Onterio McCalebb

[Tillman 86 0]

What will be McCalebb's role this season? Does this article say all that we can speculate about it right now, or is there something more we can say?

[around4ever 4,139]

Can't open the link, but I see his role as being the starter.  He will only get 8-12 carries or touches per game, though. 

[The SandMntTiger 9]

Can't open the link, but I see his role as being the starter.  He will only get 8-12 carries or touches per game, though. 

JMHO but that would be a shame. The most explosive player on the team should atleast get 15-20. Give that man a seem and there is a damn good chance he is gonna house it. 

[wareagle13 88]

Can't open the link, but I see his role as being the starter.  He will only get 8-12 carries or touches per game, though. 

I would say 8-12 carries a game, but several flare and wheel routes out of the back field.

[WarEagle10 77]

I hope Coach Loeffler finds a way to get O-Mac at least 15 touches a game. We all know he is a TD waiting to happen. I don't think he can do it consistently between the tackles, but he sure can if you get him to the outside. I am very excited to see his O in action and see how he utilizes our talent.

[Rednilla 5,441]

Guys, I love OMac, but a4e is right. Tre Mason is, at the least, very close to being as explosive as OMac is, and he has the bulk to run between the tackles. McCalebb's biggest advantage is his experience.

[PapaWill 0]

I think O-Mac's maturity will shine through this year.  He is road tested and will really help the younger running backs..........that's where we will see the real value.  Not to mention he gets from point A to point B quicker than most defensive players

[Tillman 86 0]

Can't open the link, but I see his role as being the starter.  He will only get 8-12 carries or touches per game, though. 

Oops! Fixed it.

[Shift 351]

Guys, I love OMac, but a4e is right. Tre Mason is, at the least, very close to being as explosive as OMac is, and he has the bulk to run between the tackles. McCalebb's biggest advantage is his experience.

Which is why I think he should get more carries.

[dpwspringer 0]

When you have varied running styles they usually split the carries based on what the defense gives you, all other things being equal.

[AU64 10,122]

A proven weapon on the speed sweep and catching the ball out of the backfield.  No point in getting him beat up trying to run over or through a bunch of DLs and LBs.   

One way or another, he will be good for another 1000 yards of total offense this season and will help the rest of the offense by keeping defenders honest.  Someone will have to keep up with him on every play he is in the game. 

[gilstein211345162940 0]

Onterrrio did himself a huge favor by showing he can be a reliable receiver out of the backfield too. There will probably be some sets where he lines up in the slot in addition to Prosch and another back in the backfield.

[auburnphan 6,050]

Onterrrio did himself a huge favor by showing he can be a reliable receiver out of the backfield too. There will probably be some sets where he lines up in the slot in addition to Prosch and another back in the backfield.

I thought I remember reading something about this during spring ball.  O-Mac is kinda one dimensional when it comes to the running game and I have to agree with most on here.  Named the nominal starter, but an 8-12 carry type back.  Maybe some misdirection plays along with the sweeps.  If he gets dinged up running inside, it will affect his number one asset, his speed. 

[mustache eagle 2,453]

Guys, I love OMac, but a4e is right. Tre Mason is, at the least, very close to being as explosive as OMac is, and he has the bulk to run between the tackles. McCalebb's biggest advantage is his experience.

yep, he will start ... he will be our primary third down back due to experience and his receiving ... he will get 8-12 touches a game.  unless someone really, really stands out then we will rotate the mason/blakely/grant (the better blocker will play more)  ... i said it elsewhere ... all 4 will have over 500 yards this season ...

[cooltigger21 0]

The rb spot is not what it was years ago. no need to put all the burden on one individual. Omac is not the most durable back there is. He can't take the pounding of 20-25 carries a game. With the guys we have there is no reason to put it all on one guy.

[amsterjam 107]

8-12 sounds low at first glance, but considering how much slower the new O will run....

[bigbird 60,937]

I love OMac, but Tre is going to start.

[AUBrett10 0]

I think OMac will get his touches in games but I strongly think Grant, Mason, and Blakely will also get many chances

[DyeCampAlum 335]

I think people make lots of assumptions about OMac, but he seems to exceed expectations.  I remember a little back from Florida State who used to run up the middle for big gains.  You wouldn't give it to Dunn 20 times a game, but 15?  You bet.

I'm torn about our offense.  There are two options.

1. Do a few things over and over really well.  (The Air Raid way.)

2. Do a lot of things and keep 'em off balance.  I suspect that's the new Auburn way.  I'd love to see occasional 2 and 3 tight ends, along with occasional OMac and Mason pairings, along with Prosch leading our backs.  Lots of potential if we get good at stuff.

[gilstein211345162940 0]

line up an off balanced set, TE, WRs all too one side. Pull a guard to the weak side to seal off the edge and let Prosch take on the second level. O-Mac with a big gain on a weak side counter.

[mah0020 11]

Am I the only one that liked the speed sweep? I hope we can mix it in some for OMac this year.

[gilstein211345162940 0]

sweep is good, but it became predictable last season. This season it could prove to be effective again with a mobile QB, a FB to let Lutz loose, and another threat at running back. You can fake the sweep one direction and have the QB rollout the other side with Lutz coming underneath. Wide open. You can even have Blake fake a chip block at the snap and break open over the top of Lutz. Since the defense will have to defend this after giving up a TD, O-mac will be wide open around the end the next time since the defense is playing cautious.

[Rednilla 5,441]

sweep is good, but it became predictable last season. This season it could prove to be effective again with a mobile QB, a FB to let Lutz loose, and another threat at running back. You can fake the sweep one direction and have the QB rollout the other side with Lutz coming underneath. Wide open. You can even have Blake fake a chip block at the snap and break open over the top of Lutz. Since the defense will have to defend this after giving up a TD, O-mac will be wide open around the end the next time since the defense is playing cautious.

Having a mobile QB does, indeed, open a lot of doors for the offense.

[AU64 10,122]

sweep is good, but it became predictable last season. This season it could prove to be effective again with a mobile QB, a FB to let Lutz loose, and another threat at running back. You can fake the sweep one direction and have the QB rollout the other side with Lutz coming underneath. Wide open. You can even have Blake fake a chip block at the snap and break open over the top of Lutz. Since the defense will have to defend this after giving up a TD, O-mac will be wide open around the end the next time since the defense is playing cautious.

Probably could be considered predictable because neither QB really was a ground threat....and lack of success IMO was most because the OL could not keep the D out of the backfield.  Still, Omac did some good stuff...and this season the blocking picture should be hugely improved.

[DyeEraTiger 0]

Can't open the link, but I see his role as being the starter.  He will only get 8-12 carries or touches per game, though. 

JMHO but that would be a shame. The most explosive player on the team should atleast get 15-20. Give that man a seem and there is a damn good chance he is gonna house it. 

You are right about his explosivness but the trouble is that we cannot afford for him to carry the load of an every down guy. He doesn't have the body for it. We need him to last all season and he can get the yds on 10 or 12 carries. Plus, he will touch the ball more than just carries from the back position.