Running backs - unpopular opinion
This opinion may be unpopular, but I'm interested to see where the board stands.
I think Tru Wilson should pass Chris Evans on the depth chart.
Tru is much better in pass pro, and to me, looks quicker right now. Has Evans bulked up too much?
As a positive side note, it's great to see Ambry (finally) getting snaps on O. If only he was used at ND...
September 16th, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
Evans is a good back, but not suited for the inside between the tackles game. He works best in space and even yesterday looked good when side stepping and juking defenders. Wilson is a better inside runner and he has really impressed me in pass protection. Samuels also looked pretty good at the end of the game.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:52 PM ^
I like the thought...gets Patterson moving out of the pocket, takes advantage of his accuracy on the move, and adds some more options.
Pep...are you reading this?
September 16th, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
This is your brain...This is your brain on drugs, any questions?
September 16th, 2018 at 11:47 AM ^
I am disappointed that the coaching staff has not found more diverse ways to use Evans, but aside from covering for Higdon yesterday, I’m not sure Evans and Wilson really play the same “position.”
September 16th, 2018 at 11:47 AM ^
I agree with this hot take. Evens is still the same liability in pass blocking he always was, he should still be part of the offense but I think his role should change a bit.
September 16th, 2018 at 11:47 AM ^
Tru Wilson reminds me of Mike Hart. Does anyone else see that?
I don't think he should necessarily pass Evans on the depth chart because they are two different styles of backs and Evans has the experience. However, I don't think we could have a better third string back.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:24 PM ^
How so? I think they have somewhat of a similar build, Wilson has shown himself to be a decent pass protector, and (in limited action) he seems to finish his runs falling forward--all being similarities to Hart.
With that being said, Wilson's virtue seems to be hitting the hole hard and letting his momentum carry him forward, with an ability to make slight changes of direction. Hart, on the other hand, seemed to have better balance, shiftier fit [edit: meant to say that he had quicker "feet"], and was able to change directions with far more success. I see this as a notable difference in running styles. But I am not an expert, and (sadly) the Hart era is a bit of a distant memory for me.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:46 PM ^
I agree with all of those as to why he reminds me of Hart... The small sample size will probably prove me wrong in the end, however it seems he has really good vision like Hart had, except Hart had a better O line in front of him.
As for the Ballance and shiftier fit, I think that could come into his game with more experience. For a walk on (now on scholarship) he's impressive in my opinion.
September 16th, 2018 at 11:52 AM ^
I think O'Maury Samuels should be ahead of everyone but I'm only basing that off of a single data point
September 16th, 2018 at 11:58 AM ^
I just feel as though Evans doesn't really add anything to the offense right now. He is not as good as Higdon running the ball. He doesn't pass block as well as Tru. He isn't being used as a passing threat out of the backfield.
If the staff can find a way to utilize strengths, sure, keep him at 2. But as play calling stands right now, i think Tru's positives outweigh what Evans can do.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^
I agree with you despite all the negs, Tru is a far better option than Evans for the #2 RB.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
Why? Because Tru had a SINGLE productive day against SMU? I'm excited for him, but in no way should he be RB #2. Evans is literally our best player in space.
September 16th, 2018 at 2:19 PM ^
He doesn't pass block as well as Tru.
How many data points do we have on Tru's pass blocking? He's been in for what, three pass plays?
We do know at any rate that Evans is a very good receiver out of the backfield and I would like to see us use him more in that role.
September 16th, 2018 at 2:28 PM ^
Don't you remember how Evans was used late in the ND game?
September 16th, 2018 at 12:03 PM ^
I think Kurt Taylor should be ahead of everyone. Not based off of any data, but hard work is undefeated...
September 16th, 2018 at 11:56 AM ^
Any word on Christian Turner? Camp reports had him listed as the solid #3 (a whole lotta speed).
I know he got banged up a few weeks back but it didn’t appear to be serious?
September 16th, 2018 at 12:05 PM ^
Don't take this the wrong way, because I'm not insinuating anything, but we have four guys ahead of him currently, we have a freshman who will redshirt, which kinda puts him ahead of Turner, and 2 studs coming in next year. We are gonna need some scholarships from somewhere. Higdon will be the only one gone, how many RB's will we need?
September 16th, 2018 at 1:42 PM ^
September 16th, 2018 at 3:35 PM ^
Well you did take it the wrong way. I don't think this staff would "process " anyone out, I just think he will look at the depth chart and how he has never been higher than the 5th back and look elsewhere. By insinuating, I meant I don't have any info, and I don't want people to think I heard he was going to transfer.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:03 PM ^
I think Try may be better in pass pro, but as the level of competition rises we will need Evans pass catching and make miss ability out of the backfield.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:14 PM ^
Your opinions are bad, and dumb.
September 16th, 2018 at 10:25 PM ^
Listen..we don't have many play makers on offense. Maybe Higdon, maybe Gentry, maybe DPJ. If Higdon is out, you're left with DPJ, and Gentry.
You can only get those two the ball by throwing it. Why keep Evans in the game if he significantly goobers your ability to get the ball to your playmakers.
Evans himself is not a playnaker or home-run threat right now.
I can't remember a game where Evans was productive and Higdon was not. I feel like Evans is mediocre running, and overrated in one on one situations. He lost several one on one battles Saturday with ball in hand.
I think the positives of Tru, far outweigh the positives of Chris right now. If playcalling changes, perhaps Chris ciuld be the #2. But as of now, his strengths aren't being used. The way I see it right now, rhe difference is this :
An 8 yard run for Tru is a 12 yard run for Chris. (Sometimes Chris will make people miss where Tru wouldn't, and sometimes Tru will put his head down and gain two more yards than Chris would have.) However, every pass play with Chris in could result in a blown assignment and a sack. I'd rather sacrifice 4 yards when the line actually blocks well (rare), in the name of a balanced offensive attack. Evans just diesnt bring anything unique to the scheme right now, and I think reliable blocking is far more valuable
September 16th, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
It seems to my untrained eye that Evans has lost some of his wiggle. SMU defenders were able to get him down 1v1 in space multiple times last game. I get the hot take to a degree because Evans didn't look as explosive as I remembered him being.
I definitely don't think it's a 1a and 1b with Higdon anymore. Higdon looks quite a bit better to me.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
Evans may not be 100% yesterday, that is my take
September 16th, 2018 at 2:36 PM ^
Think back to the first two games of the season. If Evans "lost some of his wiggle" it's been only in the most recent game. So what does that mean?
September 16th, 2018 at 4:15 PM ^
I think Evans had all of 4 touches against Notre Dame and didn't do much with them so Im not sure how well that reinforces your point. Western Michigan isn't really a great barometer either. His biggest sample was the SMU game where he seemed to be having a tough time shaking the defenders against a poor AAC defense. Maybe he was hurt. I hope so.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
When the faux-mascot thing saw this thread:
September 16th, 2018 at 12:38 PM ^
Looks vaguely Russian
September 16th, 2018 at 2:17 PM ^
What are those?!?!
September 16th, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^
Sunday mornings after 25-point wins are not the ideal time for an "unpopular opinion," OP.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:24 PM ^
I will say this, Evans is going to get Shea killed if he misses another blitz pickup.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
evans is really good in space and as a change of pace back, but he’s just not a short yardage back. there’s definitely a place for him on the offense, but not as a traditional rb
September 16th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
Tru should be 2nd on the depth chart. Evans has extremely poor YAC.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:37 PM ^
Unpopular indeed.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:43 PM ^
Jim does not have a depth chart but I would put Wilson ahead of Evans as the 3rd down back, the difference in blocking/pass protection is pretty obvious.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:47 PM ^
Tru is very capable at pass pro on 3rd down. No other RB seems to want to stick his body in there to block. Evans should be used more in the screen and short passing game.
Yesterday looked like a practice game, trying to work out some kinks. This was rough to watch. Hoping to see more first and second down play action passes going forward
September 16th, 2018 at 1:30 PM ^
I'm just copying & pasting what I posted in the coaching snowflake thread about having Evans in there in a less than effective role.
The problem as I saw it was that they had a game-plan to run the ball with Higdon.
His style, as in bruising down-hill tackle breaking running. Mostly 1 cut & go.
Evans is fantastic, but he is NOT that type of a runner. He's much more of a juker, open field make-you-miss type of running back. Thats why he's often so effective later when the opposing D is bruised & tired from facing Higdon.
If you watched Evans closely you saw him juke and cut at least twice before he even made it to the line of scrimmage. With our bad O-line the holes are CLOSED BY THEN!
Higdon out was a last minute decision and you don't change your game plan then you just plug in a new piece.
I'm not happy about a lot of this game (coaching, D, penalties, etc.) but I think thats why Harbaugh inexplicably used Evens to run into the line over & over for the first half of the game.
Tru is much more Higdon-like than Evans-like, and I think his effectiveness later was very apparent.
I don't think Tru is "better" just a different kind of back and they all have their place in the offense.
September 16th, 2018 at 1:41 PM ^
I think Higdon, Evans, and Wilson all have a place in the rotation. Depth is not a bad thing
September 16th, 2018 at 1:46 PM ^
I think Harbaugh will continue to make the best decisions for his depth chart.
September 16th, 2018 at 1:55 PM ^
Tru and Evans are different backs.
Tru hits a hole 100mph and gets what he can. He makes, maybe 1 cut and then goes.
Evans is shifty and weaves through arm tackles, but not great at getting the short yardage.
If Higdon is out for more games, Tru would be better suited for the short yardage stuff while Evans, AS ALWAYS should get the edge stuff and receptions out of the backfield.
September 16th, 2018 at 2:06 PM ^
No, Chris has that twitch to make anyone in the nation fall on their ass. Tru is very encouraging though. Good problem to have!
that giant whiff by Evans was brutal though. If it was someone not named Shea or Dylan, that qb gets hit hard. Hit what you see, see what you hit Chris. (Sue me, i like Spielman as a commentator lol )
September 17th, 2018 at 12:47 AM ^
"No, Chris has that twitch to make anyone in the nation fall on their ass"
I think this is based on perception, and not reality
September 16th, 2018 at 2:11 PM ^
No he shouldn’t but Evans probably pulled a hamstring yesterday and will likely be out so he will get his shot along with Samuels.
herbert needs to work on that stretching and healthy muscles. Can’t just bulk up.
September 16th, 2018 at 2:13 PM ^
Evans just needs an actual running back coach and not a nepotism hire to teach him popular pass blocking technique
September 16th, 2018 at 2:13 PM ^
Evans just needs an actual running back coach and not a nepotism hire to teach him popular pass blocking technique
September 16th, 2018 at 3:38 PM ^
So it's the running backs coach fault Evans won't block, but it's not to the RB coach's credit that Wilson and Higdon block? OK, I gotcha.
September 16th, 2018 at 2:17 PM ^
I like Tru Wilson, but he’s not better than Evans. Christian Turner was the #3 back before he got hurt in training camp.
Anyone know when Turner is suppose to come back?
September 16th, 2018 at 2:28 PM ^
I don’t think he should start ahead of Evans but he definitely proved he belonged.