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re: Official In-Season Practice, Injury Reports and Press Conferences Thread: 12-0
Posted on 10/11/16 at 9:22 am to TideSaint
Posted on 10/11/16 at 9:22 am to TideSaint
quote:
Damien Harris
Despite the amount talent on the depth chart, Harris is the team’s feature back — and for good reason. Regardless of how well the other two do, Harris will get the majority of the carries because of plays like the one above.
Harris is the type of player who can put all of the skills a running back could have together in one run at any time. However, what justifies him getting the majority of carries is the vision he has to see open space before it’s even there. Harris does everything right in the run above. He was patient within the original plan of the blocking scheme, but once he noticed a greater potential for yards, he was quick to cut the other way and up the field.
Having a deep talent pool at one position is a blessing, but if an offensive coordinator mixes it up too much, it actually can be a hindrance to the offense as a whole (see Florida and its rotation of four running backs). Alabama is handling its talent pool correctly by making sure Harris is the go-to guy.
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Posted on 10/11/16 at 9:22 am to TideSaint
quote:
Bo Scarbrough
Most fans know Scarbrough from his Herculean photos that made their way around the Internet this offseason. Because of those pictures, people assumed he would be the lead back for the Tide, but once the season started and Damien Harris was getting the majority of the carries, people wondered if there was something wrong with Scarbrough.
Answer: there isn’t.
Scarbrough isn’t getting as many carries as Harris because he’s not as dynamic as a runner or receiver. The Tide are using Scarbrough in short-yardage situations (3 of his 4 TDs have come from 2 yards or 1 yard out). They are making sure they allow him to grow in his identity as a runner before they throw him out there without the patience or chemistry with the offensive line.
The play above reassures to you that Scarbrough is just fine. With the power back in the game, Arkansas stacked the middle of the trenches assuming the play would be between the tackles. Instead, Scarbrough bounced to the outside and even gave a cornerback a little stutter step to create separation. He then turned on the jets and walked in for an easy score.
Each of these three backs are incredibly talented. A case could be made for each to get the lion’s share of the carries, but part of what has made each so effective is that Alabama has a greater plan for the running game as a whole. It’s working, and it won’t be stopping any time soon.
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