The Running Backs

#1
NighthawkVol

NighthawkVol

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#1
I intended to put this in my "My Thoughts After the Kentucky Game..." post, but forgot.

I think it's time that Jaylen Wright gets the majority of the RB carries. This offensive line is phenomenal, but we're not getting the big plays we could be getting from the RB spot...except when Wright is in there. I love Small, but he doesn't get more than what's blocked. He has moved the chains, yes. And I trust him in short yardage to get what he needs. But Wright has a burst, quickness, vision, and an ability to make people miss that Small doesn't have. He's also strong enough to get through tackles. There was a huge difference in the running game when Wright came in against Kentucky (and that has been the case prior). Wright gives you everything Small gives you, but also much more.

I know Wright had some fumble issues early, which kept him from getting more carries. And I completely understand that. But he seems to have addressed that. He's holding that ball high and tight on every run now. Hopefully, the coaches will start rewarding him with more carries. I have to think it's inevitable that he passes Small of the depth chart at some point. He's just more talented.
 
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#3
#3
It’s more than the fumbling issues. Wright struggles with blocking assignments.

Most defensive coordinators will bring pressure when they see Wright in the game since he struggles picking up the right man.

I think it was the FL game when Wright missed a block and Hooker got drilled and fumbled. We didn’t see Wright rest of game.
But he does have wheels and I could see him playing more when we are ahead against Mizz, Vandy and hopefully USCjr.

Edit- I was thinking of Sampson, the freshman RB.
 
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#4
#4
I think folks bringing up the pass blocking thing are missing something...Small has really struggled at times with pass blocking, as well. It's not the advantage some think it is. It is an advantage over Sampson because he's a freshman, but not so much with Wright. Wright has been as good or better in pass pro this year. Small, to be fair, has been better lately, but he missed about 4 blocks against Florida.
 
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#5
#5
vol94 said:
It’s more than the fumbling issues. Wright struggles with blocking assignments which is common with many freshmen running backs.

Most defensive coordinators will bring pressure when they see Wright in the game since he struggles picking up the right man.

I think it was the FL game when Wright missed a block and Hooker got drilled and fumbled. We didn’t see Wright rest of game.
But he does have wheels and I could see him playing more when we are ahead against Mizz, Vandy and hopefully USCjr.
Click to expand...
Wright is a sophomore.

IMO, he has to earn more trust due to the blocking and fumbling issues early on.
 
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#6
#6
vol94 said:
It’s more than the fumbling issues. Wright struggles with blocking assignments which is common with many freshmen running backs.

Most defensive coordinators will bring pressure when they see Wright in the game since he struggles picking up the right man.

I think it was the FL game when Wright missed a block and Hooker got drilled and fumbled. We didn’t see Wright rest of game.
But he does have wheels and I could see him playing more when we are ahead against Mizz, Vandy and hopefully USCjr.
Click to expand...
That was Sampson
 
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#7
#7
They said it was also that Small was a better WR. I like Small and He’s a tough player, but Wright is starting to look like the elite back we’ve been wanting. I am not saying we should start him over Small, but he needs to get more carries. 7 isn’t enough.
 
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#9
#9
I agree with Amsler that Wright gives you another threat. Tennessee will need it this game. I expect Ga to drop 7-8 and trust their DL to control the run game. Ga knows Small is a good back but hes not going 70 yards on you. If Wright holds the ball, he'll get 10-15 carries this week if Ga defends the way I expect them to.

I expect to see Hooker run alittle more this week. Especially in critical situations and red zone opportunities. GA back defense isnt real good and could be burnt all to hell if they chose to gamble.
 
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#10
#10
The fumbling issue is no small thing, I’m actually surprised he’s gotten as many touches as he has this season considering he’s put the ball on the ground 2 or 3 times. Hopefully that’s behind him because I think he would probably be the primary HB if trust wasn’t an issue earlier this season.
I know this, he ran like a man possessed against UK!
 
#11
#11
17Vols said:
The fumbling issue is no small thing, I’m actually surprised he’s gotten as many touches as he has this season considering he’s put the ball on the ground 2 or 3 times. Hopefully that’s behind him because I think he would probably be the primary HB if trust wasn’t an issue earlier this season.
I know this, he ran like a man possessed against UK!
Click to expand...

I agree that it's not a small issue (pun intended?). So I understand why he hasn't gotten as many carries. I'm not complaining. I'm just saying that I hope he's earned their trust by not putting the ball on the ground lately and they play him more going forward. I don't think he's lost a fumble since the Pitt game and hasn't had one at all since LSU (which went out of bounds). He seems to have worked on it and, when I watch him, he's holding it the way he should.

I don't think there's much difference at all in pass pro between Wright and Small. The fumbling issue was/is the separator.

The difference in what Wright gives you from a RB standpoint and Small is fairly distinct. Adding that dynamic to this offense opens up a whole other realm. It's almost unfair.
 
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#12
#12
I’ve discussed RB in 2 conversations today. We did have some success against KY and overall I think we’re “ok” and good enough to complement our passing game … it’s wishful thinking to have the Cobb-Webb backfield again, but man I would like to see someone who can “take it to the house” every game. The Small/Wright combo seems to be missing something. Speaking of RB, is Fant going to have a bigger role moving forward ?
 
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#13
#13
Given that our offense and defense strategies are predicated upon maximizing possessions, Wright's tendency to fumble more is a big issue. He looked great vs Kentucky and if he can keep that up, he should be RB#1, but I think he has to prove it over time.

I also agree about Small being a better pass-catcher, which is big in this offense. Wright only has 1 reception this entire year, whereas Small has 11 and forces the defense to worry about another pass-catcher.

There are reasons to favor Wright over Small, but there are also reasons to favor Small over Wright. I thought the coaches got the balance right vs Kentucky. I'm not sure who should be #1 and #2, because they both have strengths and weaknesses versus one another.
 
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#14
#14
DiderotsGhost said:
Given that our offense and defense strategies are predicated upon maximizing possessions, Wright's tendency to fumble more is a big issue. He looked great vs Kentucky and if he can keep that up, he should be RB#1, but I think he has to prove it over time.

I also agree about Small being a better pass-catcher, which is big in this offense. Wright only has 1 reception this entire year, whereas Small has 11 and forces the defense to worry about another pass-catcher.

There are reasons to favor Wright over Small, but there are also reasons to favor Small over Wright. I thought the coaches got the balance right vs Kentucky. I'm not sure who should be #1 and #2, because they both have strengths and weaknesses versus one another.
Click to expand...
I list them as RBa and RBb. Not choosing either over the other. Both have been steady performers this year. Small seems to be running with more lean and aggression and Wright can hit the hole and scamper for extra yardage. Two plays in particular stand out against Kentucky; the first one where it looked like he was going to be tackled but regained his balance and gained about 20 more yards. The second one was when he got hit and the hit spun him around, then he regained his balance and once again had a big gain out of it.
 
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#17
#17
Agree that Wright has probably earned the 1a position. They have almost the same number of yds but Wright has done it on 18 less carries.
 
#18
#18
I love what we are getting from Small and Wright. They are good backs giving us all they've got. A truly "special" RB in this offense would take it to an incredible level. Hopefully, we are recruiting some.
 
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#19
#19
sjt18 said:
I have nothing against Small. He's a solid RB. But did you not see Wright's two big runs? That's pretty good power.
Click to expand...
I really like Wright and I think he touches will increase moving forward now. I was just reasoning to why we see Jabari more and I think its mostly his blocking ability and power running in short yardage situations. I am sure as Jaylen shows more of what he showed against Alabama and Kentucky, he will overtake Small in touches.

Also what most people forget is there is not that big gap between the two currently in rushing attempts (Jaylen 92, Jabari 110). I imagine if Jaylen did not have early fumble issues the touches would be near identical or even more for Jaylen may be.
 
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#20
#20
What’s emerged from Wright that is visibly noticeable is his BALANCE. Even my wife (who’s a blank tapestry football knowledge wise) noticed…and that was prior to the long run that the officials had to review because they couldn’t believe his knee didn’t go down. That’s an element that special backs possess, which I’m not bestowing status for him…yet.
 
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#21
#21
One of things we need in recruiting is a breakaway back and a power back for short yardage.. Not talking about anybody on this current roster....
 
#22
#22
volmandu said:
I really like Wright and I think he touches will increase moving forward now. I was just reasoning to why we see Jabari more and I think its mostly his blocking ability and power running in short yardage situations. I am sure as Jaylen shows more of what he showed against Alabama and Kentucky, he will overtake Small in touches.

Also what most people forget is there is not that big gap between the two currently in rushing attempts (Jaylen 92, Jabari 110). I imagine if Jaylen did not have early fumble issues the touches would be near identical or even more for Jaylen may be.
Click to expand...
I was going to point that out too. Good point.
 
#23
#23
This weekend I believe blocking and pass route running/ball catching will be the priorities in determining which RB gets the most snaps. Obviously we will run the ball some but we’re gonna have to give Hooker time to throw and give the Georgia LBs some looks and schemes to slow them down.
But I do agree that Wright seems to me more of the breakaway runner Because of his vision and balance. I didn’t see Sampson against Kentucky but he’s a real threat if we can get him the ball in space. Not sure how well he blocks at this stage but sending him out as a receiver and isolating him on a LB seems like an advantage for us.
 
#25
#25
Small starts because he is trusted to hold onto the ball. Wright has to prove he will at all times. He will be a very good back if he can prove that.
 
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