Running Backs and Zone Read Option
A lot has been written about what type of Quarterback is needed to run a zone read option. From everything that I can see, both Tate and Denard should do fine in this. My focus now is on the other option. Is there a certain type of running back that is needed to run the zone option and do we have them? From what I can tell, it appears that the major requirement for the running back in the zone read option, is to hit the hole in the center of the field when they get the ball. To me, this means they need to be explosive (quick 5 yard burst) and either strong enough to power through the arm tackles (a Minor type), or shifty enoughy to move through without getting a good enough hit to not get through the hole. If they have some awesome speed after they get through the hole, then we are talking some major yards. It doesn't appear that they need to be patient runners that are good at finding the holes. Am I oversimplifying this? And with a stable of running backs who would be your choice(s) to run this play most effectively?
That's a nice play, but we need to see more of that from him - and against better defenses.
Backs are taught that they get (at most) one cut at the line of scrimmage. Whether it's inside zone, outside zone, or veer you get--at most--one cut.
On the outside zone read play, the RB reads to playside DE. If we reach him, take it outside and then cut off the block on the support/force defender.
On the inside zone read play (which we don't run), the RB reads the playside DT. If we reach him, take the B gap. If not, cut backside to the hole that shows in either A gap.
On the veer-style zone read option, there is no cut. The RB gets the ball and goes straight downhill into the backside A gap.
V. Smith takes a redshirt this year to try and get to full 100%. RB has plenty of other talent where we can let one guy (albeit with pretty good game experience) sit out one year. It would be nice to give him another year to develop physically anyway.
From the paper that "is not to be named" has this on V. Smith.
print version:http://www.freep.com/fdcp/?1279904232838
summery:
He put on muscle mass that won't affect his speed.
He's ahead of schedule and fully intends to go when camp starts
He can make you miss in the hole ala Biakabutuka
needs to work on his angle of blocking and stop taking on LB's head on.
EXTRA: S. Brown has signed a contract with the Raiders
...plays this year, he could inflict damage.
Hopkins: “I (visited) a lot of traditional powerhouses and this is the best combination of coaches, the fans, academics. Nobody beats them in academics really, except for maybe Stanford, but their football program is not on the same level as Michigan’s football program. Just the combination of everything was too good to pass up.”
“I think I’m a pretty strong runner just like Brandon Minor is,” Hopkins said. “I’m a little bit bigger than he is, but I think I have a lot of the same attributes he does running the ball. He gets tough yardage, breaks first contact, gets a lot of yards after contact. I think I’m a lot like that.”
Gotta like that attitude and the fact that he's linebacker-sized.
This is one kid I'm very excited about. A big, smash-mouth bruiser will fit perfectly in our backfield.
I really like the way he runs. I think the most telling was when he gets hit. He looks like he tightens his grip on the ball, lowers his center of gravity, and keeps his legs moving. These were traits that made Mike Hart the amazing back he is/was. To see running like that with this kids size could be lethal.
I also like the North South run style too. This was something A-train did well in just hitting that whole and running downhill. Shiftiness can be great, but its also nice to see backs taking the shortest distance.
promising players cite academics as the lure. I have long felt Michigan could/should exploit academics even more. Hopkins gets it right; there is no big school like us.
From what most of you have said, V. Smith and Shaw are good backs, but may not be as good as Cox or Toussaint for the Zone Read Option. I've heard many times, though, that they are our projected starters. Does this mean that RR will most likely run with one of these two as our primary and the second back would be one of the bigger power backs to set up for a zone read option or work as a blocking back (Jackson stated he had the best set of blocking backs he has ever had)? To me, this would mean that we could really confuse some defenses by the versatility of what they might be facing.
It's unclear in your post which two running backs are our presumed starters, so I don't know how to answer your question. But regardless, if you ask four different Michigan fans who our starter will be, you'll get four different answers. So don't put too much into "presumption" or "projection." It's kind of a a crap shoot right now.
Sorry, I had heard that Shaw and Smith were the projected starters, but you make a good point about not really knowing anything until the start of the season. Thanks too for your input up above. I know that you are a coach so I approciate when you or some of the other MGoBloggers that have played/coached can provide more in depth knowledge of some of the nuances of a position or formation that a layman (me) may not see or understand.
Rodriguez has emphasized many times that he wants competition for playing time so I don't think he will decide who the starter will be or how much each guy will play until well into fall camp. A lot can happen between now and then.
Its fun to speculate though. I think the reason you might have heard Shaw and Smith were favored is that they have the most experience. But I don't necessarily think they will end up being the best backs. I think they will all get some playing time though.
... need a real game changer at RB at produce numbers in a zone system. you need a running back who has good vision to see the blocks, and can make the right cut.
Im still sticking with Shaw. The fact that Mike Cox still doesn't know where to go on some plays scares the living hell out of me (he does it in the spring game). If Cox can get the mental part down, then I'm all for him being the guy.
Methinks we'll have more than one guy. And maybe someone steps up as the season goes on/injuries occur.
The thing is, both times Cox had problems in the spring game, Gardner was in. That makes me wonder whether it was Cox that made the mistake, or Gardner, being a true freshman, who made the mistake.
This is how I would like to see the breakdown of carries this year (however, I didn't research average carries per game):
Toussaint: 13-15
Cox: 6-7
Smith: 3-4
Shaw 3-4
Hopkins: 2-3
I really feel that Toussaint can emerge as our number one and hopefully he does. Obviously it is hard to predict at this point since we haven't seen him play in a game situation. Do the amount of carries look right? I totally forgot about QB carries, so this could be a wash.
A quick breakdown from West Virginia, which I think if things are really rolling, is what Rich would like to see.
Total rushes per game (rounded to the nearest whole)
2004-49 (12 games)
2005-52 (12 games)
2006-45 (13 games)
2007-48 (13 games)
Michigan was at about 41 carries per game last year.
Quarterback rushes per game
2004-15
2005-16
2006-16
2007-19
Michigan averaged about 16 QB rushes per game last year. Denard's 5.09 YPC was in line with Rasheed Marshall's year under Rod, as well as Jarrett Brown as a freshman. Tate's 2.03 was significantly less than what you'd like to see out of a read option QB.
Running Back carries per game
2004-32
2005-35
2006-28
2007-28
Michigan averaged about 24 carries out of our RB's last year.
Keep in mind that WR's got a few carries as well, and these are just rounded averages, so the numbers won't match exactly. It looks from the WVU days that you'd like to see around 30 carries per game out of your backs and 16 or so from your QB, with a few runs from WR's thrown in. I'd say your numbers seem to add up to the right amount, although personally I'd switch Cox and Toussaint's carry numbers around, but that's just personal preference for who I'd like to see start.
Is a pretty skinny running back. 6-1 181 is tiny!