Dooley said today he wanted his running backs to "play more violent". I like the sound of that if they'll do it.
I think Lane can be good. Right now, he's not any better than Poole. Tom Smith isn't a big play threat but he can churn out 3 to 5 yard runs. We haven't seen enough of him in games to know if he's just a practice field superstar
Poole doesn't have a running backs vision. So when our Oline does make a hole(which hasn't happend very often if your keeping score) he just dosen't see it. I would like to see Lane starting if Poole fails to produce against the power house of buffalo. I would rather see the Oline play more aggressive, though. They're getting pushed around.
Would be great if he'd encourage the o-line to do the same. Add the defense to that list while you're at it.
I wish we didn't miss him so much. Poole and the running game as a whole, has been a huge let down. I didn't see us struggling this badly.
Hardesty, Jamal, and Webb were violent, knock you in the mouth backs. Tony Thompson, Jay Graham, and Travis Stephens were 'run like you stole something' backs. We have neither right now, unless someone steps it up.
He runs laterally, gets nicked up often, and seems to live in Dooley's doghouse. (His high school clips were some of the most impressive I've seen. Can't quite figure that guy out).
I think Lane and Neal will be fine. it has become increasingly obvious that Tauren Poole is a guess hitter that got lucky and belted a few home runs last year
His best plays have been rail routes against UGA and USC. I don't remember off the top of my head any long runs he has had. I want him to succeed, but something is going on there I can't quite get at.
Now that they've pulled Da'Rick from KO return duty, would like to see Neal and his speed back there. Right now our running game needs to find a 3-5 yard grinder RB and a guard/tackle combo that can move the LOS, we can worry about game breakers later. I think it is just tough to have a line with 4 sophomores play with the kind of violence and commitment required. I expect them to continue to improve as the season wears on and might actually start flashing shades of becoming a force by end of season.
