Texas Longhorns Football 2010: Running Backs
by Peter Bean on Aug 26, 2010 8:01 AM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintBefore turning to the running backs, a follow up on yesterday's discussion on the back up quarterback job. With Harris gone, I floated the idea of using Chiles as QB2 to preserve the redshirts of Wood and Connor. As several of you pointed out, Mack quashed that idea immediately after Harris left, so it's not on the staff's radar, and while mine might be an interesting one in theory, it's problematic in practice, and in any case not on the table. My best guess is that unless we start hearing that Wood has begun to move quickly up the learning curve, Case McCoy is your back up.
Alright, let's talk tailbacks.
Eyes of Texas: Back in June, I wrote in the magazine that Cody Johnson "is best used situationally," that if the running game was still dysfunctional Tre' Newton "is the best bet to make lemonade from lemons," and that my "first choice would once again be Foswhitt Whittaker." Mostly, however, I hedged: "It is folly to predict with any authority what will happen with this group of tailbacks, in large part because it has been folly to predict how the coaching staff will approach the running game."
Now: Fast forward to today, and some revisions are in order. Cody Johnson has been the surprise of fall camp, showing up in the best shape of his career. Because Mack inconveniently ran his open practices during my vacation, I'm forced to trust the word of others on this one, but the reviews on Johnson are encouraging. Over at BC, Scipio writes:
The weight redistribution has really helped his feet and he’s still moving piles. On one play, he made a perfect read inside, made a quick sidestep laterally to exploit a hole I didn’t even see from the stands, and then he exploded for what would have been a 30 yard gain. He did fumble, but it also came after moving the pile six yards downfield. He sets up blocks better than any back on the team, he has decent hands, he’ll bury his head in there to take the tough two yards instead of risk a negative play bouncing it (I’m looking at you Fozzy) and he suits what we’re trying to do. I understand that the coaches want to narrow rather than widen their options here, but it’s a mistake to treat Cody as a pure short yardage specialist.
Horn Brain was less impressed with what he saw, but the overwhelming majority of reports this fall have been positive -- including those from Big Roy -- and it looks like at the least Johnson will be given the first crack at being our primary carrier. With Will Muschamp preparing to unleash a 4-3 version of Dick LeBeau-style defense, it's perhaps appropriate that on the other side of the ball Texas will be trying to feature their own version of Jerome Bettis. I'm cool with that, so long as that doesn't mean Gilbert is Tommy Maddox.
In both the pro and college games, teams are increasingly embracing a two-tailback approach, and even if Texas features Cody Johnson, there will be carries for Tre' Newton and Fozzy Whittaker. There's nothing flashy about Newton, but he runs the counter well, is a reliable blocker, and can haul in passes out of the backfield. If Whittaker gets banged up or is ineffective, Newton would fit nicely as Texas' third down back, a la Chris Ogbonnaya in 2008.
Speaking of Whittaker, this is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for the junior. He has to stay healthy, obviously, but just as important, he'll have to show he can give Texas the kind of inside running that the coaches are hellbent on establishing. On the bright side, we're moving towards precisely the offense in which he thrived at Houston Pearland (re-watch his junior film to get an idea), and if he's not been mentally broken by the lack of running lanes the last couple of seasons, he can be a great runner for us out of the I.
Beyond those top three, Vondrell McGee will conclude what's been a frustrating career in spot duty, while Jeremy Hills is a surprise non-transfer -- he could play for somebody. Finally, we'll get our first looks at freshmen Demarco Cobbs (whoops, forgot he's moved to safety) and Traylon Shead.
Your thoughts?
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I like Cojo- especially for this offense. Mack and GD are not really hell bent on running the ball, so much as they are determined to have an answer to dime coverage and to be able to force seven, maybe even eight into the box. We know GD, and if he’s going to run, it will be for the purpose of setting up the pass. Beyond the scheme, CJ himself, as a person of significant heft, demands both that extra bodies be there to gang tackle, and thy those bodies themselves be of the larger, stronger, and slower LB variety.
While we’re excited to see this guy finally break out a little bit, I’m sure there are few more thrilled than the six or eight guys that will see playing time at WR.
by Tackchevy on Aug 26, 2010 8:28 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Fozzy
Purely hypothetical, of course. He will be healthy. All year.
If Whittaker gets banged up or is ineffective
by Infield Elephant on Aug 26, 2010 8:48 AM CDT reply actions
I like a Fozzy - CoJo combo
we can call it waka and roll
What do we do if somehow Colt McCoy ends up on an NFL team starting against Vince Young?
Complete back
is just a way of saying boring but effective. Bring on the razzle dazzle waka waka baby.
What do we do if somehow Colt McCoy ends up on an NFL team starting against Vince Young?
You're right
I don’t think he is the best back, I’m not even sure he’s bes at any one thing, but (time for Greg Davis speak) I think he allows us to be multiple in ways the others may not.
I though Cobbs was being moved to safety
Is he still getting reps at RB?
Supposedly he is getting action
at both positions.
"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton
I think CoJo is going to create some seperation this year
You don’t go and lose 5% of your bodyfat and replace it w/ muscle if you’re not determined and focused. Mack says Cody has had a change of attitude that he likes, and I think we’ll see the results on the field.
If that’s not the case, then the Tre/Fozzy mix will be servicable. Fozzy may end up surprising us too.
Nice thoughts
Isn’t this exactly where we started last year? Sheesh.
Imagine this:
Cody in the I…taking the hand-off with a head of steam…with an h-back having already bulldozed a path for him…and a run-oriented line that’s actually opening up holes. I shudder to imagine the poor safety that has to take on that tackle.
That’s going to look twice as good when it’s Joe Bergeron and Malcolm Brown.
As for this year, I think Cody could thrive in this offense, but I’m not expecting the level of commitment to it. For that reason, I think Cody gets the first crack but Tre Newton ends up with the majority of the playing time in order to stay in and pass-block, flare out, etc. I hope I’m wrong.
For me, anything we get from Fozzy is a bonus at this point.
Sounds like coaches want Shead to play, but I don’t expect anything more than spot duty. He may take over Hills’ spot as 4th string RB.
BC is saying Cobbs to safety as well. With the hammy, it may be a redshirt year.
Funny I haven’t mentioned McGee. I expect he’ll need to ramp up his learning curve on special teams blocking.
I don't always watch football, but when I do, I prefer Dos Achos. Stay thirsty, my friends.
Is Cobbs injured?
Hadn’t seen anything about a hamstring.
by Horncasting on Aug 26, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Just a pulled hammy
is what has been reported.
"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton
Pulled hamstring...not serious
But it has set him back in his RB development, and now late in fall practice it sounds like coaches want him to focus more on D. Without a firm grasp on either position, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear him redshirt.
I don't always watch football, but when I do, I prefer Dos Achos. Stay thirsty, my friends.
So if you were to pick the Texas RB for fantasy purposes...
…who would it be? I would guess Johnson at this point, but Newton is the only other guy I’d even consider.
There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.
by burntorangehorn on Aug 26, 2010 12:09 PM CDT reply actions
Hmm
Would CoJo put up big yardage numbers? Probably lots of TDs, but unless the plan is to diversify him in more of a variety of situations, I would expect the goal line stands and 3rd/4th & short we’re used to. Assuming Tre takes more handoffs, he would probably have more numbers to his name. But this year’s different. Right? Right.
by Infield Elephant on Aug 26, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
The only Texas back I've drafted in about six or seven years of playing fantasy CFB...
…was when I snagged Selvin Young in about the 22nd round of a BCS+ND league, I believe the year he, Ramonce, and Jamaal took over for Cedric Benson.
There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.
by burntorangehorn on Aug 26, 2010 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm glad Cody is stepping up
Although it goes against Tre’ being number 6 of my top 15 :)
He’s obviously the best fit for the under-center running, while Tre’ and Fozzy can split time out of the gun (with some under center, of course).
I'll believe an effective running game
When I see one. CoJo may have gotten himself in shape, but he can’t run through walls. He won’t get a chance to show us if he’s improved unless he gets to the second level where his size will allow him to bowl people over.
To me this year is all about the OL. They’ve been maligned so much over the past few years as the running game was completely ignored, and their pass protection was spotty at best last season despite the overall success of the team (which was damn close to being a 2 or 3 loss year). This year they can redeem themselves and we’ll dump the blame on last year’s departures, or they can add a mountain of fuel to the Greg Davis fire. The bar is set pretty low in terms of what needs to be accomplished. We simply need a running game that demands an honest front to properly defend. That’s the criterion for success. Being able to run on 5 or 6 in the box with appropriate personnel. That’s it.
We’ve got a thin roster at the position, but not impossibly so. Teams succeed with less all the time. There should be no excuses this year for having 17 yards rushing at halftime in any game without correspondingly huge passing numbers making the defense pay. For me, this will be the biggest indicator of success this year, and it will be the most interesting story to follow. My optimism reading for today is “cautious”.
I think that's even more of the point
Cojo may have the size to move the pile, even if there’s no hole there. 2 yards is better than 0. It could make the difference in a 3rd and 6 and a 3rd and 10 or 11. Or even better, between a first down / 3rd and short and 3rd and 4.
However, you could also argue that having the speed to break it to the outside or hit a smaller window would do you just as good, but if there’s anything Cody’s shown is that he’s going to come away with some yardage, rather than nothing or negative.
With his added muscle, I can see him improving that and fitting well into the scheme. I was disappointed they didn’t use him more last year, so I’m psyched that he’s supposedly turned a corner.
I lol'ed
This reminds me of when I was talking to GoBR at the open practice and he mentioned how he would watch someone run the ball for four yards and think “Wow that was a really good run”. As I said, the standard of success here is really low if we’re talking about 2 yards being effective.
To counter your argument, I would point out that our best running back in the Colt era was undoubtedly Jamaal Charles, who was creating 2-3 yards on the end of every play just by being ridiculously slippery, not running over people.
To clarify:
GoBR was talking about watching another team on an ESPNU replay or something running the ball, not Texas in practice.
I'll quote this from over in Barking Carnival
Cody Johnson has has 9 yards of negative yardage in 163 career carries. -5 in 2009. -4 in 2008.
By comparison, Fozzy has had 56 yards of negative yardage on only 117 carries. -34 in 2009. -22 in 2008.
-Scipio Tex
Let’s just not run negative plays. I think the difference in our running game would be huge.
I didn't say it wasn't true
I just don’t think it means anything. Cody’s worst runs won’t end as badly as Fozzy’s, but his best won’t end as well, either. This gives me an idea for a nerdy post…
but he can’t run through walls
Yuh huh.
Agreed on your OL points. Also, that GG is not Colt and will not/can’t scramble when the line fails, but should succeed admirably in the pocket with good protection.
by Infield Elephant on Aug 26, 2010 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Patience?
Suppose that at first the running game is not so good. Does it get a chance to improve with Johnson (or whoever) or do we see Davis try a new featured back every week, hoping to find a hero? Changing backs means adjusting the offense to fit the new guy, putting even more stress on the line. That’s what we’ve seen in the past and the only exception is when a Heisman caliber back comes along. The running game never really gels and is eventually abandoned as anything more than a check on the defense.
Why would it be different now? All I see is a lot of posturing about getting serious about the running game, which every coach says every year. I remember Mike Leach touting the Raider running game last year. But what Leach knew was to recruit to your system and keep running the system to get the most out of your talent. A continually re-invented running game, which exists only to make the passing game work, is never going to deliver a successful of ground control offense.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Luckily the OL recruiting has picked up recently
I think people are going to see the story being that Malcolm Brown saved our running game when it was really the influx of talent on the line. It will be interesting to read those stories. I’m going to bookmark this comment for three years from now when I find one.
OL recruiting same as it has always been
We just need a higher hit rate on guys that stay in the program and perform to their rankings.
The 2007 OL class of Allen, Hix, Huey, McGaskey were as highly thought of as the top 4 OL in the 2011 class.
An effective running game. To be or not to be?
Profoundly skeptical based on the historical record.
I Disagree Vehemently (Read Caps Lock) on the Running Game Skepticism
I understand that we have not run the ball effectively, but we did have a very seasoned and accurate QB during that time. I believe we will improve the running game significantly for 3 reasons:
1. Mack Brown and staff have clearly demonstrated the ability to analzye, learn, and improve from prior seasons. When they stated all positions were open after the disappointment of 2007 – they were.
2. The QB from 2004 – 2009 were significant assets to the running game. That option will not exist this year. Vince was godlike, or God was Vincelike – and Colt was a really underrated threat. In addition, it is now certain, that if Huey, Hix, Mitchell have a purpose in football like – it must be in a running system.
3. I believe Tre Newton does have a special quality and is not your “run of the mill” RB. First, remember he is a sophmore and his freshman numbers were probably in the 4-5 frosh in the country. Second, his key talent is “vision” – sort of subtle – but in my mind he will demonstrate an instinctive running style that will drive success.
Note to Bill Byrne "Because you aren´t Texas and you´ll never be Texas"
Re: #2
I don’ think that having a QB that can run is a reason to expect a poor running game. Imagine Colt was exactly who he was except he had the mobility of Chad Henne. You would expect our running game to benefit from that?
When posting to MY GUYS....
Exactly why I said " Cody Johnson – A starter anywhere else"
Hopefully, all my speed guys will see plenty of playing time. They’re difference makers.
--- All roads to the Big-XII Championship lead through OU/RRS. It's not just another game! We're all about championships here. ---
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