I just realized I had completly forgot about Jordan Hall among our plethora of running backs. With El Guapo presumably returning we may have a good problem of finding playing time for Hall, Hyde, Elliot, Dunn, and Ball. With most of the O-line returning as well I am super excited about a run game next year especially with Miller being a great runner and others who can do some running like Jalin Marshall.
Who do you think will stand out next year in the run game? Hall was supposed to be used as the percy harvin type role but I think Elliot or Marshall may end up being better in that role, and of course Hyde just kept getting better and better all season long.
I think Marshall is going to see some PT about the same as Spence and Washington did last year. I think he'll push Hall to be better and visa versa but Hall will do most of the Percy Harvin-ing next year. I think Elliot would be wise to RS. Ball will push Dunn who will push Smith who will push Hyde to be better at their position.
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I forgot about Smith. He was a beast at times this year!
Jim Tressel vs. Rich Rod = Urban Meyer vs. Brady Hoke
We're absolutely STACKED at RB...
Sorry in advance if this offends anyone, however I don't feel the need to have Jordan Hall back. I see this taking away carries from our running backs who are better overall. The guy definitely has earned his scholarship in the past, however I think the cost / benefit of keeping him on 1 more year settles on the side of cost (scholarship) outweighing production gained from having him back.
If he truly can take on that Percy Harvin type role, then I'm all aboard, I just don't see him filling the hybrid role more effectively than some of our other options.
Greg Jennings "I put my team on my back"
I believe I might be in the same boat as you in regards to Hall, but Meyer praised him before last season and I believe most would say they were excited to see how he would do before the season began. Amazing how views change after an undefeated season and recruits coming in. Hopefully he is really good next season.
Jim Tressel vs. Rich Rod = Urban Meyer vs. Brady Hoke
.......like?
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Jalin (smoke from his butt) Marshall or EzE.
I once felt the same way about Jordan Hall coming back but after thinking about it I have come to the realization that you can never have too much depth at RB. A couple injuries and BAM you are down to your fullback being on the 2-deep for HB. Also, Jordan is a proven player and I really feel that he will be a leader on a team that might lack some leadership.
Need we forget that we were down to two scholarship runningbacks at certain points this season?
He was pegged by Urban as the top running back on the team and top playmaker outside of Braxton going into the season for a reason. Not to mention it's always valuable to have elder leadership in the locker room and by all accounts Jordan is a great locker room guy. Don't discount him just because he wasn't there this past season and evryone forgot about him. The times he did play he was rusty and/or hurt and he was still every bit as effective as Hyde was. He brings another dynamic to this offense that I think is a bit more flash and big play than Hyde and a bit more physical than Philly Brown in one package.
I think people discounting Hall's contributions forget there is more to being a running back than just toting the rock. His understanding of the offense and ability to successfully function within it as a blocker (run/pass or blitz pickup) as well as runner or receiver opens up the playbook far more than would be possible with a first-year player. It is unrealistic to think these freshman will come in and just replace all of Hall's capabilities with more speed/quickness/elusiveness.
A 2 year started is worth a scholarship, the message it sends by dumping him is also a cost. Relinquishing a conscious and honor is also a cost. The guy gave a lot to/for this program.
Lastly he should compete for time like everyone else. Why would we have it any other way.
At least he is proven.
I love how all of OSU's backs are unique and have their own strengths and weaknesses. You see this a lot in the NFL lately. Carlos is a North and South pounder, Rod Smith is also a strong power runner but has a little more lateral ability and runs with a forward lean, Bri'onte Dunn seems to have a good mix of power speed/agility, Jordan Hall is more of an agile back but doesn't necessarily have the speed that kills but is a consistent player/leader, Ezekiel Elliott has a lot of the same abilities as Jordan Hall but with more speed, and Jalin Marshall has amazing shifitiness and speed and will definitely compete with Elliot and Hall for the most versatile RB-esque player (i.e. running the ball, catching the ball, and maybe even throwing the ball). I haven't even mentioned Warren Ball and Taivon Jacobs who could also run the ball despite being a reciever.
Assuming he (Hall) is healthy and ready to go... Hall brings something different to the table then Hyde/Dunn/Smith and I do trust Urban to find a way to use his abilities.
It's pretty great. In order of who sees the most time I'd have to go Hyde, Dunn, Hall, Smith, Ball, Elliot. I think by the end of the season the pecking order will look more like this: Hyde, Dunn, Elliot, Smith, Hall, Ball.
My prediction is Zeke making a run at serious playing time.
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If Jalin is as good as we think he is, he'll get a run at just about every position on offense.
I'm just praying that Rod Smith finally gets near his potential. If he does, Ohio State's offense will be unstoppable.
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I'm hoping for alot of spread triple option this yr with hyde option up gut with brax on outside pitching to hall or smith or marshall or eze ( big play backs imo). I loved it the few times we ran it last yr with smith as pitch man. That's scary for a defense. It'll be a good way to use all these backs.
O'Deez330
stark county football
I like Hall cuz he's shifty but he has no break away speed like Hyde does. Hyde is a 4.4 guy Halls like a 4.6 guy. Hall also needs to learn how to break a tackle too. Hyde's my guy next year if I'm Urban. I'd find a few formations to get Hall and Smith some looks too.
Senior Leadership is the big thing. Every good team has to have that and I think Hall may bring more to the table than what we realize. Urban seems to think so. Besides I still can't throw a kid out because I think some new kid is going to be better. We recruited him, we've used him, and he has earned his right to be a Buckeye. I thought we hated the SEC for having that kind of thought pattern?
I feel like these are the same things that people were saying about Nathan Williams last year. A lot of you were expecting Noah Spence or Adolphus to come in and take his spot and we all saw how that turned out.
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JACK TATUM