SB Nation - Maurice Jones

2009 UCLA Football Post-Camp Grades: RB/FB's

Ryan Rosenblatt — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:11 -0000

With our looks at the quarterbacks and wide receivers/tight ends in the books, it's time to turn our attention to the running backs and fullbacks. Always a heavily leaned upon position in any Norm Chow offense, with UCLA's unaccomplished offensive line, the running backs and fullbacks are forced to add outstanding pass protector to their resume or be left on the bench.

Running Backs

Consider the nature of the running back. It is his job to run straight ahead, while the defense, who outnumbers the offense because the running back and quarterback aren't blocking, are running at you from every direction imaginable, hitting you from every angle imaginable in every place imaginable. Not so much fun is it. Because of the beating running backs take, you better have two, three, four or even six ready to go if it's UCLA circa 2007. If 2009 is a repeat of 2007 when UCLA went six running backs deep then the Bruins are in trouble, but what team wouldn't be at that point. Plus, Craig Sheppard did a good job as the fifth string running back in 2007 and he's back in that role this year so we can go five deep, right?

So the nature of the running back has already bitten the Bruins once as former first choice back Christian Ramirez suffered an ankle sprain that will keep him out an undetermined time, but certainly for a few weeks at a minimum. It's always bad to lose your first string at any position, but I'm not so concerned with Ramirez out because I saw at least three backs better than him all camp long.

Topping the depth chart now is redshirt freshman Jonathan Franklin. Franklin can absolutely fly, as evidenced by his long touchdown run at the scrimmage or the handful of other times he left defenders grasping at air as he ran 50 yard in practice. The question for Franklin and every other back in the UCLA rotation is whether or not he can block. Blocking technique is easy enough and from watching drills, I can tell you that they all do it well in drills. Reading the defense and it's blitzed then getting into proper position is another story though and will be a test for Franklin as he adjusts to the schemes and speed of the college game. With the ball in his hands though he is dynamite, although he does need to make sure he clear the hole before popping up and hitting his stride or risk exposing the ball in traffic and losing it.

With Ramirez out, Derrick Coleman takes the mantle as experienced back who knows what's coming at him. Too bad Coleman is just a sophomore. Coleman showed few ill effects of inexperience in his freshman year though and he miraculously managed about five yards a carry behind an offensive line that was...well my words to describe that line are not suitable for children under the age of 13 so lets move on. Coleman is a big strong back and despite coming in with none of the fanfare that three other freshman backs had, he was the only one to earn meaningful snaps. He read defenses expertly and was a force in the passing game as both a receiver and blocker. He also was able to punish defenders looking to bring him down similar to Manuel White did for the Bruins when the coaches knew he was on the team.

Milton Knox will get his share of carries too and should be show an ability to block, will jump to the top of the depth chart in my opinion. Knox is 5'8'' only in Tom Cruise's shoes, but tops 200 pounds and has a leg drive similar to our last little back. That guy goes by the name of Maurice Jones-Drew and I think he was a decent enough player for us. Like Franklin, Knox's playing time will depend on his ability to pick up the blitz and it will be all mental with him as he reads defenses because I saw time and time again in practice his willingness to block. The guy threw himself at blitzing linebackers without abandon. The challenge for him will be to find those blitzers at full speed.

The question mark is Damien Thigpen, the speedster who thrilled crowds in the open field, but is still learning the playbook and how to harness his speed. He often hits holes so quickly that he doesn't let his hole develop and his blockers don't have time to get to the second level. With his speed and small size that let's him disappear behind blockers, should he learn to be patient he will be truly scary. Regardless of whether or not he contributes in the running game, he will be able to make an impact as a return man. All of this is dependent on the coaches choosing not to redshirt him, which it looks like they will decide against doing.

The fullback position is in a good place with the return of Trevor Theriot, who Norm Chow is a big fan of. Theriot is an excellent blocker, not just in the running game, but also in the passing game. His ability to block in the passing game should free up the running backs to be active coming out of the back field. Theriot can be a threat himself out of the backfield, where he was featured with regularity prior to his injury last year. Jayson Allmond will need to work on his pass blocking, but he showed a good nose for contact as the lead blocker in the running game and soft hands out of the backfield, although he needs to refine his route running. Chane Moline will be used exclusively as a fullback this year, but may get short yardage carries. He showed some promise as the lead blocker in the running game and provides a ball carrying threat, but he needs to improve in the receiving game. With Norm Chow calling the plays, three good fullbacks is a necessity and all will be asked to do a variety of things.

Grade: B+ The position is stacked with explosiveness. Franklin has breakneck speed and Knox can bust a long one too. Coleman doesn't have the same big play ability, but I doubt many DB's will be happy to see him bearing down on them. While the inexperience can be unsettling, Ramirez should be back this year to give the Bruins a redshirt junior with...well little experience yet again. Fear not though, should all else fail, there's still Craig Shappard who my dad still believes can be "dynamite." Chalk it up to another case of the guy who doesn't quite fit the mold, but plays his tail off and endears himself to a fan.

Poll

What would you grade the UCLA running backs and fullbacks?

A

47 votes

B

199 votes

C

73 votes

D

6 votes

F

10 votes

335 votes | Poll has closed

A quick look at the Memphis Tigers

Mike Rutherford — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:30:04 -0000

Vitals

Record: 3-3 (1-2)

Results

8/30 - Lost AT Ole Miss (41-24)
9/6 - Lost to Rice (42-35)
9/13 - Lost AT Marshall (17-16)
9/20 - Won vs. Nicholls State (31-10)
9/27 - Won vs. Arkansas State (29-17)
10/2 - Won AT UAB (33-30)

Total Offense: 462.67 ypg (16th in nation)

Total Defense: 373.67 ypg (79th in nation)

Offense

The Tigers have scored at least 24 points in all but one of their six games, and are coming off perhaps their best offensive output of the season in a 33-30 win at UAB.

The man who may deserve the most credit for that level of production is quarterback Arkelon Hall. Hall, a dual threat junior college transfer, is hitting on just under 60% of his pass attempts, and has gone over the 350-yard mark twice. He's a big kid with a big arm who still struggles with decision making from time-to-time, but he's a natural playmaker, which is part of the reason you'll see a great deal of shotgun from U of M tomorrow night. The Cards have to approach Hall with the same mindset they adopted for Josh Freeman: make him prove he can make the simple throw consistently, do not allow yourselves to get beat by a handful of big plays.

The other major reason Memphis can currently lay claim to the 19th best passing attack in the country is that it possesses the deepest core of receivers U of L will have seen to date.

Junior Carlos Singleton can call Josh Chichester in height (6-8) and raise him in polish and production. Hall's favorite target leads the team with 33 receptions for 522 yards, and is coming off a five catch, 123 yard, one touchdown performance in last weekend's big victory. He caught 11 balls for 158 yards in the week three loss at Marshall. Senior Maurice Jones (6-4, 215) has been quiet during the winning streak, but showed how explosive he can be earlier this season when he went off for 173 yards and two scores against Rice. It was the second best performance ever by a Tiger receiver. Duke Calhoun (6-4, 200) is a versatile playmaker who holds the Tiger record for most consecutive games with a reception, and despite his relative lack of size, senior Earnest Williams (6-0, 195) leads the team with five touchdown grabs.

The depth and talent of this receiving corps allows offensive coordinator Clay Helton to stick Hall in the gun, spread the field and have some fun. This is going to be yet another enormous test for the still inexperienced Cardinal linebackers. Whether it's shadowing Hall or trying to keep up with a talented wideout, each is going to be hit with tough assignment after tough assignment for four quarters.

Falling behind in games early in the season left Memphis with some pretty appalling rushing statistics after three weeks, but the offense has been considerably more balanced since the Marshall loss, and the ground game statistics have improved accordingly.

Leading the charge is junior tailback Curtis Steele, who has broken the 100-yard mark in every game during the winning streak, and who went for 203 yards and a score in the win over Arkansas State. Senior backup Charlie Jones missed the UAB game with a high ankle sprain, but Tiger head coach Tommy West says he could return to the field on Friday. Jones leads the team with six touchdowns. Last year's leading rusher, T.J. Pitt, has not played since breaking his ankle in last December's New Orleans Bowl, but did practice for the first time this week. He's not expected to play against U of L. The only other item of note here is that the UM running backs very rarely have any role in the passing game.

The Memphis offensive line has been hampered by injuries throughout the season, but still boasts four senior starters. Right tackle Brandon Pearce is the standout and a Draddy Trophy semifinalist.

Defense

The Memphis defense has been woefully inadequate when it comes to stopping the run (170.5 ypg), which is good news for a Cardinal ground assault currently ranking 18th in the nation.

The Tigers run a basic 4-3, and on film their linebackers appear to be slow and frequently out-of-position. The unit has been especially susceptible to the delayed draw, a play Victor Anderson has molded into big gains multiple times thus far this season. When you play a 4-3, it's generally not a good sign when three of your four leading tacklers are defensive backs.

Middle linebacker Winston Bowens missed nearly all of last season because of injuries, but has returned and become one of the leaders of the defense. His three tackles for loss are tied for team-best. Sophomore outside linebacker Jeremy Longstreet made his first career start against Nicholls State after Greg Jackson was handed a three-game suspension, and responded with a team-high 12 tackles. He currently ranks tied for third on the squad with 33 stops. Junior Josh Weaver (18 tackles, .5 sacks) completes the unit.

The Tiger defender the Cardinal offensive line has undoubtedly spent the most time preparing for is senior defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, who has already notched seven sacks, putting him two ahead of the entire Louisville team and tied for the national lead. Fellow D-linemen Corey Mills, Freddie Barnett and Jada Brown have combined for an additional 6.5 sacks.

The Memphis secondary has played predominantly man to this point, a trend that's unlikely to be altered tomorrow. The unit is allowing just over 203 yards per game through the air (61st in the country), and has intercepted only three passes.

Junior strong safety Alton Starr leads the team in total tackles with 37, just four more than free safety Brandon Patterson and cornerback D.A. Griffin. Only 5.5 of those tackles were made behind the line of scrimmage, meaning the defensive backs' gaudy numbers are largely the product of the inability of the seven men in front of them to bring down opposing ball carriers. Cornerback Deante' Lamar has made just 16 tackles, but is tied for the team lead in pass breakups with three.

Special Teams

It's safe to say that Tommy West can't relate to Steve Karthorpe when it comes to woes in the kicking game. With starting placekicker Matt Reagan sitting out the past two games with a hip flexor, true freshman walk-on Vinny Zaccario has stepped in and connected on all five of his field goal attempts, including the last-second game-winner against UAB. Senior punter Brent Sutherland is among the best in Conference USA, averaging over 42 yards a boot.

Like Louisville, the Tigers have been woeful on kickoff returns, averaging just 16.79 yards per return, good for 114th best in the nation (still three spots ahead of the Cards). They haven't fared much better on punts, averaging just 7.25 yards per return (78th best).