Running Backs

[TIDEVET]

I know we have discussed the possible QB and OL lineups. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the Running Backs for next year? I have looked at clips of some of the prospects and have to tell you how impressed I am with the new class coming in. They seem to have the size and power that we missed due to injury depletion and I think that one out of the mix may be the 2nd go to guy behind darby. I would keep castille at fullback. Your thoughts please.

 

[davefrat]

1. darby will be the #1 and the hoss. if he's healthy he'll get 60%+ of the carries.

2. one of the new kids will take over #2

3. aaron johns will be molded into a 3rd down/scat back situtational player.

 

[pyro]

1. darby will be the #1 and the hoss. if he's healthy he'll get 60%+ of the carries.

2. one of the new kids will take over #2

3. aaron johns will be molded into a 3rd down/scat back situtational player.

Aaron will stay at number two. He is a good player and has a lot of heart and is a good person. Plus I new him in high school, but now I'am living in dreaded Tennessee.

 

[Air Bama]

This is just my opinion, and only based on who commits and who quals. Also this is just assuming (for poops and giggles of course) they all get a handle on the offense quickly. I might suprise/ upset some people here, but I think if, with all the above said, Mike Ford could give a furious push for Darby's starting spot. Don't get me wrong and this is no knock on Ken by any means. But I think Mike is possibly one of the better RB's out their this year. He is Big (6'2 210) fast (4.4) and has great vision and cuts. If you watch his film you will see what I am talking about. 90% of his runs on film show him hitting the whole HARD then once he gets to the LB's he cuts hard and bounces it outside. I love this kid. He led the state of FL in rushing this year (he actually beat one of the top RB's in the Nation Antone Smith by 300 yards) and he plays in the 5A classification here in FL, Smith if from a 2B class. My order would be this:

1a Darby
1b Ford
2 Upchurch ( if commits of course)
3 Coffee

 

[bayoutider]

This may just be a brainfart or maybe my medicine not working today, but I wonder how Aaron Johns would do as a return man on kick offs and punt returns? Go ahead, beat me up, I deserve it.

 

[General Lee]

Johns may have a lot of heart and may be a great person, but I don't see him being number 2 on the depth chart. That honor will more than likely go to one of the incoming guys.

I know he can become a pretty decent back, but he's not there yet, and I'm not sure he's close to being there yet.

With that said, he's got a few things on the incoming guys... he knows the offense, he knows the speed of the game, he'll have another offseason to get bigger, faster, and stronger.

In the end, however, it will be one of the new guys that takes the back up spot.

 

[Bebes]

No way Johns is #2 next year...probably just a 3rd down back

 

[BamaCod]

Darby will still be the man, Johns will provide a breather, and don't forget about Tim C. back there, he'll get some time also. I wouldn't bet against the incoming guys getting redshirted in order to give them more time to learn the offense.

 

[IHateUT]

This may just be a brainfart or maybe my medicine not working today, but I wonder how Aaron Johns would do as a return man on kick offs and punt returns?

I don't doubt for one second that he would be great at that. Although, I think Prothro might have something to say about it.

 

[rolltide217]

I see Darby getting most of the carries if he's healthy but i also think Castille gets alot of carries with Laron McClain at FB.

 

[RollTide85]

Johns will see plenty of playing time

he seems to have good vision and quickness, he just lacked enough reps and needs some time to get stronger, it would have been great if he could have redshirted but that didnt happen. However, he will remain behind Darby for another two years and probably be behind Ford down the road. But he needs to keep working hard and wait for his time. He might never carry the ball 20+ times but neither does Warrick Dunn. Look for him to get about 400-500 yards a season if he commits himself and never quits.


Remember he was just a freshman and when he did carry the ball we were not much of a threat throwing the ball so defenses stacked up.

 

[davefrat]

Aaron will stay at number two. He is a good player and has a lot of heart and is a good person. Plus I new him in high school, but now I'am living in dreaded Tennessee.

i'm not doubting his heart or what kind of person he is. i'm sure he loves the tide and is a very hard worker. i just don't see him ever being the smashmouth kind of back you need in the sec. look at two recently successful "small" backs in the sec...shaud williams and carnell williams. while both are not physically the prototype for a smashmouth back, they both have the power and grit and run over, as well as around, larger defensive players.

maybe aaron will develop that, but he won't get to that point in one off season. he's a finesse player who needs to learn how to transition to power football on certain plays. there were many times this season where he went between the tackles "pads high." i don't care who you are, but you can't do anything between the tackles like that unless there is a hole big enough to drive a hum-v through.

i think he's probably a very good player (class 3a back of the year, right?) and wouldn't be where he is if he weren't. but i see him more as a brian mitchell type player...the type who can catch the screens and swing passes, run draws and sweeps, and move out as a 5th wide receiver. and as bayou suggested, he might make a big splash as a return man. these are all critically valuable assets to a championship caliber team and nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Alanbama27]

With the kids we have coming in, I would expect...

that Bayou might have hit the nail on the head. I see Johns being moved to a slot receiver and special teams return guy if he can catch the ball. I then see him as a situational back, but definitely not a full-time 25 or 30 carry a game guy.

Darby will definitely be #1 with Ford or Castille #'s 2 & 3. Don't forget, we get a completely healthy compliment of Full Back's back this year and Theo will enter into that mix leaving Castille with an H-Back, Slot and relief tailback role and in jumbo situations!

I truly believe we'll be better next year because we'll actually be much more diverse than we were this year. First of all, Brodie won't have to be THE MAN next year because our weapons should be better all around. Of course, much of this depends upon how our O line does, but I truly believe that we should really have a diverse offense next year.

To reiterate my initial thought...I don't see Aaron Johns as a go-to kid, but more of a situational player. Don't get me wrong...he'll see a lot of action, but he is simply to small to be an every down back.

 

[ryno]

Assuming we get Upchurch

and Ford qualifies I see the following:
1. Darby
2a. Ford
2b. Upchurch
3. Coffee..although I think he redshirts if all stay healthy.

Aaron Johns is beginning to remind me of Arvin Richard from a few years ago. I can see him as a return man but never as much more than a 3rd down back and maybe not even one of those with Sharrief here as well.

 

[37bamagrl]

i would prefer
1. Ken Darby
2. Tim Castille (i think people are forgetting about him a little, would rather see him at HB, great runner and reciever) besides we have fullbacks, but who is Theo?
3. Mike Ford (any chance he'll be redshirted with a healthy KD, Castille and Johns?)
4. Aaron Johns more of a situational guy, and like the idea of him back there with Prothro on kickoffs.

redshirt the other incoming rbs

 

[drsmithofga]

Saw the 1979 Sugar bowl with Penn State last night. Tony Nathan, Major Ogilvie, Steve Whitman and company pounded Penn State. Penn State had a great defense (gave up only 54 yards per game average rushing), but Bama had big bruising backs that ran over people.

I see Darby, Castille, McClain, Ford, and Coffee as Bama backs, but no Johns. He needs to bulk up. Shaud got the clue early in his career.

 

[bayoutider]

I don't doubt for one second that he would be great at that. Although, I think Prothro might have something to say about it.

Prothro doesn't make up the list who plays where.

Prothro was put back fielding punts for a reason. He was held back from fielding punts most of the season for a reason. Most all of us know the reason and no use going into detail about it.

On kickoffs, there are two men back, one could be Johns. All I am saying is that with his speed and the elusiveness he showed in HS, it might be a possibility. Using him on punt returns would save Prothro. Swing away.

 

[Bebes]

i would prefer
1. Ken Darby
2. Tim Castille (i think people are forgetting about him a little, would rather see him at HB, great runner and reciever) besides we have fullbacks, but who is Theo?
3. Mike Ford (any chance he'll be redshirted with a healthy KD, Castille and Johns?)
4. Aaron Johns more of a situational guy, and like the idea of him back there with Prothro on kickoffs.

I personally will be pleasantly surprised if Castille is able to play next year...