🏈 Bo or Damien: Who's getting the carries

[bcracker]

Again, why are some writing Harris off ? Remember that most of his carries have come with the second (and third?) O-line trying to cut holes for him. I don't care who you are (Fournette, anyone?) if someone is not making holes for you you're not going anywhere. Harries has gotten more carries than Bo for a reason. Bo may end up being the better back but Harris is going to be good.
Again, Again, King Henry didn't look that great when he began carrying the ball.

 

[TheChief]

I've felt kind of sorry for DH at times this season. The opposition knew he was running the ball before he even got it late in decided games. I think he'll be fine. We've yet to see what he can really do.

 

[wiregrass_bamaguy]

So how do you work next week? Our passing game needs work but we also need to get our other rbs work just in case Drake doesnt recover fully or he is unable to carry the ball with a cast

 

[OldPlayer]

Looked like aside from Kickoff, Harris played maybe 1-2 more snaps than Bo. It's not like Harris was actually in the game plan before Drake went out.

Regardless, this is why these guys need to get legit carries as early as possible in blowout situations. Harris has bare minimum experience at this point in the season, and Bo has even less. Obviously it's been a blessing that Henry has stayed this healthy and carried the load, but there's a good chance that another back is going to play a legitimate role in winning and losing a game.

The real shame is that it appeared Drake was coming on last week and we didn't get to see him build on that. He has some special potential.

The amount of their experience is tied to knowing what to do. If either doesn't know the blocking assignments, they won't be playing. Getting legit carries? It isn't high school where you give them the ball and see what happens. Henry had to learn before he got legit carries. I don't want a back that blows his blocking assignment and gets a QB hurt.

 

[We All Bleed Crimson]

Bo and Damien are both supposed to be good Backs. Next week, hopefully, we'll get to see some significant playing time for one or both of these guys. These kind of games are a little scary, not because the outcome is in doubt (although we still need to maintain focus on this game), but because key players could be injured in a game that is supposed to be an automatic win. Just stay healthy guys!

 

['65 Cobra]

Bo is going to be a great back. He is still learning the system and let's not forget that he had ACL surgery just in April. The fact he is playing at all is amazing.

As far as some of the criticisms of Damien, I just don't get it. The OP that said that he is not an NFL starter or something to that effect, please explain. He was the #1 ranked back coming out of high school and a five star. He has a grand total of 34 carries, ALL with 2nd and 3rd string linemen blocking for him. I'd say, let's give him a chance before we condemn him as a bust for cripes sake.

 

[JoshB]

Looked like aside from Kickoff, Harris played maybe 1-2 more snaps than Bo. It's not like Harris was actually in the game plan before Drake went out.

Not true at all, Harris played early in the first half. He was playing some in the H-Back/Fullback role unless we have another 34 that I don't know about.

He's had many more than 3 carries this year if you've been watching the games. More like 30+ carries
Regardless, i may be a spoiled Alabama fan, but our 1 and 2 backs have both been 1st round draft picks for a WHILE. Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, TJ Yeldon, and Derrick Henry are all legit first round talents and were all the #2 at some point.
I just want our #2 back to be an NFL starter, and Damien Harris isn't that type of talent. The sooner he gets passed on the depth chart the better.
Today the same hole that D Harris was getting 5-6 yards on, Bo was getting 9.
My point is that if Henry and Bo were a solidified 1-2 punch, our run game would be deadly. i just wish the staff would put all their eggs in the Bo basket and get him up to speed.

And yes, I do have scout vision. I called for Coker to be the outright starter from day one, which would have us as undefeated. I had to listen to all of the dumbasses berate Coker and talk about how horrible he was, and that Bateman was better, etc. Coker is a winner with a huge frame and a huge pair. #Intangibles

I pretty CLEARLY said that Harris had no more than 3 carries with the STARTERS this season, so either brush up on your reading comprehension or pay more attention... I would think with those scouts eyes you would be at least able to comprehend a bit better...

You continue to say Damien Harris isn't an "NFL starter", again give us a bit of information on why that is. Why? Is he not fast enough? Why don't you go check out the defender he chased down from behind from about 60 yards away earlier in the year on an interception... Not strong enough? Good enough vision? What that you have seen this year could in any way tell you this? He has been in there 1) with backup linemen and 2) at points in the game when the defense knows good and damn well all we are doing is running. And the fact that you can honestly say Bo is at the point right now here he should be the #2 behind Henry proves how little you know. He has barely been back with the team for two months (if that) and there is a reason he hasnt seen the field other than garbage time, same as Harris. He isnt ready, the fact that he bobbled a simple hand off with noone touching him on his second carry of the damn game should have shown you that. Who knows, Bo might be the next Derrick Henry but he isnt yet. Stop pretending you know more than the coaches as you have shown pretty clearly there is very little you do know or comprehend...

As far as you claiming to have an NFL scout's vision, as someone already said (if true) you claimed Coker was better than Sims... so yeah maybe you need to just move on and forget this thread exists buddy...

 

[Tidestalker]

I don't want a back that blows his blocking assignment and gets a QB hurt.

So the entire OL shouldn't have been allowed to play in the first quarter either...?

There's lots of guys who don't know exactly what to do but have to play. Our backup center's who've been thrown into action the last 2-3 years look completely confused, but they play because it's necessary.

A freshman RB doesn't need to know the entire playbook, just the plays Kiffin calls when he's in. Harris and Bo are going to play limited snaps (barring injury), so I don't feel like Bo is that far behind. And if he's more talented, there is value in that.

 

[Tidestalker]

Again, why are some writing Harris off ?

I think it's mostly because he hasn't been breaking tackles. I agree the blocking has been spotty at best for him... But you don't have to necessarily get a lot of yards to have a good run. I've seen some absolutely amazing 1-2 yard runs because a RB is able to shake free. Harris hasn't shown flashes of tackle breaking ability or elite speed/strength YET. He's just a freshman though... I think he will be in the rotation for the better part of his career... Very talented kid.

 

[psychojoe]

Damien Harris - Yahoo! Sports


Bo Scarbrough - Yahoo! Sports

FWIW, here are their profiles as posted by Rivals.


Essentially the same speed. Bo is bigger, probably the better all around athlete, but Harris a touch stronger. All this has likely changed since the information is a year old.

I did see an article asking if Damien was the best running back in Kentucky high school history.. since Shawn Alexander is from Kentucky, my opinion would be no. Each will have their chance to grab the Drake role, at least for a while. How ell each knows their assignments will be the biggest determining factor IMO.

 

[OldPlayer]

So the entire OL shouldn't have been allowed to play in the first quarter either...?

There's lots of guys who don't know exactly what to do but have to play. Our backup center's who've been thrown into action the last 2-3 years look completely confused, but they play because it's necessary.

A freshman RB doesn't need to know the entire playbook, just the plays Kiffin calls when he's in. Harris and Bo are going to play limited snaps (barring injury), so I don't feel like Bo is that far behind. And if he's more talented, there is value in that.

Everybody's knowledge of their assignments is tested during practice. None of the backups has to play unless there is an injury. Bo has talent, no doubt, but putting him in just because he has talent is a mistake. Players at this level have to earn their playing time and knowing what to do when he doesn't get the ball is crucial. Is it Kiffin's responsibility to limit the play calling based on the RB knowledge or the RB responsibility to know what to do when the right play is called?

 

[Tidestalker]

Everybody's knowledge of their assignments is tested during practice. None of the backups has to play unless there is an injury. Bo has talent, no doubt, but putting him in just because he has talent is a mistake. Players at this level have to earn their playing time and knowing what to do when he doesn't get the ball is crucial. Is it Kiffin's responsibility to limit the play calling based on the RB knowledge or the RB responsibility to know what to do when the right play is called?

It is Kiffin's job to put the offense in a position to be most successful. He would be foolish to give a lot of responsibility to a backup who has very little experience. He specializes his personnel ALL THE TIME. When Brandon Greene is in, does he ask him to go run vertical routes like OJ Howard? No. Does he ask Nyswander to catch the ball? No. That's just common sense.

At RB, backups have to play. Henry will not play every play. So someone will have to play whether they know all of their responsibilities or not. I don't think it's that big a leap to expect Bo to catch up with Harris... If he's that much better physically, it makes a difference.

Why do you think Coker got the nod over Alec Morris? The staff couldn't say enough good things about Alec Morris' "knowledge of the offense", and he's yet to play a meaningful snap in almost 4 years.

 

[JoshB]

Harris hasn't shown flashes of tackle breaking ability or elite speed/strength YET. .

Hasnt shown elite speed you say?



Start at @19:34 and then check @20:27 .... Looks like speed... breaking tackles... and vision...

 

[Tidestalker]

Hasnt shown elite speed you say?



Start at @19:34 and then check @20:27 .... Looks like speed... breaking tackles... and vision...

Good speed catching that Middle Tennessee defensive back... I don't see him break any tackles on the run at 20.27.

Vision looked good on that 1 play though!

 

[OldPlayer]

Why do you think Coker got the nod over Alec Morris? The staff couldn't say enough good things about Alec Morris' "knowledge of the offense", and he's yet to play a meaningful snap in almost 4 years.

The reason Morris hasn't played is talent. He knows what to do, but he doesn't have the arm or decision-making skills of others. I'm not down on him, but only one QB plays at any one time.

Why do you think Bo hasn't played more?

 

[Tidestalker]

The reason Morris hasn't played is talent. He knows what to do, but he doesn't have the arm or decision-making skills of others. I'm not down on him, but only one QB plays at any one time.

Why do you think Bo hasn't played more?

Because the staff hoards carries for Henry... Perhaps helping his Heisman candidacy.

Harris and Bo should both be further along with their game experience.

If you were referring to Harris being ahead of Bo in the pecking order - That is related to the combination of Bo's suspension and injuries.... Kind of like how Tenpenny was ahead of Henry their freshman year, because Henry had a serious injury his first semester.

 

[OldPlayer]

Because the staff hoards carries for Henry... Perhaps helping his Heisman candidacy.

Harris and Bo should both be further along.

Saban's quote after LSU: ""... Bo Scarbrough's starting to figure out what he's supposed to do and how he's supposed to do it and why it's important to do it that way." In other words, Bo won't play until he knows what he's supposed to do.

I don't think the staff is trying to boost Henry's carries to enhance his Heisman stock. IMO they are giving him the ball because he can still produce late in the game and produce at a better rate than anyone else.

 

[JoshB]

How in the world anyone that has been watching Alabama for any longer than a cpl of seasons could actually believe he does ANYTHING to just simply boost a players Heisman chances hasnt been paying attention...

 

[ComeOnSon]

It is Kiffin's job to put the offense in a position to be most successful. He would be foolish to give a lot of responsibility to a backup who has very little experience. He specializes his personnel ALL THE TIME. When Brandon Greene is in, does he ask him to go run vertical routes like OJ Howard? No. Does he ask Nyswander to catch the ball? No. That's just common sense.

At RB, backups have to play. Henry will not play every play. So someone will have to play whether they know all of their responsibilities or not. I don't think it's that big a leap to expect Bo to catch up with Harris... If he's that much better physically, it makes a difference.

Why do you think Coker got the nod over Alec Morris? The staff couldn't say enough good things about Alec Morris' "knowledge of the offense", and he's yet to play a meaningful snap in almost 4 years.

Nyswander has a TD catch this year.

 

[BamaFan334]

I feel bad for Harris. I don't feel as if he gets any blocking when he's in there. He's been getting killed ever since preseason on the scout team. He has some skill, I just hope our big boys can start giving him some room to run. Otherwise it'll be like Fournette where he sits in the backfield dancing around.