| FTBL Running Backs

[Guest]

I was just wondering can anyone tell me how the RB's look. Since i'm in iraq all i've seen is the clemson game and the arkansas game. I saw Ingram look good against Clemson and Coffee tear the hogs up but how has Grant and Roy(other then the long run against arkansas) looked. And do you like the way we are using the backs.

ROLL TIDE FROM IRAQ

 

[AFF]

I was just wondering can anyone tell me how the RB's look. Since i'm in iraq all i've seen is the clemson game and the arkansas game. I saw Ingram look good against Clemson and Coffee tear the hogs up but how has Grant and Roy(other then the long run against arkansas) looked. And do you like the way we are using the backs.

ROLL TIDE FROM IRAQ

I think we look pretty strong at RB. The talk is that we have 4 very good running backs - which is true. We lead the SEC in rushing. Upchurch is seeing a little more playing time and Grant is being reintroduced after his injury.

I REALLY like the fact that we are rotating so many backs. Fresh legs with a competative ( I want to earn the starting role) attitude is a very good thing!

 

[Guest]

AFF

Who would be your starter? Who has impressed you the most?

 

[AFF]

After the first couple of weeks I would have said Ingram. But, after Coffee's week against Arkansas, its hard to say.

A great problem to have!!!

 

[Guest]

After the past 2 games it seems to me that Coffee, Ingram and Upchurch will get the vast majority of the carries. Grant just doesn't seem to have it to me. I don't know what's different from last year, but he's not nearly as effective. Coffee and Ingram seem almost interchangeable, and Upchurch is no slouch.

 

[TerryP]

FWIW, there is huge difference in what Coffee was a year or so ago and what he is today. If you want a back that is a strong, between the tackles ball carrier, it's Coffee.

Right now, he's said (by Andre) to be the second strongest player on the team (Chapman being the strongest.) He's benching over 400 lbs, squat is over 600 lbs, he's just a machine.

I love Ingram. I've been on his bandwagon since he signed. But, he's our #2 guy right now because of the progress and maturity we've see Coffee develop. His vision is something that impresses me every time I see him on the field.

As to Grant...

You can see he's more of a scat back type of player which hasn't fit in to anything we've done this year except on the short passing routes in the flat. He's still making mistakes (blocking assignments) and he's literally looking at going from a starter in '07 to 4th string in '08.

Perhaps I'm looking at this through the ol' Crimson-colored glasses...but, I don't see a RB corps in the SEC that's better. These guys are definitely in that top tier with LSU, Georgia in teams of talent and depth. So far, Coffee has far out-shown the likes of Arian Foster at UT and Lester down on the Plains.

 

[Guest]

Hey Brother,
One thing that I have see is the toughness of the backs...not seen in backs since Ron Mclean a few years back at FB. THe significants here is that it forces the opponent to be very physical (which is tough to sustain against us), sound tackling (which a surprising number of teams are not), and swarm-tackling (which obligates multiple players to the box). The point here is that we are forcing the opponent to fully commit to stopping the run, which of course softens up the pass defense.

With the exception on the Tulane gain, this "punch one" of a run/pass "one/two punch" has been good enough to get us by. But we know that this will always be the case (and likely starting this week).

The philosophy of the running backs can be characterized unselfish, in that we cycle backs in and out. One would think that the stable of stud running backs would have issues with someone wanting to be "the man", but I have not seen this. In fact, the system is so agreeable, and works so well that two of our backs are among the conference rushing leaders and we are got a commitment from the #1 RB in Florida.

I would be wrong if I did not include a comment about the OL when praising the RBs. The OL is looking really good, which we have all waited for for some time. Further, the quality and numbers of the youth that are being recruited afford us optimism that this trend will continue.

I hope this helps. Stay cool and hydrated...keep your head down. God Bless.

 

[Guest]

I know people consider Grant a scat back, but I have noticed on film that he hits the gap with authority sometimes. We he does this it involves him picking up yards after contact. When he does the Darby, he usually goes down easy, picking up fewer yards. Just something I noticed watching the Arky game.

 

[Guest]

Grant was utilized perfectly in the WKU game. Little toss sweeps and catches out of the backfield really work well to his abilities. Straight-up running and being depended upon like last year - not gonna happen unless bad things happen to our starters.

There is so much going on behind the scenes with our RB's that we don't see. Obviously blocking was a problem last year for our non-starters. I think Saban preached it loud and clear and certain RB's saw he meant what he said. He wasn't going to play the fastest runner or the biggest back just because of that. He wanted and demanded the total package (talent, attitude, blocking, hard work, dedication, hitting the holes, etc...). That brings us to our new RB depth chart for 2008.

 

[Guest]

Grant was utilized perfectly in the WKU game. Little toss sweeps and catches out of the backfield really work well to his abilities. Straight-up running and being depended upon like last year - not gonna happen unless bad things happen to our starters.

There is so much going on behind the scenes with our RB's that we don't see. Obviously blocking was a problem last year for our non-starters. I think Saban preached it loud and clear and certain RB's saw he meant what he said. He wasn't going to play the fastest runner or the biggest back just because of that. He wanted and demanded the total package (talent, attitude, blocking, hard work, dedication, hitting the holes, etc...). That brings us to our new RB depth chart for 2008.

YES!! Need more of that.

I think Saban made his intention very clear. He was displeased after the Tulane game about the blocking of the backs...and picking up of blitzes.

 

[elbatider]

ROLL TIDE FROM IRAQ

They need to get you access to ESPN360.com so you can watch the games or at least the replay. Seriously, does anyone know how to fill the ESPN folks emails, blogs etc with get 360 to our troops.