Scrimmage One: Revealing

#2
#2
Thanks Griff. I agree with you about Oku. That guy is going to cause some problems for opposing defense.
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#4
#4
So, are Eric Berry and Monte Kiffin lying when they said the defense was not held back at all by play calling. And that there were plenty of blitzes picked up?
 
#5
#5
It might take him (Bryce Brown) a while to learn the blocking and get a feel for where his space could/will/might be, but once he does, look out.
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We can't risk having him in the game if he is struggling with protection schemes.
 
#7
#7
Rasputin_Vol said:
We can't risk having him in the game if he is struggling with protection schemes.
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Theres still a LOT of practice before the games start. Plus he will learn more in the WKU game than he will in 30 practices. The kid will be fine.
 
#8
#8
Mike I'd like your thoughts all things being equal and every RB we have stays healthy who do you think will be the leader in statistics by the end of the year ?


I say Hardesty
 
#11
#11
Voldaddy said:
No kidding. Maybe Mark Levine has some eligibility remaining.
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I think the best thing to do would be to play it safe and keep Bryce from getting any significant snaps until the Ohio game... or whenever he fully understands his blocking assignments.
 
#14
#14
When I said he needed to "learn the blocking,'' I meant the blocking that is taking place in front of him....he needs to be able to anticipate where his holes and daylight may be before his cutting skills and acceleration come into play.

So much of running is timing...that's why backs look different on the same play with the same blocking


"Protection'' is different -- that's knowing who to block on pass plays, and when to release.

Protection is more important than people realize; you only have one starting quarterback, and he's like the family jewels, you can't afford to lose him.

I would be willing to bet that Peyton Manning had something to do with Mark Levine being the back three games into the 97 season ... a quarterback has to feel comfortable and confident in his protection to focus on what's taking place downfield.

I know the reason Shaun Alexander redshirted at Bama was because he was a poor blocker, and they weren't going to get the QB killed. His running skills were that good as a true freshman, but Stallings was stubborn when it came to players knowing and executing their assignments.

I saw Oku bury a guy in pass protection in Saturday's scrimmage...a lot of it is toughness and desire

As for Brown, it will be interesting to see how often Kiffin keeps his backs in against the rush versus releasing them into the flats for quick drop offs when the blitz comes.
 
#18
#18
had long runs yesterday--and then follow with a dig saying that he "only gets what's there and nothing else. "That's illogical. Guys who get nothing more than the space in front of them rarely score on long runs. I didn't see the scrimmage, I don't know what kind of player Poole will be, but kind of weird comment after the kid has a big scrimmage.

RE Oku and some of the freshman receivers: UT has lacked real playmakers who could get the ball in space and use their speed and quickness to make big yardage for years. That is pretty much the essence of the spread offense, so it will be interesting to see if UT can the ball to playmakers in space for a change.

I well remember that game winning-score by Tinsley against Miami because it was such a bizarre call. Nobody calls an end-around from the two yard line: It's a play that is basically designed to be run much farther out in the field, so that can spread the defense out, confuse it, and then your guy has room to run. You can't spread out a defense much when its backed up practically in its own end zone. But somehow it worked just well enough. That was back when the program was starting to show major cracks--no playmakers, a bad offense.
 
#19
#19
All true freshmen RB's struggle with pass protection initially....they are NEVER asked to do this in high school usually, so it is all brand new to them. I think some of you had un-attainable expectations for BB. The kid isnt, and is never going to be, perfect. Give him a few weeks to learn before saying he is "struggling" with anything, or shouldnt be played because of something.
 
#20
#20
armchair said:
had long runs yesterday--and then follow with a dig saying that he "only gets what's there and nothing else. "That's illogical. Guys who get nothing more than the space in front of them rarely score on long runs. I didn't see the scrimmage, I don't know what kind of player Poole will be, but kind of weird comment after the kid has a big scrimmage.

RE Oku and some of the freshman receivers: UT has lacked real playmakers who could get the ball in space and use their speed and quickness to make big yardage for years. That is pretty much the essence of the spread offense, so it will be interesting to see if UT can the ball to playmakers in space for a change.

I well remember that game winning-score by Tinsley against Miami because it was such a bizarre call. Nobody calls an end-around from the two yard line: It's a play that is basically designed to be run much farther out in the field, so that can spread the defense out, confuse it, and then your guy has room to run. You can't spread out a defense much when its backed up practically in its own end zone. But somehow it worked just well enough. That was back when the program was starting to show major cracks--no playmakers, a bad offense.
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UT wont be running anything close to the spread offense. And regarding Poole.....Griff prefaced his comments by saying that Poole's inflated stats were against 2nd and 3rd teamers on Defense. Against the 1's is where he is talking Poole "getting only what is there".
 
#21
#21
Quote:
Originally Posted by Writer32
If there's one position I know, it's running backs....I've covered the best, and I know a great one when I see one

That being said stick your neck out and tell us who will be the Offensive leader statistically at season end

Give us a prediction that we can hold you to ,being as you know this position so well,that shouldn't be so hard
to do.

Not ten weeks later or 15 articles later and come here and point to that one and say see I told you so
 
#22
#22
Anyone on here who think pass protection from your backs is not a big deal must have not played much football. When you see alot of the big sacks from linebackers thats normally where a back has missed a protection and leaked on the outside. You cant have your quarterback getting killed because a back cant pick up his guy. Sacks can cause turnovers and kill any kind of momentum your offense is getting. The more time your QB has the bigger plays he can make when the reoutes open up.
 
#23
#23
No guess! At least not yet.

Way too many factors still left to be determined to know who the statistical will leader will be....

Brown is the best pure-runner, Oku is the most versatile and Hardesty is the toughest and most experienced....those were my observations Saturday

A lot of ways it can go from there -- I don't know how well Brown or Oku secure the ball -- if they are fumblers, it plays a factor.

I don't know the behind-the-scenes attitudes of these guys, or what time they show up for meetings, or if they are doing all the right things off the field....

I don't know what their teammates think of them, who they REALLY want to block for....

I don't know the gameplans or schemes....will UT throw a lot? If so, maybe Oku gets more yards than either...or will this be a predominate power run team? How many third-and-shorts vs. third-and-longs?

Lots and lots of factors.

I said earlier I think you will see all three, and I'll stand by that....

IMO, Bryce Brown has the most upside as a pure tailback -- doesn't mean he'll reach it, ala, LaMarcus Coker.

I like Oku's versatility, doesn't mean he can stay healthy and learn all the plays

I like Hardesty's toughness, doesn't mean he will stay healthy or get the touches

Not trying to cop out on you, just being as honest as I can.

I couldn't call a season rushing leader at this point with any conviction
 
#24
#24
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