UConn spring preview: The running backs (Fuller)

[uconndogs]

We do not have four very good running backs.

We used to be loaded with good backs and for some reason Edsall and P could not get good backs in here in recent years. I think Johnson and Arkeel have some real promise. I was really hopeful Merriner would step up last season, but I saw absolutely nothing there and Max was not what he was his soph year.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Anyone who watched last season and thinks we have four good D1 RB's needs to have their head examined. "Good" RB's don't fumble at the rate UConn's RB's fumbled.

We have one good RB coming back in Johnson. Newsome has some potential based on his speed but if he keeps putting the ball on the ground he needs to come out. DeLorenzo simply hasn't performed at a D1 level consistently. He gets spot duty or special packages. And Marriner, while showing potential, hasn't translated in to games. He will fight DeLorenzo for the scraps.

 

[NavinRJohnson]

Anyone who watched last season and thinks we have four good D1 RB's needs to have their head examined. "Good" RB's don't fumble at the rate UConn's RB's fumbled.

We have one good RB coming back in Johnson. Newsome has some potential based on his speed but if he keeps putting the ball on the ground he needs to come out. DeLorenzo simply hasn't performed at a D1 level consistently. He gets spot duty or special packages. And Marriner, while showing potential, hasn't translated in to games. He will fight DeLorenzo for the scraps.

Well said. Newsome is not an asset until he can prove that he can hold onto the ball.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

We have four very good running backs, with a variety of skill sets. We should find effective ways to use them all, whether it's up the gut, out to the edge, in the passing game, or in the blocking game. If we are going to have any success at all this year offensively, they are going to be the key to it...

Really? The RB's are gonna be the key? Not the OL or QB?

 

[rich1122]

We have serviceable RB's but they are young so I give the benefit of the doubt. Even Todman had his moments as a Frosh. But nobody here is Donald Brown or Todman at least not yet. Nonehave 4.4 speed. But we threw them in the fire so let's see.

I worry about Newsome. Once a fumbler always a fumbler. But, he is the guy, though, that can take a screen and score.

 

[huskymedic]

I don't think Johnson put it on the ground once all year. Unless I'm forgetting about it. I know that Marriner (1), Newsome (4), Max (2), Boyle (2), Whitmer (6), and Foxx (4) all fumbled but don't remember Johnson (0).

Correct - numbers above are for all touches (rushing, receiving, returns). 19 Total fumbles for team

 

[BNich]

He is a kid I would give about 15 touches a game. 7-8, rushes from scrimage, 7-8 catches out of the backfield or slot. He did have some nice runs up the middle, but with Johnson and Delorezo, he should probably be used in those types of runs to catch opposing defenses off guard after you make them wary of getting him the ball in space.

A big key for him will be getting stronger for the pouning of FBS. He was strong for a true frosh, but the Tulane game he was ragged dolled into a few fumbles after he was running really well. Somewhat expected from 5'7", true frosh who the previous year was playing against defenses from Crosby and Kennedy High in Wtby. I think he could be an outstanding weapon in this conference, IF used right.

Verdict hit upon this in his comments about the RB's. It can't be that when Newsome comes in, he's a pass catching back or an outside run. He has to be able to do a little but of everything. He needs to be able to run between the tackles, pick up a blitzing LB, split out side or catch the ball out of the back field. Can't make things even more predictable than they currently are.

 

[UConnDan97]

Really? The RB's are gonna be the key? Not the OL or QB?

The RB's are going to be the key because I have very little faith in the QB situation right now. I'm hoping someone proves me wrong about that, but if you think that the passing game is going to be great this year, then by all means, feel free to correct me. I think that if we can't establish 100+ yards on the ground in every single game, then we are in for a really long season...

 

[UConnDan97]

Anyone who watched last season and thinks we have four good D1 RB's needs to have their head examined. "Good" RB's don't fumble at the rate UConn's RB's fumbled.

Good backs fumble. Great backs don't. I didn't say that we have great backs. We have very good backs. And here's what that means:

1) We have at least 2 backs that can make a play between the tackles.
2) We have at least 3 backs that can bounce it to the outside.
3) We have at least 2 backs that can make a play in the open field.
4) We have at least 1 back that is a home-run hitter in open space.

And all four running backs are represented in the statements above. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go get my head examined...

 

[Chin Diesel]

Good backs fumble. Great backs don't. I didn't say that we have great backs. We have very good backs. And here's what that means:

1) We have at least 2 backs that can make a play between the tackles.
2) We have at least 3 backs that can bounce it to the outside.
3) We have at least 2 backs that can make a play in the open field.
4) We have at least 1 back that is a home-run hitter in open space.

And all four running backs are represented in the statements above. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go get my head examined...

So which are the two who can make a play between the tackles?

Who are the 3? who can bounce? outside?

And who are the 2 who can make a play in hte open field?

I will concede that every RB on the UConn roster has made at least one good play in his career. But only Johnson and Newsome have shown the ability to repeatedly do it.

Max seems like a good team player and none of us have heard a peep about him off the field. But over three seasons he hasn't shown the ability to handle the load for any extended period of time. Has he played behind some of the worst lines in UConn history? Absolutely. As Bill Parcells used to say you are what your record says you are. Johsnon was much more productive behind the same line.

Newsome does have the explosiveness and Johnson does have the ability to move the pile. After that, it known below average (DeLorenzo) and unknown performance (Marriner).

All the RB's had ample opportunity to seize the #1 spot last year. Only one guy took advantage of it.

 

[uconndogs]

At one point this program had the following backs on the roster at the same time:

Donald Brown - 1st round NFL
Jordan Todman - NFL
Andre Dixon - NFL camp, all Big East
Robbie Frey - NFL camp, probably fastest kid on the team, exceptional ST player
Anthony Sherman - NFL fullback
Reggie McClain - NFL corner, came in as a RB but could not break rotation

You dropped the ball Edsall sat your .

And at the risk of taking this completely off topic, that is one heck of a group of athletes that were all recruited before this program was really established.

 

[UConnDan97]

So which are the two who can make a play between the tackles?

Who are the 3? who can bounce? outside?

And who are the 2 who can make a play in hte open field?

I will concede that every RB on the UConn roster has made at least one good play in his career. But only Johnson and Newsome have shown the ability to repeatedly do it.

Max seems like a good team player and none of us have heard a peep about him off the field. But over three seasons he hasn't shown the ability to handle the load for any extended period of time. Has he played behind some of the worst lines in UConn history? Absolutely. As Bill Parcells used to say you are what your record says you are. Johsnon was much more productive behind the same line.

Newsome does have the explosiveness and Johnson does have the ability to move the pile. After that, it known below average (DeLorenzo) and unknown performance (Marriner).

All the RB's had ample opportunity to seize the #1 spot last year. Only one guy took advantage of it.

It might shock you to know that DeLorenzo averaged almost a full yard more than Ron Johnson last year (4.5 ypc vs. 3.7 ypc).

It might shock you to know that DeLorenzo had only 37 fewer carries than Johnson, while DeLo had almost as many carries as Newsome and Marriner combined.

It might not shock you that there was only 1 game with a 100-yard rusher, which was Johnson in the last game against SMU, a team that gives up 100 yards on the ground before kickoff.

I think that Johnson is going to be great, don't get me wrong. But the idea that DeLorenzo hasn't shown us an ability to be a good runner is simply not true. It's only true in your mind...

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

It might shock you to know that DeLorenzo averaged almost a full yard more than Ron Johnson last year (4.5 ypc vs. 3.7 ypc).

It might shock you to know that DeLorenzo had only 37 fewer carries than Johnson, while DeLo had almost as many carries as Newsome and Marriner combined.

It might not shock you that there was only 1 game with a 100-yard rusher, which was Johnson in the last game against SMU, a team that gives up 100 yards on the ground before kickoff.

I think that Johnson is going to be great, don't get me wrong. But the idea that DeLorenzo hasn't shown us an ability to be a good runner is simply not true. It's only true in your mind...

I think this is one of those things where the numbers don't tell the entire story.

 

[freescooter]

Delorenzo is a solid but unspectacular back. And nobody is saying Newsome can only play passing downs and sweeps. Jeez I wonder if some of you watch football. But mostly, yeah. It is how Todman was used early in his career. It was how lots of backs are used.

 

[UConnDan97]

I think this is one of those things where the numbers don't tell the entire story.

The numbers may not tell the entire story, but they are enough to tell us that Chin is incorrect with his statement of "After that, it known below average (DeLorenzo)".

The kid is a good running back. Nobody here is saying he's Donald Brown. But he's not Charlie Brown either...

 

[Chin Diesel]

The numbers may not tell the entire story, but they are enough to tell us that Chin is incorrect with his statement of "After that, it known below average (DeLorenzo)".

The kid is a good running back. Nobody here is saying he's Donald Brown. But he's not Charlie Brown either...

You're free to call him good. He is below average to serviceable at best. And two straight years of declining carries as the season went on while healthy is a testament to that.

Do you think DeLorenzo ends up with more carries and/or touches than Johnson or Newsome this year? (With the caveat being they all remain healthy.) I'll bet no.

 

[UConnDan97]

You're free to call him good. He is below average to serviceable at best. And two straight years of declining carries as the season went on while healthy is a testament to that.

Do you think DeLorenzo ends up with more carries and/or touches than Johnson or Newsome this year? (With the caveat being they all remain healthy.) I'll bet no.

His touches declined, in some part, due to the same reason that Geremy Davis's touches declined. There was a concerted effort to get the young kids a lot of reps in order to build for the future. Myself and others have gone on record here that we believe it was a dumb strategy to not play your best players every down simply to get the young guys experience.

Now, do I believe that Johnson will get more touches this year? Yes. But that's because I think Johnson is going to be the better back. It is not because I don't believe DeLo is a good back, because I do. And the numbers support that...

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

His touches declined, in some part, due to the same reason that Geremy Davis's touches declined. There was a concerted effort to get the young kids a lot of reps in order to build for the future. Myself and others have gone on record here that we believe it was a dumb strategy to not play your best players every down simply to get the young guys experience.

Now, do I believe that Johnson will get more touches this year? Yes. But that's because I think Johnson is going to be the better back. It is not because I don't believe DeLo is a good back, because I do. And the numbers support that...

Johnson got more carries as the year went on because he is the better back. By far. It had nothing to do with building for the future. The best RB played.

 

[UConnDan97]

Johnson got more carries as the year went on because he is the better back. By far. It had nothing to do with building for the future. The best RB played.

If by "the year went on", you mean the last 2 games of a 12 game season, well then okay. But prior to game #11, he hadn't carried the ball more than 13 times in any game, and his carries were very close to Newsome's.

The bottom line is that DeLorenzo's touches went down after game 5, even though he was our leading rusher, because Diaco at 1-4 starting building for the future. After the Temple game, it was Johnson and Newsome with situational doses of Marriner and DeLo. Keep in mind that our offensive line improved as the year went on, and DeLo STILL finished almost a yard per carry higher than any other running back on the team. That tells me that the kid can run the ball.

Hey fellas, believe whatever the hell it is that you want to believe. I've already said that Johnson is the better back. But DeLo was our leading rusher last year prior to having his time cut, and it's my belief that he's a solid runner. Period... (<-- three periods)

 

[Confident Carl]

Delorenzo is a solid but unspectacular back. And nobody is saying Newsome can only play passing downs and sweeps. Jeez I wonder if some of you watch football. But mostly, yeah. It is how Todman was used early in his career. It was how lots of backs are used.

178 lb running backs should not make a habit of running it up the middle unless they want to live in ice baths for the season. Ground and pound works for bigger-stronger backs. Arkeel is an outside the tackles RB.

My concern is can he pass block? All the running backs have to be able to contribute when they have to help protect the QB.

 

[noeynox]

Coaches would be wise to get Newsome in a Darren Sproles/Bryant Westbrook role. One of the few kids that showed an ability to take a short a pass and take it a long way.

bump.

I like how they are using Newsome this year. Our #1. playmaker. Props to Shirreffs as well. Much better than I thought he would be.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

bump.

I like how they are using Newsome this year. Our #1. playmaker. Props to Shirreffs as well. Much better than I thought he would be.

Adding to this, the TD run for Johnson was the first in memory where he ran between the tackles and punished someone. I don't know of it is RJ believing he is faster than he really is or the staff utilizing him wrong but he should only bounce outside of the tackle box after making contact with a LB beyond the line of scrimmage. That is what he is built for and it would be an ideal compliment to Newsome's skill set.

 

[noeynox]

Adding to this, the TD run for Johnson was the first in memory where he ran between the tackles and punished someone. I don't know of it is RJ believing he is faster than he really is or the staff utilizing him wrong but he should only bounce outside of the tackle box after making contact with a LB beyond the line of scrimmage. That is what he is built for and it would be an ideal compliment to Newsome's skill set.

He had some nice runs today, but he still looked like he was anticipating the contact and tackling himself before the defender got there. He has taken a step back from last year.

 

[kris1]

He had some nice runs today, but he still looked like he was anticipating the contact and tackling himself before the defender got there. He has taken a step back from last year.

....and Newsome has taken a step forward...