Is David Cobb our best RB?

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jaymil

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I gotta say, I've been impressed with Cobb so far this season. I really like Williams and Kirkwood as straight ahead power RB's but Cobb provides a different element that those two can't match. He's shifty, has great vision, and has an extra gear. He's also pretty powerful being 220-225 pounds. How would everyone like to see our RB rotation look in big ten play? For me, I'd like to see Cobb get half the snaps on offense, with Kirkwood and Williams getting the rest of the snaps combined. Berkley Edwards can be worked in if healthy and the coaching staff feels he's ready.
 


He's been the best back on the field the last two weeks.

He's the only one who sees the field.

Cobb looks to the second level. Williams does not.

Somebody should tell Rodney it's better if nobody touches him.
 

Yes he is. I'd like to see him get 20 carries a game. and 10 each for Kirkwood and Williams.
 

I think Kirkwood is a little better than Cobb overall but I like Cobb's speed. I think Kirkwood is limited in that respect and therefore has a lower ceiling than Cobb.
 


Rodney doesn't beat anybody.

He initiates too much contact.

Cobb is neither particularly fast nor particularly strong. But he's flexible, can change directions, and shows patience.

Cobb understands the position better than Rodney right now.

Somebody should inform Rodney that it's actually better if nobody touches him.
 

We have five awesome runners on our team (including the two QB's) and I think our coaches are doing a very good job of identifying the player with the "hot hand" and letting them play it out.
 

Could be because of the HR threat. Williams and Kirkwood are what they are. Bruising backs. I think there is a place for both. Williams has been key in wearing down these smaller teams D.
 

Kirkland gets the start when healthy, especially when the B10 season opens. I suspect the playbook will open more, we will throw more, and Kirkwoodland is the better blocker.

Nice to have options though.
 



What it comes down to, I'm afraid, is that we have 3 or 4 "B" running backs.

We have no "A" running back.

At best we have a B+ back in Kirkwood. Though in his case it has more to do with his versatility than his pure talent.
 

I don't know if he is our best back but he is certainly make a good case for himself and has proven himself a solid back.
 

We are going to need them all. Let's just be happy we have the depth. At this point in time, I'm comfortable with whoever has the ball. I'd also say, it looks like there are more on campus, or will be shortly.
 




I don't see a problem with rotating all 3 of the them in there, keep them all fresh, wearing the other team down. This is a a good problem to have.
 


I would trade 3 of our running backs for one top-shelf back.

We've had 4-5 plays this year where a better back would've housed it.

What is worse, Rodney will sometimes turn a 7 yard gain into a 3 yard gain because he wants to his somebody.
 

Go Gophers Rah said:
My guess is that Kirkwood is the best receiving RB.
Click to expand...

I spent some time at practice watching the RB's doing blocking drills with the sled like below. B. Edwards would just give it a quick hit, and move to the next one, only to get placed back at the beginning by one of the coaches. Williams and Cobb would look much better at it, but Kirkland would just POUND that thing, fully compressing the piston. Really quick with his hands, good footwork, lots of compliments by the staff. That's the big reason he will be #1 when healthy. But I also think the staff is more comfortable with a bigger rotation after 4 games, than they did at the start of the year.

977611_t607.JPG
 

Studwell55 said:
I would trade 3 of our running backs for one top-shelf back.

We've had 4-5 plays this year where a better back would've housed it.

What is worse, Rodney will sometimes turn a 7 yard gain into a 3 yard gain because he wants to his somebody.
Click to expand...

Who in the hell is this Rodney you speak of? If you are going to constantly be on a players case you should at least know his name.
 



I think Cobb has been our best runner for the past two years, but is now emerging as our best running back. With that said - DK & RW have a style we will need in B1G play be sure.
 


Studwell55 said:
What it comes down to, I'm afraid, is that we have 3 or 4 "B" running backs.

We have no "A" running back.

At best we have a B+ back in Kirkwood. Though in his case it has more to do with his versatility than his pure talent.
Click to expand...

Which is two grades above the backs we've had the past 5 years...
 


Unregistered User said:
I spent some time at practice watching the RB's doing blocking drills with the sled like below. B. Edwards would just give it a quick hit, and move to the next one, only to get placed back at the beginning by one of the coaches. Williams and Cobb would look much better at it, but Kirkland would just POUND that thing, fully compressing the piston. Really quick with his hands, good footwork, lots of compliments by the staff. That's the big reason he will be #1 when healthy. But I also think the staff is more comfortable with a bigger rotation after 4 games, than they did at the start of the year.

977611_t607.JPG
Click to expand...
I am pretty sure I saw Kirkwoodland on punt return today. Makes sense if he really gets straight man-up blocking.
 

I'd say unless disaster occurs, you have your three backs for the season. Berkley is redshirting.
 


Studwell55 said:
What it comes down to, I'm afraid, is that we have 3 or 4 "B" running backs.

We have no "A" running back.

At best we have a B+ back in Kirkwood. Though in his case it has more to do with his versatility than his pure talent.
Click to expand...

that will change with Jeff Jones
 



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