Upgrade or Downgrade? Running Back
by captainqtp on Jul 19, 2009 7:12 AM PDT
12 comments
Bumped. GO BRUINS. - N
Coleman Looking For Some Space. Photo Credit: dabruins07 (flickr)
Ok everyone, I hope you all are having a great weekend. It is time to start the polling for the offensive positions. We have already covered all of the positions with significant changes at defense. Here is a quick summary of the polls as they stand at this point in time (I inserted links if you haven't voted yet):
Defensive Tackle - Jerzy Siewierski
6% upgrade, 69% downgrade, 23% about the same
77% upgrade, 4% downgrade, 18% about the same
73% upgrade, 4% downgrade, 22% about the same
52% upgrade, 18% downgrade, 30% about the same
I wanted to make a few quick observations... 1) If our polling means anything (hopefully it does!), then we are better at 10 out of 11 of our defensive positions from last year. This is great news. We had a solid defense last year, and we can expect it to be even better in 2009. 2) Even though we marked Siewierski as our only downgrade, it still looks like people are excited to see him play. As a starter, I tend to think he'll be fine. 3) I would have guessed that Aaron Hester would be our most unanimous upgrade, but it looks like Datone Jones edged him out.
After the jump, we'll discuss running backs ...
The offensive choices are looking a lot more convoluted than the defensive choices. The offensive line for example, had a different lineup every single game. At running back, we rotated through several guys, our third string QB started the whole season, and our starting tight end only made it through part of game one. The only position that remains the same as 2008 is WR. As a result, you'll see me offer rotations in many cases rather than player x, player y. Also, I might ask if Bruins Nation thinks x player should start over player y.
Last year we used three primary backs (I'm a little foggy on some of this, so corrections are welcome if you guys notice anything wrong). At the top of the list was Kahlil Bell. Kahlil had a great 2007 before he got hurt, but never really seemed to get into his rhythm in 2008. I think was due to a couple different factors. As I'm sure everyone remembers the offensive line had a rough year in 2008. The other factor was that Kahlil didn't seem to be fully recovered from his 2007 injury. He looked a step slow all year long. It is too bad, as I think he had fantastic potential.
The next running back in the rotation was Derrick Coleman. He did a great job in his back up role and had the second most rushing hards and an amazing 5.4 yards per carry.
Finally, we had the veteran Chane Moline in there throwing blocks and breaking an occasional good run (he had a 40 yard sprint against Arizona). Moline was actually more of a fullback, but he did start 2 games at tailback, so I thought I'd throw him on the list.
In 2009, our post-spring depth chart looks like 1) Christian Ramirez, 2) Derrick Coleman, 3) Johnathan Franklin. We also have Milton Knox hanging in there on the periphery. He still stands a good chance of moving up the depth chart, and I noticed there were many Bruins Nation readers who were very high on him during the spring.
The coaches really like Christian Ramirez as the probable starter in 2009. Apparently, he is big, fast, and blocks well. We saw him a little in 2007. I must confess that he didn't impress me all that much in 2007. His pad level seemed high, and he didn't look very elusive. Nevertheless, we need a solid blocker and someone who can pound the defense and help keep the UCLA offense on the field for as long as possible.
Derrick Coleman gains another year of experience and should contribute even more in 2009. Coleman also blocks well, in addition to being another guy we'll be able to send north-south against opposing defenses.
Johnathan Franklin is our speediest back and possibly our quickest Bruin. UCLA columnist Brian Dohn said in the spring that Franklin was the fastest guy on the field, although that might change when Randall Carroll joins the team this summer. I believe the buzz on Franklin was that he still needs to refine his blocking somewhat, but that he is still a bit better than some guys lower on the depth chart.
Milton Knox is probably our most elusive back, and he played well at the final spring game earlier this year. Some people are commenting on how he looks a little like MJD, but I don't think he quite has the wheels or all around ability that MJD had. Let's hope he does!
I've given a summary of the running back situation this year and last, so let's get everyone's opinion.
Is the combination of Christian Ramirez, Derrick Coleman, Johnathan Franklin, and Milton Knox and upgrade, downgrade, or about the same as last year's Kahlil Bell, Derrick Coleman, and Chane Moline?
I also have a follow up question here. Who do you think should start at running back in 2009?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
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Hard to say...
…whether this unit will be an upgrade, downgrade, or about the same. Of all the guys, I thought Khalil was way ahead of the rest of the back. I always thought he had the highest upside and best physical tools to succeed, but injuries (and off-the-field issues early in his UCLA career) always held him back. So in that way, I definitely think Ramirez is a downgrade compared to Bell.
Now, on the other hand, Coleman is a year older, stronger, more developed, more familar with our system and playbook, which I think will show on the field. I also like what Franklin and Knox bring to the table, although I expect them not to really be major contributors until the last two years of their UCLA careers. I like them both, but I wouldn’t expect them to be anything more than Chris Markey was: a solid contributor (if healthy) but nothing spectacular like MJD was. Hopefully they prove me wrong.
Randall Carroll, I think, has all the makings of a future “the man” in the backfield, but I don’t think he’ll be making his mark for a few years.
The bottom line on our backfield is that it all depends on the offensive line. I expect to see improved line play, now that the guys have some more experience and we’re bringing in some pretty solid recruits, which will translate into improved QB and RB play. The unwashed masses will praise the backs, which I think kind of sucks for Bell (since the lack of a running game wasn’t on him and the backfield, but the complete lack of anything resembling an offensive line), when in reality, most of our improved running game will be due to the offensive line. You could put LT in his prime in the backfield for the Bruins last season, and even he would have struggled.
With a lot of the defensive positions, it’s easier to isolate individual players and note if they’re an upgrade or not (especially DBs, who are often one-on-one with their receiver or in their coverage zone), but with the running backs, it’s all contingent on the line, our ability to spread the field with an effective passing game, and whether we have a realistic deep ball threat, among other things.
Like I said, it’s hard to say.
by Bellerophon on Jul 19, 2009 12:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Carroll is being moved to the backfield?
I know he had trouble holding onto the ball in spring practice, but I hadn’t heard anything about a move.
by insomniacslounge on Jul 19, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Replace Randall Carroll with Damien Thigpen
I got my two speedsters mixed up. Thigpen has really flown under the radar since he missed his senior season due to injury, but his reported speed is in the 4.35 to 4.40 range and we stole him out of Virginia, which is not a usual Bruin recruiting hot spot (especially since, if I recall correctly, Thigpen was committed to Tennessee until they hired Lamey).
by Bellerophon on Jul 19, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thigpen
Reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush, only without the shady handlers and rule-breaking. He’s not a big back (if I recall, he’s around 180), but he’s quick and we all know, unfortunately, what Norm Chow can do with a guy with that skill set.
by Bellerophon on Jul 19, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm interested
to see him as wel. He sounds like a burner.
by captainqtp on Jul 19, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow - had a flashback this morn and posted as Bellerophon
After reading numerous posts at Blue and BRO boards complaining about who is 1st string, I can’t believe how well you channeled my feelings.
In addition to your thoughts, I believe:
Ramirez should be first string until someone else produces in practice per the Coaches’ desires. It was NOT unfair that Dean and the Freshmen stayed fourth string is spite of “looking good” in scrimmages. They all need to earn that promotion by doing the little things that impress coaches.
If I were a Def Coordinator against the Bruins I’d run a goal line defense the entire game forcing o-linemen to choose between two rushers as to who to block and put pressure on the Freshman QB’s decision making.
Therefore, I think the Bruins need power runners that wont drop from a hand tackle and will consistently fall forward ala Desean Foster. They also need RBs that can block or Prince wont last two games. The current depth chart seems reasonable to me. Let ‘em earn it.
by TillamookBruin on Jul 19, 2009 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry meant: DeShaun Foster*
NM
by TillamookBruin on Jul 19, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
our o-line was in shambles, but Bell still seemed to be bothered by his injury. He looked slower than 2007. For more proof of that look at the average yards per carry between him and Coleman. Bell had 2.8 ypc vs Coleman’s 5.4. That’s a enough of a difference to make me think Bell wasn’t 100%.
by captainqtp on Jul 19, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like a mix-up
Presley the TE/Slot Receiver who enrolled early, was the one who dropped a lot in Spring.
Carroll was in high school last month winning Cal St 100 and 200 metres.
I haven’t heard that he is moving from reciever
I think the above post was referring to fastest on team, not fastest RB
Go Bruins
by TillamookBruin on Jul 19, 2009 2:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Doh! You are correct. My bad.
I did confuse Presley w/ Carroll. That’s a bit embarrassing.
Fortunately for me, I know I’ll make far more egregious errors in the future, so this mistake will seem minor by comparison.
by insomniacslounge on Jul 19, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tillamook
is correct. I was only referring to the fastest on the team, not the fastest RB.
by captainqtp on Jul 19, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember watching Franklin in spring last year
and the kid is explosive. He struck me as the best back on the field at that time. There are some big questions going into the season for the offense, but with all the offensive line players healthy as far as I know, and with guys like X-man and Hasiak coming in, I’m excited and optimistic. Norm’s got a lot more to work with this year, which could be dangerous if you’re on UCLA’s schedule.
by bruin95 on Jul 19, 2009 9:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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