RB questions

[srhill2]

what is the depth chart at running back position? i am hearing diff. things. I figure tony dixon as a senior. some say locke, some say a. smith. pardon my lack of football knowledge but will there only be one on field at a time or can we do 2 or 3 with our troubles at wr?

[bellbrass]

If Joker sticks to what he has said previously - that we will not change our basic offense from last year - then we will run 1- or 2-RB formations. Tony Dixon will likely get the official starter's title, with Locke, Smith and Allen being rotated in liberally. I'd say any 2-back formation will have Locke in it.

[jpay]

I don't see Brooks starting Dixon. Good runner but has shown time and again that he has ball security issues. ie fumbles way to much. I look for Locke to be the starter from Game 1. I think he has earned. Ark game/ LSU game etc...

[johnkyblue]

None of our backs are the bruising blocking type, so I wouldn't expect much pro set. It doesn't matter who the starter is, it matters who stays healthy and keeps the ball in their hands.

[sardiscat]

Smith is no. 1 on the post-spring practice depth chart with Locke no. 2. I look for them to stay there. Dixon is a tough runner in the red zone, but Smith and Locke can take it to the house from 80 yards away. Allen may prove to be the best of the group before the season is over, but I don't look for him to be the starter early in the season.

[justacatsfan]

A. Smith will emerge as the guy. If he stays healthy he will get the most carries of the 4. Dixon's fumble issues have to be rectified before he alot of touches. Locke and Allen will be the speed and pounder backs with fresh legs latter in the game.

But after Spring practice and game I see Smith as being the #1 carrier. And remember with limited games and carries last year he still averaged over 7 YAC. Impressive

[sardiscat]

"None of our backs are the bruising blocking type"

JKB, meet John Conner.

[srhill2]

allen is listed on rivals as 225 5-7, sounds big for a back, SHOULD be a blocker IMO

[BleedBlue7]

allen is listed on rivals as 225 5-7, sounds big for a back, SHOULD be a blocker IMO

Allen is everything. He punishes defenses blocking and when he gets the ball. He is a truck.

[johnkyblue]

"None of our backs are the bruising blocking type"

JKB, meet John Conner.I meant the ones mentioned (Locke, Smith, Dixon).... my bad. I don't expect to see more than one of those on the field at a time. Conner or Allen would make excellent 2nd backs in a pro set.

[lighthouse]

I think any speculation on who's 1st, would be premature now. There is a lot of practice to go through before this issue is settled.

Isn't it fun to have a number of really good RB'S instead of one good one and a list of maybe's.

[811_Storm_of_Blue]

GREAT POST!!!!!! I guess, we can only speculate on who the starters will be... Guess the coaches are the only ones that will know that up to game time.. but yeah, we have plenty of depth at the position and it seems that any one of the backs are more than likely to get the job done. All are dangerous... Locke is young but look what he did to LSU last year. Smith and Allen are both "Ground Pounders" and can have a huge impact on protecting the QB... The only one I would be scared to see with the ball would be DIXON! I know he's quick and can move the ball with ease, but as much as he fumbled last year???????? Love the guy but he needs to make sure he hangs on to the ball when he gets hit... I'm just looking forward to watching all of them this season... They all gonna do some DAMAGE this year... ;););)

[DenCat]

Smith and Locke are both speed demons. The Turtle(Allen) will be a bruiser back and I'm betting he will turn into a good blocking back. I also think Locke is a good blocker. He had a crucial block on our final TD against LSU that gave Woodson just enough time to find Johnson. Of course, he was still hit from the backside, but it was not the guy Locke was blocking. Dixon does a lot of thing well. He has been bitten by the injury bug during his time here, so hopefully he will stay healthy long enough for us to see what he really has.

[gerntz]

None of our backs are the bruising blocking type, so I wouldn't expect much pro set. It doesn't matter who the starter is, it matters who stays healthy and keeps the ball in their hands.

Exactly, jb, including meaning only the three mentioned. I love Turtle's style.

[poodoo]

Smith and Locke are both speed demons. The Turtle(Allen) will be a bruiser back and I'm betting he will turn into a good blocking back. I also think Locke is a good blocker. He had a crucial block on our final TD against LSU that gave Woodson just enough time to find Johnson. Of course, he was still hit from the backside, but it was not the guy Locke was blocking. Dixon does a lot of thing well. He has been bitten by the injury bug during his time here, so hopefully he will stay healthy long enough for us to see what he really has.

DenCat, ironically, in regard to your saying that Smith and Locke are "speed demons" (which is so true), I have just finished listening to Larry Vaught talk about just that. Vaught was sharing that linebacker coach Chuck Smith said in Ohio yesterday that Derrick Locke and Alfonso Smith not only ran in the 4.2's at UK's Pro Day, BUT ALSO did that for FOUR straight times. WOW! I LOVE it! :big_grin:

Actually, I also love that we have a strong foursome at running back, as others are saying here. Locke, Smith, Dixon, AND Allen...WOW! I LOVE it! :big_grin: I also have great respect for fullback John Conner, including his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. GO CATS!

[RV]

Vaught was sharing that linebacker coach Chuck Smith said in Ohio yesterday ...

I was in attendance.

[The Old School JPS]

Lots of tepid comments about Tony Dixon on here . . . I sure remember him hanging onto the ball and running all over Georgia the year before last. Don't write him off!

[bellbrass]

Lots of tepid comments about Tony Dixon on here . . . I sure remember him hanging onto the ball and running all over Georgia the year before last. Don't write him off!

I agree. And I say he will get the starting job, but we will certainly run by committee with 3 good backs.
I also look for one of them, possibly Locke, to start catching more balls out of the backfield. We forget how many times last year Little got yards this way.

[jpay]

I agree. And I say he will get the starting job, but we will certainly run by committee with 3 good backs.
I also look for one of them, possibly Locke, to start catching more balls out of the backfield. We forget how many times last year Little got yards this way.

I still think Locke will be the starter. As far as a pass catching threat out of the back field. I look for A. Smith as the bigger target to be a more logical choice. Don't forget the sucess we had passing to the Fullback out of the backfield last year either. I can't wait for the season to start!!!!!

[RV]

Tony Dixon is the best receiver among our Tailbacks. The others have to improve to become threats.

[jpay]

Tony Dixon is the best receiver among our Tailbacks. The others have to improve to become threats.

I respect your opinion very much RV, but until the boy starts hanging onto the ball I don't see him being the feature back....

[RV]

I respect your opinion very much RV, but until the boy starts hanging onto the ball I don't see him being the feature back....

Tony must improve his ball security. Never said he would be the feature back - only that he catches the ball better than Locke, Allen and Smith. Those three must improve their receiving ability for Joker to utilize them in the passing game.

[poodoo]

Vaught was sharing that linebacker coach Chuck Smith said in Ohio yesterday ...

I was in attendance.

Yes, that first sentence was exactly what I had said, RV. :icon_biggrin: In regard to the second sentence, how dare you brag! :icon_mrgreen: Most seriously, neat, and I would have LOVED to have been there. :icon_biggrin: GO CATS!

[poodoo]

Tony must improve his ball security. Never said he would be the feature back - only that he catches the ball better than Locke, Allen and Smith. Those three must improve their receiving ability for Joker to utilize them in the passing game.

FWIW, I so agree, RV. Too, we will especially miss Rafael in that regard. GO CATS!!!

[Diz2]

The problem with the turtle has to do with the hand-off. His belly is below the reach of 6'-6" Hartline. When a game gets hot and the muscles get tired, Michael won't be able to bend over to make the hand-off. 4th quarter fumbles are not acceptable, no matter how well you run. Hartline will be the quarterback, because we already have several good runners in the backfield. Michael can pass and get us in the right set.

Being short isn't fair, but it is a problem, when everyone else is so tall. It is also a problem for the defense... they can't find you... they can't tackle you. With that understanding, I still maintain that his height will be a problem for Michael in the 4th quarter. Also, I'm not sure that Allen is a very good receiver. I look for him in the first half of the game, when Michael and Curtis are still strong enough to make a good exchange. Actually, I don't look for Curtis to have nearly as much problem as Michael in making an exchange with Allen. Michael isn't nearly as athletic as Curtis.