Lets talk strategy/ Touches

[guerra aguila 0]

Which would yall rather see?

Eric Smith move back to RB and tote the rock with the other guys. Let Dakota Moseley, Lutz and Cooper handle the H-back duties?

Or Leave Smith where he is?

It wouldnt hurt my feelings to see Eric Smith get some carries later in the game... with his size and power, he and Fannin could really wear a defense out down the stretch. Then throw in Dyer and McCalebb with their fresh legs and speed... It could be a tough situation for opposing defenses to deal with.

Then throw in Big Sexy here and there on some specefic plays... sure would be a big backfield.

If we accomplish the 80-90 offensive plays a game... we are going to need 4 RB carrying the football for the duration of the season... and thats not counting Cams carries.

What do yall think? How should we distribute the touches?

[walker77 0]

Give him 10 +/- touches per game between pass receptions and carries...

The more we spread the load, the harder to defend our O...

[DyeCampAlum 335]

Smith is a neat player, but I honestly don't know what he'd look like running from beside the QB.  If he's good at it, he certainly adds depth and power to the rotation -- and we'd all like to see that.  We all know he's a dangerous receiver.  Finally, Smith looks very good in a set with two backs on either side of the QB -- not just as a lead blocker.

Let's not forget the jet sweep with Zachary and McCalebb -- and, please Lord, Reed.  Four or five of those a game, maybe more, plus the distraction of diverse sets, motions, and counters, would be sweet.  To do that slot thing most effectively, we also need to see Onterrio develop as a receiver.

As for Big Sexy, I'm in wait and see mode.  Would be nice to get him some touches early in the season and see how that looks.

[JwgreDeux 1,279]

I like E.Smith at HB and also move him over to RB to get some carries like Fannin did last season.  I would like to see Lutz get some more action so we can see what he can do.  Smith is so versatile blocking, receiving, and carrying the rock that I think it would be a mistake to move him to full time RB.

[guerra aguila 0]

Smith is a neat player, but I honestly don't know what he'd look like running from beside the QB.  If he's good at it, he certainly adds depth and power to the rotation -- and we'd all like to see that.  We all know he's a dangerous receiver.  Finally, Smith looks very good in a set with two backs on either side of the QB -- not just as a lead blocker.

Let's not forget the jet sweep with Zachary and McCalebb -- and, please Lord, Reed.  Four or five of those a game, maybe more, plus the distraction of diverse sets, motions, and counters, would be sweet.  To do that slot thing most effectively, we also need to see Onterrio develop as a receiver.

As for Big Sexy, I'm in wait and see mode.  Would be nice to get him some touches early in the season and see how that looks.

I definitely agree on the sweeps with Reed, hes got to get touches there throughout the season, he and T-zach could be extremely dangerous there.

Phillips was on my list for DT but I keep hearing about him seeing light on the offensive side of the ball, if that does happen, im sure the coaches will get him ready to go.

[guerra aguila 0]

I like E.Smith at HB and also move him over to RB to get some carries like Fannin did last season.  I would like to see Lutz get some more action so we can see what he can do.  Smith is so versatile blocking, receiving, and carrying the rock that I think it would be a mistake to move him to full time RB.

I definitely wouldnt want him at RB full time, but just there to provide some relief for the other guys, especially if they are having a big night and getting lots of carries... any extra body is always going to be welcome.

If we take care of Arkansas State, I would hate to see our top 3 backs still in the game late in the 4th quarter... I have a feeling that Dyer will come alive much sooner than the 4th, and wouldnt want him to have to carry the rock more than 12-15 times in his first Collegiate game, but McCalebb did it last year against La Tech.

Im really going to keep an eye on the backs in that game, Im curious to see what the coaches do with them later in the game if Auburn does indeed put it away early.

[StatTiger 3,188]

H-Back is more of a role than a position, which requires more than one position to carry out the various roles. Smith plays the role of the "traditional" FB at H-Back and the others you mentioned are the "traditional" tightends. It would not be a simple task to switch them out.

[DyeCampAlum 335]

H-Back is more of a role than a position, which requires more than one position to carry out the various roles. Smith plays the role of the "traditional" FB at H-Back and the others you mentioned are the "traditional" tightends. It would not be a simple task to switch them out.

That's a big part of the issue.  We don't want a situation where we give away our options by how we line up.  It's why teams basically ignore Kodi as a slot receiver.  That's why I want to see Onterrio learn to run routes.  We also need to see if Dyer can pass block and, on occasion, lead block.

[StatTiger 3,188]

There were a lot of plays that involved a FB and TE at the same time, which is the primary reason why you can't swap them out, though they all might be listed under H-Back. The H-Back could also be a WR, depending on what Malzahn wanted to do. This is different from Burns playing WR and QB in the wildcat. Though it's true Burns was not utilized much in the passing game (9 passes thrown to him), he certainly wasn't ignored when he was lined up as a WR. Burns is perhaps our most physical WR and he did a great job in blocking in 2009.

[Bunn1 0]

I think Smith is a natural H-Back, I expect big things from him in that position. I fully expect him to be a better h-back than Fannin was and that's saying a lot. The fact that Smith has some of the best hands on the team and has great ability of recognizing QB pressure and works his way back to the QB better than most on the team. Smith is also quite a good runner, go back and re-watch the Ball St and Furman games and you will see Smith used quite effectively as a runner. So don't be to surprised to see him, much like Fannin last year, take some snaps at RB

[Tiger Growlin 0]

I wouldn't mind seeing Smith get some carries. He has great power and deceptive speed. He's another option at rb that we can utilize. I love his versatility at the hb though.

[guerra aguila 0]

There were a lot of plays that involved a FB and TE at the same time, which is the primary reason why you can't swap them out, though they all might be listed under H-Back. The H-Back could also be a WR, depending on what Malzahn wanted to do. This is different from Burns playing WR and QB in the wildcat. Though it's true Burns was not utilized much in the passing game (9 passes thrown to him), he certainly wasn't ignored when he was lined up as a WR. Burns is perhaps our most physical WR and he did a great job in blocking in 2009.

I certainly dont want to switch roles... I just think that Smith, or somebody besides Newton, Fannin, Dyer and McCalebb is going to have to touch the football out of the backfield.

We cant rely on just 3 runningbacks for the entire season. The schedule is too brutal and those guys will eventually get exhausted and beat up.

Tate certainly lost some of his swagger as the season wore on because he was taking to much of a beating. He really needed McCalebb sharing the carries with him, together they were almost unstoppable.

Im hoping we can distribute the ball among the backs equally and they will stay healthy... and I have confidence that they will. Obviously with Fannin leading the way with carries, Omac and Dyer will have a chance to break some big runs.

I just think if we have a 3 touchdown lead over a team late in the game, I see no need for any of the top 3 backs to be on the field.

Hopefully Smith can provide some relief there and perhaps Lutz or Moseley or even Cooper can fill in a little at H-back.

Or perhaps Malzahn wont even use an H-back that late in the game.

[au_weagle 0]

Smith was great catching balls last year. I don't think he is as good in open spce as Fannin. I really think he'll do the smae thinfs Fannin did last year.

[AU Counsel 64]

I think Stat addressed an issue here, that being a misconception of what H-back means.  Smith is a blocking, pass catching fullback who plays a lot in the slot.  We will run Fannin, O-Mac, and Dyer as 1, 2, and 3 options at tailback.  Phillips will be the short yardage running back.  That gives us 4 to rotate.  Smith may get a few carries in his current role.  Any additional carries will be by Cam, T-Zach, Stallworth, and perhaps Reed.  Stat is high on Stallworth, but I see Trovon Reed as a better version of the same type of player.  I may be wrong, but I predict that Trovon Reed will be a David Palmer-type player for us, and I expect that he is someone the coaches may utilize for extra touches if need be. 

I do not see Smith playing tailback unless we lose one of our main 3 for an extended period due to injuries.  I believe Kodi has slimmed down by 10 lbs or so, in order to be more effective as a traditional WR.

[TerritorialTigers 0]

Smith was great catching balls last year. I don't think he is as good in open spce as Fannin. I really think he'll do the smae thinfs Fannin did last year.

Smith is smooth too!  He may not show the cutting ability as Fannin but he is a lot tougher to tackle and was great in getting yards after catch. 

[guerra aguila 0]

Smith was great catching balls last year. I don't think he is as good in open spce as Fannin. I really think he'll do the smae thinfs Fannin did last year.

Smith is smooth too!  He may not show the cutting ability as Fannin but he is a lot tougher to tackle and was great in getting yards after catch. 

I do agree that Smith has great hands and could prove me wrong at H-back... he has a chance to catch 25 plus passes this year... so much attention will be on Newton and the Backs that he and Lutz could have a chance to make some huge plays down field... not to mention that Auburn has a nice group of receivers that can so some damage as well.

[Vandelay 5]

Dyer as the third option at tailback? I don't know about that. It will be very interesting to see how things take shape in fall practice once the pads and helmets come into play. I wouldn't mind seeing Smith getting carries maybe as late game relief.