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Buckeye Tailbacks - 2004 (official thread)

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I'll always root for the guy, but I've yet to be impressed by him. I don't think he is a good RB at all. He's a physical specimen, but he doesn't have the vision or burst to excel in the Big Ten. Plus, he seems to get hurt every game. Personally, I think he should drop a little weight to try to regain some speed he seems to have lost since he bulked up(same with Mo Hall). I think a realistic goal for him should be 1000yds. and 10 TD's on the season. If he can do this, I'll be VERY happy with his production. BTW, I'd trade him straight up for ANY of Minnesota's RB's.
 
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Several great points made and someone really hit the head on the hammer when they stated that it is up to Lydell and him alone.

He has the size, strength and some speed to do some damage. He needs to take a very long look into the mirror and more or less become fed up with his career. He needs to take a tremendous ammount of pride and figure that he HAS to stay healthy, that he HAS to be a leader, that he HAS to lead by his actions on the field. He is a Senior and this is his last shot, maybe for ever in this game. He will also be pushed as others said by some talented backs.

When he had a good or decent game he was always first to kind of pat himself on the back and speak like he is incredible.Maybe he needs to be more humble and get a dose of reality. He has the capability to do it, I really believe he could get 1200-1500 yards if he really, really wants it.

Not a lot of people believe he can do it and he can use that as fuel to burn an unquenchable fire that will only be extinguished when he reaches some very lofty goals. Maybe Dick Tressel or others can get this out of him...Only time will tell!
 
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I'm optimistic about the offense this year as well. And on top of everything mentioned, I think that we'll have more of a passing game, and make teams respect that more than they've had to in the past couple of years.
 
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My jury is still out on Ross. He has showed flashes of brilliance when he was healthy, and I'm pretty sure that Wells would have been a pretty big disappointment if it weren't for Ross pushing him. Maybe Ross will respond the same way this year. Having said that, I must add that I seriously doubt it. MoC blew Ross out of the starting lineup without a fight. Ross can be productive with a good line and if he stays healthy, but there is a good chance he won't have either. If that is the case, I honestly believe we should throw a frosh (Haw) out there and see if he can make a difference.
 
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We need to use all of our remaining scholarships for Running Backs!

In 1998 we recruited Jamar Martin and Jonathan Wells. Two RBs who stuck with the program and made great contributions on the field. But since then.....

1999

Jess Kline - left the team citing injury problems (but amid some mystery)
Richard Hall - did not qualify at OSU (but will be playing in the Shoe come opening day).

2000

Terry Pogue - did not qualify academically
Sam Maldonado - transferred after reported academic and discipline problems
Greg Jones - changed his mind and went to FSU (although he probably couldn't have played here anyhow)

2001

JaJa Riley - transferred to UNLV because of lack of PT (have to laugh at that one now)
Maurice Hall - has been injured since he has been here
Lydell Ross - has been injured since his sophomore year and - like Hall - has not lived up to his billing (although I for one am in the 'Lydell Ross is going to have a break out senior season' camp)

2002

Maurice Clarett - not sure what happened to him, but I just checked the roster and he is not on it (but thanks for the NC)

2003

Ira Guillford - forced into service at RB after being recruited at safety. Took the lesson well and has been applying force to others ever since. Doubtful we will see him again.

2004

Dennis Kennedy - potential that he may become an academic casualty

Pittman and Haw - come next spring these could well be the only two RBs in camp.


So somebody tell JT we need to quit messing with Linebackers and OL - use those ships for RBs. We need all we can get!
 
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Off the team or dinged up is basically the story... keep bringing kids in... two and a spare as Woody would say at a min.

Looks like we are trying to bring in another one or two this year... having a good OL that will keep folks off the backs could also help in the injury department...

I wonder if JaJa is kicking himself right now... he would have had some good PT last year, maybe some this year, and it could have been his show next year...??
 
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It will be interesting to see how backfield coach Dick Tressel will handle the new pack of running backs and also giving the chance to work along side of Jim Bollman the O/L coach. There was some discussion of how Tim Spencer and Bollman worked thru all the problems they had last year with the running woes of 2003.

But in the Fiesta Bowl they seemed to have some success in the 3d quarter in clock management with Brandon Joe doing some nice work there. So like i said before it will all depend on how good Dick Tressel and Bollman can iron out the wrinkles in thier attack. God only knows when we will find a running back equivalent to that of a Maurice Clarett. Guys of his talent only come down the pike once in a "Blue Moon".
 
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I would say just from looking at your list that JT has learned a lesson from that past recruiting...quality over quantity. I do agree that we need to get a couple of backs again, but the overloaded stable approach does not work.
 
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While I agree that we've had misfortune in the past, I've gotta think that the kind of kids that Tressel is recruiting will only help their stability and production in the coming years. In MY opinion, the only reason Ross has had a tough time (so far) is that 1. he backed up one-year-wonder MC 2. He has been hit by nagging injuries (that he seems to be recovered from) 3. He has been the the RB in an offense where the passing game was a third thought and his OLine couldn't move very fast.

I predict a great year from Lydell (again, barring injury). I DO think that the combination of Pittman/Haw, combined with Joe will offer many alternatives. A great RB in this class is needed, obviously.

Go Bucks!
 
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I don't want to Hijack this thread so lets not turn this into a size arguement, but I believe one this we really need is a BIG back that can take the beating of the Big Ten schedule. I like the size of Lydel now but I don't think his body was ready for him to get as big as he did that fast. He spent alot of time on sidelines as a cause of it. Pittman has good size, but Haw looks like the stub size back we need. I understand that RBs like Mo Wells out of Florida are great backs and by all means we take him if he wants to come, but I really want to see us go for 5'11"-6'1" 220lb RBs with 4.5-4.6 speed. Look at the last few real good back that have made their name at RB for tOSU. Combs, Wells, MoC. All big guys that could take hits (MoC's shoulder not withstanding).

I really don't understand all the talk of Chris Wells outgrowing the RB position. I hope we get him and he tears the place up with that monster size.
 
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two and a spare as Woody would say at a min.
Click to expand...


gbear-

I beleive the quote is "A pair and a spare"

"Two and a Spare" is like in Back to the Future when Biff says, "You better make like a tree and get outta here"

Duh.

:ban:

Don't take it personally.. I jsut always wanted to use the Banned emoticon...

You hitting the bar tonight or what?
 
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