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Post by Coyote Fan on Aug 11, 2017 19:02:30 GMT -6
It certainly seems as if the Coyotes have recruited about 10 highly touted running backs over the past 3 years but why is it that none of them seem to be stepping up and taking that starting tail back position. I was impressed with Frederick when he was a freshman but it doesn't seem like he improved much and I still don't know if he is MVFC caliber starting runningback type material even with him adding pounds in the off season. Please if anyone knows if any of these backs are going to step up it would be nice to know because it doesn't seem like for whatever reason that the Coyotes have really found that impact back that we can all be excited about. This isn't intended to be an intentional knock on this position but there has been almost no buzz about any of these guys including Frederick.
Here are the ones on the roster.
Lincoln Gibbs - Langford, SD - regardless of his accolades in high school running backs from South Dakota don't often turn into elite level backs in D1 college football.
Paul Anderson - West Park, FL - already a junior so I wouldn't expect a sudden break out from him to be the man for the Yotes.
Ben Klett - Lake Zurich, IL - kind of big but does he have the speed and elusiveness to be a featured back.
Kai Henry - Miami, FL - for my money this is the guy that I think has the best chance to be elite as he is a freshman but is on the small side. Can he resemble Stefan Logan?
Brandon Thull - Kewaskum, WI - I didn't even realize he was on the team until I looked at the roster
Joe Schlager - McCook, NE - Haven't heard of him either
Ethan Falaniko - Anchorage, AK - Another big guy with perhaps the same questions as Klett
It seems like the Coyotes have about 6 receives and 2 quarterbacks that are all more talented at their positions then any of the running backs on the roster. I really hope someone steps up and turns into a big time surprise this year.
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Post by sportschic on Aug 12, 2017 14:39:34 GMT -6
Ethan Falaniko is a guy who is strong and tough who will run over people and wear down the defense...good for short yardage. Ben Klett was a running back in high school and if you watch his huddle he can be elusive and hard to bring down. I'm putting my money on this 1-2 punch. I agree about Frederick and don't know much about the others accept that Lincoln played in a small division high school and was a man among boys. It will be interesting to watch and see if he can play at this level.
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Post by goyotes24 on Aug 12, 2017 14:48:50 GMT -6
I've seen Lincoln Gibbs play a few times in high school (my cousin played and graduated HS with him). It's difficult to gauge just how good he is considering the talent he played with and against, but he is seriously fast and strong. He kind of reminds me of Travis Mlady, but at a higher level. Lincoln won't be your every down back, but he may become the most reliable back.
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Post by yotefbfan on Aug 12, 2017 16:11:54 GMT -6
In regards to the running backs, since the coaching staff did not go get a transfer, you have to think that they are comfortable with what they have. In this pro-style offence, the RB is not necessarily a true feature back like you think of with an offence like UND. This staff and offence often utilize bigger backs who can create their own blocks since they do not use a fullback. A good variety of backs may serve this offence well, although I have to think the ability to block and catch passes will be important. Also, consider that both Fredrick and Anderson were not recruited by this staff.
Mike Fredrick - He will surely be given every opportunity to be the starter and he has earned that. He will need to establish that he can block for Strevler and become a reliable option out of the backfield to keep the #1 spot. I will not be surprised if he returns to the #2 spot with a majority of his work between the 20s.
Paul Anderson - Primarily a returner, and a good one, may get some opportunities, but probably limited.
The Redshirt Freshman:
Ben Klett - From his Hudl he has speed (sub 11:00 100m speed) and has shown elusiveness. He showed well in the spring game and also showed he is an effective receiver out of the backfield. As a big back, he should be effective blocking. He will definitely see action inside the 20s and if he can show he can block and catch he could be a contender to be the #1 back.
Ethan Falaniko - Reminds me of Nikko Watson, the big RB this staff had at WIU. Might be more of a short yardage back than a #1, but definitely sure he can block and gain some tough yards. Expect him to see plenty of playing time.
Brandon Thull - Limited action in the spring game and looks more like another short yardage back than a #1. The jury is still out but definitely a strong back.
Joe Schlager - Injured last Spring, not sure he is active yet, might be a medical this year. Not overly big or fast.
The True Freshman:
Lincoln Gibbs - Looks like on Hudl that he has good speed and size, but coming from 8-man football, he has not seen the same competition that a back from a metropolitan area might have. Expect him to be red-shirted to gain experience for a year but could be a solid player in the future.
Kai Henry - Good competition in Florida, a little small, but with time in the weight room could be good. Once again I would expect a red-shirt, but maybe the first to lose it if any injuries hit.
It might look more like a hockey line change at times until this staff figures it out, but I am pretty confident that they will be effective and a marquee back may emerge over time. Regardless, this offence is not reliant on this position and will be very effective all year.
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Post by Yotes on Aug 12, 2017 19:05:52 GMT -6
Not worried about this position. Frederick might be the only notable returner, but we know we can count on him and I liked what I saw from Klett and Falaniko in the spring game.
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Post by ontheyote on Aug 16, 2017 14:01:25 GMT -6
Not extremely worried about this position either. With the type of offense the Yotes run, our backs will get yards due to tempo and wearing down the defense. Saw this multiple types last season. The RB position is a dime a dozen anyway. We should be more concerned with the improvement of our offensive line. It will be vital to pick up the 3rd and short or 4th and short to extend drives and give the offensive more opportunities to hit big plays.
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Post by usdtator on Aug 16, 2017 15:12:26 GMT -6
Straight from Coach O...
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Post by Coyote Fan on Aug 16, 2017 17:36:40 GMT -6
Not extremely worried about this position either. With the type of offense the Yotes run, our backs will get yards due to tempo and wearing down the defense. Saw this multiple types last season. The RB position is a dime a dozen anyway. We should be more concerned with the improvement of our offensive line. It will be vital to pick up the 3rd and short or 4th and short to extend drives and give the offensive more opportunities to hit big plays. I agree that many backs can succeed in this system but I don't think they are a dime a dozen either. Look what Logan did for the Coyotes back in 2005. Pretty awesome stuff is what he did. An elite back can make a real difference for an offense and the Coyotes could have used one trying to protect leads last year at the very least. |
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Post by easmus on Aug 16, 2017 20:29:08 GMT -6
I don't think RB was the problem last year, it was the O-line IMO. Bouma did pretty well previously.
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