I do want to add that I’m not doom and gloom on the RB’s this thread was about lack of running the ball and most people here thinks it’s an OL problem when I think it’s a RB problem. This ain’t 1994 where you have dominate OL the DL’s are just to good these days. Hey we’re 4-0 in the top 5 baby let’s enjoy it.
It's the line, full stop. The middle gets no push, just is what it is.
@roaminglion but wouldn’t you say we’ve been saying the same thing about the OL the last 7 years Roam? Sanders, Brown and Barkley still got some great numbers on the ground. I’m not saying it’s a great OL I’m saying if you got a stud RB you’ll still be able to run the ball and I’ve got proof go look at the yardage we picked up on the ground 2015-2019. BTW there’s only a few teams that have a good OL you’re just use to watching Alabama which does have to studs on the OL everybody else don’t have that luxury.
@roaminglion but wouldn’t you say we’ve been saying the same thing about the OL the last 7 years Roam? Sanders, Brown and Barkley still got some great numbers on the ground. I’m not saying it’s a great OL I’m saying if you got a stud RB you’ll still be able to run the ball and I’ve got proof go look at the yardage we picked up on the ground 2015-2019. BTW there’s only a few teams that have a good OL you’re just use to watching Alabama which does have to studs on the OL everybody else don’t have that luxury.
No, it's different. Totally different type of offense, much less RPO runs and much more draws and straight run plays. RPO basically hid or masked how bad the oline was, but the trade off was less of a passing attack. 2016 was kind of a perfect storm with McSorley and Barkley.
It could be because our lineman just aren't used to this type of blocking as well, which is a bit different. But Cain and Lee didn't just forget how to run, both had good averages in 2019 and 2020. The difference is the line.
@roaminglion trust me, I hope I’m wrong. I just don’t see any speed from the backfield. I believe it was Lee that caught a pass and he let the Villanova guy take him down one on one and man that’s something you’d never see from a Penn St RB. Penn St RB’s are known for Duking you or run over your butt get taken down one on one ain’t going to cut it. When I saw that I told my son, we might be in trouble at RB. Maybe I’m missing it but I’m not seeing anybody break any tackles and I’m not seeing anybody get run over. Maybe it’s still early but I really thought we’d be killing it at RB and when Lee got took down one on one I just shook my head. Of course I have been spoiled with great RB’s at Penn State.
@roaminglion trust me, I hope I’m wrong. I just don’t see any speed from the backfield. I believe it was Lee that caught a pass and he let the Villanova guy take him down one on one and man that’s something you’d never see from a Penn St RB. Penn St RB’s are known for Duking you or run over your butt get taken down one on one ain’t going to cut it. When I saw that I told my son, we might be in trouble at RB. Maybe I’m missing it but I’m not seeing anybody break any tackles and I’m not seeing anybody get run over. Maybe it’s still early but I really thought we’d be killing it at RB and when Lee got took down one on one I just shook my head. Of course I have been spoiled with great RB’s at Penn State.
Speed isn't the only thing that makes a good RB. Tony Hunt was no speedster, neither was Royster.
@roaminglion trust me, I hope I’m wrong. I just don’t see any speed from the backfield. I believe it was Lee that caught a pass and he let the Villanova guy take him down one on one and man that’s something you’d never see from a Penn St RB. Penn St RB’s are known for Duking you or run over your butt get taken down one on one ain’t going to cut it. When I saw that I told my son, we might be in trouble at RB. Maybe I’m missing it but I’m not seeing anybody break any tackles and I’m not seeing anybody get run over. Maybe it’s still early but I really thought we’d be killing it at RB and when Lee got took down one on one I just shook my head. Of course I have been spoiled with great RB’s at Penn State.
Speed isn't the only thing that makes a good RB. Tony Hunt was no speedster, neither was Royster.
A good O'line can make an avg to good RB look really good. PSU has no RB that has flat out speed and muscle power. Of course a lot of teams don't, but you'd think PSU would have at least one or two.
@roaminglion you’re right and these 2 had great vision, hit the holes and Tony Hunt would run over your butt. My goodness, do y’all remember the bowl game against Tennessee where he punishes Tennessee defense the dude ran all over Tennessee and this is exactly what we’re missing at RB. Even royster was a very smart good football player and he was just hard to tackle. I believe 61 is right, you’d think we’d have one RB that can run over somebody.
4-0 ranked in the top 5 that’s all that matters right now baby, I’m just giving my opinion on something we need to get better at.
I think our RBs are fine, they didn't forget how to run. All of them were guys we talked about in the past, and they had been successful.
The difference is the scheme and interior line
I usually try my best not to get in the debate that what works and what doesn’t work because you find yourself criticizing the players and I don’t like doing that because I know they’re busting their butts. I like talking the players up. I was trying to defend the OL because we’ve sent quite a few to the NFL but then it sounded like I’m criticizing the RB’s which is not what I was try to do but it ended up happening. For the record I think our RB’s are good just not great something that we’re use to. When you’re 4-0 ranked in the top 5 you really ain’t got a whole lot of problems. Now the coaches are fair game if they ain’t gettin it done they make a lot of money to get it done 😂
After watching the tape my take on the OLine is the right guard is the weakest link in the unit followed by the left guard...Those are the 2 problems...The right guard vacates gaps in pass protection too often and misses the stunts and he gets manhandled...The left guard isn't much better...I believe the center and both tackles are adequate but they certainly ain't nick mangold or anthony munoz...I also think some of the problems are the schemes as well...They are really the only concern i have with this team...The running backs are all highly rated players and are above average as a unit as far as I can see...Clifford has really improved...This staff and this scheme really suits him...He is making MOST of the throws and his decision making has been superb...The kid looks like a totally different player from years past...He has really grown and matured into a good quarterback...The defense has been as good as any I have seen so far and my only gripe I have with that unit is the tackling could improve...If they can get this OLine squared away they are as good as any team in the country...
After watching the tape my take on the OLine is the right guard is the weakest link in the unit followed by the left guard...Those are the 2 problems...The right guard vacates gaps in pass protection too often and misses the stunts and he gets manhandled...The left guard isn't much better...I believe the center and both tackles are adequate but they certainly ain't nick mangold or anthony munoz...I also think some of the problems are the schemes as well...They are really the only concern i have with this team...The running backs are all highly rated players and are above average as a unit as far as I can see...Clifford has really improved...This staff and this scheme really suits him...He is making MOST of the throws and his decision making has been superb...The kid looks like a totally different player from years past...He has really grown and matured into a good quarterback...The defense has been as good as any I have seen so far and my only gripe I have with that unit is the tackling could improve...If they can get this OLine squared away they are as good as any team in the country...
I'm hopeful that the left guard will get better s the year goes on, he only arrived in August so a learning curve was expected. Not sure what to say about the right guard.
