Running backs thin

[CrazyCajun]

The issue is, he was out, not playing, and the lack of depth.

The issue was not calling any run plays.

[Just1More]

Certainly, you would have to at least consider it, but I would like to see him stay at LB.

I don't think we have a depth issue. Griffin is available in a pinch. Reed and Harris are solid. And, just because we don't know who is tagged to come in at 3 or 4... doesn't mean they aren't there. We never had to determine who was behind Reed Tuesday night. We thought we could drop back and sling it each down... and although we almost pulled it off... that allowed NT to simplify an already aggressive defense. We picked our poison and NT made us swallow it.

[CajunRed]

2nd half...no Efreem Reed? No Marcus Jackson? No Torrey Pierce? No Yobes Walker?

[I_Bleed_RED]

2nd half...no Efreem Reed? No Marcus Jackson? No Torrey Pierce? No Yobes Walker?

Exactly. We had all these guys. But we refused to run the ball. The problem wasn't that we were lacking backs.

[Geaux]

2nd half...no Efreem Reed? No Marcus Jackson? No Torrey Pierce? No Yobes Walker?

Exactly, we got a little "Sean Payton ish" and it hurt us. We killed our own defense by not running the ball. Those poor guys were out of gas in the second half. When playing a power running team you have to keep in mind thy your defense will also take a pounding

[CajunFan89]

I'd like to see something like the I form that NT was using were they had two tailbacks in but one was at the fullback position ..... maybe Harris at FB and Reed at TB and just go wild with it.

[ULGrad@HOU]

When the head coach says "maybe I should have played him" that means two things.
1. We needed him to run the ball, he's bigger and stronger and may have made a difference.
2. We don't have anyone else to fill that role.

So, we lack that type of running back depth. I didn't mean we don't have bodies, or guys that can run but not that style.

[ULGrad@HOU]

I don't think we have a depth issue. Griffin is available in a pinch. Reed and Harris are solid. And, just because we don't know who is tagged to come in at 3 or 4... doesn't mean they aren't there. We never had to determine who was behind Reed Tuesday night. We thought we could drop back and sling it each down... and although we almost pulled it off... that allowed NT to simplify an already aggressive defense. We picked our poison and NT made us swallow it.

I disagree, if Harris gets hurt or can't play for whatever reason, we are back in the same spot. We need more RB's that can move a pile, if needed.

I would like to add, that I'm not really talking strategy of the second half. I'm talking about depth at the position, and although Reed may turn out to be a great RB at UL, and I hope he does, he is not at that point now and neither or the others. So, I don't want to come down on our other guys at all, that's not the point. My point is strickly the fact that we did not pursue or maybe couldn't get any RB signed on this past class of commitments and I believe we should not make that mistake again.

[Just1More]

I disagree, if Harris gets hurt or can't play for whatever reason, we are back in the same spot. We need more RB's that can move a pile, if needed.

I would like to add, that I'm not really talking strategy of the second half. I'm talking about depth at the position, and although Reed may turn out to be a great RB at UL, and I hope he does, he is not at that point now and neither or the others. So, I don't want to come down on our other guys at all, that's not the point. My point is strickly the fact that we did not pursue or maybe couldn't get any RB signed on this past class of commitments and I believe we should not make that mistake again.

I here ya... but I don't know enough about what was defined as needs in last year's recruiting and what RB talent was available. If you have other RBs in the stable, a true freshman isn't really a high impact on this year anyway. We can talk about depth at every position. We could talk about what happens if Broadway goes down and whether we're in any shape to manage that. And I'll point out again... we have Reed and Harris... and I like both... Qyen can be utilized if necessary... and there are other RBs on our roster. We are not "thin at RB"... only slightly thinner with Montrel out. We may not be all that effective in the rushing department... but that has a lot to do with some other folks as well and how good our staff is at coaching up a rushing attack.

You can only run one running back at a time. What position do we have right now that if that starter gets hurt, would we not be whining about depth? I just don't see the complaint about RBs.

[CharlieK]

I hate thin running backs. I like big bruisers like Earl Campbell. Why hasn't Hud gotten us Earl Campbell yet?