Crowded Backfield

[Catsrgrood]

Looking ahead to next years running back position and it’s looking pretty crowded. I love the talent there and we all know that’s going to be the main emphasis of this offense, but what are the odds that we see anyone leave in the off-season looking for more playing time elsewhere? Especially with how many young guys there are.

The obvious top contributors will be Ifanse, Jones and Andersen in a limited role. I’m thinking Burgess gets a decent amount of action too. Any other guesses on who will be in the rotation?

RB’s on the roster:

Tyler Natee- likely done for his career

Logan Jones- senior, will likely be a major part of the offense next year

Karl Tucker- senior, kind of feel for the kid, changed positions but just didn’t see a lot of action this year, even though he was the listed starter for multiple games

Tyrel Burgess- RS soph? Or will he be a junior with 2 years left? He was the listed starter in fall camp before his injury. A lot to like with him.

Shane Perry- RS soph. Saw a few carries late in the year.

Isaiah Ifanse- true soph. Will be the starter and main workhorse next year.

Lane Sumner- RS freshman. Likely to see some action. Heard a lot of good things this year about him.

Justin Cauley- RS freshman. Highly touted out of high school, didn’t hear much this year about him.

Troy Andersen- Junior. Won’t be a full time RB, but he’ll absolutely be getting some touches each game.

DeMareus Hosey- incoming true freshman. Looks like a hell of a player, but I can’t imagine he doesn’t redshirt next year with all of these RB’s in the way.

Joe Olson- incoming true freshman, same deal as Hosey, I can’t imagine he doesn’t redshirt.

The wildcard could be Chris Murray. IF he’s back, and IF he doesn’t take the QB position back, I would imagine he probably won’t be a straight up RB, but something along the lines of what Jonsen was this year, he’ll account for some touches each game.

[technoCat]

If anyone is worried about playing time just point to this year. Injuries happens, a spot we thought might be loaded(LB/QB/RB) might see a rash of losses and suddenly we are super thin and need every man on deck.

[kwcat]

With the style we want to play, we need 8 healthy on the roster in various stages of development.

[superbobcat]

I have felt this staff has always done a good job of getting the depth players on the field. It will be no different with this group. Depth here is a good thing.

[Cat Grad]

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401102913

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401101694

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401100043

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401029754

Depth is obviously critical. MSU has a lot of really good running backs but right now the Cats don't have the linemen (on both sides) to just manhandle the other side of the line of scrimmage like NDSU does.

One item of note is how Stick distributes the ball to several receivers each game and how many running backs get touches every game. If a game is critical, one can quickly note Messingham relies on the quarterback in that offense. Again, that offense is predicated upon linemen. The Cats have the perfect quarterback for this offense.

[rivercat]

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401102913

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401101694

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401100043

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401029754

Depth is obviously critical. MSU has a lot of really good running backs but right now the Cats don't have the linemen (on both sides) to just manhandle the other side of the line of scrimmage like NDSU does.

One item of note is how Stick distributes the ball to several receivers each game and how many running backs get touches every game. If a game is critical, one can quickly note Messingham relies on the quarterback in that offense. Again, that offense is predicated upon linemen. The Cats have the perfect quarterback for this offense.

Who in your opinion is our "Easton Stick"? The only 2 with a body of work large enough to evaluate are TA and CM and neither are like Stick.

[R4TB]

Bruce Anderson, Ty Brooks, and Lance Dunn seem to do just fine sharing the ball and making the most of their touches.

[Cat Grad]

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401102913

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401101694

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401100043

http://www.espn.com/college-football/bo ... =401029754

Depth is obviously critical. MSU has a lot of really good running backs but right now the Cats don't have the linemen (on both sides) to just manhandle the other side of the line of scrimmage like NDSU does.

One item of note is how Stick distributes the ball to several receivers each game and how many running backs get touches every game. If a game is critical, one can quickly note Messingham relies on the quarterback in that offense. Again, that offense is predicated upon linemen. The Cats have the perfect quarterback for this offense.

Who in your opinion is our "Easton Stick"? The only 2 with a body of work large enough to evaluate are TA and CM and neither are like Stick.

Okay, I'll respond. How do you think Stick would have done this year behind our line? Have a great Christmas.

[rivercat]

I don't want to derail this thread meant to discuss RBs. My thought is making comparisons to a top 20 FBS team isn't useful. Stick is great at operating the NDSU machine and audibles much of the time. I wasn't bagging on TA or CM, I just haven't seen complete offensive strategy mastery in our or many other teams QBs.

[Cat Grad]

I don't want to derail this thread meant to discuss RBs. My thought is making comparisons to a top 20 FBS team isn't useful. Stick is great at operating the NDSU machine and audibles much of the time. I wasn't bagging on TA or CM, I just haven't seen complete offensive strategy mastery in our or many other teams QBs.

Few teams at any level have the luxury of the NDSU linemen was my assertion. I put up the box scores of a few of their games to vividly illustrate my contention that virtually any decent southern high school coached running back could run behind that line. I also pointed out how many games Stick was able to throw a pass to over half a dozen different receivers and they had enough time to adjust to the throws. Several games numerous receivers were only targeted once and THEY CAUGHT THE BALL!

In other words, we need several running backs and decent receivers to complement our linemen. Our line, even though most had a couple years experience, was still very young and inexperienced last year. I look forward to them controlling the fourth quarter in 2019 just as the NDSU line has done the last decade. Given this type of offense, the Cats need at least a half dozen reliable running backs.

[CatsNoMatterWhat]

I don't want to derail this thread meant to discuss RBs. My thought is making comparisons to a top 20 FBS team isn't useful. Stick is great at operating the NDSU machine and audibles much of the time. I wasn't bagging on TA or CM, I just haven't seen complete offensive strategy mastery in our or many other teams QBs.

Few teams at any level have the luxury of the NDSU linemen was my assertion. I put up the box scores of a few of their games to vividly illustrate my contention that virtually any decent southern high school coached running back could run behind that line. I also pointed out how many games Stick was able to throw a pass to over half a dozen different receivers and they had enough time to adjust to the throws. Several games numerous receivers were only targeted once and THEY CAUGHT THE BALL!

In other words, we need several running backs and decent receivers to complement our linemen. Our line, even though most had a couple years experience, was still very young and inexperienced last year. I look forward to them controlling the fourth quarter in 2019 just as the NDSU line has done the last decade. Given this type of offense, the Cats need at least a half dozen reliable running backs.

To say NDSU's line is great is an understatement. Their line politely asks you pre-play to stand where they need you, and if you resist, they're happy to escort you there. That kind of dominance in the trenches is a product of it being a recruiting priority year in, year out, and steady, cultural coaching. We're heading in the right direction...I'd say we may even be a year ahead of schedule as far as building our front goes...but we won't have an NDSU-esque line for a few more years...assuming Choate stays that long.

[Cat Grad]

I don't want to derail this thread meant to discuss RBs. My thought is making comparisons to a top 20 FBS team isn't useful. Stick is great at operating the NDSU machine and audibles much of the time. I wasn't bagging on TA or CM, I just haven't seen complete offensive strategy mastery in our or many other teams QBs.

Few teams at any level have the luxury of the NDSU linemen was my assertion. I put up the box scores of a few of their games to vividly illustrate my contention that virtually any decent southern high school coached running back could run behind that line. I also pointed out how many games Stick was able to throw a pass to over half a dozen different receivers and they had enough time to adjust to the throws. Several games numerous receivers were only targeted once and THEY CAUGHT THE BALL!

In other words, we need several running backs and decent receivers to complement our linemen. Our line, even though most had a couple years experience, was still very young and inexperienced last year. I look forward to them controlling the fourth quarter in 2019 just as the NDSU line has done the last decade. Given this type of offense, the Cats need at least a half dozen reliable running backs.

To say NDSU's line is great is an understatement. Their line politely asks you pre-play to stand where they need you, and if you resist, they're happy to escort you there. That kind of dominance in the trenches is a product of it being a recruiting priority year in, year out, and steady, cultural coaching. We're heading in the right direction...I'd say we may even be a year ahead of schedule as far as building our front goes...but we won't have an NDSU-esque line for a few more years...assuming Choate stays that long.

I hope some of the young kids can help next fall. Where we need help, in my opinion, is depth especially with regards to the walk-on kids in order to have several more kids actively practicing instead of several observing. That and great nutrionists on staff. Not just linemen but the entire team ought to be eating around six times a day, and they need lots of protein. I like to think Choate and his staff will be at MSU for a few more years--but I don't have a crystal ball.

[lutecat]

We have a nutritionist on staff.

[Cat Grad]

We have a nutritionist on staff.

I'm assuming that's singular?

[catsrback76]

We have a nutritionist on staff.

I'm assuming that's singular?

Not counting the kids...of course!

[Cat Grad]

I realize we can't even replace rusty bleachers, but:

https://amp-barstoolsports-com.cdn.ampp ... ritionists

[Hawks86]

[FTG247365]

Bruce Anderson, Ty Brooks, and Lance Dunn seem to do just fine sharing the ball and making the most of their touches.

I was thinking the same thing, those guys are team 1st guys. Anyone of those 3 guys would be a full time starter on most teams. They earn their time, plus they get to play an extra 4 games a years.

[kwcat]

Bruce Anderson, Ty Brooks, and Lance Dunn seem to do just fine sharing the ball and making the most of their touches.

I was thinking the same thing, those guys are team 1st guys. Anyone of those 3 guys would be a full time starter on most teams. They earn their time, plus they get to play an extra 4 games a years.

Either Dunn or Anderson was pretty banged up after the MSU game according to announcers during the SDSU game.
Over the years MSU has tended to ride a back even when banged up because number two was a pretty big drop off.
I am excited next year to have Jones and Ifanse as number ones, as it looks now, and yet to see who steps up to crack the rotation.
Could be someone on roster or one of the newbies.
Got to say I look forward to Olson and Hosey in the future. Would be great if they got the chance to mature.

[catatac]

I don't want to derail this thread meant to discuss RBs. My thought is making comparisons to a top 20 FBS team isn't useful. Stick is great at operating the NDSU machine and audibles much of the time. I wasn't bagging on TA or CM, I just haven't seen complete offensive strategy mastery in our or many other teams QBs.

Few teams at any level have the luxury of the NDSU linemen was my assertion. I put up the box scores of a few of their games to vividly illustrate my contention that virtually any decent southern high school coached running back could run behind that line. I also pointed out how many games Stick was able to throw a pass to over half a dozen different receivers and they had enough time to adjust to the throws. Several games numerous receivers were only targeted once and THEY CAUGHT THE BALL!

In other words, we need several running backs and decent receivers to complement our linemen. Our line, even though most had a couple years experience, was still very young and inexperienced last year. I look forward to them controlling the fourth quarter in 2019 just as the NDSU line has done the last decade. Given this type of offense, the Cats need at least a half dozen reliable running backs.

To say NDSU's line is great is an understatement. Their line politely asks you pre-play to stand where they need you, and if you resist, they're happy to escort you there. That kind of dominance in the trenches is a product of it being a recruiting priority year in, year out, and steady, cultural coaching. We're heading in the right direction...I'd say we may even be a year ahead of schedule as far as building our front goes...but we won't have an NDSU-esque line for a few more years...assuming Choate stays that long.

Uh, we're heading into Choate's 4th year at the helm. There's no way in hell it should take more than 4 or 5 years to get a dominant O Line in place.