underestimated the relationship Toma has with Rees vs his relationship with Theo. From twitter activity and other indications it is clear that Tommy hangs out with Robbie a lot outside of practice and I think this is why Tommy looked for Toma more so then he does for Riddick. He has really forged a relationship with Robbie and therefore has increased trust in him on the field.

Before you discount this, really think about it. We know he locks in on receivers he trusts (Floyd obviously and Eifert on third downs) and it was obvious even back in the Purdue game that Tommy wants to get the ball to Toma when he is in. I really don't think it has anything to do with Theo not getting open or anything else in regards to Theo's ability, I think it is more of a lack of trust from Tommy.

 

[military_irish]

This isn't probably the appropriate place to put this but I think it is being vastly underestimated the relationship Toma has with Rees vs his relationship with Theo. From twitter activity and other indications it is clear that Tommy hangs out with Robbie a lot outside of practice and I think this is why Tommy looked for Toma more so then he does for Riddick. He has really forged a relationship with Robbie and therefore has increased trust in him on the field.

Before you discount this, really think about it. We know he locks in on receivers he trusts (Floyd obviously and Eifert on third downs) and it was obvious even back in the Purdue game that Tommy wants to get the ball to Toma when he is in. I really don't think it has anything to do with Theo not getting open or anything else in regards to Theo's ability, I think it is more of a lack of trust from Tommy.

I thought I heard during the broadcast of the game that Rees and Toma are roommates also.

 

[irishfan]

I'm not saying Riddick should be moved back to RB next year, but I would love to see him get 3-7 carries a game.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

I thought I heard during the broadcast of the game that Rees and Toma are roommates also.

This isn't probably the appropriate place to put this but I think it is being vastly underestimated the relationship Toma has with Rees vs his relationship with Theo. From twitter activity and other indications it is clear that Tommy hangs out with Robbie a lot outside of practice and I think this is why Tommy looked for Toma more so then he does for Riddick. He has really forged a relationship with Robbie and therefore has increased trust in him on the field.

Before you discount this, really think about it. We know he locks in on receivers he trusts (Floyd obviously and Eifert on third downs) and it was obvious even back in the Purdue game that Tommy wants to get the ball to Toma when he is in. I really don't think it has anything to do with Theo not getting open or anything else in regards to Theo's ability, I think it is more of a lack of trust from Tommy.

all of this is well and good and does have weight in this discussion. however, i was reading another post, saying that theo had taken to twitter to discuss the penn state issue. that tweet has disappeared and a new one about 1st amendment was its replacement.

i know kelly isnt a fan of social media being used to discuss things that arent mundane in their content, i.e. bennet jackson moving to the defensive secondary at the end of last year.

i'm sure it more tommy and roby have a kinship. i also think the latter is possible too.

 

[tadman95]

I had wondered if Toma's relationship with Tommy had affected the number of throws to that position. Who knows, especially after one game. Seemed to me that Theo and TJ have been open a lot but were the 3rd or 4th read and didn't get the ball.

Or is Toma just better? Who knows. I like Toma and Theo both, hope that position sees more from Tommy because I think it opens up more of the offense.

 

[NDdomer2]

Not saying this is the only reason that Robby got more looks but, perhaps Maryland didn't give him the same attention that Theo gets from coverages and we simply took advantage of it.

 

[tadman95]

Very possible. Could be a lot of things

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Not saying this is the only reason that Robby got more looks but, perhaps Maryland didn't give him the same attention that Theo gets from coverages and we simply took advantage of it.

if that is true...then, with floyd getting doubled, then at least one person is sitting wide open. so, is tommy just not seeing it?

i just dont buy it.

i think the theo experiment has run its course. toma should start over theo.

something is going on. there is some underlying reason why theo doesnt have at least 8 targets a game. if tommy is more comfortable with roby...so be it. keep roby in the game. give him those looks. hes got burst and shake n bake. plus, a good second effort.

 

[NDdomer2]

if that is true...then, with floyd getting doubled, then at least one person is sitting wide open. so, is tommy just not seeing it?

i just dont buy it.

i think the theo experiment has run its course. toma should start over theo.

something is going on. there is some underlying reason why theo doesnt have at least 8 targets a game. if tommy is more comfortable with roby...so be it. keep roby in the game. give him those looks. hes got burst and shake n bake. plus, a good second effort.

I am big on comparing apples to apples. Robby has on good game vs a inferior opponent and your ready to start him? By no means am I saying Robby doesn't deserve to start either, I just think we can't say that Toma would have had a game like this week in and week out because of his play vs Maryland.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

I am big on comparing apples to apples. Robby has on good game vs a inferior opponent and your ready to start him? By no means am I saying Robby doesn't deserve to start either, I just think we can't say that Toma would have had a game like this week in and week out because of his play vs Maryland.

very true. i think he can only get better with time, i.e. snaps.

theo is not golden. and i see toma as a welker type player. theo has had 2 really good games in 2 years (lending no weight to his injury last year). i think we were all excited to see what he could do. especially with all the pr BK was giving him in the pre-season.

does theo's body of work command him starting over toma? i simply dont think that anymore. and i love theo. time for a change, IMO.

 

[georgia irish]

Let Theo get some of TJ's snaps.I think the competition would be good for both.

 

[mick2]

looks like theo might get a look at rb. I like that! i think he can be a great fit back there and it keeps toma on the field as well.

hes not going to be the thunder to cierres lightning like Jonas was but hes had success at the RB position(one time ahead of Cierre on the Depth chart) and i think hes more comfortable in that spot.

 

[TerryTate]

There's no way he knows how to pass protect at RB.

 

[tko]

There's no way he knows how to pass protect at RB.

hopefully he can find a way to make it work this week. we need max effort across the board.

 

[mick2]

hes gotta be more experienced at pass blocking than the freshmen, no?

i thought theo was pretty electric back in 09, always seeming to be a shoestring tackle away from huge plays.

im guessing they'll all get work during the week and the best will play.

excited about this week! huge game, time to show we belong!

 

[anarin]

hes gotta be more experienced at pass blocking than the freshmen, no?

i thought theo was pretty electric back in 09, always seeming to be a shoestring tackle away from huge plays.

im guessing they'll all get work during the week and the best will play.

excited about this week! huge game, time to show we belong!

If you haven't figured it out yet. He is always gonna be that way because he NEVER breaks tackles. All you have to do is slap him on the leg and he'll go down. I've always been in his corner, but I'm close to hopping off this hype train.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Theo will probably be used on Jet sweeps and stuff like that. Probably some zone reads or triple option with Hendrix in the game ala Tebow.

 

[mick2]

If you haven't figured it out yet. He is always gonna be that way because he NEVER breaks tackles. All you have to do is slap him on the leg and he'll go down. I've always been in his corner, but I'm close to hopping off this hype train.

hey you never know! i've seen running backs play poorly for 3 years before finally reaching there potential. If only i had an example that i could think of off the top of my head??? hmmmmm......

 

[anarin]

hey you never know! i've seen running backs play poorly for 3 years before finally reaching there potential. If only i had an example that i could think of off the top of my head??? hmmmmm......

Jonas never had the opportunities that Theo had. But hey, I'd love to see him flip the switch on.

 

[mick2]

Jonas never had the opportunities that Theo had. But hey, I'd love to see him flip the switch on.

how about hughes?

 

[anarin]

how about hughes?

I like the positive thinking.

On that note though, sucks we had to wait till those two were seniors before they showed signs of life. Better late then never right?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I like the positive thinking.

On that note though, sucks we had to wait till those two were seniors before they showed signs of life. Better late then never right?

I know I'm going to get killed for saying this, but I blame Weis. Its just amazing how improved Jonas, Harrison and Hughes and even Filer were after Kelly came in.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I know I'm going to get killed for saying this, but I blame Weis. Its just amazing how improved Jonas, Harrison and Hughes and even Filer were after Kelly came in.

It would be wise to blame Weis.

I've never been on the Hughes bandwagon though. He showed a ton of potential as a freshmen in 2007, but other than that he had one epic drive against USC and suddenly he's in Notre Dame's history as being very good for the whole season. He was a power running back who moved the pile in the pouring rain against USC; let's stop getting carried away with it. Nevertheless, it was sweeeeeeet to watch. But seriously 300 yards and a 4.4 average with two touchdowns is nothing to write home about.

Riddick cannot be expected to pass block. I would expect to see a ton of two TE sets if/when Riddick is in.

 

[mick2]

I like the positive thinking.

On that note though, sucks we had to wait till those two were seniors before they showed signs of life. Better late then never right?

haha you do have a point though. i said earlier in this thread that i would have loved four years of jonas running like this, better blocking schemes along with counter and misdirection plays have really opened up the running game. we rarely do an "up the gut" running play which weis seemed to love so much.

look how well the freshman are playing i can't wait to see them with a few years experience.

 

[rtrn2glory]

he will have to be told on almost every play what to do...we had a kid like that too though and he ended up all state...sometimes you just gotta give guys like this the ball and let them make plays.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Looks like it will be Toma Time all the time next year. Theo just never looked comfortable all year in the slot.

Irish junior Theo Riddick will likely remain at running back for the rest of his Notre Dame career. Riddick stepped in for senior Jonas Gray against Stanford after playing the majority of the season as a wide receiver.

“There’s some room at the top for a guy like Theo Riddick,” Kelly said. “I don’t want to put my hand down and say we’re never going to move him again, but he looks comfortable at running back right now.”

Riddick was recruited as a running back before Kelly and his staff arrived and played there as a freshman.

 

[jonesman]

I expect to see him play really well at RB in both the bowl and next season. He looks so comfortable back there. Some people were criticizing his lack of top end speed at Stanford. I trully believe he was still struggling with the hammy. It was really obvious on his one long play. He looked like he was laboring.

I will bet that he looks very different in the bowl game. He will be geeked to get several touches. Further, he is a good pass catcher out of the backfield.