Emmett Johnson Truthers ITT

[Baron Winnebago]

I don't dislike Dowdell but it seems like his lack of lateral quickness has been exposed a bit as we've gotten into conference play and EJ has consistently shown the ability when he gets touches to make a guy or two miss. Maybe Dowdell has another level to get to but right now EJ seems like he has the highest upside per touch

It's a nice combo and I'm glad they should have it again next season.

 

[David Webb]

I don't dislike Dowdell but it seems like his lack of lateral quickness has been exposed a bit as we've gotten into conference play and EJ has consistently shown the ability when he gets touches to make a guy or two miss. Maybe Dowdell has another level to get to but right now EJ seems like he has the highest upside per touch

It's a nice combo and I'm glad they should have it again next season.

Agree and would add that Dowdell hasn’t really ran over anyone for extra yards in the two Big 10 games vs what he looked like in non-con.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

Agree and would add that Dowdell hasn’t really ran over anyone for extra yards in the two Big 10 games vs what he looked like in non-con.

Yeah. He and Ervin are both "theoretical big backs" where they have the frame to run dudes over and through half assed tackles and they never seem to. Like Mockobee at Purdoodoo is a basically a balls on average RB but he is an absolute bitch to take down every single play

 

[jw3]

we need all 3, Emmett getting 10-12 touches a game would be ideal.

 

[doublewing]

Emmett Johnson needs more touches and there is a case for starting him. It is definitely running back by committee as they each have their strengths, but I was confused as to why Emmett wasn't getting more touches through the first few games.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

Emmett Johnson definitely needs more touches and there is a case for starting him. It is definitely running back by committee as they each have their strengths, but I was confused as to why Emmett wasn't getting more touches through the first few games.

It's my hope that EJ grabbed the job by the balls in the second half of this game and Dowdell will get some snaps in relief, but I guess we will see

 

[Mr.Bojangles]

he's got ball skills

maybe make him RB #1

Definitely needs to start.

 

[Husker1]

Count me firmly in the EJ truther camp. Our running back rotations have been weird to say the least since Rhule arrived. Dating back to last year EJ has earned the starting job, but for some reason, Rhule and Barthel would seemingly rather have anyone else start in his place. All he does is produce, yet can’t get to the top of the depth chart for some reason

 

[LoudHogRider]

It seems to me that they use Dowdell for power and Rhamir for 3rd down receiving and pass pro early in the game to wear down the other team a bit. EJ comes in fresh AF in the 2nd half and does his thing, which is excellent.

For a room that was perceived to be a liability before the season got underway, the collective group has been just fine. No Heisman poses needed with this group, but they’re effective when we’re not shooting ourselves in the foot … which we’re still doing.

 

[tman87]

Thought he was our best back since last season. Dowdell coming in is really a good thing. I really like Dowdell also. Would be more than fine with Emmitt getting the start, and he and Dowdell splitting most of the snaps. But Rhule and Barthel seem to think Rhamir should be getting more snaps than Emmitt. I don't agree. No diss on Rhamir, he just isn't as good as Emmitt, and Dowdell is better than Rhamir.

I like to see coaches ride to best RB's, not constant RB by committee, where you never know who will get the snaps game to game.

 

[COYS]

Dowdell and Rahmir would be great if we had a dominate oline. See hole, hit hole type runners. Right now our oline is struggling a bit in run game and Johnson is only back with the ability to consistently make something out of nothing.

 

[tman87]

Dowdell and Rahmir would be great if we had a dominate oline. See hole, hit hole type runners. Right now our oline is struggling a bit in run game and Johnson is only back with the ability to consistently make something out of nothing.

O Line is the weakness of our team. They are not good run blocking. Not very many holes, and get very little push (especially now that Bazooka is out). They have been pretty good at pass blocking though. Some of that is defenses know DR will often get the ball out quick and/or be able to go through progressions and hit the right receiver. Some is that defenses want to stop the run, and make DR beat us through the air on mostly underneath throws (not giving up big gainers). So it is some the style/type of defensive gameplan opposing defenses have been using against us, mostly because they know if we can run well, DR will really carve them up then.

DR is the key to it all, really. Dowdell and Emmitt are good enough RB's to get yards if there are holes.

 

[Stan Raymond]

In Scrote's defense, he gave him a D1 scholarship when no one else would

Yeah, I thought it was a wasted scholarship at the time. I was wrong and think he is currently our best back and has been since last season.

 

[HerbRedman]

I don't dislike Dowdell but it seems like his lack of lateral quickness has been exposed a bit as we've gotten into conference play and EJ has consistently shown the ability when he gets touches to make a guy or two miss. Maybe Dowdell has another level to get to but right now EJ seems like he has the highest upside per touch

It's a nice combo and I'm glad they should have it again next season.

My guess is that this is why Dowdell didn't separate himself at Oregon.

People think that UO, UGA, Bama, Ohio St have so may talented players that they let Heisman trophy winning RBs etc just sit on the bench at 3rd string. As we've seen from our 4-5*s from these schools...most are pretty flawed players. They're good but they have flaws (which is why they didn't earn PT at their original school).

 

[Stan Raymond]

My guess is that this is why Dowdell didn't separate himself at Oregon.

People think that UO, UGA, Bama, Ohio St have so may talented players that they let Heisman trophy winning RBs etc just sit on the bench at 3rd string. As we've seen from our 4-5*s from these schools...most are pretty flawed players. They're good but they have flaws (which is why they didn't earn PT at their original school).

Prefer transfers moving up that had success than transfers moving down for playing time. Just seems to work out more often.

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

He’s showing it in the games. My only thing is that maybe he hasn’t shown as well in practices. Either way, he has moved himself up to RB1A or B.

In the coaches defense, he’s also the one who missed the blitz pick up at the end of the Illinois game and I don’t think he’s a great blocker consistently.

He’s our best back by far with an offensive line that hasn’t created holes recently. His initial cutback is what gets him his yards and it’s something no other back on the 3 deep does.

Dowdell is good to the hole and as a battering ram.

Rahmir runs exactly what’s on the playbook, even though that’s usually into the back of an offensive lineman. He may be our best receiver as a running back but Emmett isn’t far behind there.

He’s a gamer, just needs to pick up blocks better also.

 

[Juro]

My guess is that this is why Dowdell didn't separate himself at Oregon.

People think that UO, UGA, Bama, Ohio St have so may talented players that they let Heisman trophy winning RBs etc just sit on the bench at 3rd string. As we've seen from our 4-5*s from these schools...most are pretty flawed players. They're good but they have flaws (which is why they didn't earn PT at their original school).

Some of them just take a little time in the system. Look at Devine Ozgibo who didn't ball out until his 4th year or whatever. Then that GT RB that transferred here took a year. Dowdell is doing fine for a RS Freshman.

 

[Dear_Leader]

White elephant - Barthel?
he seems to have mismanaged his group and lost both his start recruits. not the hardest position to coach on the field.
ole ron brown had to unretire for the 17th time to help this dude.

 

[ChocaEgg]

White elephant - Barthel?
he seems to have mismanaged his group and lost both his start recruits. not the hardest position to coach on the field.
ole ron brown had to unretire for the 17th time to help this dude.

Barthel seems to be a weak link

 

[Stan Raymond]

One thing to remember when comparing RBs. RBs that get more carries in the 2nd half often look better than RBs that get more carries in the first half.