http://theozone.net/football/2012/Indiana/Smith_FreshStart.html
Really cool insight as to why Rod was really struggling in the beginning with the new staff. Glad he finally has his head on straight and has the chance to start making plays.
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That TD run he had against Nebraska was beautiful. And you could tell he was very focused on NOT fumbling. He held the ball a lot like Tiki Barber did when he fixed his fumbling issues. Hopefully it's a sign of good things to come.
"I'm a weapon just waiting to be used" Yes! Confidence is the best thing for him right now. Get this guy the rock.
I know like lots of other people on here I was sooo happy to see him bust off that TD run. Just icing on the cake of a great day.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.
Good story and a good lesson that redemption is always around the corner with a little hard work
I'm hoping for good things for this kid in his last 2.5 years of eligibility. Gotta love a feel-good turnaround story!
You can kill a fly with your slipper or a cannon. Either way, the fly dies. -Ramzy
Great story. Goes really well with what Kyle Wrote a few weeks ago!
http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2012/09/14274/smith-rewarded-for-staying-a...
Edit: Meant to include that I think Smith could become that back we all expected him too. Dunn might need to get used to waiting and Hyde might need to look over his shoulder!
If you've seen the highlights - you have to love the potential. After that run Saturday - I just hope he gets more opportunities & makes the most of each of them. If's he's hungry enough - then he'll be a dangerous man every time he gets the ball.
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
I was somewhat surprised he didn't get more reps in the 4th quarter after his nice TD run. I'm going to guess he gets at least 5 carries this week though.
Yah his potential is tremendous, but as both Kyle's and Castel's article state he has to keep that head on straight. I'm from Indiana, I got to see him play in high school a little bit and boy was it a treat. I was super stoked when he committed to the bucks back then. Now with the new staff as long as he stays with the program and buys into the program Meyer is trying to form his talent should show out. Urban knows how to use play makers and I think he has the potential to be a good one.
I'll be willing to bet we've only seen a short glimpse of what Rod Smith will accomplish at OSU
A few weeks ago on a different Smith thread, I said I think all he needs to do is break one to build his confidence and then he'll be the back we expected. I don't know if I'm right but I really do hope that the 33 yard TD run agaisnt Nebraska was the beginning of something great. That run was so damn awesome to watch! I really like Smith and the potential he has and I agree that if he get's going he could eventually be #1 on the depth chart but time will tell. I'm sure I'm not the only guy who thinks from a pure talent standpoint, Smith has the most to offer at the RB position. I'm rooting really hard for him; he seems to have bought in finally (better late than never) and with more opportunities, I feel like a star may be born.
On a side note, over on the Ozone a few weeks ago when he fumbled a handoff late in a game, someone said that was the end of Rod Jones (didn't even get his name right, smh). Interesting to see how a guy can go from goat to hero in one snap. Here's to hoping that Smith breaks off a few more great runs so people will hear his name enough in the future to not get it wrong.
Champions Bleed Scarlet & Gray
One of the commentators got his name wrong during one of the broadcasts, and then he fumbled like 1 or 2 plays later. It blew up the Live Blog. What name was it? I can't remember.
With Hyde and smith running the ball we have 2 monster backs and should be running people over..once the offensive line and the ball carriers start to click big things are going to happen..I feel sorry for those linebackers who have to try and bring this 2 headed monster to the ground!
Yah people kept saying they wanted Hall and Hyde in the backfield at the same time with Braxton. Think about a wildcat look with Hyde and Smith back there (Hyde taking the snap) running the read option.
Rod Jones!!!!
R.Smith is the most talented of the backs on the roster, however talent alone dosn't make one good. Here is to hoping he continues his growth, and development. he looked like a faster L.Bell to me on that TD run. Wonder if Urban saw this development a while back which allowed him to stop recruiting D.Green ... Hmmm ... I'm beginning to feel U.Meyer might be the Phil Jackson of college football. Still waiting on our Oregon Offense w/our tOSU defense ... Its an exiciting time to be a BUCKEYE!!!
Not to seem like I'm being too harsh on Carlos Hyde because I know he had a great games vs Nebraska and MSU and has done well overall at OSU, but I really don't like him as the primary ball carrier. I guess I'm spoiled and am looking for the "wow" factor like Rod has a la that 33 yard run, but when I think of an OSU running back, I think of a potential home run every play. Carlos Hyde, while he has the bruising power that OSU doesn't get with anyone else besides Boren, doesn't have the bust out speed.
I guess the point of my post is I hope we eventually see closer to a 50/50 balance between carries on a run game between Carlos and Rod because they both can help this team immensely.
Don't give up... Don't ever give up.
@Ourhonor I'm with you. Watching tape of the games make you really see how many holes he passes up. The coaches praise this line for making ballcarriers look good, but Hyde could look even better with better vision
Rod needs more chances to run. Maybe run Braxton and Hyde a little less and give those carries to Rod instead.
"if irony were made of strawberries, we' d all be drinking a lot of smoothies right now."
I have never been a C.Hyde fan, always thought he missed a ton of holes, and his vision was poor. Want proof just look at how the rushing improved last season when Boom returned running the same plays behind the same OL.
I think Hyde has bad vision as well. i notice a lot of times soon as he hits the line he ducks his head down. Also sometimes it seems as if he is looking for contact almost. His elusiveness is not that good either never really seen him make a guy miss. His speed and measureables are good, but that doesn't seem to translate. I remember when he was being recruited initially it was as a fullback. That could be part of the vision problem.
I cheer for him to do well almost as much as I do for Braxton.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
Will never happen.
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
Smith's 33-yd run was both badass and inspiring.
When I watched the run live, though, my first instinct was to think that Smith's loose jersey, which became sort of untucked on the run, would cost him a big gain. At one time, a Nebraska player appeared to be tugging the jersey, before Rod pulled away.
I see some of you feel Hyde isn't that great of a primary ball carrier. Well, first of all Braxton will always be the true #1 ball carrier. Second, Hyde wore down that Nebraska defense and was actuall going hand in hand in effectively working with Braxton, something I am not quite sure Rod has down yet. So despite how you feel about Hyde's running, he has developed some keen skills that work in tandem with the offense. Its not all about running!
Plus I can't help but point out that Rod's 33 yd carry, although a magnificent one, was late in the game after Hyde and Braxton wore that defense down! Not saying Rod wouldn't have run like that in another instance but I do think it being 4th quarter and OSU running the way they did was a factor! Bask in the glory of a great run but don't discount the 320 yards run before then.
Rod Smith will play on Sundays.
"It's just another case of there you are". ~ Doc (1918-2012)
Not discounting Hyde I just think he needs to learn how to follow his blocks better. i mean i remeber halfway through the 3rd qurter he was at like 16 carries and 56 yards or something like that. He just doesn't have the vision of Hall, Smith,and even Dunn is better. Plus he is not very elusive at all he doesn't make anybody miss just tries to bulldoze. Hyde is a workhorse though and he can definitely push the pile with his strength and speed. He defniately is a serviceable starter though.
Okay, let me put it this way when it comes to vision. Hyde carried the ball 28 times without a single negative run. He may not be able to cut, bounce or spin his way to a major run but his vision is good enough to not make a play that will make a negative impact on the drive. He goes where he believe he can get the minimum amount of yards possible with the hopes of getting more. Some backs try to use their vision to look for the homerun shot when most of the time they get stuffed in the backfield. Barry Sanders was awesome but with all his negative runs it hurt the team despite his ability to get alot of yards. They really didn't have a lot of sustained drives to win games. Emmit Smith wasn't as dynamic but he rarely got a negative play. I'd take both RB in a heartbeat but Smith won championships. Just sayin!
Also want to point out that Hyde had 10 rushes in the first half. 5 of which were on a long touchdown drive capped by his 16 yard rush for a TD. Thanks to Braxton the offense was still doing well but in the second half when Hyde's runs were spread out more and consistent, the offense was much more dynamic!
I hear you guys about Rod and what the possibilities are but with a dynamic player like Braxton, I would prefer to have Ol'reliable next to him getting the minimum to keep the drive alive!
Couldn't agree with Squirrel Master more. If Rod performs up to the abilities we think he may have, he will force the coaching staff to give him more touches. In the meantime, I am perfectly happy to play smash-mouth with Hyde alongside Miller's ridiculous elusiveness.
I still stand by these comments that I made on a previous Smith thread.
I can't remember who, kind of politely scoffed at my idea of running the wildcat. Funny, we seemed to run it a few times in that last game. It appeared quite effective and saved Braxton some contact.
I really liked Rod on his one kickoff return. Devin Smith is fast but he dances too much on kick return. Rod caught the ball and ran hard towards the first opening he saw and got ~30 yards. That's the most effective way to pop a long return: run hard and don't wait for a hole to open up. If one doesn't, still looking at 20+ yards usually. If a hole does, watch out. Thought Rod looked good back there
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
@Buckeye Jason ... Why do you feel it will never happen? I didn't say it was going to happen this year, but I think something very similar is on the way. Haven't you noticed we are recruiting some of the same players as Oregon?
I'm also a fan of Rod returning kickoffs, and noticed immediately when they subbed him in for D. Smith... Urban sees something that some of us that are fans of Rod's see also... I also really like the idea of a C. Hyde/R. Smith wildcat, w/ XBrax 360 going out wide... with Philly, Devin, and Heuerman as the others (have Hauerman motion to the strong side, Rod on the strong, then, as a suprise, draw handoff to the weakside...)
Carries the ball like he has something to prove (which might be true). Makes him dangerous with the ball in his hands.
It COULD happen..but how many times have you seen a team that scores 50 plus a game have a defense that gives up 10 ppg or so..which is basically a traditionally dominant OSU defense? Usually teams that dominate on the defensive side of the ball ala Alabma/LSU/Notre Dame(this year) don't score a lot of points. It's especially hard in a major conference like the BIG 10.
Same could be said with NFL teams. Look at the top offenses year in and out like The Patriots, Packers, etc..they score in a hurry but their defenses usually leave a lot to be desired. Top defenses like the Ravens, Jets(2009-2010) 49ers, aren't lighting up score boards with high Powered offenses. I don't know why it works like this..maybe because teams with great defenses usually pound the ball on the ground and eat up clock..keeping the defense fresh and the other offenses off the field.
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
Well if you look at those great USC teams led by R.Bush the were pretty dominant on both sides of the ball, not to mention those great Miami teams at the beginning of this century ...
First time post; great job Eleven Warriors; keep up the good work.
Hyde is a traditional osu power back that I love to watch slam into opposing defenses. He runs with a passion not seen in very many backs. While I love his style and still want him to get carries; that TD run against Nebreska has me wondering if Smith is also a power back, but with better balance and vision. I know on that run that the D was tired, but it looked like he has the ability to make a guy (or 2 or 3) miss.
Did anyone else notice that Smith has that "nose for the end zone" that has been lacking by our backs recently? He wasn't going to be stopped until he got there. Give him 7-10 carries against IU.
I agree with an earlier post that Smith should return kickoffs. The problem with our current guys is not speed or skill; but rather indecision. Smith is more decisive.
The Rod Smith love is in full affect! He had one nice TD run and now he's our best back all of a sudden, lol. It's like if Sabino came in, blitz and got a sack after being underwhelming his whole career and wanting him to start over the other LB's.
Brandon Saine had plenty of nice long Highlight reel TD runs, Mo Wells had his time to shine a bit as well..what does this mean? There's a reason Smith's in his 3rd year at OSU and hardy gets carries..the coaches don't trust him much and don't think he's that great apparently. Remember Jermil Martins long td run vs Minny in 2009? Yeah..don't fall for a few nice runs.
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
If you watch R.Smith he seems to have a decent run each time he has touch the rock. Keep in mind had he no been fumbling he'd probably be ahead of C.Hyde right now. Just watching our stable of sub-par backs. R.Smith is the only one that has a chance to be special. If he keeps working hard, holding on to the rock, and pushing the pile. I'm willing to say he'll be the starter by the end of the season. I'm hoping he has his best game of his career tonight. 1 long run isn't what has brought me to this conclusion its watching him each time he has been given a chance. It may have just "clicked" for him now. Some players do develop slower than others, but he better be willing to block for B.Miller like C.Hyde does, or I say get his a** out of there.
Good article. Hopefully Rod Smith gets a chance to put together some good runs against Indiana. His run against Nebraska showed he can get it done if he's focused and gets an opportunity.
DEB II
Why is that?
You willing to make a wager on that? Won't happen unless Hyde AND Hall are both hurt.
Look all I'm saying is that if he was that "Special" as a lot of fans think..he would've been the starter last season when we had no Boom, a suspended Hall and a good but not great Hyde. The best chance for him is if he keeps making great runs in his oppurtunites, holds onto the ball, and doesn't transfer after the year..I think he could be the #2 back next season possibly and maybe the #1 back in 2014 as a senior. That's a lot of IF'S.
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
Smith Shot himself in the foot. Hyde shined and displayed the things I had noticed as issues with his game. He made people miss in the open field. Showed good vision and most of all he held on TO THE DAMN FOOTBALL. Gosh I really like Smith, but he kills me sometimes. Urban said if he makes a costly mistake he's back to square one. He probably will be relegated to just kick off and punt block the rest of the year.
Here's an interesting stat. Bradley Roby has as many td's this season as Rod Smith has in his whole career. Pretty crazy.
Roby also as many td's as Philly Brown this year.
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
yup kind of sad.
I still think you have to get Smith some carries to punish the defense. He sometimes makes mental mistakes but he's got to relieve Hyde and keep the D guessing.