Sean Dollars

[Phenom]

Cyrus might have more size but CJ has more power and is tougher to bring down.

[StevensTechU]

If you want size for size's sake, Jayvaun Wilson can put more mass on his frame than any of these guys.

[StevensTechU]

You can make the argument that small guys have a tougher time against 'big, physical' defenses, but so do slow guys. Royce struggled against Ohio State because he didn't have top-end speed. His size didn't help him.

Just to follow up-

Royce against Ohio State: 10 carries, 22 yards (2.2 avg)
Royce against Florida State: 12 carries, 44 yards (3.7 avg)

Was it the offensive line? No. Here was Thomas Tyner's line in each game.

Tyner against Ohio State: 12 carries, 62 yards (5.2 avg)
Tyner against Florida State: 13 carries, 124 yards (9.5 avg)

"Mass" is such a ridiculously over-simplistic way to try to predict the success of a running back.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Freeman, and all our current backs, lack real explosiveness. It’s largely why 5’8 190lb Phillip Lindsay is twice the NFL back 6’ 238lb Freeman is. Regardless of size, if a guy runs hard and has some natural explosiveness, he’ll be good. Especially in college.


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[lukeyrid13]

Overall, our backs are average for a variety of reasons.

Areas of Improvement for all of them:
- Vision
- Cutback ability (See a hole w/a quick cut and burst)
- Quickness
- Active feet/legs to avoid low arm tackles

LMJ was elite level at all of those things which is what made him an All-American. I give credit to our coaches and players that we don't dance around and we avoid negative plays. I do think there's room for improvement for sure though.

[dd10snoop28]

Freeman, and all our current backs, lack real explosiveness. It’s largely why 5’8 190lb Phillip Lindsay is twice the NFL back 6’ 238lb Freeman is. Regardless of size, if a guy runs hard and has some natural explosiveness, he’ll be good. Especially in college.


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Verdell has been the only that has shown explosivenss out of the backfield this year.

Not sure why he ran the ball only 5 times last week.

1 - Verdell
2 - Dye
3a - Dollars
3b - Cyrus

[FlDuckFan]

Freeman, and all our current backs, lack real explosiveness. It’s largely why 5’8 190lb Phillip Lindsay is twice the NFL back 6’ 238lb Freeman is. Regardless of size, if a guy runs hard and has some natural explosiveness, he’ll be good. Especially in college.


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Verdell has been the only that has shown explosivenss out of the backfield this year.

Not sure why he ran the ball only 5 times last week.

1 - Verdell
2 - Dye
3a - Dollars
3b - Cyrus

Verdell hits the whole hard and fast but lacks the vision to hit gaps that open up. As to why he didn't play i believe Mario said he was a bit banged up so he sat him to rest him up.

[Phenom]

I only want Dye as the third back. He does some things better than our other backs but he almost always goes down on first contact.

[duckfan22]

We just dont have that back with the "it" factor. Someone like LMJ or Barner. They hit that gap
and your saying to yourself "he's gone". I just dont see it right now. Even Freeman when he got in
the open he would get those extra yards by running over people, and could run by them.

[Duck07]

You can make the argument that small guys have a tougher time against 'big, physical' defenses, but so do slow guys. Royce struggled against Ohio State because he didn't have top-end speed. His size didn't help him.

Just to follow up-

Royce against Ohio State: 10 carries, 22 yards (2.2 avg)
Royce against Florida State: 12 carries, 44 yards (3.7 avg)

Was it the offensive line? No. Here was Thomas Tyner's line in each game.

Tyner against Ohio State: 12 carries, 62 yards (5.2 avg)
Tyner against Florida State: 13 carries, 124 yards (9.5 avg)

"Mass" is such a ridiculously over-simplistic way to try to predict the success of a running back.

Much better to focus on the E side of the equation . While I'm being funny its also true and it helps explain why a little guy like LMJ was an effective inside runner despite his M because his C was so high. Where do the biggest hits on the field come from? Usually from a Safety that has built up 4+ steps. Whatever the size though, a RB must have quick feet.

[Phalanx]

Much better to focus on the E side of the equation . While I'm being funny its also true and it helps explain why a little guy like LMJ was an effective inside runner despite his M because his C was so high. Where do the biggest hits on the field come from? Usually from a Safety that has built up 4+ steps. Whatever the size though, a RB must have quick feet.

Wow, I remember LaMichael being fast, but I didn't realize he was that fast.

[buckmarkduck]

I feel like you could flop our running back depth chart, and we'd be just as good. I think Cyrus and Dollars could be running just as good as CJ or Travis at this point..

While I get your point, I just don't understand the love people.have for Cyrus. Imho, he isn't a pac 12 quality RB. I feel.like he only plays over SD right now, just because he's put in the time here. But if CJ and Dye went down, SD would be the starter.

[brich75]

I’ve watched Dollars get run down 10 times now, I can’t decide if Dollars is slow or that guy for Montana was really really fast!?!?

[woundedknees]

Jeremiah Johnson would tear it up with this O-line...

[StevensTechU]

I’ve watched Dollars get run down 10 times now, I can’t decide if Dollars is slow or that guy for Montana was really really fast!?!?

That Montana safety ran just over a 11 second 100m in high school. That's probably average for a Pac-12 safety. He's not slow, but a Pac-12 running back shouldn't be getting caught from behind by him.