Next Year's RB's

[Chescat]

If Connor returns, no discussion needed. However, IMO he's going pro. If he goes,
I'm not too certain about our returnees. Moss seemed to have gotten to the head of the
pack, but his injury slowed down his progress. Ollison??...I have no idea what happened
to him after last year's success. Hall, I'm not impressed.
Sibley looks like the real deal, but he hasn't taken a snap at this level, so who knows what
he'll bring.
What makes me wonder is that RB was seen as a strength at the beginning of the season.
Without Connor, is there anyone here who thinks it's still a strength. I feel it's a big question
mark.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Still a strength. Moss is talented and showed that. We obviously know Ollison is talented as well as he was ACC O FR of the year. Hall has shown flashes of brilliance but I'm not super high on him either.

 

[PhPanther1]

Moss will be #1
Hall will start out #2 because Narduzzi loves him, but his shittt play will force him down to #3
Sibley will work his way to #2
I feel Ollison should drop down a level and go some where that he'll play.

It's a definite strength, as it's our OL that makes their job easier. The OL will be just as good next year imo.

 

[UPitt '89]

RB is the rare position where a freshman can, and often does, step right in and perform at a high level.

Just look at Ollison last season.

It is the one position on offense I'm worried about least.

QB in this offense is the #1 worry next year, by far. I think MacVittie has what it takes, but it is going to be a big question mark until we see it.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

If the OL plays even close to this season, our RBs will be fine.

 

[Chescat]

If the OL plays even close to this season, our RBs will be fine.

I would normally agree with you on this, but watching Hall and Ollison behind this line this year
doesn't give me a lot of hope. Now...I realize they had limited touches, but still...when they
did get touches (and it was behind this OL), I saw very little to get excited about.
Moss on the other hand looked decent.
Sibley may be better than them all...but "team strength"??...I'm not so sure, I hope you're right.

 

[President Stache]

Moss will be #1
Hall will start out #2 because Narduzzi loves him, but his shittt play will force him down to #3
Sibley will work his way to #2
I feel Ollison should drop down a level and go some where that he'll play.

It's a definite strength, as it's our OL that makes their job easier. The OL will be just as good next year imo.

Next year will be Ollison and Moss. No question. Ollison is our second Conner and he knows it and so does the staff. He won't and shouldn't go anywhere

 

[Swervin27]

Hall or moss are more complimentary backs, unable to be a consistent back. Always give us a spark but soon followed by inconsistent play or a prolonged injury. Ollison gave us an 1100 yard season but duzzi doesn't like his style. I don't see this position as a strength at all.

 

[steel_curtain]

-Well Considering we have two RB's that are averaging over 10 yards per carry in Henderson and Ffrench, another RB in Moss averaging 6 yards per carry as a freshmen, still have Ollison, the former ACC rookie of the year, still have Hall, and have a High School All American in Todd Sibley, worrying about RB at this point is funny even without Conner.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

-Well Considering we have two RB's that are averaging over 10 yards per carry in Henderson and Ffrench, another RB in Moss averaging 6 yards per carry as a freshmen, still have Ollison, the former ACC rookie of the year, still have Hall, and have a High School All American in Todd Sibley, worrying about RB at this point is funny even without Conner.

This.

 

[Swervin27]

Ok, fair point. We still have the jet sweep run sets so that will alleviate some concern. We relied very heavily on it the first half of season, and had great success. As the competition increased, our offense seemed to rely less on it and more on The passing game.

 

[Pitt-Chains]

-Well Considering we have two RB's that are averaging over 10 yards per carry in Henderson and Ffrench, another RB in Moss averaging 6 yards per carry as a freshmen, still have Ollison, the former ACC rookie of the year, still have Hall, and have a High School All American in Todd Sibley, worrying about RB at this point is funny even without Conner.

Running back U !

Sibley will be hard to keep off of the field..

 

[NCanton Panther]

Curious as to why many are so bullish on Sibley bypassing everyone we already have. I am local to him, living in the Akron/Canton area. I'm not saying he's not good, I guess I'm just not as astute a FB game observer to readily claim he's clearly better than everyone we currently have. Especially comparing HS vs college.

 

[TheOriginalPittMan]

#1 RB George Aston
Who else

 

[genooo]

Heard from someone in the know that Ollison left a ton of yards on the table last year when they looked at film, which is why he fell out of favor.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Heard from someone in the know that Ollison left a ton of yards on the table last year when they looked at film, which is why he fell out of favor.

I assume he's improved and will continue to do so. He was only a RS FR.

 

[Pitt1992]

Ollison fell off because he can't pass block to save his life that's why he lost his spot,no because he left yards they could only use him on running plays because u knew he wasn't playing on passing downs

 

[cdmg]

Moss was the better bsck for a 2/3 game stretch while conner worked back to form.

Mosd, when healthy, will be an awsome college back, IMO

 

[President Stache]

We are in great shape in the back field

 

[bobfree]

The running game this year was of the zone concept.

Took some time but Connor got it.

Moss is well suited for the zone concept.

Ollison and Hall weren't as suited for it. Watching the highlight reels I like sibley and how he fits

 

[PhPanther1]

Heard from someone in the know that Ollison left a ton of yards on the table last year when they looked at film, which is why he fell out of favor.

Hall never even got to the table, but that doesn't hurt him in the eyes of the coaches. *shrug*

 

[sonofabit]

Good inclusion of Aston. Does as much as a featured back if you ask me.

 

[Piranha]

I wonder if Ibrahim gets back into the mix.

 

[Cap pitt]

Next year will be Ollison and Moss. No question. Ollison is our second Conner and he knows it and so does the staff. He won't and shouldn't go anywhere

Moss yes but Ollison no. He is having a hard time with this offense, he is a big guy but I don't think he runs with power, he doesn't break tackles, he needs a hole to run through, does not use the size of his body to his advantage

 

[Swervin27]

Curious as to why many are so bullish on Sibley bypassing everyone we already have. I am local to him, living in the Akron/Canton area. I'm not saying he's not good, I guess I'm just not as astute a FB game observer to readily claim he's clearly better than everyone we currently have. Especially comparing HS vs college.

People think the high school rb is always the answer. Not realizing that every D1 rb recruit has the same type of highlight film. We heard it from hall as we did regarding moss last year.

These can't miss rb recruits don't look as great when the opposition isn't 215 pound linemen and 16 year old safeties.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

I do know. Moss looked good this year. Ollison looked good last year. Hall leaves a bit to he desired but isn't a bum by any means. I'm a little surprised by this topic to be honest.

 

[Delpanther]

If the OL plays even close to this season, our RBs will be fine.

You're that certain? I didn't see a RB other than James who did much of anything all year and who I can honestly say I'd be comfortable building the running game around. Whatt's the longest gain, Hall, Moss and Ollison had all year? They had a fair number of opportunities to shine.

 

[steel_curtain]

-It didn't take long for Moss to pass both Hall and Ollison this year. Then Moss got hurt. This was widely debated over the summer. And another I told you so from me.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Don't all three have runs of 20+ yards?

 

[steel_curtain]

Don't all three have runs of 20+ yards?

Here's the longs

Henderson- 66
Ffrench- 77
Moss- 41
Hall- 20
Ollison- 18

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Here's the longs

Henderson- 66
Ffrench- 77
Moss- 41
Hall- 20
Ollison- 18

That's what I thought.

 

[Swervin27]

I must have missed these long stretches where moss or hall played well. You guys see one or two decent runs and think that is easy to duplicate for a season. Every rb in every level of football has a few nice runs. You can pick any team in the country and that team has at least one RB with a few nice runs.


The question is not if we have a rb that can have a good game but a rb that can have a good season. I have no doubt moss and hall have the ability to put a few quarters together, I am not so sure about either putting together a couple of good games. Neither have shown any durability whatsoever.

 

[steel_curtain]

I must have missed these long stretches where moss or hall played well. You guys see one or two decent runs and think that is easy to duplicate for a season. Every rb in every level of football has a few nice runs. You can pick any team in the country and that team has at least one RB with a few nice runs.


The question is not if we have a rb that can have a good game but a rb that can have a good season. I have no doubt moss and hall have the ability to put a few quarters together, I am not so sure about either putting together a couple of good games. Neither have shown any durability whatsoever.

-Moss averaged at minimum 4 yards per carry in 4 of the 6 games he played this year. His season average is 5.8 YPC, and he also had a few receptions too. He also had a run of at least 10 yards or more in 4 different games. Your point holds water with Hall, not Moss.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

I must have missed these long stretches where moss or hall played well. You guys see one or two decent runs and think that is easy to duplicate for a season. Every rb in every level of football has a few nice runs. You can pick any team in the country and that team has at least one RB with a few nice runs.


The question is not if we have a rb that can have a good game but a rb that can have a good season. I have no doubt moss and hall have the ability to put a few quarters together, I am not so sure about either putting together a couple of good games. Neither have shown any durability whatsoever.

I must have missed these long stretches where moss or hall played well. You guys see one or two decent runs and think that is easy to duplicate for a season. Every rb in every level of football has a few nice runs. You can pick any team in the country and that team has at least one RB with a few nice runs.


The question is not if we have a rb that can have a good game but a rb that can have a good season. I have no doubt moss and hall have the ability to put a few quarters together, I am not so sure about either putting together a couple of good games. Neither have shown any durability whatsoever.

Ollison ran for 1200 yards as a RS FR.

 

[Swervin27]

-Moss averaged at minimum 4 yards per carry in 4 of the 6 games he played this year. His season average is 5.8 YPC, and he also had a few receptions too. He also had a run of at least 10 yards or more in 4 different games. Your point holds water with Hall, not Moss.

He has a total of 220 yards rushing, 20% of that on one run. You are sold on that?

 

[Swervin27]

Ollison ran for 1200 yards as a RS FR.

I like Ollison, a lot, unfortunately our coaching staff does not. Vl

 

[steel_curtain]

He has a total of 220 yards rushing, 20% of that on one run. You are sold on that?

-100% because Im not blind. He has power, he has speed, and he can cut. There is zero doubt in my mind Moss would of broke 1000 yards this year if he was the number 1 feature back. But Pitt has a lot of weapons, and will have even more weapons next year.

 

[Delpanther]

Don't all three have runs of 20+ yards?

I don't think so and 20 is the absolute max for any of the 3. If our OL is as good as it's supposed to be and these backs are very good, I have a hard time believing one of these guys doesn't break a long run somewhere along the line. They've had plenty of chances.

 

[steel_curtain]

I don't think so and 20 is the absolute max for any of the 3. If our OL is as good as it's supposed to be and these backs are very good, I have a hard time believing one of these guys doesn't break a long run somewhere along the line. They've had plenty of chances.

Here's the longs

Henderson- 66
Ffrench- 77
Moss- 41
Hall- 20
Ollison- 18

 

[Delpanther]

-100% because Im not blind. He has power, he has speed, and he can cut. There is zero doubt in my mind Moss would of broke 1000 yards this year if he was the number 1 feature back. But Pitt has a lot of weapons, and will have even more weapons next year.

Hmmmm....not so sure. He had quite a few carries and while I believe he has more wiggle than either Ollison or Hall, I don't know if he's special. Those special backs display what makes them great from the get go. With the way James really played the first half of the year, the position begged for one of the other backs to step to the forefront and none did.