More Moreno

by 34hawk on Sep 10, 2007 11:05 AM EDT

Knowshon Moreno needs more touches.

Small differences in performance create large differences in outcomes. In football an extra inch is the difference between moving the chains and keeping the ball or bringing in the defense. Over the course of a game it's the difference between winning and losing.

Knowshon Moreno is averaging just over 5 yards per carry, which is one yard better than Thomas Brown. And as a receiver he's averaging twice as much (16.2) per catch as Brown (8.0), though we only have a few catches to judge from. He has also demonstrated more ability to make "game breaking" plays with longer runs than Brown.

With Moreno in the game, the opposing linebackers will be pulled closer to the line, and will be slower to bail out into pass coverage. This will create space for receivers to make plays over the middle, and it will help the tight end and fullback contriubte in the passing game as more attention is paid to Moreno.

Certainly Brown deserves to play and has proven to be a more than capable back. But Moreno needs more touches. If I were calling the shots, Moreno would get 75% of the touches and Brown 25%. It isn't fair to Moreno, it isn't fair to the team, and it isn't fair to the Bulldawg nation for the more productive and more dangerous Moreno to be underutilized.

Poll

Moreno should get ___ percent of the carries

25

1 votes

50

12 votes

75

13 votes

90

6 votes

32 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 2 comments

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Comments

I like the sentiment 34 . . .

but I would offer two points in (semi)rebuttal. First, Knowshown has not shown himself to be a capable pass blocker yet, at least not as capable as Thomas Brown. I think he'll get more carries as the season goes on and he proves he can handle that portion of the job as well.

A related point is that we have to have him in the game without giving him touches, or it will become apparent from the get go what we're doing, and the last thing this offense needs to be is more predictable.

But I think we will see more and more of him as the season goes on. I do worry a little bit about Knowshown facing Alabama's defense with its bigger linebackers. But I'm excited for next year with him in the backfield. I am worried that we don't have anybody with any experience next year if he goes down, but that's a worry for then. We have plenty to worry about in the here and now.

by MaconDawg on Sep 11, 2007 4:16 PM EDT 0 recs

Pass blocking

I agree that the ability to help against the pass rush is important, but I'm not sure Moreno is as far behind Brown as many suppose. In the last game I remember Moreno making one great block, and also remember Brown being called for a block in the back that killed us. The coaches will certainly have a better idea of the backs relative blocking abilities than do I.

My concern is that Coach Richt will give more carries to Thomas Brown because Brown "deserves" to play given his seniority and tenacity in recovering from a serious injury. Brown is an impressive young man in many ways, and he should be recognized for his many admirable qualities. I just don't think that giving him more playing time than Moreno is the appropriate way to do this if more time for Moreno increases the probability of a Bulldog win.

by 34hawk on Sep 11, 2007 5:58 PM EDT 0 recs