Fact or Fiction: If/When LeGarrette Blount is reinstated, he will get 10 carries a game

by 071903 on Nov 5, 2009 4:23 AM PST Comment 24 comments

All this talk about ratings...is well...OVER-rated...I think Gorby will agree with that.

We all know Chip Kelly has set no date for LeGarrette Blount's return to the football field for the Oregon Ducks. He has told us this. What I want to know is; where does LGB fit into the Oregon offense if/when he should return?

LaMichael James has filled in the starting running back role about as well as possible. I don't think there could be anything more asked of him. He is ~~running over~~ spinning around defenses. He is ranked in the Top 20 in rushing (Shit! I mentioned rankings!) He is just shy of 1000 yards, and keep in mind he had 22 yards on two carries versus Boise State. Behind him, Kenjon Barner is a nice fit for LMJ to get a breather. Andre Crenshaw and Remene Alston have seen limited, but productive playing time.

When looking at rushing stats, (aside from Jeremiah Masoli, as the lion's share of his carries came on read-option plays) I wonder where LGB fits into the scheme.

The Ducks as a team have rushed for 1866 yards on 352 carries, averaging 233.2 yards on 44 carries a game.

LaMichael James has 918 yards on 131 carries. He is averaging 16.3 carries a game.

Kenjon Barner has 234 yards on 43 carries. He is averaging 5.3 carries a game.

Crenshaw and Alston are averaging 6.4 carries a game (I added their total carries by total games played between the two...)

If you throw in Masoli's numbers you get 436 yards on 72 carries for an average of 10.2 carries a game.

Now, considering LGB was the starter at the beginning of the season, does he automatically become the feature back?
Who sees the diminishing carries? Does James get a slight cut in his 16 carries? Does Barner sit out as the give-LMJ-a-breather back?
Is LGB going to assume the role he excelled with last year, being the bruiser that comes in and beats on tire defenses?

Crack a beer, push a side whatever work you have in front of you, ignore the kids or whatever else you should be doing instead of perusing ATQ. Discuss...

Poll

Fact or Fiction: If/When LeGarrette Blount is reinstated, he will get 10 carries a game.

FACT

28 votes

FICTION

54 votes

82 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or the Addicted To Quack Moderators. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable Oregon fans.

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Comments

I edited your poll since I am assuming you wanted to ask about 10 carries per game and not 100. But, I think it is still false. If/when Blount returns, I think he will be relegated to a goal line / short yardage back during non-garbage time.

by ntrebon on Nov 5, 2009 6:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agree. Situational, although LaMichael and Masoli have been a killer tandem inside the 5 yard line. Maybe LGB doesn’t even get those carries. Garbage time? It’s hard to say how much of that will exist the remainder of the season. Maybe some against ASU.

Tell me LGB wouldn’t be a beast on kick-off and punt cover teams.

I still believe this is about letting a young man run onto the field suited up with his teammates, and so he can get a reassuring round of Autzen applause when seniors are announced at the Civil War.

By the grace of Juju, we all are day-to-day.

by JConant on Nov 5, 2009 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You raise a good point about special teams

Obviously we have a good thing going right now on offense, and I don’t think much is going to change in that regard. Especially for the first couple games. Though I do see LGB getting some carries to spell LMJ during a longer drive in the first half (do we have those?) and maybe a drive or two in the second half against a tired defense.

Where LeGarrette has the biggest chance to make a statement to critics and scouts is by playing hard on special teams. I love the idea of LeGarrette playing the roles of gunner, return lead blocker and maybe occasional punt returner (see 06/07 Darren McFadden).

"It amazes me that you understand (...) the number one play of what their offense is and what they do best, AND you still can't stop it!" - Craig James

by AcadianTraverse on Nov 5, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know if he has the top end speed we’d want from a punt returner, but I agree about his ability to be useful on coverage teams. I just wonder how quickly he could be brought up to speed on those teams, given that he probably hasn’t worked much in that role.

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Nov 5, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Blount at the gun? That’s almost Craig “Ironhead” Heyward scary!

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-U-N-S-U-R-E-O-F-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Nov 5, 2009 12:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks...I did post this at 4AM....

May we hand you your taints on a silver platter...

by 071903 on Nov 5, 2009 3:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

At most, he’ll fill in the role he did last year as the change of pace, end of game back that finishes in non-garbage time.

He won’t be taking carries from LMJ, but he might from Barner.

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-U-N-S-U-R-E-O-F-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Nov 5, 2009 6:19 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree. He won’t be taking away carries from LMJ. He is our feature back, a much better fit for this offense and CK knows that. I see Blount carrying the rock most in the second half, against a tired defense. I say he carries between 5-10 times a game.

by ATLDuck on Nov 5, 2009 6:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Can I just "ditto"?

JShu and ATL have it right…LG comes back to his old role. Woe unto the poor, tired D linemen in the second half!

"KENNY WHEATON'S GONNA SCORE!! KENNY WHEATON!!--Jerry Allen, 1994"

by M. Fletcher on Nov 5, 2009 12:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I see 4-5 carries a game for LGB

LMJ has earned the right not to have any carries taken away.

TOBY, Toby Gerhart...THE Toby Gerhart? I formally welcome your presence.

We appreciate all of your needed contributions Juju! WE LOVE YOU

by CaDuck on Nov 5, 2009 7:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

clap clap clap-clap-clap

I think LMJ is a better RB at this point. As long as he can handle the workload (and there’s no indication he can’t), there’s no sense in decreasing James’s carries. I could see Blount getting a couple carries at the goal line and a couple in the fourth quarter to take advantage of a tired D, but I think 10 carries is probably maximum. 5 – 8 is much more likely on an average basis.

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Nov 5, 2009 9:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think he gets a role (eventually) similar to last season

LMJ will continue to be the feature back (ala JJ last year), but Blount gets his touches and here’s why. Chip has a history of liking to have a change of pace back, because it forces your opponent to spend time on it in practice (kind of like the trick plays and formations we like to show on ST’s). This is a great thing to have sooo many weapons, and to show that we can and do use them. It really forces the opponent to pick their poison. There’s not enough time in the week to adequately prepare for every possibility, and it i for this reason that I think we see him being used. How much? It depends on how the opponent is defending the run and what they give us, that is classic chip kelly offense allow an opponent to pick their poison and exploit it.

by QuackinAK on Nov 5, 2009 9:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Let's give him Crenshaw's carries.

At this point, Crenshaw is just terrible. If your team is giving up serious yards to Andre Crenshaw, your run defense has an issue.

Give Blount his 3-5 carries a game (or whatever it is). He should be able to at least do something with those opportunities.

formerly rockingharder

by Mr. Knox on Nov 5, 2009 10:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Crenshaw basically gets garbage time, and LGB’s running style would be an added asset when the game still matters. LMJ would probably get fewer carries (a good thing, IMO), and I could see Barner and LGB splitting the remainder. By the end of the season, I’d bet the running game becomes the thunder and lightning we expected pre-Falcon Punch, albeit it’ll be more lightning than thunder than originally planned.

by grimc on Nov 5, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i like the idea of lightning, lightning, and thunder

and throw in masoli as thunder light

ia\if i am defense, good god what do i do?

What do we want - PANIC! When do we want it - NOW!

by Bill Musgrave on Nov 5, 2009 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With Masoli in the game...And LGB back,

Its more like lightning, lightning, thunder, thunder. As Hedberg would say…“God God Damn it Damn it”

TOBY, Toby Gerhart...THE Toby Gerhart? I formally welcome your presence.

We appreciate all of your needed contributions Juju! WE LOVE YOU

by CaDuck on Nov 5, 2009 5:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LGB *hopefully back soon

TOBY, Toby Gerhart...THE Toby Gerhart? I formally welcome your presence.

We appreciate all of your needed contributions Juju! WE LOVE YOU

by CaDuck on Nov 5, 2009 5:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

it's a freaking (note restraint from of actual f-bomb use) offensive shit storm

run for your lives, lightning and thunder everywhere

oops, couldn’t get it done without the s-bomb

What do we want - PANIC! When do we want it - NOW!

by Bill Musgrave on Nov 5, 2009 5:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mr. Musgrave, may I remind you, sir...

that you appear to be ignoring the spirit of PANIC!!!! I suggest you correct your attitude.

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Nov 6, 2009 9:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

OMG

I both forgot to panic, then got called out for not panicking.

My nerves are frazzled, and there is nothing left to do but…

Stop and take a more measured look at things.

Or PAANNNICCCC!!!!!

What do we want - PANIC! When do we want it - NOW!

by Bill Musgrave on Nov 6, 2009 2:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh My God!

Musgrave forgot to Panic? AGH!!! PANIC!!! PANIC!!! HOLY CRAP THE SKY IS FALLING!!!! EDDIE PLEASANT IS OUT FOR THE NEXT MILLENNIUM!!! PHIL KNIGHT LOVES UW!!! PANIC!!!

TOBY, Toby Gerhart...THE Toby Gerhart? I formally welcome your presence.

We appreciate all of your needed contributions Juju! WE LOVE YOU

by CaDuck on Nov 6, 2009 4:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd for panic, but flagged for excessive panic.

What do we want - PANIC! When do we want it - NOW!

by Bill Musgrave on Nov 6, 2009 8:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I did not learn my AA BB CCs

by ntrebon on Nov 5, 2009 5:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Know what I like about the stats?

Never mind LGB —

Oregon is averaging 5.3 yards per carry... as a run-oriented offense.. including sacks and tackles on pass plays.. and every team they play knows the next snap is probably going to be a run.

The defense is expecting a run. And they still can’t stop it.

Who needs 3rd-down conversion percentage when you rarely even have to worry about being in a 3rd down situation?

by benzduck on Nov 5, 2009 5:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs