2012 Running Game

[AUBrett10 0]

Hey everyone! Im new here as I just joined after reading this site (and others) for a long time now. Im a lifelong die hard Auburn fan so WAR EAGLE!!!

Anyways I wanted to see what you all think our running game will become this year. Who do you think will start/get the most playing time. I think McCalebb will get a lot of snaps at the beginning of the year but I really think Corey Grant, Tre Mason, and Mike Blakely will all 3 push for more and more time and I believe it will become a running by committee type of attack. I loved Malzahn's offense because of how successful it was but I have to say I am really excited to see Leoffler's offense with the under center I-Formation, etc. It reminds me of the offense from 02-06 with Cadillac and Ronnie and Irons and I cant wait to see it on the field this season!

[DThriftWarEagle 3]

Welcome and post often! I agree I think the running game will be fun to watch. I'm glad to see the I formation back and I think there are some pistol formations as well so that will be fun to watch as well. 

[aujess07 4]

I think as the year goes on, OMac will slowly transition into a situation back. JMO.

[AUBrett10 0]

I think as the year goes on, OMac will slowly transition into a situation back. JMO.

I agree I think he will become a situation back IMHO I think Corey Grant could become our #1 back by the seasons end with Blakely and Mason right on his heels. From what Ive read and seen in the spring Corey Grant was a man on a mission

[BirdofPrey76 0]

Don't under estimate Tre Mason.

[ellitor 33,700]

Welcome Brett! Post often! and 

[auburn43 0]

I think that Blakely and Mason have a break out year with OMAC being more of a screen/jet sweep runner. This years rushing attack is gonna be insane. WDE!!!

[SuperNova 0]

Well regardless how or who gets the ball we have lots of options and can be flexible in finding solutions that will get us lots of yards on the ground. Something we have not seen in a while. Will be exciting to watch unfold.

[auburnphan 6,050]

Hey everyone! Im new here as I just joined after reading this site (and others) for a long time now. Im a lifelong die hard Auburn fan so WAR EAGLE!!!

Anyways I wanted to see what you all think our running game will become this year. Who do you think will start/get the most playing time. I think McCalebb will get a lot of snaps at the beginning of the year but I really think Corey Grant, Tre Mason, and Mike Blakely will all 3 push for more and more time and I believe it will become a running by committee type of attack. I loved Malzahn's offense because of how successful it was but I have to say I am really excited to see Leoffler's offense with the under center I-Formation, etc. It reminds me of the offense from 02-06 with Cadillac and Ronnie and Irons and I cant wait to see it on the field this season!

I agree with your entire post.  I think we will go with the hot hand or the back that matches up best with what the defense is giving us.  We are loaded with talent and can't wait to see CSL exploit it week in and week out.

[AUBrett10 0]

How do you all feel about Corey Grant? I really feel like he could develop into our best all-around back especially after hearing about all the flashes of talent he showed this spring. And I think he's kinda got something to prove after the transfer and sitting out a season. From hearing his interviews he seems like he has amazing drive to achieve great things in the backfield this season

[Rednilla 5,441]

Welcome to AE!

I expect Mason to be the starter, but I agree that it will be a running back by committee type situation. Grant seems to be neck and neck with Mason, and if Blakely has fallen behind at all, then it is only because the other two have been going so far above and beyond, not because he hasn't been making strides. OMac will likely have a different role than those guys simply because he's a different kind of back, but I do expect him to get plenty of touches. And don't forget about Jovon Robinson, who might redshirt, but because of being a true big, bruising back (which none of the others are, though they do have power), he might get a shot.

[BigDarb 0]

Chiz said earlier on the radio that O-Mac will be starter with the others falling

In . So Take it FWIW

[AuburnNTexas 7,302]

Corey Grant has seen some of the Posts on the bama boards saying he lest because he couldn't make 8th string at Bama. That is the kind of bulletin board material to really get a guy fired up. So he will get a lot of carries and have a great year but not as great as he could have as the Mason and Blakely will also get a lot of carries so no one back will have great, great numbers but the combo will have scary numbers. Mix this in with what OMac always does and will continue to do and I am happy I am an Auburn fan.

[Rednilla 5,441]

Chiz said earlier on the radio that O-Mac will be starter with the others falling

In . So Take it FWIW

That sounds as if OMac is going to be listed as the starter because of seniority, and whichever of the three shows up the best in the first game or two will move to being the starter. Onterrio just isn't the same kind of back as the other three are.

Then again, maybe McCalebb will remain the starter all year but not get as many carries or something. Who knows?

[lionheartkc 6,150]

Chiz said earlier on the radio that O-Mac will be starter with the others falling

In . So Take it FWIW

That sounds as if OMac is going to be listed as the starter because of seniority, and whichever of the three shows up the best in the first game or two will move to being the starter. Onterrio just isn't the same kind of back as the other three are.

Then again, maybe McCalebb will remain the starter all year but not get as many carries or something. Who knows?

Does it really matter who the starter is when you are playing running back by committee?

[auburn4ever 1,266]

Isn't ovon Robinson and Jordan Wilkins close to being the same size? I love the thought of having 2 big backs in the same back field.

[aubfaninga 16]

I think as the year goes on, OMac will slowly transition into a situation back. JMO.

I agree I think he will become a situation back IMHO I think Corey Grant could become our #1 back by the seasons end with Blakely and Mason right on his heels. From what Ive read and seen in the spring Corey Grant was a man on a mission

We are blessed with too many good running backs!!! 

Don't under estimate what Tre Mason and Omac can do behind Prosch. A good lead play up the middle can look alot like a kickoff return when the running back hits the hole hard and fast. 

[TigerPaw1 0]

I think Mason takes the role of Tate and Dyer and OMac stays at his regular duty. I really think Mason is gonna be something special. He goes downhill immediately when he gets the ball and doesn't dance. I love watching his highlights of the Chic-fil-a bowl. I think Grant will get his touches and Blakely some although I have heard that he has some work to do before getting on the field, but Mason and OMac are my pick to take the bulk of the carries.

The scary thing is next season. I think Blakely has the most upside of all the guys so should be interesting to see who starts in 2013 as well.

[AUBrett10 0]

I agree that Blakely may have the biggest upside of all our running backs but I think Grant could have a big year along with Mason. Im just really excited for all our backs to tear up the fields in the SEC this year! Cant wait for Sept. 1st

[kwren34 18]

I think as the year goes on, OMac will slowly transition into a situation back. JMO.

I agree I think he will become a situation back IMHO I think Corey Grant could become our #1 back by the seasons end with Blakely and Mason right on his heels. From what Ive read and seen in the spring Corey Grant was a man on a mission

We are blessed with too many good running backs!!! 

Don't under estimate what Tre Mason and Omac can do behind Prosch. A good lead play up the middle can look alot like a kickoff return when the running back hits the hole hard and fast. 

Omac gets the start but Tre Mason has to confidence and ability to give him a run for his money at the beginning of practice and into the first few games. But whoever gets the carries is going to love being behind Prosch and Lutzie. I believe that is the one thing that all of the "experts" are looking past.

[Rednilla 5,441]

Chiz said earlier on the radio that O-Mac will be starter with the others falling

In . So Take it FWIW

That sounds as if OMac is going to be listed as the starter because of seniority, and whichever of the three shows up the best in the first game or two will move to being the starter. Onterrio just isn't the same kind of back as the other three are.

Then again, maybe McCalebb will remain the starter all year but not get as many carries or something. Who knows?

Does it really matter who the starter is when you are playing running back by committee?

No.

[bzlivn 0]

Keep an eye on turn overs.  The one that puts the ball on the ground will get shuffled. 

[AUBrett10 0]

Keep an eye on turn overs.  The one that puts the ball on the ground will get shuffled. 

Very true

[AUSWEN 0]

Keep an eye on turn overs.  The one that puts the ball on the ground will get shuffled. 

Yeah that's a great point. That one factor will probably determine the pecking order more than anything else. Evan if no one has a fumbling problem, if you put the ball on the ground, you're probably going to sit for a few series.

[SuperNova 0]

My theory is that if something does not work in a game we will rotate players. So in one game we might see lots of Mason, O-Mac and in other games we might see more Blakely and Grant and or whatever combinations work. I think our offense will be in constant adjustment mode to find what works and stick to it, and when it quits working our offense will morph into some other form that will start working again.