Distribution of carries

[Riddickulous]

Theo Riddick: 68 carries for 263 yards (3.9 YPC), 3 TD
George Atkinson III: 29 carries for 269 yards (9.3 YPC), 3 TD
Cierre Wood: 35 carries for 213 yards (6.1 YPC), 2 TD

Since Cierre Wood returned to the lineup, he and Riddick have received almost the same number of carries (35 to 34). However, Wood's YPC average is twice as high as Theo's (6.1 to 3.02).

A few questions:

1) Do you see Theo Riddick losing carries moving forward?

2) Should George Atkinson III get more carries?

3) Say we run the ball 40 times in a given game. How would you want the carries to be distributed?

 

[Meacon Irish]

1. Yes, I think Wood moves back to starter and gets the bulk.

2. I think GA3 would be a great "closer". Let him run every play in the fourth when the opposing D is worn down. He can outrun them when they aren't tired. He can put on a clinic when he's the most rested out there.

3. Wood - 20
Riddick - 10
GA3 - 10

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.

 

[Buster Bluth]

1) I'd be disappointed if Kelly stuck with Theo. Get him in the flats on situations where he can, but he has not shown anything to us that proves he is better than Wood, and now Atkinson.

2) I think Atkinson's roll is pretty perfect right now. He has a 9.7ypc right now, what was George Gipp's ND record that Gray flirted with last season?

3) 40: 21 Wood, 14 Atkinson, 5 Riddick

 

[Meacon Irish]

If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.

It's just a discussion. I doubt Kelly and Martin will implement our ideas into the gameplan.

 

[STLDomer]

With 40 designed runs I would give:

Riddick: 7 (increase his number of routes out of backfield, screens, bubbles, swings etc)

Golson: 3

Atkinson: 10

Wood: 20

2. I think GA3 would be a great "closer". Let him run every play in the fourth

Agreed that a fresh Atkinson would be an asset late in the game, but not every down in the 4th, Wood should still close it out

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

It's just a discussion. I doubt Kelly and Martin will implement our ideas into the gameplan.

I hope not...

 

[Redbar]

1. Yes, I think Wood moves back to starter and gets the bulk.

2. I think GA3 would be a great "closer". Let him run every play in the fourth when the opposing D is worn down. He can outrun them when they aren't tired. He can put on a clinic when he's the most rested out there.

3. Wood - 20
Riddick - 10
GA3 - 10

Not disagreeing at all but I tell you I think Cam will give a fatigued defense a lot of problems. He stops and starts really well, very shifty and he finishes each run physically. I believe Cam may be staking a claim on those "late game, worn down opponent" runs. He and GA III would be a nice 1-2.

 

[ulukinatme]

GA III flat out ran past Miami late in the game when they were tired. Defintely a great "closer" right now, but he can break big plays early too. Definitely keep feeding him the ball no matter what.

Cierre is doing well between the tackles and outside, he should be starter with GA III waiting closely behind.

Theo does well in the open field, but he doesn't do as well between the tackles imo. I think he should still get touches, but I like him more on the outside, or hit him with a dump off pass when nothing else is open (All that receiving experiece being put to good use). Use Theo as a passing down back with draws or that dump of option.

 

[ACamp1900]

Riddick, At. and Cam are all ballers and I love them, but I do believe Wood is one of the very best in the country... He has to play more IMO. Saturday showed whyy

 

[ACamp1900]

Either way... What a wonder problem this team has....

 

[ClausentoTate]

40 carries for Cam.

BOOM.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Use Riddick in the passing game more than the rushing. Screens and short slant routes. Wood and Atkinson are better running backs.

 

[phillyirish]

If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.

Except it kind of is broke. We're averaging 2.6 yards a carry in games against defenses not ranked 3rd worse in the nation or of a service academy.

Wood 22 - Most talented back on team, should become the workhorse
Atkinson 8 - Explosive change of pace, more trickery plays
Riddick 5 - Rather see him play out in the slot more
Golson 5 - Would like to see more design runs for him.

 

[Irish Jacky]

40 carries for Cam.

BOOM.

Cam is the best third down back on our roster. Kelly, Martin and Alford are not dumb and no doubt see this by now.

I expect Cam's increased role to come at Riddick's expense. Theo has been, in a word, unimpressive, so far this year and he's clearly not as strong as McDaniel.

 

[RDU Irish]

Excellent problem to have. No matter what, GAIII should get half a dozen carries, minimum. Other than that, Wood gets the edge as a better blocker and more powerful than Riddick. Riddick can split wide better than the others but doesn't that tedency start to tell the defense too much?

Cam is making a case for a hand in the action down the road but this year I don't see enough carries to go around and we didn't see anything of his blocking.

 

[arrowryan]

Wood, Theo, and GA3 need to get a good amount of carries (10-15 each). Also, I would love to see Cam get the ball more

 

[PraetorianND]

Use Riddick in the passing game more than the rushing. Screens and short slant routes. Wood and Atkinson are better running backs.

I've noticed Riddick has trouble catching out of the backfield though. He dropped 1 or 2 in the Navy game and I think 1 other.