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2011 Running Backs Discussion

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Taosman;1859311; said:
Boom was head and shoulders above the other guys, he'll get worked into the lineup.
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He was head and shoulders above the others because he got far more reps as well. I would curious to see how guys like Hall, Berry and Smith do with the 1st team, I don't think Boom is still better than them after an offseason of lifting and learning the playbook better. He runs quite hard but doens't have the homerun threat that the others have(including Hyde). I think Berry, Hall and Smith separate themselves, but I'd be happy to see a combo of any of the 4 RBs prosper. But I thought Boom was the weak link coming into next season, and that was before his suspension, missing 5 games won't be good. He should look at the NFL IMO, but that's another discussion.
I hope no one takes this as a personal attack on Boom, I just think he doesn't have the same talents as our other RBs
 
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There is some truth to the reps thing making a back better. But Boom just is a talented guy who matured and took charge of the position. Give him credit for fully understanding all the responsibilities of the position. And out working the other guys.
He's not a "weak link" at all!
 
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OmahaBeef;1859436; said:
As he turned it on in the second half of the season, he started to remind me of Antonio Pittman in how under appreciated he has been in his time at OSU.
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Agreed. While Boom doesn't have "homerun" speed, he does have good vision and hits the hole with explosion.
 
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The difference between "bad" Boom at the beginning of last season and "good" Boom at the end was that he started making the first tackler miss. If you go back and look at the big runs he had, he broke the first tackle almost every single time and was able to get to the second level for some big yardage.

If memory serves me, Tressel is on record saying the back needs to make the first tackler miss (minus the QB blocking, there is always an extra unblocked defender).

I think all of the young guys have the ability to get to the second level, either with speed and quickness or with power. The real trick will be impressing Tressel enough with their grasp of the offense and ability to pick up blitzes on passing plays.

I know a lot of people are excited about Smith (and frankly, I am too), but it is the intangibles and the fundamentals that take a RB to the next level in Tressel's mind. Look at Berry last season, he was arguably the most explosive back on the team but was still extremely limited in the number of carries he received.

Making the first guy miss is step one to being a successful runner in Ohio State's system, but there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that has to be done before you even get those opportunities.
 
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Buckeye86;1859463; said:
The difference between "bad" Boom at the beginning of last season and "good" Boom at the end was that he started making the first tackler miss. If you go back and look at the big runs he had, he broke the first tackle almost every single time and was able to get to the second level for some big yardage.
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I am also pretty sure that our blocking schemes changed mid-season. Early in the season, I noticed our linemen were back on their heels a lot during designed run plays. Later in the season, they were firing off the line. I am sure some of our more knowledgeable posters could elaborate, but I saw a significant difference in blocking technique.
 
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Buckeyeskickbuttocks;1859427; said:
Indeed. If Boom is the weak link, then Ohio State's backfield is unbelievably strong. :wink2:
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Yes it is, that's one of the points I was stating. If Boom is the 3-4th best RB we have, then we have phenomenal depth. This is easily rivaling USC's RB depth of a few years ago. And to think we're bringing in 2 more next year! Hall will probably start out in the 1st game, and Berry will slowly start to dig into his reps, with Smith. Hyde kind of seems like the odd man out, but I do think we'll find a few carries for him, especially in the 1st 5 games, breaking in a new QB. And we're definitely gonna rely heavy on the RBs if say Bauserman wins the top spot.
 
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colobuck79;1858870; said:
Confusious say: "He who fumbles least, will play most."
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No, I think that was Woody who said that - in so many words.

Herron is a proven commodity, although he got it going late in the year. Wanted to see him put together a consistent full year, but oh well. Tatoos are important.

Hall shows you these flashes. I really like him. I wonder if he could take a 15-20 carry beating week in and week out.

Berry's speed makes us all want to see him more.

Smith and Hyde are big boys. We are going to need them to give Wisky a good dose of their own medicine.
 
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donfish06;1964509; said:
Not sure if this is already a thread or not, but what do we know about the running back battle? Is anyone pulling ahead?
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We'll have to wait until next week, but I think Jordan Hall will be on the field a lot, whether its as a RB or a Percy Harvin type of slash back. Rewatched Spring game today, and Rod Smith was the 3rd most impressive back behind Boom, and Hall.
 
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