Comments on: Football: Is this Bears’ deepest batch of RBs?

By: gobears49

gobears49 — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:10:17 +0000

To further explain my point, in most of Tedford’s years at Cal, Cal’s #1 and #2 running backs were much better than those Cal now has (as the #1 and #2 backs get almost all of the carries). So, in those years, Cal’s running back group was a more potent force than this year’s group, as it is doubtful that Cal’s current #1 or #2 will make the pro’s.

Just compare the #1 and #2 two tandems Cal now has to the tandems they have had in the past, all of whom have played pro ball — 1) Arrington/Lynch, 2) Lynch/Forsett, 3) Forsett/Best, and 4) Best/Vereen. I think some of these tandems were around, and played at #1 and #2 for more than one year. Thus, Cal’s past year running backs, taking into account who actually gets to carry the ball a meaningful number of times during the year, is much stronger than Cal’s current group of backs.

By: gobears49

gobears49 — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 19:20:22 +0000

Cal may be deep at running back, but it is most important for the #1 and #2 backs to be really good, as they get 95% of more of the carries. Cal has had, in many recent years, guys at the #1 and #2 slots that eventually made the pro’s (Arrington, Lynch, Forsett, Best, and Vereen). I doubt any of the current group of Cal RB’s, as good as they are, are going to play pro ball, though it may be too early to tell for the younger guys. I don’t think Sofele and Anderson stand much of a chance, though they are pretty good.

By: BlakeStreetBear

BlakeStreetBear — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:00:57 +0000

I think CJ has a bit of RWhite in him. He is big and can bruise you, but I also saw some quick feet and change of direction a la Russell.

By: Kevin Thomas

Kevin Thomas — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:55:33 +0000

And for the best of all time at Cal, you might want to go back to the ’37 Thunder team, Rose Bowl champion, and #1 ranked nationally, with 10 out of 11 (the players went both ways, offense and defense) making some All-American team, with the 11th guy making one the following year. They ran a single wing, with Sam Chapman and Vic Bottari carrying the ball. You had to get there before halftime, if you wanted to see them play, because they were usually so far ahead at half, that the first string very seldom played in the second half.

I saw both Jensen and and Johnny O play, and they were awesome. Jensen quit school early to sign a baseball contract with the Red Sox. Johnny O’s career was ruined when USC piled on him after a run, and a USC linebacker grabbed his foot and deliberately twisted his knee. He was out for the season, and played a long time in the pros, but just as a blocking back. I went to that game, and the dirty play happened right in front of me.

By: BlakeStreetBear

BlakeStreetBear — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:24:30 +0000

It was O’Keith but yah, I hear you, that was an awesome backfield. Remember Marshawn’s run against air force where he broke like 8 tackles on his way to the endzone? We had no idea that that was normal, yet. Go Bears!

By: covinared

covinared — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:12:52 +0000

that’s what I was thinking. anthony wallace an russell white. russell white and lindsey chapman. paul jones and john tuggle. this group is 4, but the top 2 are the only ones we really know about. we have had at least 2 good backs for most of the last 10 years. it may be more reflective of o line play anyway. a mediocre back will do well with a great line and a great back is nothing without at least a mediocre line.

By: rotfogel

rotfogel — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:54:27 +0000

Lynch/Forsett/Keith