🏈 Kenyan Drake (production/role)

[Elderfalsedemigod]

The last couple of games KD has been less productive and it seems his role on the offense may have been a bit smaller than many of us thought.

I know prior to the season beginning most thought he would be utilized more in the receiver role while still maintaining an identity as a change of pace running back to Henry

CNS recently made some comments about KD needing to "trust" the play design and not try for a home run on every play. Watching his body language one could say he has displayed some frustration.

What is your opinion on Drake going forward?

Will they utilize him more as a receiver as Harris and Bo acclimate to the RB position or will Drake continue in the role we have seen from him so far?

None of this is meant as a criticism or a "sky is falling Drake is done" type thing. Just a post to discuss.

 

[jdpas29]

i like him at slot and WR... i think his effectiveness will be best on screens, sweeps and quick slant type plays. I don't see him going forward as a RB. He is too talented to not get the ball tho.. i would love to see him get 10+ touches a game... just not sure how

 

[UAgrad93]

My expectation was for him to used more in the slot and be more of a 3rd down RB that would get the draw or screen. Wheel routes, slants, sluggos, screens, and draws is what I envisioned. 10-12 touches a game needed.

 

[Teague]

I, too, expected to see him get the ball a lot more this year. So far, it hasn't happened. I think some of it has just been because of circumstances with trying to settle on a QB. I think the offense will start to expand from this point on. Maybe that includes Drake.

 

[BamaFan334]

I was expecting the play from the Florida game to be his role this year. Slot receiver, or spread him out wide, and work him on sweeps and some screens. Hell, I've given up on what to expect from Kiffin.

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

Hell, I've given up on what to expect from Kiffin.

All I will say is that if he wants to substitute a screen, draw etc to Drake in place of that damn fly sweep to Stewart and never run it again, I won't complain

 

[UAgrad93]

I honestly think that the "fly sweep" is run better with Ridley and Drake. Stewart is a better blocker and does well with the bubble screen too. One thing I don't like about Slotty Pippen is his open field blocking. I have seen him whiff several times.

 

[OldPlayer]

I don't think his role will change. When he goes in, defenses know what he is likely to do. They just need to hit some alternate receivers to make the options more open. In other words, hit #3, #16 or #13 more frequently so defense won't know where the ball is going.

 

[Destiny's Child]

The lack of production from drake is two fold.

A) when he goes in the defense knows he is getting it so they are keying on him..so use him as a decoy or gasp.. To block.

B) he doesn't fully trust his leg or he has just lost some of his burst. Last two years his most impressive feature was his acceleration and it's just not the same.

I love Drake and hope he can find that gear again because he was special and played with a lot of passion.

 

[Bamabww]

One thing I've noticed about KD; if he doesn't "make a big play" after a couple of attempts, he gets really frustrated or so it seems. I hope his role changes to more of what @uagrad93 mentioned in post #3. I believe he'll be more successful in that role. I'd love to see him break loose and lose those frustrations.

 

[BigCrimson]

The jet sweep or fly sweep (whatever it is called) needs to continue to be shown because it serves at least two purposes. It keeps teams honest and it was also crucial in setting up the 40+ yard td pass to Ridley in the Georgia game. At times our running game becomes very predictable and deliberate. Having plays like this keeps the defense honest. Every play isn't designed to score a touchdown. There are plays that are designed to setup other plays. This is one of them.

 

[planomateo]

UGA protects the edges well, Arkansas doesn't. I'm expecting a big Drake showing tonight.

 

[psychojoe]

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B) he doesn't fully trust his leg or he has just lost some of his burst. Last two years his most impressive feature was his acceleration and it's just not the same.

I love Drake and hope he can find that gear again because he was special and played with a lot of passion.

I have wondered about this myself. Pre injury his acceleration was his biggest asset. Maybe he just hasn't had the right opportunity to show it this season. I like him lined up as a tailback because it forces the other guys to alter their pass coverage. No way a linebacker is able to cover Drake ore injury.