Talent deficit at running back?

[HikingHusker]

I’m apprehensive about parting ways with Held as some mentioned above, in years past he’s been our best recruiter.

I don't really understand the reasoning for parting ways with Held. What am I missing?

 

[SLOHusker]

This may be blasphemy, but I think Ameer was a little over rated as a RB. He had iffy hands and his top end speed wasn't great. He had great wiggle and a HUGE want to. I think a kid like Rhamir has the potential to be a better all around back than Ameer. Helu was the whole package. Rex was just so smart with good hands and quick feet. He hasn't played as long as he has in the NFL because of his speed or power.

Naw Ameer was pretty damn great. I'd actually put him in the top 10 NU running backs and the last great one we had. Rex was very solid and just willing to put the work in to be a quality RB at both levels. It's been a long dry spell since those guys with only the short run of Mo Washington as a potential game breaker.

I'll throw a name out there that many have forgotten but who was really pretty good and fast. Brandon Jackson. Remember his 2006 season? He played several good years in the NFL but few people talk about his production at NU.

 

[redwine65]

ameer and that dever fb, would have been monsters in a dr tom offense

 

[oldjar07]

This may be blasphemy, but I think Ameer was a little over rated as a RB. He had iffy hands and his top end speed wasn't great. He had great wiggle and a HUGE want to. I think a kid like Rhamir has the potential to be a better all around back than Ameer. Helu was the whole package. Rex was just so smart with good hands and quick feet. He hasn't played as long as he has in the NFL because of his speed or power.

Are you kidding me? Ameer is easily the best back we've had since Ahman Green. Rahmir is nowhere in the same league as Ameer. It amazes me how people think a group that can't pull off a winning season in 4 years has anywhere near the top end talent that we had when we were winning 9 or 10 games every year.

 

[TarheelHuskerFan_rivals]

Ameer was amazing. I Loved wwatching him run. His agility was insane

 

[dinglefritz]

Ameer was amazing. I Loved wwatching him run. His agility was insane

Very twitchy and tough to get a clean hit on. That said, he lacked home run speed, was sketchy in pass pro and didn't have great hands for the passing game. He's stuck around as a versatile kick returner but they don't play him any more than they have to. Rhamir IMO is a guy who would fit well as a 3rd down back in the NFL but if he packs on a little more muscle he can be an every down back. Rhamir has take it to the house speed.

 

[1ManBearPig]

I don't really understand the reasoning for parting ways with Held. What am I missing?

With Held in charge of the running backs, we are yet to enter the season with a defined RB#1, and it's not because they are all trustworthy. We have guys running the the wrong way because they still don't know the plays (Yant), guys totally whiffing in pass pro from not understanding scheme/assignments, guys not practicing hard or improving, and an overall deteriorating run game. Held can recruit, but for whatever reason, he cant get his guys to learn the offense, his guys aren't able to improve throughout the year, he has proven unable to produce a consistent, reliable Big10 back, and isn't in the stratosphere of having viable backups. When you cant get a clear example for the young guys to emulate, you are stuck in neutral. The run game here is too important to be slacking this many years in a row, and at this point, I can't think of any reason for Held to remain the Running backs coach. I think he is good recruiter, has good intentions, and he is a real football guy, but whatever he is doing/not doing it not resonating/translating to young running backs.