Happy Birthday, Joe Bergeron
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Nov 6, 2011 12:14 AM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Football
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This evening cannot end without giving a shoutout to true freshman running back Joe Bergeron, who celebrated his birthday by surging for 191 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries in his first starring action as a collegian against Texas Tech Saturday afternoon.
With fellow frosh Malcolm Brown sidelined with a turf toe injury that didn't get keep from suiting up for the game -- Mack Brown said afterwards that Brown could have played if needed -- Bergeron ran around and through Texas Tech defenders all day. Mostly through them.
The effort included a 51-yard explosion down the sideline after getting onto the edge, the longest run of the season for the Longhorns, surpassing David Ash's earlier 47-yard scamper up the middle of the Red Raider defense on a play that was designed to be one of his rare passing attempts.
As well as Brown has played, Bergeron has been even more of a revelation. Expected to contribute early as a fullback or H-back because of his strength and good hands out of the backfield, the Mesquite product has instead showed load-back ability, finishing runs with violence, hitting his holes with momentum, and making defenders miss down the field with a slipperiness that has been as much in abundance the last several weeks as it ever was in high school for him.
By turning his hips on contact, Bergeron can wiggle through defenders by presenting little surface to bring him down, a major aspect of what helps him maximize his runs.
When he does have to take defenders straight on, he uses his superior pad level and 230-pound frame to brutalize defenders every bit as well as does Malcolm Brown, who has 45% of his yards after contact this season, but provides opponents a slightly larger tackling surface.
Fortunately for Texas, the Longhorns barely managed to avoid leaving Bergeron on the field for one too many plays. Game well in hand, Bergeron developed a cramp on his final run and was down on the field for several nervous moments for Texas fans, well after he should have been on the sideline in favor of Jeremy Hills.
It's difficult to project whether Brown's turf toe will linger -- it's certainly the type of injury that can linger -- but Saturday's contest against Texas Tech definitively proved that the less heralded back in the 2011 class can produce just as well as his much more heralded classmate.
Joey B is a tailback and he's at the position to stay by giving himself a pretty sweet birthday present he isn't likely to forget any time soon.
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Love me some Mean Joe
Been hoping for more Joe B carries all year, but with the end goal of him becoming a FB. Now, I dunno. Stay trim and we can have a stable of 3 nasty true RBs, not including DJ Monroe.
How about Jeremy Hills? Looks like that RS did him well. He looked solid late tonight. Could be a good garbage man for us.
Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter
by The Audit Horn on Nov 5, 2011 7:10 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Love this article:
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Nov 5, 2011 7:46 PM CDT reply actions
Forgot about that one
Harsin has given us a lot to look at and analyze and consider. What a change from last year.
Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter
by The Audit Horn on Nov 5, 2011 8:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
A star is born
Simplicity is always the secret, to a profound truth, to doing things, to writing, to painting. Life is profound in its simplicity. - Charles Bukowski
for once...
…our RB recruiting has found an elite back who was not elite coming out of HS.
For once…
…our RB evaluation has proved to be better than the others.
For once…
…we have two elite ‘pound the rock’ guys and nothing makes me more happy to think about than that!
by vanterminatorhorn on Nov 5, 2011 8:27 PM CDT reply actions
Mack told everyone on signing day about Joe Burgeron.
Nobody listened, they had MB on the brain. Happy birthday Joe !
How about a shout out for the RB coach
The skinny former quarterback who few would have pegged for the position recruited these players and has them playing fundamentally sound football. Since he’s taken over fumbles from running backs have all but disappeared. I love the pad level, the leg drive, the vision I see out of the backfield. And the blocking: Cody Johnson was a road grader today.
And while we’re at it, Searels won’t get a game ball, but he should.
Simplicity is always the secret, to a profound truth, to doing things, to writing, to painting. Life is profound in its simplicity. - Charles Bukowski
by windycityhorn on Nov 5, 2011 8:55 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Shout out.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
Burnt Orange Nation
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Nov 5, 2011 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions
As I scanned these comments
I was thinking exactly the same thing. Glad someone said it.
We’re developing a stable of quality running backs – exactly what Mack has been longing for.
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.
Groucho Marx
by beast in bama on Nov 5, 2011 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions
And don't forget recruiting...
Major hung in there and held together this amazing class while the rest of the staff turned over.
by BeeCaveHornFan on Nov 5, 2011 11:18 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Good problem to have
But might we have a RB controversy?
by jtdoes on Nov 5, 2011 9:15 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Nope.
Plenty of carries for both.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
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by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Nov 5, 2011 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions
What about next year when we add Gray?
Does each RB get a third of the carries? I see us utilizing Gray in the passing game as well.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 5, 2011 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions
We Lose Fozzy
Plus, I like the competition. Although recruiting for 2013 is going to be tough, huh? With those 3 back there?
“Come on down to Austin, we promise you won’t see the football all year, but look at it this way….. you won’t get hurt.”
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
Bergeron was originally recruited as a fullback.
Since CoJo is a Senior, I fully expect Bergeron to work for the next 3 years mainly as a FB blocking for MB & JGray. At least, that’s what we all expected a year ago. It’s nice to know, though, that whoever McAsh/Brewer/Overstreet/Swoopes is handing off to, that back can take it to the house behind huge individual talent & a renovated OLine. Anyone who has watched the last 2 games can’t help but be excited about the next 2 years.
Nope
It’s called Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, a wonderful problem to have… National Championship Problem!!!!
by French-Horn on Nov 6, 2011 12:15 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
That's just two players
Who are you going to sit on the bench – Brown, Bergeron or Gray?
What do you think Gray is thinking right NOW?
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Gray is licking his chops at the prospect
of not having to tote the ball 30+ times a game.
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SECede?....Whoop(s)!!
You think Gray is excited about the prospect of carrying the ball - maybe 10 times?
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
He'll be a year behind. The same way Richardson was a year behind Ingram.
And Gray is a completely different style of RB, much like Fozzy. He’ll see the field for screens, wheel routes, as a WR, wildcat, and just normal runs/sweeps/anything.
There is so much room for him it’s ridiculous.
by HornPossessed on Nov 6, 2011 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I hope you are right
I love the Foz, but he isn’t close to being the same talent as Gray – not a good comparison.
In my opinion, Gray is a cut above, say Adrian Peterson. Stoops was smart enough to play that dude as much as he could – freshman or no.
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Stoops didn't have a stable of complimentary RBs like we do with B&B
As much as I’m excited about Gray, its hard to make comparisons to folks like AD until Gray proves it on the field at DKR.
And Gray is not the same style of RB like AD was either. I fully expect Gray to be used in the Wildcat, as well as sweeps, screens…etc. There is NO need to give Gray the ball +20 times a game. Not with the luxury we have with talent at that position (feels SO good to finally type that).
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SECede?....Whoop(s)!!
I fully understand that you cannot compare a kid still playing HS ball to a seasoned college player.
I made the assumption that everyone knew that blogs are opinion driven and in my opinion Gray is one in a million – for sure in high school. As far as his college production, I think his ability will translate every bit as good as…wait for it:
A. Peterson
E. Campbell
R. Williams
T. Dorsett
Now, I am not saying he will be a cookie cutter replica of these great runners styles – he is unique in his own ability. I am saying, if Mack doesn’t screw it up, he will be every bit as great a running back as the above PROVEN stars. Remember, once again, this is my OPINION!
I don’t give two squats what the construction of the teams the stars have played on were – so what? Any of the above players would have starred in any damned type of offense thrown at them – they were that good.
I suggest you treat yourself to videos of Gray, swallow your bias and revel what UT has coming.
It is going to be AWESOME!
(I live in Houston, don’t know him or anyone connected to him – but I have eyes and I am sold!)
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
I agree
I don’t argue the fact that he is a stud and certainly has the potential to be listed among those RBs as elite company. I’m arguing the fact that there is no need to have him as the bell cow RB when we have others who could keep his legs fresh. It would be quite unwise to do so.
Case in point…see Lattimore from South Carolina.
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SECede?....Whoop(s)!!
diamond formation
OU and OSU have been using it this year alot. two backs to the side and a back behind. You could literally make a 360 and confuse the hell out of defenses.
Wishbone? You too?
Exactly my opinion, especially with Ash and Poehlman at TE. We would be a juggernaut!
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
how about
4 RBs
one wildcat rb/qb = jonathan gray
back to his left = malcolm brown
back to his right = joe bergeron
back behind him = jeremy hills
4 RBs lol
My prediction
Hills will be another transfer at the end of next year.
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Hills would have to drop down a level
since he has already redshirted. I would think it’s more likely that he graduates and gives up football.
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by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Nov 6, 2011 8:17 PM CST up reply actions
Happy birthday, Joe B
I can’t help but wonder if he’ll ever have another game like it. If Malcolm is ready to go next week, no way anybody gets 29 carries and it’s doubtful a non-burner can get close to 200 yards without 25+ carries.
And . . . coming to a stadium close to us all, Mr. Gray.
It’ll be a real challenge to keep all three backs happy as far as carries. But if I’m DGB, I can see a lot of 1-on-1 coverage (as with Davis and White today).
After 52-20, I can dream. Right?
I think you will see 50-60 run plays a game.
Joe is a good receiver also. good all around back. plenty of touches for everyone.
My question is 20 pass plays X 65% completion rate = 13 catches. Will that keep the receivers happy?
Can Gray throw the halfback pass?
Also, the Harsin notion that good RBs can have great stats with the right system and execution is welcome.
Will we see Brown and Bergeron in a two back set?
And, I thought JB looked great in HS.
Bergeron Definitely an Elite Back
He deserves plenty of carries, and I think he is just as good as Malcolm Brown at this point in their careers. With those thick legs and hard hitting, he reminds of a younger and smaller Earl Campbell.
Joe B was definitely a guy who was going to be good looking way back.
Every coach hes ever had has raved about his worth ethic and ability.
I remember seeing reports from I think it was Texas vs World game in which Joe B lit it up.
Alot of the hardcore recruiting junkies were calling him one of our most talented and undervalued pickups.
Feels good to be vindicated.
Happy birthday Joe B. Looking forward to seeing many more carries in the future.
"Slammed that hoe on the counter like I just got 35 on the domino table!!"
Sherrod Harris
Smaller then Earl? Maybe when Earl was a senior - maybe.
Furthermore, you don’t put a talent like Gray on the bench – ever! Would you have put Ricky Williams or Earl on the bench?
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Gray is coming for what you perceive a problem
You think it’s a problem. The Gray camp recognizes that a RB has a limited amount of carries in a lifetime. 10 carries a game won’t be a problem, it’s saving his legs for the future. Gray came because he gets to share carries, now with two guys.
Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter
by The Audit Horn on Nov 6, 2011 1:21 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I also think Bergeron is being groomed to be a FB
And Harsin knows how to use multiple backs in a formation to do interesting things.
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Nov 6, 2011 1:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I find it ironic
You would post this, then say this:
I also think Bergeron is being groomed to be a FB
You have been issued a warning.
graphic and completely out-of-context lynching photos are completely out-of-bounds
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I beg to differ
Gray came because he and his father expected him to split time with Brown – that would be TWO running backs. Bergeron was not a consideration.
Yesterday, between Bergeron, Whittaker and hills, there were 44 RB carries.
That means, if Gray had played, that each would have gotten 11 carries each – assuming the carries were divided equally.?
OK, yesterday, Bergeron carried 29 times for 191 yds.. That doesn’t leave much for the other two backs and means that Brown OR Gray just wouldn’t tote the rock that much.
I guess I just come from the old school – my best players stay on the field as much as the can. Tell me which one of the three “best” players you are going to bench?
What IF Gray or Bergeron or Brown are truly an Earl Campbell type of running threat? You damn well cant play them all in the current offensive scheme. So, instead you make “packages” for each “talent”. OR, you bench someone and I believe a good football coach does just that.
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Bergeron with 29
Because Brown was out and Gray isn’t on campus
um....what's your point? Did you read my post?
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Texas Tech perspective
I think I can accurately represent the sentiments of most Tech fans after witnessing the emergence of J. Bergeron. “Well, shit.” “You sure you don’t want to save that guy for a nice blocking back?”
I don’t see this deterring Gray. Gray isn’t the same kind of runner. Also, it never hurts to have 2 bruisers (Brown + Bergeron). Reduces wear on shoulders and knees.
Thoroughly confused
As to what point you’re trying to make. With whatever offense we’ll be running next year, there’s likely 10-15 carries per Brown, Bergeron, and Gray. And why exactly is Gray not excited to have that kind of load?
Gray gets it. He knows he has a limited number of carries in his career. The less he does in college, the more longevity he’ll have in the NFL. He’s not the biggest of backs, so he needs to reduce wear. He’s gonna see the field, and his carries will depend on gameplan and opponent. He’ll be the only runner of his kind on the roster, so Brown and Bergeron won’t necessarily limit when he sees the field.
I just have no clue what point you’re trying to make. We’ll have 3 good to great RBs on the field for at least 2 more years. That’s a good situation for everybody.
Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter
by The Audit Horn on Nov 7, 2011 12:13 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
My point is this
Not including the QB and the WR’s that ran the ball as well. Saturday, between three running backs, there were 44 carries. In addition, we RAN 85% of the time.
You still with me? OK, this was a day when we were HEAVILY weighted towards running as opposed to passing. You agree so far?
Now, next year, we have to assume that Ash, with a years experience under his belt, can become more prolific in his passing – thus reducing running back carries that much more. Let’s be bold and say we will average 30 running back plays a game.
this is good because it means we are that much better in our passing attack, thus making us a double edged sword and not a one trick pony.
30 cpg on avg. could mean 10 carries per back, HOWEVER, it would also mean that someone would have to be counting for Harsin to make sure all backs got an equal amount of carries. You still there? You ever see this happen? Me neither.
So the likelihood of one or TWO backs getting the bulk of the carries is significant.
Which back will get the reduced carries?
Brown – You think?
Bergeron – After Saturdays game?
Gray – Who has taken it to the house 7 out of 10 carries in HS? You are really going to reduce the carries for a back like this?
You understand now?
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Just sitting down to rewatch the game
Coach Brewster pregame overview, “Look for Bergeron to have a big game today.” Coach has seen some football and seems really excited for what Mack has pulled together after last year’s disappointment.
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I'm not worried
I have no worries at this point that Harsin will be able to get good production from all his tools. If we run the ball 45-50 times a game, that’s 10-15 carries per RB with a few other guys sprinkled in on jet sweeps and such. And if the OL continues to improve, which I have no reason not to expect, these guys will be exceeding 100 yards per game on those 10-15 carries each. I also think sharing the load might prevent any of these guys from bolting earlier than their JR year (hopefully). And I can see Gray filling the Fozzie role – can y’all imagine him starting the FozCat? Wow.
Thanks Mack
Happy birthday J. Bergeron! I feel like I just got my own BD gift early, maybe like the next 10 yrs. all at once. All I could say was wow! We ask them to just run the ball, run the ball, run the ball. I asked for a little more of J.B. and I get 29 carries. What should I ask for next? Just kidding. I betcha Mack is more excited than we are, if that’s possible. Sure did make me take a deep breath when J.B. went down there at the end, glad is not the word, to hear it was just a cramp. Now we can all hope M. Brown gets well soon, so they can share the load as we just keep running the ball, over , through, and around our next 5 games. Hats also off for the progress shown by the O line, and fullback, can’t do it without them. I am officially sold now on Macks rebuild and looking forward to the next 5 and 2012. As for the question of what happens when J. Gray gets to the 40 Acres? We all saw how fast they can go down, yes this time it was a cramp but we probably won’t be so lucky every time the next 4yrs. Besides J. Gray has a very different skill set than J. Berg, and M. Brown. When I have watched vids of J. Gray he sorta reminds me of a cross of M. Brown and that guy at USC about 5 yrs back. Can’t think of his name but I think he won the Hiesman, then again maybe he didn’t. Pretty good back but not a ton of carries, but very effective when used that way, IMHO.
I've always seen JGray as a cross between ...
Reggie Bush and Jamaal Anderson – formerly the top Dirty Bird with the Atlanta Falcons.
Dont count your chickens before they hatch
Joe Bergeron did great yesterday, he’s seen major action in 1.5 games. Both against horrendous run defenses. Let’s see how he does the rest of the season before we start talking about not having enough room for 3 backs. There’s still a lot of football to be played
Excellent point
However, if you are Bob Stoops and had to take one back off the UT backfield – which would you choose, right now and for this years OU squad?
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Finally
Tip my hat to the offensive line and Joe Bergeron for the best power football game we have seen at Texas in a long time. Congrats
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