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Why do you sign four running backs?...

  • What do Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, Jalston Fowler and Dee Hart all have in common? Each have missed games due to injury since 2010. Kenyan Drake missed a game last season while serving a suspension. Stuff happens, especially in an offense that asks as much of its backs as Alabama's does.

    Understand, this isn't something new for a Nick Saban team. Try on this quintet of backs LSU worked in during the 2004 season: Alley Broussard, Joseph Addai, Justin Vincent, Jacob Hester and Shyrone Carey. As was the case with Hester, a couple (Derrick Henry and Alvin Kamara) of UA's new backs offer some flexibility.

    And, finally, the main reason you sign four backs who are four star prospects are better: because you can.

    TR

    Travis Reier

  • You sign them because you need their skills to help win.

    BamaTusks ●

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    WiLDPalazzo

  • I am also very interested in the evolution of our offense...we all know Saban evolves his defensive philosophies continually as the offenses he faces change and they present challenges to the defense. We've really never discussed or hypothesized about the offensive evolution. While I know the defenses struggle somewhat against out ground and pound offense, the fact that we can become one-dimensional is real and I have to believe I am seeing the offense evolve as you have a wide compliment I players being amassed that can fill dual roles as the offense evolves.
    We saw two back sets last season before Nudie went down, we know that's there, but one has to believe we only saw the vanilla there. We were very limited a the H position, what's it going to look like with athletes (irrespective of position) like D Henry and OJ Howard available. What does a A Kamara, Cy Jones type player provide (again irrespective of position or spot they line up on the field)?
    Does Altee Tenpenny grow into a back that is used entirely differently than we seen only glimpses of last season with Fowler. Can we utilize a D Henry in multiple positions on the field (H, RB, FB). There's a lot of elements that I feel are going to contribute to the dynamics and evolution I believe you will begin to see our offense go through, we have a big toybox to play with and I haven't even mentioned the talent that lines up wider.

    Everyone's thoughts and discussion points are welcome.

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    "You don't always get what you want, but you always get what you deserve"

    BAMAMANAGER ●

  • BAMAMANAGER said...

    I am also very interested in the evolution of our offense...we all know Saban evolves his defensive philosophies continually as the offenses he faces change and they present challenges to the defense. We've really never discussed or hypothesized about the offensive evolution. While I know the defenses struggle somewhat against out ground and pound offense, the fact that we can become one-dimensional is real and I have to believe I am seeing the offense evolve as you have a wide compliment I players being amassed that can fill dual roles as the offense evolves. We saw two back sets last season before Nudie went down, we know that's there, but one has to believe we only saw the vanilla there. We were very limited a the H position, what's it going to look like with athletes (irrespective of position) like D Henry and OJ Howard available. What does a A Kamara, Cy Jones type player provide (again irrespective of position or spot they line up on the field)? Does Altee Tenpenny grow into a back that is used entirely differently than we seen only glimpses of last season with Fowler. Can we utilize a D Henry in multiple positions on the field (H, RB, FB). There's a lot of elements that I feel are going to contribute to the dynamics and evolution I believe you will begin to see our offense go through, we have a big toybox to play with and I haven't even mentioned the talent that lines up wider.

    Everyone's thoughts and discussion points are welcome.

    Great thoughts and discussion points.

    IMO at the RB position we have three different types of backs

    1: Work horse
    2: The load
    3. All purpose

    1: The work horse is what we've seen before, the Ingram, Coffee, Trent, etc. Can carry the team with 20 + carries before game if we need it. At this position I think we'll see the depth work out as follows, Yeldon, Drake/Freshman, and odd man out of the freshmen.

    2. This is the Jalston Fowler position that we're starting to incorporate. I think this position will revolutionize our offense. With this upcoming season more than likely being Fowler's last in crimson I think we'll see him get more second half touches and flashing from the FB role to the H-Back role rarely coming off the field. Derrick Henry will inherit this role full time when Fowler graduates imo. Will see at least 10 touches per game as a traditional back imo and especially at the goal line.

    3. All purpose backs will be the Percy Harvin back. Line up like a traditional running back and flash out to the slot. Dee Hart and Alvin Kamara come to mind when I see this. What's all the more important is the ability of these guys to block imo incase of audibles into pass protection with our new OL next season. I think Dee Hart proved he could before his injury, and that Alvin Kamara and the other freshman will need to demonstrate competency before they see the field.

    The most important things about 2 and 3 are the versatility that they will bring to the passing game and help our future QB's evolve. Whoever inherits the QB position after AJ leaves will have a wealth of riches in the passing and running game.

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    WiLDPalazzo

  • And if one doesn't pan out,you still have 3 other studs.let's hope they all pan out.

    10th Legion ●

  • I rewatched a bit of the Michigan game last night. I had forgotten how devastating Fowler was as a runner, and was really becoming a very good lead blocker. Can't wait to have the big guy back on the field.

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    JohannJr

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    Fur_UA

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    "You don't always get what you want, but you always get what you deserve"

    BAMAMANAGER ●

  • Luginbill does not approve this message. LOL
    Great stuff TR

    "That's what people know us as..ya understand!"

    HeHateMe

  • BAMAMANAGER said...

    I am also very interested in the evolution of our offense...we all know Saban evolves his defensive philosophies continually as the offenses he faces change and they present challenges to the defense. We've really never discussed or hypothesized about the offensive evolution. While I know the defenses struggle somewhat against out ground and pound offense, the fact that we can become one-dimensional is real and I have to believe I am seeing the offense evolve as you have a wide compliment I players being amassed that can fill dual roles as the offense evolves.
    We saw two back sets last season before Nudie went down, we know that's there, but one has to believe we only saw the vanilla there. We were very limited a the H position, what's it going to look like with athletes (irrespective of position) like D Henry and OJ Howard available. What does a A Kamara, Cy Jones type player provide (again irrespective of position or spot they line up on the field)?
    Does Altee Tenpenny grow into a back that is used entirely differently than we seen only glimpses of last season with Fowler. Can we utilize a D Henry in multiple positions on the field (H, RB, FB). There's a lot of elements that I feel are going to contribute to the dynamics and evolution I believe you will begin to see our offense go through, we have a big toybox to play with and I haven't even mentioned the talent that lines up wider.

    Everyone's thoughts and discussion points are welcome.

    --TJ, K Drake, T Jones, & 10¢ are bread and butter Alabama feature backs. (Ingram, Trent & Lacy mold)
    --Fowler is the manchild, creating mismatches at TB, FB, H, and TE
    --Henry (I think) will follow in Fowler's footsteps. What I mean by that is, in the first year he will be the 4Q sledgehammer, to acclimate to the system and speed of the game. After that he will begin to expand his knowledge and skillset. (1st round draft pick because of versatility as much as God-given ability)
    --A Kamara, A Stewart are Bama's next wrinkle: RB/slot. Kamara mentioned the coaches discussing this with him as his position, and he was pretty keyed up about it.
    --OJ is someone you build a position for: TE/ H/slot/wide out. The size/speed/power/jumping ability he brings creates so many mismatches it can make you giddy if you let it.
    --B Calloway is our classic H (more athletically gifted Smelley)
    --Vogler & H Jones are TEs
    Dee Hart ??? I'm not sure where to put him because he can fit with the feature backs or the RB/slot guys. Also I'm praying he comes back with healthy knees, and, well, healthy rest of him, too.
    That's my thoughts anyway, I could be 100% wrong.
    Roll Tide

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    phillipians 4:13 CAN-DO all things through Christ which strengthens me.

    cando41969 ●

  • People assume that because each back appears to have the capability to be great that he will be great.

    Its funny when people say you have depth at a position but what you really have are names with position letters by them. No one knows if the players listed on the roster can do the things needed to start or provide quality playing time.

    RB is definitely too important of a position on our team to gamble with 1 guy every off season.

    Look at Richt's UGA teams. He brings in a couple RBs every year and was left having to start a True Freshman and a Redshirt Freshman last season.

    scottchap ●

  • It's the Coach Bryant philosophy. If I got'em they won't be carrying the ball against us.biggrin

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    1984 300ZX Anniversary Model, 1970 Olds 442 W-30 & Pepper Bird

    442Bama

  • scottchap said...

    People assume that because each back appears to have the capability to be great that he will be great.

    Its funny when people say you have depth at a position but what you really have are names with position letters by them. No one knows if the players listed on the roster can do the things needed to start or provide quality playing time.

    RB is definitely too important of a position on our team to gamble with 1 guy every off season.

    Look at Richt's UGA teams. He brings in a couple RBs every year and was left having to start a True Freshman and a Redshirt Freshman last season.

    This is true. Reading everyone s take makes me look forward to many football seasons ahead God willing.

    This post was edited by Crimson Duck on 2/7/2013 at 9:14 AM

    Crimson Duck

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    heatheatheat ●

  • BAMAMANAGER said...

    I am also very interested in the evolution of our offense...we all know Saban evolves his defensive philosophies continually as the offenses he faces change and they present challenges to the defense. We've really never discussed or hypothesized about the offensive evolution.

    Hypothesis: all world long snapper + multiple back sets.... Hmmmmm ... Lol

    jscoop79

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