Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back?

[CoverTwo]

Brandon Wilds carried the offense on his back for a while after Lattimore went down and he will do it again. The only things he doesn't have that Latti has is the above average vision and ability to cutback. But he catches, runs behind pads/forward lean, and breaks tackles just as well as Lattimore and if the 40 time is legit, he is faster too.

[92Pony]

Originally Posted by sc455

davis may be the fan favorite to those with short memories or those who look at star ratings. at this point, give me the proven player. wilds was outstanding 2 yrs ago and has become stronger and faster.

This.

Can't wait to see Wilds in the backfield again - Beastmode!

[Emery]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Brandon Wilds carried the offense on his back for a while after Lattimore went down and he will do it again. The only things he doesn't have that Latti has is the above average vision and ability to cutback. But he catches, runs behind pads/forward lean, and breaks tackles just as well as Lattimore and if the 40 time is legit, he is faster too.

The three games he rushed for more than 100 yards were UT, Florida, and Citadel. The UT/Florida games weren't pretty but he rushed close to 30 times each and essentially won the games by keeping the ball. Interesting though to me is that in those two games he didn't have a rushing TD.

[Lalli25]

I will trust what the coaches do, but I'd love to see us using them both in the read option scheme, in a form of the triple option. Could line them in the slot, motion them or both in the backfield and do the read and bring the other around so that if the QB pulls it, he has a pitchman. Basically, a lot of the Oregon concepts mixed with these guys would be great.

[Goofyboy]

Numbers are just numbers, whether weights or 40 times. We know Wilds can carry the ball straight ahead, and Davis has some shake. Wilds does have good power and a good lean, but, as stated above, falls short of Lattimore's vision (who doesn't?) He doesn't take the finishing angles he needs to learn to use in order to get that tough first down. Davis will have to learn when to shake and when to get that last yard with his power. Lattimore simply spoiled us with his completeness and his dedication and his intangibles. The spring, summer, and early season will tell which of the remaining backs can pull the sword out of the stone - if any can. Otherwise we have a committee - but a pretty promising one.

[Mt. Lattimore]

Can't really tell right now who should be the feature back.

Kindof starting over with Wilds, though he did impress in 2011.

Davis hasn't shown consistency.

I like that both are given a chance to shine.

[Flameout12]

Originally Posted by Goofyboy

He doesn't take the finishing angles he needs to learn to use in order to get that tough first down.

Not sure what you mean by this...most of Brandon's runs were inside and on several occasions he drove the pile into a 1st down. He is also faster than Marcus was.
Still our run blocking has to get better regardless of who is running...too many missed blocks on stunts, blitzes, or just whiffs. Teams have started figuring out how to confuse the zone blocking and get penetration. Even teams like Wofford have shown they can disrupt our running plays by overloading one side or stunting. I hope Shawn works them hard on this.

[GarnetArmy07]

Originally Posted by Mt. Lattimore

Can't really tell right now who should be the feature back.

Kindof starting over with Wilds, though he did impress in 2011.

Davis hasn't shown consistency.

I like that both are given a chance to shine.

He was only a freshman last year.

[Roosterboy]

Originally Posted by cockypanther

We need to follow LSU and Alabama's lead and use multiple talented backs since we have 'em.

I like the idea.
Especially with uncertanity at WR...running the ball will be our best bet.
Start with Wilds, follow with Davis, when he gets a little winded, bring in the next bruiser.

We got the backs...let's use em.

[Roosterboy]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Brandon Wilds carried the offense on his back for a while after Lattimore went down and he will do it again. The only things he doesn't have that Latti has is the above average vision and ability to cutback. But he catches, runs behind pads/forward lean, and breaks tackles just as well as Lattimore and if the 40 time is legit, he is faster too.

Great Evaluation on Wilds.
He may be a little more powerful than Lattimore...but I'm not sure Wilds has the ability to slither through and have the nose for the endzone that Lattimore had.
Agree with everything you say though.

We just can't expect these guys to be like Marcus though...he is a once in a generation type back.

Plus, I think Wilds, Davis, Salley and Carson will make a name for themselves.

[Roosterboy]

Originally Posted by GarnetArmy07

He was only a freshman last year.

Exactly.
Give him time...frosh make mistakes.
WE got spoiled with Lattimore...most freshman have a shining moment followed by dull moments...Davis was no different.

[CoverTwo]

The running game just needs to be servicable. Basically, do enough so teams aren't pinning their ears back and be able to salt away games after getting a 2+ score lead. USC is going to be a passing football team these next few years as the Offensive Line comes along and the young Quarterbacks grow up. I don't think Spurrier will nearly rely as much on his defense and running game as he has to finish his tenure. Not if the line is protecting his passer. IMO, we saw where this offense is headed the 2nd half of last season when Spurrier turned Shaw and eventually Thompson loose.

[Goofyboy]

Not sure what you mean by this...most of Brandon's runs were inside and on several occasions he drove the pile into a 1st down. He is also faster than Marcus was.

Lattimore was a top talent with the ability to make what Spurrier called "the best two yard run I've ever seen." He did it by seening small openings, taking perfect angles, and using leverage. Wilds can push a pile, but that isn't the same thing. No hand-timed 4.4 40 equates to multiple 200 yard games vs top SEC defenses with mediocre blocking. Wilds will have to improve his leverage (not straight-ahead power), footwork and vision in blocking situations, and get some things to happen automatically (without conscious thought) by practice and experience to be a major force unless our OL improves on run blocking. A couple of months ago, I was arguing that Wilds has good speed and was dismissed by folks who thought of him as just a power back. I think his speed has now been acknowledged, but he needs to work on some other key skills to be in the class of complete back that Lattimore was.

[Rebel4ever]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

The running game just needs to be servicable. Basically, do enough so teams aren't pinning their ears back and be able to salt away games after getting a 2+ score lead. USC is going to be a passing football team these next few years as the Offensive Line comes along and the young Quarterbacks grow up. I don't think Spurrier will nearly rely as much on his defense and running game as he has to finish his tenure. Not if the line is protecting his passer. IMO, we saw where this offense is headed the 2nd half of last season when Spurrier turned Shaw and eventually Thompson loose.

Yep. Blocking and not fumbling. They will get their yards.

[Gaichon]

Regarding Wilds - I've never been more happy to be wrong about a recruit.

[donbgamecock]

I keep seeing all this "Wilds will have to learn this or recognize that" statements. All those statements are based on how he ran two years ago and the referenced improvements are all about knowledge and recognition...not strength and speed. I am hoping all he has to do is demonstrate what he learned during 2012.

[Cock Kool-Aid]

He says we aren't having a RB by committe, but the feature back will get 60% of the carries. If that means the RB2 is getting about 40% then that's still a pretty even split. What I gather from this is that he plans on playing both Wilds and Davis alot, almost evenly, with one being considered a starter. Unless, one significantly separates themself in practice, which I doubt.

[crowcutta]

he mentioned 60%, but the way he mentioned it thats probably a bare minimum with spot carries for the rest of the backs who will play. from what he said in an interview he wants one back to grab the job which makes sense because it breeds competition, but also he wants to feel comfortable that he can ride that starter if needed.

its speculation even for the coaches at this point, so if both are similar or better yet great and we're salting away wins in the 2nd half maybe the carries will even out.

i'd agree with the comparisons between wilds and lattimore. i dont think anybody was saying he is lattimore, but he brings a lot of the same things to the table and you dont have to change anything with him in there. lattimore was an all american back, when wilds took over he played like an all sec back. lattimore had that ability to make something out of nothing with a subtle or sharp cut. while im not sure i saw that out of wilds, what i did see was him slipping through little openings and seemingly always falling forward.

[bhs04]

Originally Posted by Cock Kool-Aid

He says we aren't having a RB by committe, but the feature back will get 60% of the carries. If that means the RB2 is getting about 40% then that's still a pretty even split. What I gather from this is that he plans on playing both Wilds and Davis alot, almost evenly, with one being considered a starter. Unless, one significantly separates themself in practice, which I doubt.

I think that means that the feature back will get 60%,while the next one gets 20-25% of the reps. Leaving the remainder for the other two.

Obviously that depends on injuries throughout the year.

I would like to see us do something comparable to Alabama. Split carries every other drive, for the most part, with the guy that seems to be rolling getting more carries as the game progresses.

[JDStud6]

I hope they both run for 2,000 yards! :)

Right now I have more faith in Wilds and can't wait to have him back. He sat out last year so he had time to really learn the play book, watch film, bulk up a little, increase his speed, etc. He did really well when he came in his freshman year and carried the team a while. Davis last year was only used sparingly and usually when we had the game in the bag already. I'm looking forward to seeing more from him. I'm hoping the 2 of them and Salley can carry 100% and give DWilliams a year to learn with a RS.

JD