Re-Shuffling The Deck At RB | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Re-Shuffling The Deck At RB

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Carl Spackler said:
By my look: Scholarship tailbacks are: DeLorenzo (RJr), Mariner (RF). Scholarship fullbacks are: Clax (RF), Walsh (So).

Walsh still has a redshirt year available, as will obviously, all incoming backs: (Johnson, McAllister and Newsome)

Got a couple players listed on the roster that aren't scholarship - I think. Contrary to popular opinion, my guess is that the coaching staff is going to try to keep the shirts on the incoming RB class. Those 3 will need to demonstrate something real special that can't be kept off the field to play, or we're going to have to get real deep down the chart for medical reasons. On another note, It's amazing how thin this roster is, in many places, bu it's getting better slowly over the past 2 seasons. Got to wonder when the class of 2015 will start to come together publicly.

For this season, I'm very much looking forward to seeing what #26 can do, and continuing to watch #44 ending up on top of tacklers falling forward.
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I agree that the staff will try to redshirt as many of these guys as they can. Contrary to the general opinion in the Valley, BYU's defensive front is a hair better than Naugy's. Its possible that we could see one of the 3 frosh this year, but I think that will depend largely on how the rest of the backs perform. If I were guessing, McAllister gets the call for 2 reasons. He is reportedly the most "polished" of the 3, and he is coming from a prep program where he played against generally higher level competition (Suffield had 3 guys go to D1A programs and has generally puts a couple of kids a year into 1A.It also has post grad players as do most other members of their league. And when considering McAlister's production keep in mind that the preps play 8 games during the regular season and 1 post season if you qualify, not 14-15 like some Ct high schools.) Long term I'm not sure he'll be the best of the 3. Just the most ready to step in this year. But I think a lot will depend on how well steps up. Max is what he is in my mind. A steady, between the tackles runner, but limited.
 
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Waquoit said:
Not to mention being 10 years older.
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Yeah, huh. They don't have to worry about extra money for players at BYU. Most are already collecting Social Security by the time they are sophomores.
 
I guess it's mathmatically possible that none of the freshman running backs would play but that seems extremely unlikely.

No point in redshirting running backs anyway. So many of them are never better than they are as freshman.

This team didn't exactly light it up on returns last year either - I wouldn't be surprised if all three of them play in some capacity.
 
I talked to Diaco about this. He slightly misunderstood my question, as I was really moreso just curious about whether we had enough depth or would be seeking a walk-on to avoid blowing a redshirt. With that being said, his comments to me were very close to what Des is saying.

I asked how many RB's they had and he said "five". He did not include Clax. He talked about some positives of each RB, but from my amateur psychology skills, my prediction is that if the season started today...

1.) Marriner
2.) Max
3.) Arkeel
4.) McAllister
5.) Johnson

As many above have said, I don't think listing Arkeel as 3 is really right since its not the role he would play. He'd have his own packages and plays that would highlight his strengths, but I can't imagine that he's being seriously considered as the #1 20 carry TB.
 
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Sean said:
I talked to Diaco about this. He slightly misunderstood my question, as I was really moreso just curious about whether we had enough depth or would be seeking a walk-on to avoid blowing a redshirt. With that being said, his comments to me were very close to what Des is saying.

I asked how many RB's they had and he said "five". He did not include Clax. He talked about some positives of each RB, but from my amateur psychology skills, my prediction is that if the season started today...

1.) Marriner
2.) Max
3.) Arkeel
4.) McAllister
5.) Johnson

As many above have said, I don't think listing Arkeel as 3 is really right since its not the role he would play. He'd have his own packages and plays that would highlight his strengths, but I can't imagine that he's being seriously considered as the #1 20 carry TB.
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If Arkeel is as good as stats suggest, is a 4.40 kid, is 185-90 lbs - he will start/get starters carries. If he is the kid who graded 77 on espin and 83rd best RB in country with 4.90 40 and 180 lbs he will sit.
 
whaler11 said:
I guess it's mathmatically possible that none of the freshman running backs would play but that seems extremely unlikely.

No point in redshirting running backs anyway. So many of them are never better than they are as freshman.

This team didn't exactly light it up on returns last year either - I wouldn't be surprised if all three of them play in some capacity.
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I doubt that. I suspect one will play. Not sure how much or in what capacity, and I aagree kick returning was an issue, but what wasn't an issue last year. But most running backs redshirt. Donald Brown redshirted. The only reason Caulley didn't was that at the time we had nobody else. And Edsall sat him against better teams to protect him. Todman was really the only guy who didn't. Walsh played as a freshman at fullback but that was because Pasqualoni was an idiot.
 
Sean said:
I talked to Diaco about this. He slightly misunderstood my question, as I was really moreso just curious about whether we had enough depth or would be seeking a walk-on to avoid blowing a redshirt. With that being said, his comments to me were very close to what Des is saying.

I asked how many RB's they had and he said "five". He did not include Clax. He talked about some positives of each RB, but from my amateur psychology skills, my prediction is that if the season started today...

1.) Marriner
2.) Max
3.) Arkeel
4.) McAlliste
5.) Johnson

As many above have said, I don't think listing Arkeel as 3 is really right since its not the role he would play. He'd have his own packages and plays that would highlight his strengths, but I can't imagine that he's being seriously considered as the #1 20 carry TB.
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Part of the equation is how do others perform. If Marriner is as good as some people thought, then you don't need to play Newsome or someone else. If Max is playing well, you can redshirt Johnson since they are similar. As I said before I think McAllister might be the most polished and the most ready coming out of a prep program. He faced college recruits ever game. I think there were 2 others on his team. Doesn't mean he will be the best player over his career. Just the most ready to play in 2014.
 
I agree you'll need to see at least 4 guys get touches this season in order to use their strengths and give different looks. It's also a good possibility at least one will get dinged and need to be spotted or replaced for a time. Something we hope doesn't happen but have to acknowledge. Would be nice to see one of the new guys step up to the opportunity.
 
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whaler11 said:
I can't imagine Diaco is going to redshirt anyone who can help them win games in 2014. The roster is a threadbare he is in no position to play for 2018.
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Agreed.

I like Delorenzo as the short yardage back (by the way, remember when someone said Delorenzo would never succeed because he was afraid of contact?), but not as the bell cow. If a freshman steps up in practices, they need to be given a shot during games. If one doesn't impress, the next one needs to step up.

McCombs had been decidedly mediocre the last two years, but who knows what we have right now. With McCombs we knew what we had: 3.5 yards and a cloud of dust, and if there was a wide, wide opening on the line, he could break off a 10-15 yard run (the problem was the line wasn't opening any of those types of holes with regularity).

I am hoping Delorenzo is the short yardage guy with around 5-7 carries a game, Deshonn Fox is used on fly sweeps 3-4 times a game, and one of Marriner/Newsome/McAllister/Johnson step up for 15-17 carries a game.
 
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BoatShow said:
Lyle was a good pass blocker? Someone forgot to tell him.
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Actually, he improved greatly in that area and was probably better than average by the end of his career here. Doesn't change the fact that he is absolutely replaceable.
 
whaler11 said:
I can't imagine Diaco is going to redshirt anyone who can help them win games in 2014. The roster is a threadbare he is in no position to play for 2018.
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I don't disagree with this for a second. But having watched a coach, really a couple of them, burn redshirts of guys who really weren't ready to step in and contribute in a significant way last year(Can you say Tim Boyle?), I hope Diaco is cautious in that area. I think he will be. If you use a true freshman he needs to be able to make you better, not just fill a slot.
 
BoatShow said:
Lyle was a good pass blocker? Someone forgot to tell him.
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When he first saw the field he was an absolute liability in pass protection. His improvement was very quick and dramatic, especially given his size. Lyle played with a lot of heart. I really think the prior regime misused him. He was never a back to carry the ball 25-30 times and by the time GDL had thoroughly duck*ed the OL he just had not chance to be productive.
 
freescooter said:
I don't disagree with this for a second. But having watched a coach, really a couple of them, burn redshirts of guys who really weren't ready to step in and contribute in a significant way last year(Can you say Tim Boyle?), I hope Diaco is cautious in that area. I think he will be. If you use a true freshman he needs to be able to make you better, not just fill a slot.
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Quarterbacks and offensive linemen are different. Running backs can step in and the attrition rate is so high that the fifth year often isn't that valuable and they have been beaten for carries anyway.
 
uconndogs said:
When he first saw the field he was an absolute liability in pass protection. His improvement was very quick and dramatic, especially given his size. Lyle played with a lot of heart. I really think the prior regime misused him. He was never a back to carry the ball 25-30 times and by the time GDL had thoroughly duck*ed the OL he just had not chance to be productive.
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I've said this from his first day. I thought last year he showed his willingness to do whatever he was asked when he ended up returning punts and kickoffs. They needed someone who would not misplay the ball and he didn't. he wasn't a great return guy but nobody else did much either. He also became a very solid pass blocker. He couldn't take out 4-5 rushers which the lookout technique that George taught often led to, but he was a better pass blocker than any other running back who saw action.
 
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freescooter said:
I've said this from his first day. I thought last year he showed his willingness to do whatever he was asked when he ended up returning punts and kickoffs. They needed someone who would not misplay the ball and he didn't. he wasn't a great return guy but nobody else did much either. He also became a very solid pass blocker. He couldn't take out 4-5 rushers which the lookout technique that George taught often led to, but he was a better pass blocker than any other running back who saw action.
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He was a terrible return guy. 98th in country in yards per kick return for players with enough returns to qualify, didn't have enough punt returns to qualify 'cause he let too many bounce or had fair catches when there was room to run.
 
Spent the past 5 days in New Orleans. What else did I miss?! I'm not upset with the loss. I had seen enough of McCombs for my liking. He had his couple of chances. No offense to the young man, but next man up. There are a few talented albeit young backs currently on the roster and others coming in just waiting to strap on the chin strap and hit the ground running. Let the competition begin!!!
 
Can't stop anyone but I was hoping this wouldn't turn into that other "Lyle" thread. Moving forward!
 
Sean said:
I talked to Diaco about this. He slightly misunderstood my question, as I was really moreso just curious about whether we had enough depth or would be seeking a walk-on to avoid blowing a redshirt. With that being said, his comments to me were very close to what Des is saying.

I asked how many RB's they had and he said "five". He did not include Clax. He talked about some positives of each RB, but from my amateur psychology skills, my prediction is that if the season started today...

1.) Marriner
2.) Max
3.) Arkeel
4.) McAllister
5.) Johnson

As many above have said, I don't think listing Arkeel as 3 is really right since its not the role he would play. He'd have his own packages and plays that would highlight his strengths, but I can't imagine that he's being seriously considered as the #1 20 carry TB.
Expand ...

I think Max and Marriner are going to split carries with Max getting most of them in the beginning of the season. I think Marriner emerges as the starter by the middle or the end of the season, he's going to be a really good back, Diaco said he's maybe the strongest player on the team. I also believe one of the three freshmens will get some touches and I think it'll be either Newsome or McAlister. We're not desperate at the RB position to have a freshmen start unless there was some injuries.
 
freescooter said:
Part of the equation is how do others perform. If Marriner is as good as some people thought, then you don't need to play Newsome or someone else. If Max is playing well, you can redshirt Johnson since they are similar. As I said before I think McAllister might be the most polished and the most ready coming out of a prep program. He faced college recruits ever game. I think there were 2 others on his team. Doesn't mean he will be the best player over his career. Just the most ready to play in 2014.
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McAllister might be the best combination of size and speed in the class. Around signing day, someone noted he ran track at Suffield and listed impressive (high 10's ?) 100 meter times from his track meets. One of the things we've really lacked is a running back with speed that keeps defenses honest/scared.
 
UconnFamily said:
I think Max and Marriner are going to split carries with Max getting most of them in the beginning of the season. I think Marriner emerges as the starter by the middle or the end of the season, he's going to be a really good back, Diaco said he's maybe the strongest player on the team. I also believe one of the three freshmens will get some touches and I think it'll be either Newsome or McAlister. We're not desperate at the RB position to have a freshmen start unless there was some injuries.
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I completely agree with you. One or more will see the field in some capacity. I believe Johnson will RS. McAllister and Newsome have a chance to get some carries. DeLorenzo and Marriner will see the bulk of the work. I really want to see what Marriner can do. I think he could be a real surprise this year.
 
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Somehow I get the feeling that Diaco and staff will do a much better job identifying the go-to-guys and won't bury talent on the bench. I just feel good about how he's already identified the physical weaknesses in these guys and has challenged them to hit the weights and the books. There's a no nonsense manner in his approach and my sense is he can "will" these guys to perform beyond their skill level. I'm just feeling very optimistic for some reason. I'm no Pollyanna as a rule but I'm becoming more and more convinced that we may just shock the world on the 29th. Call me crazy.
 
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