Based on what we've seen I would say it would certainly be difficult to argue either the position that the coaches don't recognize talent, or the position that they don't have a plan for implementing it. They have been effusive about both D. Brown and Irons, and now that we have seen both, it's easy to see why. We also see both getting playing time where they fit in, and in six games, both have been in. Through six games, the stats are:
Daz 60 carries, 285 yards, 4.8/carry, 5 TDs, long=33
AJ 59 carries, 249 yards, 4.2/carry, 2 TDs, long=28
Papi 23 carries, 139 yards, 6.0/carry, 2 TDs, long=58
Maleek 13 carries, 70 yards, 5.4/carry, 2 TDs, long=17
Dorian 12 carries, 62 yards, 5.2/carry, 0 TDs, long=22
That seems to be spread around pretty fairly. It definitely helps when you have a game when the running backs get a substantial number of carries. As I pointed out, in some games this year there were less than 20 total running back carries. I predicted that we would see north of 30 for the next several games, and against Miami they got 33 carries. I expect that trend to continue, and I expect to see more of both Brown and Irons in the games ahead.
The logical question would seem to be, not why isn't Irons (or Brown) getting more carries, but why did AJ get so many last year? The answer to that is obvious, though. First and foremost, he doesn't fumble. I think Dorian would have established himself as the premier back last year, and AJ might have even ended up with a redshirt, but Daz and Dorian fumbled, and AJ did not.
The second reason, though is also obvious, if you think about it. Where is AJ at his best? He's a tough, physical runner who excels in short yardages situations. Of all the backs, he's the least elusive, but he's by far the most powerful. When you don't have blocking, you've got to give the ball to a back that is physical and strong, who can blast through the first tackler (or two) and get positive yards anyway, and AJ is that guy.
That brings us to the answer to a third question, why AJ is getting somewhat less carries this year (he's on pace for 120 carries, and had 160 last year)? Part of the answer is that the blocking is better, and that allows Ohio to have more variability in the offense, and the other part of the answer is that because of the injuries at QB, Ohio is relying more on passing, and less on the zone read. Note that they are also targeting all the backs out of the backfield. Here are the receptions for the running backs:
White 16 for 279, 17.4 average, 1 TD
Patterson 9 for 29 yards, 3.2 average
Irons 2 for 26, 13.0 average
OUellete 3 for 15 yards, 5.0 average
Brown 1 for 6 yards, 6.0 average
This is where I think Maleek earned more PT, by the way. He's not as fast/shifty as White, but he was more effective as a receiver that AJ or Daz has been. Thus, we may see Irons used in places where we've seen White used, but where they want more of an inside running threat, too.
Back on point, it seems pretty clear that the coaches know talent when they see it, and they have a plan for using it. It also seems clear that they are bringing the younger backs along, and using them in a reasonable way. It also is true that there haven't been enough carries overall, so probably all five backs, and their supporters, wish they had more playing time.
Last Edited: 10/11/2015 1:56:29 PM by L.C.