Robinson better than Coprich? RB position looking good

[Total Red]

Robinson or Coprich? Robinson is definetly ahead if you compare his first two seasons vs. Coprich. Of course Coprich really took off as a junior with a better offensive line and another dynamic rushing threat at QB - Roberson.

I think Robinson can maintain his lead. He won't have Roberson but I think his O-Line should be improved. We should be in good shape at 4 of the 5 O-Line positions. If the Center position becomes settled (that's a big if) it would be 5 of 5 and the rushing attack will be in great shape but the O-Line is another post.

Robinson has great vision and instincts. Very rarely does he have a running play where I'm thinking, "if he just cut it up inside or if he just bounced outside he could have had a really good gain." He uses his blockers well and if there's a hole he usually finds it.

If Robinson is #1 then Markel Smith is 1A. Smith runs really hard and the defense gets absolutely no relief when he comes in.

Birch will be #3. He's currently listed at 235lbs. and he can move and jump as we saw last season. He still has plenty of potential to explore.

I'm not glad that Henderson is gone but BB Adams will be the perfect replacement. We're back to 4-deep. Adams can get started returning kicks and he can get a few carries here and there. If he can catch and run he might get even more time.

I don't see Adams redshirting. Yes even Mr. Redshirt is throwing in the towel on the running back position. Those guys are just a different breed. I'm not really sure why but it's been a high turnover position. Artiss Henderson, DeMarco Corbin, George Moreira, anybody remember Marcus Jester? probably not, he wasn't here very long. All of these guys had talent but none of them stuck around. We could hire a Forensic Sports Sociologist to explain the turnover but the practical solution is to play a good running back when you get one. You don't know how long you'll have him.

RB - 4-deep and looking Very Good.

 

[fourthandshort]

Robinson has had better start for sure, given both had their redshirts pulled. I also think Robinson came in out of shape and then got injured, and came back out of shape. So I think we saw a toned up (weight down) Robinson this year ... and may see even more upside still his junior year before he levels off.

Coprich had more top end speed and burst, but was more wiggle than real juke. Robinson hits harder and has a little more juke, but doesn't have the breakaway speed of Coprich.

That said, I doubt Robinson will or would have 2 years like Coprich did, even if he didn't have to share reps with Smith. Coprich did what he did playing full time .. he had very few breaks and carried a ver heavy load, especially his senior year when we lost a lot from offense and Roberson broke his hand. Though did benefit from Roberson read option threat his last 2 years.

We shall see how much more upside Robinson has. Thing is, I really like Markel Smith too .. a little more power and a little less speed/juke. Had the feeling he was playing very banged up at times last year .. so hoping he can stay healthier next year.

So we go 215 lb Robinson, followed by 225 lb Smith, followed by 235 lb Birch .. going to be fun to watch this come together on offense with 4 of 5 OL back.

 

[Total Red]

That said, I doubt Robinson will or would have 2 years like Coprich did, even if he didn't have to share reps with Smith.

Robinson won't get the total # of yards Coprich did in '14 and '15. He'll share the load with Smith so that is part of the reason. But Coprich averaged 6.1 yards per carry in both '14 and '15. That is what I want Robinson to focus on and beat - 6.2 yards per carry or more - that's a winning number. Robinson was at 5.7 yards per carry last season so 6.2+ isn't out of reach.

 

[Chi-bird]

Robinson has been a great addition, but he has a ways to go if he's going to be as good as Coprich.

Coprich hit the hole so hard and made great jump cuts. He had adequate break away speed but had some power, too.

 

[JHBird]

It seems like the read option really helps the running backs, especially when you have somebody like Tre at QB. It's just makes the defense hesitate a bit, kinda makes them passive for a second until they figure out who's going to run the ball. I think Robinson could have done a lot more damage with a threat like that. Coprich really exploded when he got out in the open, but Robinson has better balance and power. Can't go wrong with either. Love Markel too.

 

[Adunk33]

It seems like the read option really helps the running backs, especially when you have somebody like Tre at QB. It's just makes the defense hesitate a bit, kinda makes them passive for a second until they figure out who's going to run the ball. I think Robinson could have done a lot more damage with a threat like that. Coprich really exploded when he got out in the open, but Robinson has better balance and power. Can't go wrong with either. Love Markel too.

Maybe we'll see more Malachi snaps this year with Beathard coming back to call plays. Should be deja vu in our backfield with #5 and #25 running all over teams again!

 

[fourthandshort]

Robinson or Coprich? Robinson is definetly ahead if you compare his first two seasons vs. Coprich. Of course Coprich really took off as a junior with a better offensive line and another dynamic rushing threat at QB - Roberson.

I think Robinson can maintain his lead. He won't have Roberson but I think his O-Line should be improved. We should be in good shape at 4 of the 5 O-Line positions. If the Center position becomes settled (that's a big if) it would be 5 of 5 and the rushing attack will be in great shape but the O-Line is another post.

Robinson has great vision and instincts. Very rarely does he have a running play where I'm thinking, "if he just cut it up inside or if he just bounced outside he could have had a really good gain." He uses his blockers well and if there's a hole he usually finds it.

If Robinson is #1 then Markel Smith is 1A. Smith runs really hard and the defense gets absolutely no relief when he comes in.

Birch will be #3. He's currently listed at 235lbs. and he can move and jump as we saw last season. He still has plenty of potential to explore.

I'm not glad that Henderson is gone but BB Adams will be the perfect replacement. We're back to 4-deep. Adams can get started returning kicks and he can get a few carries here and there. If he can catch and run he might get even more time.

I don't see Adams redshirting. Yes even Mr. Redshirt is throwing in the towel on the running back position. Those guys are just a different breed. I'm not really sure why but it's been a high turnover position. Artiss Henderson, DeMarco Corbin, George Moreira, anybody remember Marcus Jester? probably not, he wasn't here very long. All of these guys had talent but none of them stuck around. We could hire a Forensic Sports Sociologist to explain the turnover but the practical solution is to play a good running back when you get one. You don't know how long you'll have him.

RB - 4-deep and looking Very Good.

and yes, I recall Marcus Jester .. he was supposed to be a little better prospect than Moreira. I think we can start calling ISU the Running Back U of FCS.

Again, not sure who gets the credit .. was it Conard finding these FBS-FCS tweeners by looking at the tape and seeing something he could work with ?? But since we found Coprich, we have been killing it in RB department .... our biggest problem is doling out reps and keeping them happy.

 

[ISUBU]

I think we can start calling ISU the Running Back U of FCS.

Again, not sure who gets the credit .. was it Conard finding these FBS-FCS tweeners by looking at the tape and seeing something he could work with ?? But since we found Coprich, we have been killing it in RB department .... our biggest problem is doling out reps and keeping them happy.

A few years back we ran out of running backs. On multiple occasions, Coach Spack has said that will not happen again. So we allocate a few more resources to the running back position.

 

[Total Red]

A few years back we ran out of running backs. On multiple occasions, Coach Spack has said that will not happen again. So we allocate a few more resources to the running back position.

Yes, I believe that was Darrelynn Dunn's senior year. He had to play banged up. We've been loading up on quality RB's ever since so that doesn't happen again.

It was the same with the O-Line last year. We had a couple of lean years with O-Line recruits and it resulted in being too young last season. We got through that and now the pipeline is loaded. Never again.

 

[fourthandshort]

I think we can start calling ISU the Running Back U of FCS.

Again, not sure who gets the credit .. was it Conard finding these FBS-FCS tweeners by looking at the tape and seeing something he could work with ?? But since we found Coprich, we have been killing it in RB department .... our biggest problem is doling out reps and keeping them happy.

A few years back we ran out of running backs. On multiple occasions, Coach Spack has said that will not happen again. So we allocate a few more resources to the running back position.

2012 was a lean year especially as people got banged up. It is reason we couldn't hang with EWU that year .. couldn't run on a weak defense to keep their high octane pass offense off field more like we did in 2014.

 

[Chi-bird]

I look for Birch to fill the depth chart at WR next year. If not that, then perhaps safety or maybe a far-down-the-depth-chart OLB