I really hope Wood will be a great player as well, and I think he will be. However, let's not forget Theo. A friend of mine is on the team and said during camp that Theo was definitely the superior running back (at that point in time). Also, if I remember correctly, in a recent press conference, Charlie said that Theo had the opportunity to be a "special" back, or something to that effect.
With that being said, I think Wood simply hasn't gotten a chance to prove himself and the redshirt year should do a lot of good. I think everyone should be excited about a running back stable of Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick, Gio Bernard, and Cameron Roberson in the future. As we have said recently, competition breeds success.
I think with Wood still a viability for 4 years - we are probably done taking RBs for 2010.
I know Charlie is in love with QBs and once Jimmy to win the Heisman, but we got to start running the ball more. We haven't seen much of the other backs because we don't run enough of AA for him to get tired. Look back at all the games; were rushing half as much as passing. We can say our line doesn't do the job for the rush, but we don't give them very many opportunity's for rush blocking. Charlie gives up way to easily. We have potential to score over 40 every time with the talent we have. Passing the ball 2 out of 3 downs isn't going to do it.
we have the best QB in the country who throws next to no interceptions and completes 2 of every three passes for almost 10 yards a completion. why wouldn't they pass more than run?
like I said we have the potential to score OVER 40 points a game, but we don't. We haven't all season.
Running the ball isn't going to help that. ND rushes at right about 3.5-4 ypc, as a team. Our tailbacks are not home run hitters. They have shown incredible improvement, but they are not great tailbacks. So you are going to run the clock faster, to gain less yards. How is that going to help you score more points? I would like to see them run more, but just because I like balanced offenses. I think you are onto something, with calling for more rushes, but scoring more points is not much of a reason to do so.
I like what I saw when Jonas got his hands on the ball once last week, He seems to be the best at kicking it ouside the tackle box. I like Hughes but his vision seems limited and he needs several carries to get it going. I think our most electric runner that I would like to see get the ball more often is Riddick. why can't we get the ball to him on those quick screens the way we try to with Rudolph and the others seemingly slower WR's?
Our most electric runner is playing wide receiver. If we want to run the ball more, and get bigger plays out of the running game, I would advocate moving Golden into the backfield more often. Let him run wheel routes if you want, but give him 5-10 carries a game, as well. Maybe Riddick can't catch, and only has straight line speed. I don't have an answer for that one.
Need Tate as a decoy sometimes so we can make them defend mutliple weapons. How do we know Riddick can't catch? They let him catch the kickoff's.
Wood looke the part of an elite runner. I am a big fan of his, but he has to get on the field first. If Gray can hold on to the ball and block he could be a good one. Allen still averages about 5 ypc without getting alot of big gains, he has been solid all year
I've been waiting all year for Armando to break a long one, he has been close many times.. Think he breaks a long one this Saturday.
Running the ball isn't going to help that. ND rushes at right about 3.5-4 ypc, as a team. Our tailbacks are not home run hitters. They have shown incredible improvement, but they are not great tailbacks. So you are going to run the clock faster, to gain less yards. How is that going to help you score more points? I would like to see them run more, but just because I like balanced offenses. I think you are onto something, with calling for more rushes, but scoring more points is not much of a reason to do so.