Is Rajon Neal Reliable?

[FBtime]

All the workouts in the world can't teach the one skill RBs need the most...vision. When Lane took over he seemed to get the extra yards even though he was slower than Neal and that is reflected in their YPC average.

 

[Vols4us]

I don't know about him folks, which is a shame. His natural tendency is to run away from taking a hit. He will not take on a tackler. If forced to go inside he will dive under them. It is hard to change natural tendencies as has been the case with him for 3 years. He has everything you need to be a good, productive SEC back except that IMO. This will be his last shot at it. I do not see that him having to run laps as being a good thing at all. At this point he should be leading and setting an example on the field - not being a problem. Hopefully, CRG will get through to him because we need him to step up.

 

[D-rock]

Neal is a human being. As such he is fallible. Like you and me, he will have good days and bad days. how many days have we had where we heard NOTHING of him being in trouble about his grades, being out in some bar after hours, attacking a female, robbing some place, smoking weed, and other such conduct?

Sounds like Monday in Tuscaloosa.

 

[NMVol]

I am looking forward to Neal have a remarkable season.

 

[Memphisvol87]

Neal just never has played as fast as he actually is. I hope that changes because he could be a very good RB.

I completely agree with this. He needs to trust his decisions and commit to each run. I feel like this showed when he seemed to hop around or dance in the backfield.Needs to move north south.

 

[checkerboards09]

Neal is our number 1. i like Lane alot, but this is Neals backfield - he will have a 1000 yrd season easy.

I would hope he hits 1000. We're only gonna attempt probably 15 passes per game. This is an excellent year to be a rb at UT if you know what the hell you're doing back there.

 

[orangeluvr]

Thunder and Lightening combos in any backfield are difficult to defend. Neal is dangerous catching passes out of the backfield, Hill and Lane will supply the thunder running behind our all-world O line.

 

[Patriotdad]

Understood. You know ( I didn't realize this until recently) he's actually a WR who was converted to a RB.

Neal is ot a converted WR. He's a natural Tailback who had over 1800yds rushing, another 570 plus in KO and PR, and 35 TDS in his senior year.

Dooley and his crew Screwed him, converted him to WR, screwed him again, and now he's back to where he should be. The beginning of last year was the REAL Rajion Neal. If Jones will give him a chance, really give him a chance, not one series and out, you will all see what kind of back he is.

As for those that say he's arrogant, you're wrong, hes the most humble kid around.

 

[Ashevillevol]

Sounds like Monday in Tuscaloosa.

Before lunch

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

All the workouts in the world can't teach the one skill RBs need the most...vision. When Lane took over he seemed to get the extra yards even though he was slower than Neal and that is reflected in their YPC average.

This is more a reflection of Neal's injury during the season, and the teams each back played against during the season imo.

 

[YorkVol]

I'm looking forward to seeing Neal in an offense that uses the run deliberately. I always felt our running game was a distant cousin to our passing game under Chaney. When we would actually decide to employ a running game and were having success it seems we always jumped right back to the downfield passing game. Often it was illogical and broke our momentum. Did we score some points? Yep, but we never gained dominance over our opponents the way you do with an effective running game. This is one of the reasons everyone, including the likes of Troy, hung with us for 4 quarters and we had to pull wins out at the end of nearly every game.

I won't even spend any time discussing how we telegraphed our running plays so transparently that the crappy announcers on ESPN 8 (the Ocho!) could predict them with 100% accuracy mid-way through the first quarter.

This illogical and predictable running attack had to have a negative effect on our backfield. Just when they would get some momentum and confidence, we'd say take a break and start chucking it downfield. That would eat at anyone's confidence. It would be like having a basketball player with a hot hand who just hit three 3 pointers in a row and the coach rewarded him with a seat on the bench. We did this in every game last year.

So to me, this will be Rajon and Marlin's real test year. They both have the tools and talent. Now, with an offense that will employ those talents in a logical approach as part of the overall balanced attack, they should thrive. If not, then they never had the talent and someone else will step up.

I'm predicting Neal will have a good year in this offense, followed closely by Lane.

 

[NMVol]

I'm looking forward to seeing Neal in an offense that uses the run deliberately. I always felt our running game was a distant cousin to our passing game under Chaney. When we would actually decide to employ a running game and were having success it seems we always jumped right back to the downfield passing game. Often it was illogical and broke our momentum. Did we score some points? Yep, but we never gained dominance over our opponents the way you do with an effective running game. This is one of the reasons everyone, including the likes of Troy, hung with us for 4 quarters and we had to pull wins out at the end of nearly every game.

I won't even spend any time discussing how we telegraphed our running plays so transparently that the crappy announcers on ESPN 8 (the Ocho!) could predict them with 100% accuracy mid-way through the first quarter.

This illogical and predictable running attack had to have a negative effect on our backfield. Just when they would get some momentum and confidence, we'd say take a break and start chucking it downfield. That would eat at anyone's confidence. It would be like having a basketball player with a hot hand who just hit three 3 pointers in a row and the coach rewarded him with a seat on the bench. We did this in every game last year.

So to me, this will be Rajon and Marlin's real test year. They both have the tools and talent. Now, with an offense that will employ those talents in a logical approach as part of the overall balanced attack, they should thrive. If not, then they never had the talent and someone else will step up.

I'm predicting Neal will have a good year in this offense, followed closely by Lane.

This spot on, plus early in the season last year the plays called for Neal to slant down the line toward the side line. Hard to shake a reputation that emerges from running the plays the coaches call. And it bears repeating Chaney never looked to take a game over by riding a ground game that was making strides.

 

[LWSVOL]

I would hope he hits 1000. We're only gonna attempt probably 15 passes per game. This is an excellent year to be a rb at UT if you know what the hell you're doing back there.

they have to throw much more than that or the running game will be stuffed. Without a threat in passing game, the running game will not be successful

 

[PACKERVOL]

I think you have that backwards Wood. He's a running back who was moved to wr for one year. Stunted his growth as a rb IMO.

If I recall correctly, Neal was raterd the no. 6 or 7 RB in the nation his senior year. Think it was on Scout. He's also set every UT RB record in weight training ever. The guy has it all, along with the speed, but for some reason he's never put it all together, and I agree that the year as a WR set him back.

 

[zreeves]

i am not sure why anyone is judging our runningbacks when we never wanted to establish a run game. not to mention the commentator on tv was like if the rb is lined up a yard behind bray it is a run and im sure every defense in the country sees this and that was about 4 games into last season. even when we were dominating teams running the ball chaney couldnt commit and wed start airing it out. the attitude of the team was clearly inspired by the coaches and we played soft. i have a feeling the running game will be actually committed to this season and the results will reflect that

 

[RichRollin]

they have to throw much more than that or the running game will be stuffed. Without a threat in passing game, the running game will not be successful

This x 20. I could see 25 pass attempts per game, 15....no way. That would be suicidal.

As for Neal....aren't we questioning the wrong back? I'd prefer we question the back who's been in the doghouse of two different coaching staffs....that being Lane. JMO

 

[jasonvol18]

He runs for the sidelines. Give me Marlin Lane any day of the week over Hipster Bro Neal.

Agree, Lane is the better overall pure RB of the 2. Lane played well the last half of last season, so hopefully he is 100% trusting his knee and will just go out and play. He doesnt have Neal's speed but for some reason is more physical and has better vision. Neal has good size and is obviously strong as hell, he needs to use rhat and start being more physical then he could be a helluva RB. To his defense and the other RB's last year was their first season of having a true RB Coach and already are on their second one. Im sure that didnt help any of their development. But now they have a really good RB Coach so if the ability is there it will be brought out.

 

[Ttucke11]

I keep seeing Hill left out of the RB discussion. If Neal pulls his shy away from contact stuff this season he won't be rushing for anything on the bench. Lane just got out of the doghouse, and hasn't proven much yet. Butch wants a power spread, well I saw a guy in the spring game at 220 who was willing to run through anyone. I loved it. I think people will be surprised by how much Hill is involved this season. Also won one of the most improved player awards in the offseason while Marlin wasn't even with the team.

 

[GoobieVol]

I would hope he hits 1000. We're only gonna attempt probably 15 passes per game. This is an excellent year to be a rb at UT if you know what the hell you're doing back there.

Would be hard to imagine a CBJ team only throwing it 15 X per game. His team has averaged 30+ per game the last 2 years. And regarding the bolded part....

every year is a good year to be a rb at UT!!!

GBO

 

[gnm53108]

I'm looking forward to seeing Neal in an offense that uses the run deliberately. I always felt our running game was a distant cousin to our passing game under Chaney. When we would actually decide to employ a running game and were having success it seems we always jumped right back to the downfield passing game. Often it was illogical and broke our momentum. Did we score some points? Yep, but we never gained dominance over our opponents the way you do with an effective running game. This is one of the reasons everyone, including the likes of Troy, hung with us for 4 quarters and we had to pull wins out at the end of nearly every game.

I won't even spend any time discussing how we telegraphed our running plays so transparently that the crappy announcers on ESPN 8 (the Ocho!) could predict them with 100% accuracy mid-way through the first quarter.

This illogical and predictable running attack had to have a negative effect on our backfield. Just when they would get some momentum and confidence, we'd say take a break and start chucking it downfield. That would eat at anyone's confidence. It would be like having a basketball player with a hot hand who just hit three 3 pointers in a row and the coach rewarded him with a seat on the bench. We did this in every game last year.

So to me, this will be Rajon and Marlin's real test year. They both have the tools and talent. Now, with an offense that will employ those talents in a logical approach as part of the overall balanced attack, they should thrive. If not, then they never had the talent and someone else will step up.

I'm predicting Neal will have a good year in this offense, followed closely by Lane.

Dang good post York.

I agree.

 

[RichRollin]

I keep seeing Hill left out of the RB discussion. If Neal pulls his shy away from contact stuff this season he won't be rushing for anything on the bench. Lane just got out of the doghouse, and hasn't proven much yet. Butch wants a power spread, well I saw a guy in the spring game at 220 who was willing to run through anyone. I loved it. I think people will be surprised by how much Hill is involved this season. Also won one of the most improved player awards in the offseason while Marlin wasn't even with the team.

I can roll with this.

 

[jasonvol18]

I keep seeing Hill left out of the RB discussion. If Neal pulls his shy away from contact stuff this season he won't be rushing for anything on the bench. Lane just got out of the doghouse, and hasn't proven much yet. Butch wants a power spread, well I saw a guy in the spring game at 220 who was willing to run through anyone. I loved it. I think people will be surprised by how much Hill is involved this season. Also won one of the most improved player awards in the offseason while Marlin wasn't even with the team.

Good post. Cant wait to see Hill in a game and see what he can do. Been a long time since we had a power running game and a physical RB that will run between the tackles and not afraid of contact.

 

[gnm53108]

Good post. Cant wait to see Hill in a game and see what he can do. Been a long time since we had a power running game and a physical RB that will run between the tackles and not afraid of contact.

Not sure if you'd call Hardesty a power runner...but he didnt shy away from anybody or anything.

But that was four years ago.

 

[RichRollin]

Not sure if you'd call Hardesty a power runner...but he didnt shy away from anybody or anything.

But that was four years ago.

Hardesty IMO was without a doubt a power guy. Made one cut and hit the hole. He did have a lil shake to him as well as we saw against SC with the spin move. But as much pub as the SC spin move got, he put a super sick spin on Brandon Spikes in the UF game too. That was the very moment I realized...this dude's for real.

 

[YorkVol]

they have to throw much more than that or the running game will be stuffed. Without a threat in passing game, the running game will not be successful

True and looking at stats from Cinci it seems they have run a very balanced attack in the past.