PiPress: Gophers explore playing Georgia RBs together

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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per Greder:

Gophers football coach Tracy Claeys wants to devise the most advantageous situations for his sophomore set of running backs to thrive this season.

At Minnesota’s media day Thursday, Claeys said Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith could play together instead of spelling each other at different junctures like the duo did last season. They also could be targeted for more passes from quarterback Mitch Leidner.

The goal: playmakers with the ball in space.

“I’ve told our guys on offense that I’d like to see them both on the field at the same time,” Claeys said. “They’re just two dynamic players, and it’s more the (opponents) have to work on.”

http://www.twincities.com/2016/08/0...g-georgia-rbs-together-u-s-bank-stadium-game/

Go Gophers!!
 


That's great providing they/ can will block for each other. Only one can be the ball carrier. Run blocking is not the same as pass blocking. I would imagine the QB will be faking a handoff so carrying out the fake will be prerequisite. A skill that needs coaching.
 

Passing to the RBs, you mean like screen passes? Never seen it here before.


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Spoofin said:
Passing to the RBs, you mean like screen passes? Never seen it here before.


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I bet we see a lot of ML in the shotgun, with Rodney and Brooks flanking him. Then swing passes, and other shorter distance stuff to flesh out the run game more instead of just ground and pound.

Should give our WRs a little more breathing room by forcing their corners to play up and make tough tackles.
 


westcoastgopher11 said:
I bet we see a lot of ML in the shotgun, with Rodney and Brooks flanking him. Then swing passes, and other shorter distance stuff to flesh out the run game more instead of just ground and pound.

Should give our WRs a little more breathing room by forcing their corners to play up and make tough tackles.
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Man, I hope you are right.


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I am also willing to bet that the redshirt freshman from Fargo gets plenty of playing time this year. He looked like a demon in the spring game.
 




go4rob said:
I am also willing to bet that the redshirt freshman from Fargo gets plenty of playing time this year. He looked like a demon in the spring game.
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Man, he sure did look beastly. I think we're loaded at RB. The JUCO kid they brought in must be a goal line/3rd down blocking specialist. Otherwise I don't see how he ever plays.

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MGGopher said:
Man, he sure did look beastly. I think we're loaded at RB. The JUCO kid they brought in must be a goal line/3rd down blocking specialist. Otherwise I don't see how he ever plays.

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Does Femi-Cole fit into the equation at all? I thought some believed he would be in the mix as well.
 

MGGopher said:
Man, he sure did look beastly. I think we're loaded at RB. The JUCO kid they brought in must be a goal line/3rd down blocking specialist. Otherwise I don't see how he ever plays.

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Looking at history in the Kill/Claeys era, if they are bringing in a JUCO guy, they are planning to play him.

I am quite excited at the depth we have at RB. If this program keeps this up, it will be like the WI tailback hydra: after a feature back graduates/drafted, another is primed and ready to take his place. (Clement, Gordon, White, Ball, Clay, Hill, Calhoun...) God, I hate that.
 

They must have plans for a three back offense when they sign JC player McCrary. Furthermore, I won't be surprised to see Beebe & Johannesson also see playing time.

Maybe we'll see some explosive run/pass option offense with improvements in both the running & passing attack. Whatever they do, they won't be Limegrover Vanilla. The offensive look will be concomitant to the opponents defensive scheme like a boxing counterpunch. They'll adjust to what the defense gives them. We won't be always RUTM offense.

The O-Line play is super critical. I won't be surprised if they nab another Juco OL or graduate transfer OL before NSD.

They want a B1G Title - they'll have to increase offensive production. This is Claeys audition for the full time long term gig. He won't disappoint. :cool03:
 



Tlsbhansen said:
Does Femi-Cole fit into the equation at all? I thought some believed he would be in the mix as well.
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I hope so. After the spring game everyone was on JJ's jock because he did have some impressive runs. I thought J.F-C ran harder and finished harder but was behind a less talented O-Line. No idea whether that will actually translate in an actual game. Just my $0.02.
 


I have been saying we need a duo/trio in RBs for a few years now. Glad to see it might happen!
 

Taji34 said:
I have been saying we need a duo/trio in RBs for a few years now. Glad to see it might happen!
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Would be great to get up big in the non-conference games and let the #3 & 4 RBs get some carries. Save legs of Brooks and Smith for late set of B1G games.
 

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