Miami seems to be able to run the ball with some effectiveness. They have at least two or three backs that have been able to run the ball and score TDs. Miami's leading rusher, Graig Cooper, is a freshmen who enrolled at UM in January 2007. He was Mr. Football in Tennessee as a senior in 2005. Cooper spent fall 2006 at Milford Prep and led the team in rushing with 1,327 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games. For the season, Cooper has 484 yards rushing and 3 TDs. He is averaging 5.7 yards a carry and has a 56 yard TD this season. He is a talented tailback who possesses an excellent combination of athletic ability, speed and change-of-direction skills. In the last game against Georgia Tech, Cooper had 66 yards rushing and no TDs.
Along with Cooper is sophomore Javarris James. He has earned comparisons to his cousin, Edgerrin James. He is a fine inside-the-tackles runner who proved that he could also get outside and take it the distance. For the year, James has 343 yards rushing and 4 TDs. He is averaging 3.7 yards a carry and his longest TD was for 23 yards.In the last game against the Yellow Jackets, James had 6 carries and no yards rushing. Since rushing for 92 yards against FIU, Javarris James has run 52 times for 130 yards (2.5 yards per carry). Miami running backs and their tight end have 10 TDs for the year.
And then we have the "running game" for the Seminoles. Can the running game get any worse? Factors such as the offensive line and the turf toe of Antone Smith have all been discussed. Coaches have to start asking themselves about starting someone else at running back. It really cannot get any worse. For the year, Antone Smith has 322 yards rushing and 3 TDs. He is averaging 3.4 yards a carry. The next best rushing leader is QB Xavier Lee with 82 yards rushing and 2 TDs. This is an area that somehow needs to become relevant if FSU has a shot in upcoming games against strong opponents. Being a one dimensional team is asking to be beaten.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Head To Head Matchup: Running Back
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4 comments:
Tallynolefan-- This is a great blog. FSU news is so hard to get if you don't pay for access.
Ill will be having a miami tailgate.you are welcome to come bye
I was wondering if you read the blurb in the new espn magazine. It was written before the Wake game and the two reporters are saying FSU should be ranked higher if only the players reas that before that game maybe they wouldn't look so lethargic like West Virginia did against USF
Thanks for the comments and the invite. I did not see the blurb in ESPN magagazine. I agree re players. They don't seem to have the fire and passion as in the past.
Except for the alabama game we haven't had any fire. Do u ever notice how other RBs attack the whole. They fly through the handoff right through the line. Why does 2 and edwards take so much time in the backfield?? have you ever heard the coaches explain that?
By the way the article (blurb) is on pg 98 on the bottom of the page. its the issue with willie parker on the cover. its about delaying the polls and they use FSU v. Clemson as an arguement
Thanks for the info. Will look at the blurb. Regarding the running game, I think it is a number of factors-offensive line, Smith being injured, etc. However, I think the coaches need to shake it up some to see if they can get some kind of running game going.
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