Top five by position in the Pac 10 - Running Back
by John Berkowitz on Apr 29, 2010 6:01 AM PDT
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1. LaMichael James So ...Oregon
2. Jacquizz Rodgers Jr...Oregon State
3. Chris Polk So ...Washington
4. Shane Vereen Jr ...California
5. Dillon Baxter Fr ...USC
The Pac 10 always has had great talent at running back and 2010 is no exception. What is the exception is the extraordinary amount of great RB talent coming to the conference in the 2010 recruiting class. The West coast was deep in talented HS running backs last season and most of the schools in the conference loaded up on some top flight talent.
It is easy to pick the top four returnees since all four topped or were very close (Shane Vereen) to topping 1000 yards last season. After that it gets a little cloudy because I expect some very talented freshman to emerge immediately. One of those kids is USC's Dillon Baxter who has been looking like Reggie Bush since spring drills began in LA.
Allen Bradford started the spring as the designated starter in USC platoon but it is going to be very hard to keep Baxter off the field. Up here in Seattle we all know how good Callier and Cooper are...Baxter is better going in and that is pretty scary.
LaMichael James ran for 1,546 yards on 230 carries for a sensational 6.72 average and an even more impressive nearly 119 yards per game. He ran into some off season personal trouble which almost landed him in jail and off the football team. He will be suspended for the opening game but Oregon won't miss him much since they have tremendous depth which is just as talented right behind him.
According to the Oregon Ducks website, "few players have ever made the impact in their initial campaign at Oregon as the Pac-10's Offensive Freshman of the Year" as he has, by becoming the first freshmen ever to earn the team's "Most Outstanding Player" award.
Jacquizz Rodgers. A sophomore in 2009, Rodgers picked up 1,440 yards on 273 carries for a 5.27 average and nearly 111 yards per game. Quizz wasn't 100% last year and he still posted some great numbers.
He will enter his junior season needing 1,169 yards rushing and eight touchdowns to move into second place on the Beavers all-time list, numbers he easily eclipsed his first two seasons, once as the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year -- the first true freshman to win the honor -- and the second as a first-team All-Pac-10 running back. At his present trajectory -- if he opts to play two more seasons -- he'll end up second on the Pac-10's all-time rushing list behind former USC Heisman Trophy winner Charles White.
Ted Miller
Chris Polk gained 1,113 yards last season on 226 carries for nearly five yards per carry and almost 93 yards per game. Those are impressive numbers but what is even more impressive is how many yards he picked up after contact.
Polk had surgery shortly after the first of the year, leaving him out of contact work this spring. He puts on full pads for practice and wears a red jersey, going through non-contact drills but sitting non-contact work. "I haven't even lifted this arm yet," he said. But Polk says there's no danger he won't be available for the season, vowing to be fully recovered by July. "I'll be 100 percent ready to go," he said.
Shane Vereen backed up Jahvid Best last season but still ran for 952 yards and a 5.2 average in 2009. In 2010 he will have a full time starting role and that should yield at least a 1000 yard season.
Vereen possesses the rarest of blends for a back, a bona fide homerun hitter with a lunch pail mentality. How exactly does that happen to a budding superstar, especially one raised in the affluence of Valencia, Calif.? Really good parenting. From a very young age, Vereen and brother Brock, who’s headed to Minnesota, knew that athletics were only possible if the schoolwork and the chores were completed. It really paid off. Shane is an outstanding student and can probably still cut your lawn better than some landscapers. In the bigger picture, he’s a complete kid with a great work ethic. If he can’t out run you on a play, he’ll make darn sure he out works you.
College Football News
Dillon Baxter hasn't played a single down of football for USC yet but he may be the most talented Trojan RB to step on to the field since Reggie Bush. The West Coast was rich last season in HS RB talent and Baxter was the most coveted player in the group. USC always has a lot of talent stockpiled at the position so it is safe to say no matter who gets the bulk of the carries this year that one of the Trojan tailbacks will be among the best in the Pac 10.
It's the first scrimmage of spring practice. Dillon Baxter is a freshman who, technically, should still be a senior in high school right now. But after waiting most of the weekend for a clip to show up of the 50-yard touchdown run that had cynical beat writers whistling in praise on Saturday and coach Lane Kiffin openly comparing Baxter to Reggie Bush at the former Heisman winner's best, I'm posting it because it is hee-yah, from two different angles (if the clip doesn't take you directly to it, the play begins around the 0:50 mark, following a nice strip-and-run by defensive tackle DaJohn Harris):
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Friday Night Lights
I saw something on Realdawg about the possibility of having 30,000 attend the Spring Game. Anything is possible but I attended the Spring Game after the 1991 National Championship Season and there were like 20,000 fans there. I think if we hit 10,000 it will be fantastic. I read somewhere that Nebraska had 77,000 fans at theirs. My buddy was saying that Tennessee was trying to break the record a few years back and they had like 100,000 fans at theirs. Unreal!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
The Nick Saben Era at Alabama
Had a full house for the Tide’s Spring Game in Saben’s first year on the job. Fact is nobody is as nutty as SEC fans.
All I saw was purple
Jacquizz Rodgers is No.1
OSU’s Rodgers has been doing this for quite some time and he’s proven he can run with the ball up against anybody. LaMichael James is a good back, but Chris Polk ran wild last season too and had very little protection up front. What do you suppose would be the outcome if Polk had James’ O line and James had Polk’s O line.
1. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
2. Chris Polk, Washigton
3. LaMichael James, Oregon
That’s my top 3…
All I saw was purple
Top 4
I think the top 4 are interchangeable. You have to give credit to Polk who did great behind an average line, James did great, but defenses had to plan for a lot of other weapons as well. Watch out for Shane Vareen, now that Best is gone, I expect him to put up very big numbers. I’d probably go:
1. Rogers
2. Polk
3. Vareen
4. James
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Hahahaha, you're kidding, right?
That’s just blind homerism and an unfair bias against a rival team.
Welcome to Nashville, LeGarrette. Also, I love the Jay-Hey Kid.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Apr 29, 2010 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Homerism
Funny, I didn’t put our RB on top. I bet you think James should be on top of the list, huh? You put Polk or Rogers in Oregon’s offense and I’d bet they’d put up better numbers than James.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Rodgers maybe, but absolutely not Vereen or Polk. LaMichael and Jacquizz are 2 steps ahead of any other RB’s in the conference.
Welcome to Nashville, LeGarrette. Also, I love the Jay-Hey Kid.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Apr 29, 2010 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Who's being the homer now?
Watch out for Shane Vareen, he’s the real deal. I wish there was a stat for broken tackles, Polk would have lead the conference by a very good margin.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Who is this Shane Vareen fellow?
It isn’t being a homer when I have the stats and video evidence to prove that LMJ and Quizz are better than anyone else in the Pac-10 at the running back position. You’re really just fooling yourself if you honestly believe that Polk is better.
Welcome to Nashville, LeGarrette. Also, I love the Jay-Hey Kid.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Apr 29, 2010 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
It's my educated opinion that I'd be willing to say most people would concur with.
Welcome to Nashville, LeGarrette. Also, I love the Jay-Hey Kid.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Apr 29, 2010 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions
What "education" are you refering to?
I’m an “educated” football fan. If I think Brock Huard is the greatest QB of all time, I still need reasons/facts to support my opinion.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
If you were truly an "educated" Pac 10 fan . . .
you would know who Shane Vereen.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
What the hell are you talking about? Where did I say that I don’t know who Vereen is? I know perfectly well who Vereen is.
Fact is, ask any non-biased Pac-10 fan who the better RB is, and they’ll tell you that LMJ is. I may be biased, but I still know that I’m right. For instance, I’ll tell you that Locker>Masoli. I’m a realist, anf you’re being a blantant homer. Give it a rest.
Welcome to Nashville, LeGarrette. Also, I love the Jay-Hey Kid.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Apr 29, 2010 9:30 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Being a homer
Gee, you think you’re RB is far and away the best in the conference, and you’re calling me the homer?
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Funny
A year ago you couldn’t find any “educated” Duck fan who would admitted Locker is better than Masoli, until Masoli embarrassed Oregon and turned out to be the thug we all thought he was. But you’re not biased, not a homer, just an “educated” fan.
A few beers does not equal an education.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
thug we all thought he was
And of course that is opinion too, or you have proof that you said prior to 2009 that he was a thug. Otherwise you’re just using recent events to justify personal feelings that you wouldn’t dare say prior to last year coming off a winless 2008 year and Masoli being mentioned in Heisman talks (which BTW seems hilarious now considering what has transpired lately).
Putting produce in your beer is just plain porn.
Addicted to Quack
Ask ANYBODY here
I’ve been saying he’s a thug for ALONG time. I’ll even try and dig up an old post as evidence.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
When I find proof
You can admit your error, and ban yourself from our blog for the next year!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Tell you what, I’ll ban myself if you’ll ban yourself when you also look up and quote the other ridiculous statements you’ve made over the last year.
Putting produce in your beer is just plain porn.
Addicted to Quack
Calling Masoli a thug is pretty darn accurate, don't you think?
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Yes, now. But the:
thug we all thought he was
not so accurate. Especially the we all and thought parts
Putting produce in your beer is just plain porn.
Addicted to Quack
Maybe not everyone knew about Masoli’s past history, so the “we all” part is maybe not accurate. But some of us were aware of his dubious past and were not at all shocked by the recent accusations, and were vindicated in our suspicions of his guilt despite the protestations of many Duck fans that it was all made up lies.
You better...
take your ball and go home now!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
He was making a play on that you misspelled Shane Vereen.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com
I have a Ropert is God™ complex.
No the videos reaLLy do prove THEY’RE the best. It’s called the 2009 Pac 10 season. See what JB wrote if you want further evidence
Putting produce in your beer is just plain porn.
Addicted to Quack
With all due respect to John . . .
nobody is perfect!
How many Husky games did you watch last year? If Duck fans had watch more than the UW vs. OU game, they would be amazed at how many tackles Polk ran through last season and how successful he was behind an average at best o-line.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Come on man, I watched as many UW games as I could stomach. I’m not saying Polk isn’t legit, but James was way better over all last season and if you take off the purple glasses you’d recognize the same thing.
Putting produce in your beer is just plain porn.
Addicted to Quack
If you'd take off those gawd awful yellow glasses
we might be able to have a discussion.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Dude, in what area besides anecdotal and preferential bias like “average O-line” and “Oregon’s offense” did Polk out do James? Find me the stats that actually back up what you’re saying. Oh and if we want to talk that way, I’ll say that since Locker is sooooo much better than Masoli, James didn’t have the same awesomely great QB keeping defenses honest. You know because Locker is so great and defenses had to respect his ability and Masoli is such a thug that no defense even cared about him and strictly focused on James so James is obviously better
Putting produce in your beer is just plain porn.
Addicted to Quack
They're Called Opinions...
…and everyone has one. If you can’t deal with it, too bad.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Rodgers and James were the the two best RB’s in the conference last season. Polk had a great year and Rodgers was dinged up most of the season. The one guy that put together the most consistent season long performance was James.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 30, 2010 5:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Come now, Polk above Shane Vereen and James?
I just don’t get it. What is it about Polk that makes you all swoon? Both Vereen and James rushed for more per carry, and neither were expected to be starters going into the season. Be fair.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com
I have a Ropert is God™ complex.
Yards after contact my man….that is what makes Polk special…he made over 800 yards after contact last year…UW would have been 0-12 without him.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 29, 2010 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Against that stellar ND defense, eh?
Welcome to Nashville, LeGarrette. Also, I love the Jay-Hey Kid.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Apr 29, 2010 9:30 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Fine.
How about what he did against Oregon’s D? (18 for 104). Or UCLA, who had one of the best rushing defenses in the conference? (15 for 132).
What’s your opinion of Polk? Are you suggesting he isn’t the real deal?
Am I the only one who finds it funny how . . .
at this time last year Masoli was the best QB in the conference and anybody who said otherwise was just a “homer” from another school. Now that Masoli has embarrassed duck fans, many duck fans admit he was a great athlete but an average QB.
I wonder how long LMJ will live up to the hype/expectations the duck fans are putting on him.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
It is kind of funny regarding Masoli.
However, this time last year we knew how he performed against Arizona, Oregon State, and Oklahoma State, which was pretty remarkable. Furthermore, the Pac-10 fielded some pretty big unknowns at QB at this time last year.
Sanchez went pro.
Tuitama was gone
Carpenter was gone.
OSU was unsure at QB.
Cal was stuck with Riley.
Locker’s career stats were less then stellar, he was coming off a nasty injury AND was learning a new system.
Masoli was the “Best QB in the Pac-10” by default this time last year. If I were given the same circumstances, that’s a statement I’d still agree with.
Eventually, he started to get his groove back, but I was never on board with the Masoli-for-Heisman hype train. He needed to be more consistent.
its spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-A-L-I-T-T-L-E-I-L-L-L-A-T-E-L-Y"
I'm glad we found ONE humble Oregon fan
Most Duck fans were of the opinion that Masoli could give God Almighty a few lessons on how to play football.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
When Masoli was rolling, he was pretty remarkable. If Masoli stalled – he wasn’t all that.
I believed he gave the Ducks the best shot to win last year when compared to Costa or Thomas, but that’s because of experience and that he was getting reps with the 1s.
It was fun watching him, but he wasn’t god’s gift to Oregon. That was Dixon under Kelly.
its spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-A-L-I-T-T-L-E-I-L-L-L-A-T-E-L-Y"
Masoli
I thought he was a great “general” for the spread option offense, he was great at play fakes, he ran the ball very well, but he was an average passer, at best.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
He had great qualities in his passing game. He had a lightening quick release, and a strong arm. He was wildly inconsistent with decision making and accuracy though. He also had terrible vision over the middle, but I blame his height for that.
its spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-A-L-I-T-T-L-E-I-L-L-L-A-T-E-L-Y"
That's pretty much what it was about for Masoli.
When he was in a groove like he was against UW and USC, his passing game was elevated to a stellar level, but when he had to pass to start out and he couldn’t read the middle over the tall o-linemen, he had problems. It’s the same with most QBs, and I hope the same fate does not befall Costa, who is also short.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com
I have a Ropert is God™ complex.
With the way he played against you guys and USC, I wouldn't doubt it.
Masoli’s inconsistency with passing over the course of the year notwithstanding, you saw yourself get reamed by him when he was in the zone. That’s what impressed everyone most about Masoli — how good he could and would get.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com
I have a Ropert is God™ complex.
For a guy that was more of a passing QB in the JC ranks, Masoli proved masterful at running the spread option running game under Kelly.
I’ll give Oregon and Kelly big props – that is a hell of an effective offensive system, and I think it’s going to take a while for defenses to catch up. And in all honesty, I’m not sure Kelly’s offensive system is going to fade the way Switzer’s wishbone option did – it may just prove to have long-term longevity.
That said, as long as the NFL continues to avoid option offense (other than the gimmick of the wildcat), pro-style offenses like Sark’s will remain a viable way to go as they have advantages in turning H.S. recruits into NFL draftees.
That said, as long as the NFL continues to avoid option offense (other than the gimmick of the wildcat), pro-style offenses like Sark’s will remain a viable way to go as they have advantages in turning H.S. recruits into NFL draftees.
Sigh, this is one thing I just don’t understand. Am I seriously the only person who couldn’t give a flying shit about how good of an NFL prospect my favorite player makes? The player himself may care, but I seriously cannot understand this whole thing everyone else seems to have for their quarterback be in a system that “turns him into an NFL draftee.”
This is one thing I’ve clashed with you Dawg Pound people on for a long time. Seriously, why is it important?
Addicted To Quack [dot] com
I have a Ropert is God™ complex.
For me personally, I don’t care whether the offense is pro-style or not. Where it matters is if it gives the UW any kind of advantage in recruiting players. I think right now it works out for both UW and Oregon – they both offer different options to kids, and they aren’t always directly competing against each other for players, especially QB’s.
Switch teams with James and Polk.
James doesn’t get 1,000 yards at the UW in 2009. Probably not even close. Without the misdirection that’s a huge part of the Ducks’ offense, and the magician-like ball control of Masoli, James’ speed would’ve been put to use mainly in dodging tacklers in the backfield. At that point, he just doesn’t have the power to break very many tackles.
On the other hand, Polk might not have the 6th gear that James has, but he’s plenty fast enough to pick up big chunks of yardage in the open field. Especially if he was actually able to get to the corner at full speed (as opposed to already having to take on a linebacker or safety). Polk would get the yards James had easily enough, but maybe not the yards per carry. He’d also provide an element that James can’t – a physical between-the-tackles runner. A short-yardage guy. (This is where I think you guys will miss Masoli as much as anywhere, by the way….)
James is the perfect guy for Oregon’s offense. Even his lack of height is a plus. He’s a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. Polk might not be that guy in Oregon’s offense, but he’s fast enough to be extremely dangerous, and he can do the one thing James can’t – get his own yards.
I’d be even more worried about Oregon’s running game if they would’ve recruited a complimentary back to James instead of a carbon copy (Seastrunk). I’m sure Kelly will figure out ways to get them both on the field at the same time, but carries for one are going to come at the expense of the other as opposed to one being able to set the other up.
Finally!!
Somebody who knows what he’s talking about.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
James doesn’t get 1,000 yards at the UW in 2009?
I think he would have.
by John Berkowitz on May 3, 2010 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Really?
I’m surprised that the biggest proponent of yards after contact as a measure of a back would say this.
Chris Polk got about 350 yards prior to first contact. Do you honestly think James is good for 1. 650 yards after contact, and 2. The type of punishment that Polk absorbed?
Oregon’s offense did a great job of getting James the ball in space. That luxury wouldn’t exist at Washington. James himself said that he wouldn’t be able to be an every down back in a more traditional offense.
30,000 at the Spring Game?
I might have seen close to that back in the days when we had an Alumni Game.
Now that...
…would be something to witness! I’ve heard some stories about those games. I wish my old man would have taken me to some of those.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Polks on the up and up.
But there will be better players than him come fall. Probably from SC.
Also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x14qPgmXE-I&feature=related
by Schr(0)dinger's Duck on Apr 29, 2010 10:12 AM PDT reply actions
Cooper
That kid’s got a chance to come in and do some damage too. Someone compared him to Eric Dickerson.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I think the Dickerson comparisons are over doing it. After seeing the scrimmage last Saturday, he doesn’t really remind me of Dickerson – not as tall, doesn’t run as upright. Fast, but not sure if he’s quite as fast as Dickerson.
Don’t get me wrong, he looked real good. But Dickerson is an all-time great.
Or . . .
just lots of great RB’s in the Pac 10
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Not to change the subj., but...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aPDM7_6FJ6aw
Texas, LSU, and others got a huge positive ROI by investing in STADIUM IMPROVEMENTS, rather than endowments. Funny that our ridiculous law makers can’t figure it out. Maybe if you know someone that works down in Oly we can forward this to them.
Totally Different Animals
"These schools are the anomalies," Isch said in a telephone interview. "They are playing for national football championships, they have tradition, people know if they don’t keep their tickets, someone else is standing in line to get them.
"But the average programs are going to see declines."
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
That really sucks.
Got to feel for the guy, it’s really got to suck being forced to quit playing football due to bad knees.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
The writing has been on the wall for a long time.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 29, 2010 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, always held out hope for him.
At least he’ll have a UW education to fall back on!
by hairofthedawg on Apr 30, 2010 1:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Even as an 'SC homer
Baxter ranked 5th may be a tad bit high. Some of those highlight reel runs were against our 3rd string.
--Conquest Chronicles , SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Follow me on Twitter @Joey_Kaufman
Baxter
I left the fifth spot open for a frosh and the Pac 10 has an incredible frosh RB class…I just happen to think that Baxter has the best opportunity to move into the starting lineup.
by John Berkowitz on May 3, 2010 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions
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