Tulsa Football is in its first week of Spring practice, and the running back position appears to be in good hands.
š News/Notes TU Spring Football update -- Running Back
- Thread starter Chris Harmon
- Start date
Maybe an unpopular take, but I think we will be even better running the football than we were last year. No offense to Shamari, but Watkins is a much more explosive back, trusts the hole to be where the play is designed and his acceleration is much better. He has the breakaway speed we've missed since Ja"terian Douglas. I think Jackson has a chance to be a special back. And we've got a winner, at least in the name dept., with Cookie Desiderio.
We will be better with Watkins and Prince getting the carries previously given to Brooks. No question.
I thought Brooks really played well near the end of last season.
He did, and we will still be better with them. They are better RB's than him.
To be better overall RBs than Brooks both need to improve protection blocking and catching the ball out of the backfield. Those are as important as break away speed.
To be better, we're going to need to fill some holes on the line and develop some depth there that is effective. A legitimate threat of an effective passing game likewise would be beneficial.
The line will be fine. I've mentioned a few times that Bray and Muskrat are ready to go at the OT spot
I like Prince but he missed four games by injury . Hope he can play a full schedule.
Both Watkins and Prince are good I just hope they can block as good as Brooks there was one play in the bowl where Brooks blocked a blitzing linebacker which ended up as a touchdown for us.
Dillon Wade needs to put on 20 more pounds to 315-325ā¦..He needs to get āmeaner than a snakeā.
So go the players at the āmarginā on this team from average to ātechnical and very goodā this team can win.
I watched the Denver Broncos and Elway in the Super Bowl against against the Packers in San Diego, and the Broncos had the smallest line in the NFL and yet they were driving guys off the line.
Our starting tackles last year were very physical, pile drivers, but the tackles were penalty machines. Lazy feet.
Better technique, less penalties will make up for not as much brawn.
This is a key part of what we'll miss from Brooks. I remember watching him play as a Sr at Union and thinking he was ready to play day 1 at TU because of how good he was as a blocker and a pass catcher. Union would split him out wide and use him as a pass catcher for the quick screen and also to use as a blocker for those same plays. I remember him blowing up a DB from Norman North who was going to play D1 and was getting run as the best player in the state.
I think Watkins will pick up the blocking. Every time I see him in the game he seems laser focused and giving 110% on every play whether it's as RB or KR.