[BJWilliams]

After a bit of a hiatus, we move to part 2 of our look at the 2016 Flames with the other boys in the backfield:

Players Lost
Desmond Rice
DJ Abnar
Austin Kaigler

Players Returning
Todd Macon
Frank "Frankie" Hickson Jr.
Emmanuel Johnson
Carrington Mosley

Macon is the only one of the returning backs to see significant game action in 2015 and probably will be the starter heading into spring ball. Hickson, son of former Flames standout and running backs coach Frank Hickson Sr., will probably be the one to push the most for playing time in the backfield. Mosley, a grad from Liberty Christian Academy, has been a disappointment to be honest. After an outstanding career at LCA, he was looked at as a bit of a steal for the Flames recruiting class in 2013. Will have to see if he can up his game with Rice and Abnar both gone. Johnson is a new face to me, likely joining as a walkon prior to the 2015 season, but could see some time much like Kaigler did.

[ballcoach15]

I like Hickson's potential.

[Equinox]

They should convert Buddy Edwards to tail back. When he was in the short yardage package, he was averaging 4.57 YPG. With all the similar styled RBs we currently have, Edwards would do some serious damage to the opposing defense when he runs between tackles.

[jinxy]

I wouldnt be shocked to see denvre daniels take a dj abnar type role in his frosh and sophomore roles. Gotta think farrow shells parker and king are the top 4 receivers. Especially if we dont get a rb commit that were in love with. I think edwards will get a few touches each game. Mosley is just depth

[forbidden]

They should convert Buddy Edwards to tail back. When he was in the short yardage package, he was averaging 4.57 YPG. With all the similar styled RBs we currently have, Edwards would do some serious damage to the opposing defense when he runs between tackles.

That's a big difference when your 2-3 yds deep vs. 7 yds., don't think he would be as effective in that, but in short yardage I would go heavy and put the other FB #36 Kennedy in front with Buddy deep

[Chippy]

They should convert Buddy Edwards to tail back. When he was in the short yardage package, he was averaging 4.57 YPG. With all the similar styled RBs we currently have, Edwards would do some serious damage to the opposing defense when he runs between tackles.

That's a big difference when your 2-3 yds deep vs. 7 yds., don't think he would be as effective in that, but in short yardage I would go heavy and put the other FB #36 Kennedy in front with Buddy deep

Ball security plays a huge role in who gets the carries.

[BJWilliams]

Personally I'd get 7 linemen, put 6 up front then buddy and Kennedy with the 7th lineman in a power I set then blast through in those short yardage situations

[Tmill22]

Our RB play was just as poor as our OL play. No real play makers other than an inconsistent Abner. A better OL and scheme could help. Not real excited about any of backs coming back. Could use a 1A transfer here.

[Dalegarz1]

I agree with the scheme being part of the problem. A QB who is a threat to run would be a real asset. Then we could use the read option and put more pressure on the defense.

[BJWilliams]

Itll be interesting to see what kind of offensive philosophy Coach Dailey comes up with. I rather disagree with you Tmill about the 1A transfer. Let's see just what Coach Dailey cooks up and how the backs we have work with it in the spring. He may hit on something pretty awesome.

[Tmill22]

I hope the scheme will be better and the running QB will definitely help. Our RB back group is one of the weakest in the conference, which is totally unacceptable. Maybe Hickson will make a big impact.

[Cider Jim]

I rather disagree with you Tmill about the 1A transfer.

So BJ you're saying we COULDN'T use a D1 transfer? If one came calling, we should just say, "thanks but no thanks"?

[ballcoach15]

I think key to 2016 season will be RB, whether he's a returning player, true freshman or 1A transfer. We cannot run it up middle for little or no gain like we did in 2015.

[BJWilliams]

If one came calling then I wouldn't be surprised if HCTG entertained it. Im just saying that in my personal opinion, we don't HAVE to have one to improve the RB position

[BJWilliams]

I think key to 2016 season will be RB, whether he's a returning player, true freshman or 1A transfer. We cannot run it up middle for little or no gain like we did in 2015.

THAT starts with line play. we could have William "Refrigerator" Perry back there and if we don't get any push up front, we would have trouble getting much yardage.

[olldflame]

I think key to 2016 season will be RB, whether he's a returning player, true freshman or 1A transfer. We cannot run it up middle for little or no gain like we did in 2015.

THAT starts with line play. we could have William "Refrigerator" Perry back there and if we don't get any push up front, we would have trouble getting much yardage.

Don't overlook the impact a big powerful back can have. It was a small sample size, but it seemed to me that when Edwards carried the ball last year the "pile" moved in a way it didn't with our other backs.

If we don't end up signing a RB this year, I expect Daniels to get some carries in the backfield. He was a RB in HS and as a Senior gained over 1000 yards as backup to a 5 star recruit on a state championship team.

[Tmill22]

Love to bring back the physical run game a la Walt Helig, Stacey Nobles, Rashaad Jennings.

[Chippy]

I hope the scheme will be better and the running QB will definitely help. Our RB back group is one of the weakest in the conference, which is totally unacceptable. Maybe Hickson will make a big impact.

Having great running backs can help make the QB look pretty good as well. Alex Ross for example had Taliafero and Henderson for his 4 years. We did not have that caliber of running back with Woodrum at the helm.

[forbidden]

I hope the scheme will be better and the running QB will definitely help. Our RB back group is one of the weakest in the conference, which is totally unacceptable. Maybe Hickson will make a big impact.

Having great running backs can help make the QB look pretty good as well. Alex Ross for example had Taliafero and Henderson for his 4 years. We did not have that caliber of running back with Woodrum at the helm.

False, you had Aldrekis Allen here with Chauncey and Dez that were more than capable of getting it done, you had a nice WR core as well, seems that your using Taliafero because he is with the Ravens but if AA had not gotten into trouble he could have been in the league as well, even though he was given a couple tryouts.

[olldflame]

We have not lacked for quality RBs the last few years. Coastal just hit the jackpot with Taliafero and Henderson. Right now it looks like Chuck South has a pretty good stable of backs as well. I'm not sure I agree with TMill22's assessment on how weak we are at the position currently. Losing 2 players to graduation who had each had a year as 1st team all BSC has left us with question marks for sure. I believe Macon is very good and Hickson can potentially be at least as explosive as Abnar was. Depth may be an issue. It's a position where it's tough to get through a season without injuries.

[Sly Fox]

It also is a position where a freshman can often make a big impact.

[flameshaw]

Absolutely Sly. It is even more amazing how a good OL can make an average RB look great. Most games are won in the trenches.

[forbidden]

It also is a position where a freshman can often make a big impact.

I can clearly see like was stated earlier by someone that if another back is not brought in that we could see DD moved back into that role, he excelled in school and depth is an issue there. I think there are more than enough WR's there that this transition could happen.

[BJWilliams]

It also is a position where a freshman can often make a big impact.

I can clearly see like was stated earlier by someone that if another back is not brought in that we could see DD moved back into that role, he excelled in school and depth is an issue there. I think there are more than enough WR's there that this transition could happen.

A very good point coach...we return (assuming everyone makes it out of the spring healthy) 11 wideouts in 2016 plus we have one committed in the current signing class, so I could see Daniels getting a chance in the backfield in spring ball

[Dalegarz1]

It certainly would be interesting to see what Daniels could do. The two positions where we desperately need a player who can make something out of nothing are QB and RB. We need upgrades in that skill at both places.