Demps 26 carries

[Mr2Bits]

What do you think of Jeff Demps getting 26 carries? I can't remember a last time a Gator RB had 26 carries in a game. Do you think that was too many? Like maybe we should have kept him to around 15 so he would be fresh? There were too many runs where Demps just got stuffed and only picked up 1 yard. He didn't look like the Demps we're used to seeing.

 

[jhale]

I think 15-19 carries would be fine for Demps, especially if you're going to throw him the ball as well. I would like to see Gillislee get 10-12 carries a game, and Moody get 5-10 carries a game.

But the fact that he got 26 carries doesn't surprise me, Meyer is a conservative coach and he's coaching with the intent of not blowing the game offensively. I've got no problem with this. The player he trust most offensively is Demps, so in similar fashion with Harvin and Tebow he'll get the ball when Urban feels that UF just needs to protect the ball and get out of a game with a "W".

But as the season goes on Gillislee, Moody, and hopefully Debose, Rainey (if he returns), or Clark will be used more in the running game.

 

[The Zooker]

I definitely think it is too many reps for him. He won't make it through an entire season carrying that much of a load. Gillislee should get all the short yardage carries. Demps should get the ball on plays where his speed can be used. He's not a grind-it-out type of player. Moody and Brown can came in for mop up duty to run the clock out at the end of the game.

 

[GainesvillebornNraised]

he should get 20 a game he makes things happen for us

gill should too

 

[mjfan23]

Demps is not an every down back, he simply isnt big enough for that...

 

[O-town Gator]

I think 15-19 carries would be fine for Demps, especially if you're going to throw him the ball as well. I would like to see Gillislee get 10-12 carries a game, and Moody get 5-10 carries a game.

But the fact that he got 26 carries doesn't surprise me, Meyer is a conservative coach and he's coaching with the intent of not blowing the game offensively. I've got no problem with this. The player he trust most offensively is Demps, so in similar fashion with Harvin and Tebow he'll get the ball when Urban feels that UF just needs to protect the ball and get out of a game with a "W".

But as the season goes on Gillislee, Moody, and hopefully Debose, Rainey (if he returns), or Clark will be used more in the running game.

Good points and I agree with you for the most part (welcome to Gator Envy, BTW! :gator; my main concern is with Brantley becoming too fixated on one back as Tebow did with Percy Harvin back in '07. If we get too predictable and Brantley doesn't spread the ball around more, we'll eventually get shut down by opposing defenses.

 

[jhale]

Good points and I agree with you for the most part (welcome to Gator Envy, BTW! :gator; my main concern is with Brantley becoming too fixated on one back as Tebow did with Percy Harvin back in '07. If we get too predictable and Brantley doesn't spread the ball around more, we'll eventually get shut down by opposing defenses.

I agree and thanks for the welcome. Hopefully we will spread the ball around more, especially in the passing game but I think for the first big game many of our young playmakers were playing in, Meyer wanted to rely on the veteran. I'm sure Rainey would've gotten 10-12 touches on Saturday if he would've been available.

But going forward I'm sure Gillislee and Moody will get more touches.

 

[The Zooker]

I want to know the reasoning for continually sending Demps up the middle and pitching to the outside for Moody. Seems a little backwards to me. That's the type of thing you do occasionally to throw defenses off. But for Addazio that's just the basic package. The sad thing is that he's setting Demps up for injury. We can only hope that it's not major. But at this rate I'd be surprised to see him last all season.

 

[Escambia94]

Perhaps we should consider a modified wishbone, or a wishbone/spread hybrid? We can pretty much tell our opponents we are going to run, since Mr. Brickhands or Mr Butterfingers keep screwing up the deep pass and the snap. At least this way, we won't bother looking at Brantley's 170 yards a game and wonder when he will throw down the field.

 

[GainesvillebornNraised]

I want to know the reasoning for continually sending Demps up the middle and pitching to the outside for Moody. Seems a little backwards to me. That's the type of thing you do occasionally to throw defenses off. But for Addazio that's just the basic package. The sad thing is that he's setting Demps up for injury. We can only hope that it's not major. But at this rate I'd be surprised to see him last all season.

make a big hole and demps will blow thru the middle in 1 second lol

 

[The Zooker]

make a big hole and demps will blow thru the middle in 1 second lol

But in the 9 other plays he's going to be tackled hard by SEC linemen and linebackers. Dude's gonna get hurt. I'd still use him up the middle on some plays. But not as much as Addazio is. Give him some sideline security and let him get tackled by some cornerbacks now and then.

 

[Escambia94]

Demps will break through the line and make big gains on some plays, but it takes a dominant O-line, and a fullback to lead the way. Maybe Urban Meyer has a plan to block for Demps with a TE instead, or create a hole by pulling the guard and center. Whatever his plan is, Demps cannot take the punishment of 20 carries through the line, and the O-line does not seem to dominate enough to run sweeps. Whatever is going on now works against the Miamis, South Floridas, and Tennesees of the world, so there is no obvious reason to change it up. It may take a very humbling loss at Tuscaloosa to show the coaches the flaws in their plans.

 

[DRU2012]

The idea that "This (ie. Demps up the middle, pitch to Demps, etc.) is 75% of the Offense 'til Demps gets hurt and/or we get slaughtered..." is the source of the frustration and sinking feeling that is building in so many guts in Gatorland--mine included.
As others have noted, we are NOT short of alternatives at running back; indeed, we've got a kind of ideal mix of styles and change-of-pace. Demps is a beast, but he can't carry that kind of load--and given the alternatives, it's not only foolish but unnecessary.
Don't want to blame Addazio? Fine with me--JUST GET IT FIXED! Blame is beside the point in ANY event. There's a ton of talent on that team--including a QB with a rocket-arm and a bunch of fast young receivers who need game-experience, just waiting to get out there and prove themselves.
The vertical passing game is a big part of how this offense was supposed to function, ultimately. Is it the coaches' opinion that this team has NO RECEIVERS ready to run the routes or catch the long ball yet? If so, how and when will any of them be ready?

 

[CaliZona_Gator]

I'm not sure how comfortable I am with Demps taking that many carries, especially when he is doing some returning as well. He isn't the biggest guy and can't break many tackles. He is a great player, but we need the running abilities of Moody and Gillislee. A change of pace is needed to dice up opposing defesnes.