Crowded backfield looming?
Depth at RB has actually been an issue this year with all the guys we've had banged up, but with Hart coming on board and presumably guys getting healthy, it may be interesting to see how we distribute the ball next year.
RR said in his presser that he'd like to rotate 4 backs at some point and we haven't had that luxury this year. The depth next year could be pretty amazing.
Smith is perhaps our most rounded, Shaw has the best burst, Cox is a hard runner, Hopkins is a load and has been very impressive, and then Fitz is the wild-card who may be the best of the bunch if he could ever see the field and stay there. Adding Hart to the mix..there's definitely a lot of talent. So my wild guess is we will see Shaw, Smith, Hart, Fitz and Hopkins. I suppose Dee could RS but I'm guessing he will be too good to keep off the field. Guys like Cox and Teric Jones..just unsure how they will fit into the mix. It will be a nice problem to have though. I also think we will see Denard run a little less, maybe 15 carries a game or so. We have depended too much on his legs but I think his passing and our RB production will increase as we move forward.
November 9th, 2010 at 11:40 AM ^
I'd rather see Smith moved to slot though, I think he'd be most effective there. And oh yeah, no way Dee redshirt's, he's way too good and he'll be an EE.
November 9th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
The way he ran last week against Illinois, I'd want him to stay in at runningback. And by the way, you're avatar couldn't be any scarier. Unless of course it showed Michigan's secondary all in crutches, oh wait...
November 9th, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
And he's pretty fearless in traffic.
But something about great depth at one position -- it really does tend to make guys play a lot better.
Back in the years when we had hundreds of scholarships for every quality tailback in the midwest, that is how we got incredible performances. It was from guys who knew, every day, if they weren't playing out of their minds, somebody else would take their place.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
Like iron sharpens iron, men sharpen men. Nothing makes a player work harder than seeing someone else at their position pushing them in the weight room and on the field. All these guys are going to want playing time and will have to work extremely hard to get it. I'm excited to have a great stable of running backs.
November 9th, 2010 at 4:31 PM ^
I have a big problem hearing the words "like iron sharpens iron, men sharpen men" coming from someone with that avatar.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
November 9th, 2010 at 11:41 AM ^
Numbers already. Just wait until we are at full strength. Lots of love to go around.
November 9th, 2010 at 11:53 AM ^
To answer you question, I hope so. Depth and competition are a sign of a great team.
November 9th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^
are the play calling signs Oregon uses and we are BT champs for sure !
November 9th, 2010 at 11:59 AM ^
I don't think Smith or Hart would be bad at slot if needed. From the reports on Dee, he's tough in space. I would say we will see a lot of Mr Hart next year on special teams and offense, enrolling early will be a major plus!! Smith ran with an attitude this last week, with Shaw back and possibly Fitz we could be in for a show the next few weeks.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
Hart is intent on playing running back. He'd play slot situationally, but he's going to be a RB, barring any unforeseen changes of heart.
November 9th, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
RR says he would like to rotate four backs, who do you think is most likely to switch to a different position?
November 9th, 2010 at 7:02 PM ^
I don't think anyone is going to change positions.
November 9th, 2010 at 10:24 PM ^
we will have 6 backs then, what are the other 2 going to do, redshirt?
November 9th, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^
odd men out
November 9th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
This offense has not even tapped into the potential it has, next year we will be virtually unstoppable. While it probably will not happen it would be nice to see Dee Hart RS so when we win the NC in 2012 he will be a RS Freshman while Denard will be a senior
November 9th, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
November 9th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^
November 9th, 2010 at 12:04 PM ^
is a nice problem to have. I don't think we will ever hear RR say, "I just wish we weren't so deep and talented at the running back position. But, what are ya gonna do? We'll get by - somehow."
November 9th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
you can never have too many talented anythings
November 9th, 2010 at 12:36 PM ^
I agree completely, but now we're seeing a lot of the 'I'm not playing right away so I'm going to transfer' sentiment. It's unfortunate.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
I can't remember the last time someone said we had a depth problem and meant we had too many great players at a position. Sounds like progress to me.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
both would seem strong candidates for med redshirts.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:53 PM ^
both already used their redshirt year and would be ineligible for another.
November 9th, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
Technically, Toussaint's redshirt was a medical one, so he could apply for a sixth year of eligibility. But those are rare.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
Crowded any position = depth = good.
Can I have another helping of that please?
November 9th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
Fitz is a combination of Mike Hart and Chris Perry, but FAST. He's clearly going to be the #1 back foreva.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:59 PM ^
minority here, but I don't see Fitz being the number 1 burner type back. IIRC he was caught from behind by a Mac LB this year on his long run, though admittedly he's coming off the knee injuries. He hasn't been able to stay healthy and I don't think he's really proven to be an upgrade over any of the other guys mentioned. Certainly at some point in his career here he will likely be a contributer, but I just don't see it being as a feature back.
November 9th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
November 9th, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
Remember, Fitz was coming off a knee injury and was wearing a brace when he was caught from behind by a "MAC LB". Besides, don't forget he broke the play for nearly 60 yards. I remember Mike Hart being caught from behind on most of his long runs but we can both agree was unquestionably our feature back. Time shall tell my friend!
November 9th, 2010 at 2:55 PM ^
He also basically had a bionic knee at that time, and RR himself said at the post-game press conference that if he didn't have the giant leg brace on, he wouldn't have been caught from behind because he is faster than he showed on that play.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:36 PM ^
The rb depth would be no less "amazing" than the rb depth we've had far more often than not, in our storied history. Our rb more often than not has been tremendous.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:41 PM ^
Anything I have read or heard about Hart in the media suggests that he will be THE back as soon has he makes it to campus. I know recruiting hype has to be taken with a rather large shaker of salt, but I can't imagine him redshirting. Hart has a chance to make a huge contribution as a freshman.
As everyone on offense gets even better, the holes and mismatches will be even bigger. Hart could be an "instant star" with that kind of advantage. Anyway, it's a lot more fun to speculate than the last few years have been.
November 9th, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^
will be to see how well Hart picks up the blocking part and how well he blocks.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:47 PM ^
What a great problem to have. The offense is dynamic now and RR says there is so much more to add as they get experience, there will be carries for multiple types of backs. As we see this year, we can't have enough depth at this position.
Hart will be in the backfield next year on opening day.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:54 PM ^
Shaw will start, D hart will be first sub, and Hopkins gets short yardage. I like Vincent Smith and he will get carries too but I can see D hart and Shaw getting most of the carries behind Denard.
November 9th, 2010 at 12:55 PM ^
November 9th, 2010 at 1:08 PM ^
... a redshirt for dee hart, let him add some weight and get a year of the system under his belt.
November 9th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^
Dee is already bigger than Shaw and V Smith. I'm not sure our offense is too tough to pick up either that he would need to sit out. If we don't need him, great, let him redshirt. But at this point it seems like he is going to be too good to keep off the field.
November 9th, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^
Will Dee be rocking the #3 jersey like he's using now in high school?
Hell, if he becomes the best catcher, we should give him the #1 jersey when he's an upperclassman.
November 9th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^
I am not sure why everyone thinks Shaw will get the most carries out of tailbacks, it seems that for the most part all season Vincent Smith has been favored, even when Shaw has been healthy...
November 9th, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
November 9th, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^
Nice problem to have.
Frankly, with all the injuries this year, even though we had five guys, we were still struggling to field a healthy corps.
November 9th, 2010 at 3:39 PM ^
I think the exciting thing is that with a dynamic player in the backfield along side Denard it will open up the field for both of them to the point that 50 yard plays will become common place.
November 9th, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
With the addition of Dee Hart, could we see more 2 rb sets? We have seen a few (the Florida-heavy type of formation that we have used at times near the goal line comes to mind) but with multiple rb's who can each bring something unique to the table could make the running game even more dangerous than it is now.
In addition, has RR ever used a triple option or some variant of it out of the spread at his previous schools? Running a triple option with Denard, Hart, and Hopkins (as the FB) could be impossible to stop.
November 9th, 2010 at 8:57 PM ^
a glut of talent.
We're overdue.