re: Bama Football Tidings

Posted on 8/1/19 at 10:22 pm to RollTide66

Posted by RollTide66

Atlanta

Member since Nov 2015

3005 posts

Posted on 8/1/19 at 10:22 pm to RollTide66

Alabama football – Embarrassment of riches or not – Running Backs – By Larry Burton

quote:
This could easily be the most controversial article in the series of embarrassment of riches at Alabama. Many think the running back position is a pool of talent a little on the shallow side once you get past returning star Najee Harris and Brian Robinson. After all, Bama just lost two running backs to this year’s NFL draft and many would say they were the top two, so Alabama has to take a step back don’t they?

Some think it will be like 2015 when Derrick Henry was the big work horse and it wasn’t so much run by committee. They think Najee will carry the load with Robinson stepping in for a change of pace or a break.

But we here at Touchdown Alabama Magazine know better and we intend on convincing you that instead of a step back year, it’s simply another year of outstanding running backs all getting their opportunities proving it’s an embarrassment of riches once again this year as it was last season. We expect Saban to continue using three or four running backs in rotations with others getting occasional opportunities.

Last season, even with two NFL draft picks ahead of him, it was Najee Harris who led the team in yards per carry. So yes, they’re losing two great ones, but may not be losing the very best one. Harris is going to set opposing teams on fire this season, but you already know that, so we’ll move on.

Brian Robinson finished fourth on the team last season, usually in mop up duty to run the clock out. This means that his 4.32 yards a carry looked good, not great because everyone knew he was there to run the clock out and run so he was keyed on. In situations where he gets his chances to run on a play action, first down play, he’ll have much higher numbers. Overall, we look for Robinson to have a, sorry to put it this way, run away season.

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Posted by RollTide66

Atlanta

Member since Nov 2015

3005 posts

Posted on 8/1/19 at 10:22 pm to RollTide66

Alabama football – Embarrassment of riches or not – Running Backs – By Larry Burton ...Continued from above...

quote:
But these are the two you know about and there’s really no one else there with a lot of experience, so how can this article be titled an embarrassment of riches.

Tssk, tssk, tssk, you forget, this is Alabama, where it seems every year a freshman phenom comes in and shocks the world with their talent. Najee did it as a freshman and so did a long list of others. And this is a Nick Saban team, you know, the guy who pulls in top recruits better than anyone. So why is it hard to believe that he’ll pull another running back or two out of his hat?

One name you ought to get used to is Trey Sanders. Many thought he’d be the number one player overall in this year’s recruiting class, but he only wound up being the number one running back in the nation and number six overall and you can see why in these videos.

Folks, this is a star that will shine. Even as a freshman, he’s got the 6’0” 217 pound frame that can muscle yardage in the trenches and the quickness to break ankles in the open field. It going to be really hard to keep this young man on the bench this season and now you see that they aren’t worried if one of the starters gets a little banged up or needs a breather. You won’t be losing much if anything with him in the lineup.
It also wouldn’t be unlikely for him to make a grab for the number two running spot come mid season. Yes, he’s that good.

Another name you’ll get to know as the season goes on is Keilan Robinson. He had his knee scoped out and may not be at his best till August, so depending on others on the team perform, he might be red shirted this year. If not you’ll see him take on the fourth spot. He’ll get some runs and maybe a screen pass or two because of his really shifty moves in the open field. Look at these videos and you’ll see he’s also not afraid of and very skilled at blocking and picking up blitzes.

Right now Robinson is the smaller, shifty change of pace back. He’ll need to add 20 or so pounds to be a much better inside runner and pass blocker, but the talent is certainly there.