Please stop running Johnson | The Boneyard

Please stop running Johnson

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At the stadium. Big-time grumbling when Johnson touches the ball lol
 
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It feels like this guy is negative 50 yards a momentum killer
 
In the 2nd quarter, when Johnson got the ball running left (toward the UConn sideline) he got pushed for a loss, whereas if he had cut inside it would have been no gain or a positive gain. He has to recognize that. He doesn't have the speed to get to the edge. He's a power runner. This has happened much too often this season.
 
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I hope we get a dynamic running back in this recruiting class.
Love how Newsome is playing but he is an injury away from UConn..............

RJ is not great finding the hole and at this point seems to assume contact instead of creating it when bottled up.
 
They keep trying to shoehorn RJ into the game plan. At some point it has to dawn on then that plays to him are killing momentum.
 
To me he has regressed this year but I think the coaches make bad use of him too. He is a power runner and they tried to run him wide several times. He doesn't have the speed or shiftiness for that. He is a north-south runner who they continually try to run wide.
 
But what is the alternative? Max is a nice player but not a better inside runner than Johnson. Marriner is as tough as nails and is more than willing to run inside but he has terrible vision and almost always choses the wrong hole. It appears that our core of running backs are not as good as we all thought they would be except Newsome who has been great but not the guy you want running up the gut 15 times a game. My own theory on Johnson is that he ran hard last year as a true freshman and now thinks he is better than he is. He sees an opportunity to bounce out wide and make a big play for the team but he is not fast enough to get around the end so he ends up losing yardage. Our inside running game is clearly hurting this team. This might explain why Verducci stopped playing the two tight ends together this weekend and used more 3 wide receiver sets.
 
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As bad as he has been running the ball, he has been worse as a pass blocker. Just seems disinterested in pass blocking.
 
Right now, Arkeel is better at running like Johnson than Johnson is at running like Johnson.

That said, Donald Brown regressed his sophomore year as well. He turned into a decent player, I heard...
 
epark88 said:
Arkeel is better at running like Johnson than Johnson is at running like Johnson.

That said, Donald Brown regressed his sophomore year as well. He turned into a decent player, I heard...
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We know RJ has talent. He just needs to run north south. That is tough now because our interior offensive line could be the worst in the nation. But that doesn't mean you try to bounce stuff outside, as that turns a 1 yard gain into a 4 yard loss. RJ needs to make 1 cut and go.
 
Waquoit said:
He doesn't hit the hole, he dances and stutter steps. Until he figures it out, I don't want him getting the ball on 3rd down.
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This is it. He's a north south runner that doesn't seem to hit the line hard. He's taking too long to get moving and turning what should be 2-3 yards into zero or negative. Even if there is no obvious hole, plow into the line, churn your legs and get something.

Newsome is better even between the tackles. Max is better too in my opinion and should get more carries.
 
Newsome needs more carries, even up the middle. He is slippery and always finds a way to get 4+ yards. The only times he doesn't gain yards is when the entire defense knows we are running wide right. It is almost comical the epic bull rush that we see the D make on those wife right runs.

Marriner hasn't run enough to label him anything, but he's fast and he can also catch the ball.

Johnson is a step slower this year. I think he put on too much muscle and needs to drop 7-10 lbs.

The biggest thing I want to see is the quick hitters to the backs and tight ends. Way to many runs and pressure on BS. We need to burn the defense with the short pass to keep them honest. I think Newsome and Marriner can make them pay after the catch too.
 
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First couple games Ron Jon looked good, albeit that was against Nova and Army. He's really struggled since. Why they bother to run him laterally is beyond me - those are guaranteed 3-4 yard losses every time. He's only a north-south runner. Might be more effective on short yardage than the QB sneaks.
 
He definitely looks slower to the hole. Might be banged up, as the drop off was fairly sudden and noticeable.

It looks like BD was giving him his series in the first half then changed it up in the second half so that he came in to rest Newsome. Averaging 1 yd/att, is bad though.
 
Waquoit said:
He doesn't hit the hole, he dances and stutter steps. Until he figures it out, I don't want him getting the ball on 3rd down.
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he sort of reminds me of the kid from Bloomfield who transferred to UMass. Once he got there he figured out that you need to hit the hole hard and fast not tap dance around. Ended up playing in the NFL. Johnson seems to be doing that same thing right now.
 
freescooter said:
he sort of reminds me of the kid from Bloomfield who transferred to UMass. Once he got there he figured out that you need to hit the hole hard and fast not tap dance around. Ended up playing in the NFL. Johnson seems to be doing that same thing right now.
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Matt Lawrence??

Cup of tea with The Ravens?
 
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