Tra Carson - 6'1" RB

[Boom]

Yes please!

I miss watching a power back(Blount, Jstew, Masoli) in this offense.

I know some think Dontae Williams is going to be that guy, but he would need to add about 20lbs and he already looks pretty built.

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-foot ... tra-carson
Carson is your prototypical load-back; this guy has great size, power and durability to pound it consistently between the tackles. Falling under the radar for programs looking for a strong downhill runner who can handle high carries and wear down a defense. Looks a bit shorter than his listed measurables but has a large, thickly-built frame. Built low to the ground with a strong, powerful running base. Sturdy, can absorb a hit and retain his balance. Quick to get square up his shoulder pads and find the north-south lane. Shows adequate vision and redirection skill hitting the cutback. Foot-speed through initial traffic is good for his size. Has more-than-adequate footwork for a big-back; shows he can make the subtle cut to elude the first defender through the hole or bounce outside with deceptive lateral agility. His production at the next level projects to stem off hard, between the tackles runs. Flashes very good inline-strength and power breaking first contact. Low center of gravity and compact body structure make it difficult to get a clean shot on him and arm-tackle. Runs with great pad level and consistently finishes runs and falls forward. While powerful, he does lack great speed and an extra to separate when he breaks free into the second level. Shows some tightness through his hips and blockier waist hinders great elusiveness. Gears down when trying to cut a full speed. That said, Carson can be a load for smaller defensive backs to come down and tackle and has workhorse qualities possibly being overlooked at the major college level. Upside is limited but he is physically ready to make the college jump. Like to see him continue to polish hands and blocking skills.

[buckmarkduck]

The coaches are very high on Bigelow, they will leave a a scholarship open for him. From what I've heard they think he could be better the Seastrunk.

Looks like the bigger back that we need. If he commits to Oregon, I doubt we get Bigelow since I don't think the coaches were planning on taking 2 RBs this class.

[Bigducker]

The coaches are very high on Bigelow, they will leave a a scholarship open for him. From what I've heard they think he could be better the Seastrunk.

Looks like the bigger back that we need. If he commits to Oregon, I doubt we get Bigelow since I don't think the coaches were planning on taking 2 RBs this class.

Bigelow looks great in his video's but you wonder about the two knee surgeries. Very dicey taking a RB with 2 surgeries already. Hope he can succeed and become the back in the video again.

[ducksfosho]

You guys should watch #55 too, he looks big and gets down field. Throws people around

[greenyellow]

The coaches are very high on Bigelow, they will leave a a scholarship open for him. From what I've heard they think he could be better the Seastrunk.

Looks like the bigger back that we need. If he commits to Oregon, I doubt we get Bigelow since I don't think the coaches were planning on taking 2 RBs this class.

Bigelow looks great in his video's but you wonder about the two knee surgeries. Very dicey taking a RB with 2 surgeries already. Hope he can succeed and become the back in the video again.

That's what makes me worry about Bigelow. Just look at Nate. He had multiple knee surgeries and was never the same player. Once a player is oft-injured, they tend to stay that way. Maybe he's built differently and he can stay healthy enough to possibly help at Oregon if he comes here.

[NCDucks09]

If we take this kid, Dontae is going to throw a fit. We're going to have to shift him to an outside linebacker or safety.

[brich75]

If we take this kid, Dontae is going to throw a fit. We're going to have to shift him to an outside linebacker or safety.

Why? If D-Will is better he has nothing to worry about.. If Carson is better, D-Will can step up or step out. Competition is what makes this team so great. We want the best player's on the field, don't we?

[Boom]

I wonder If a power back became more of priority once the coaches saw how effective Cal's defensive game plan against the ducks was(5 db's on field). A big power back would seem to be the obvious answer?

[greenyellow]

I wonder If a power back became more of priority once the coaches saw how effective Cal's defensive game plan against the ducks was(5 db's on field). A big power back would seem to be the obvious answer?

As would be better blocking and better throwing. I don't think a power back would have necessarily done any better against Cal, if anything, having faster backs allowed them to get back to the line or lose fewer yards than a slower back would have.

[Boom]

I wonder If a power back became more of priority once the coaches saw how effective Cal's defensive game plan against the ducks was(5 db's on field). A big power back would seem to be the obvious answer?

As would be better blocking and better throwing. I don't think a power back would have necessarily done any better against Cal, if anything, having faster backs allowed them to get back to the line or lose fewer yards than a slower back would have.

I disagree,

James ran with a lot of hesitation and danced in the backfield, negating his speed, which he relies on to break tackles..

I think a bigger power back could have been more effective running in between the tackles against Cal.... and would have helped keep LMJ more fresh and dangerous.

[brich75]

I wonder If a power back became more of priority once the coaches saw how effective Cal's defensive game plan against the ducks was(5 db's on field). A big power back would seem to be the obvious answer?

As would be better blocking and better throwing. I don't think a power back would have necessarily done any better against Cal, if anything, having faster backs allowed them to get back to the line or lose fewer yards than a slower back would have.

I disagree,

James ran with a lot of hesitation and danced in the backfield, negating his speed, which he relies on to break tackles..

I think a bigger power back could have been more effective running in between the tackles against Cal.... and would have helped keep LMJ more fresh and dangerous.

I only watched the second half of the game. It looked to me like James was up the middle way to much. I saw Barner come in and go outside for some big Gaines . One 30 yarder that got called back on a stupid penalty. I dont know if I was imagining it or for some reason kelly decided he was going up the middle all game with James?

[hjpop]

The second half, James was starting to show a little limp and his left ankle was giving him a bit of trouble turning on a dime and cutting, which he is known for. Plus, whose to say that the runs up the middle by LMJ didn't free Kenyon for a spell when he got to the outside? A healthy LMJ would be working miracles on the field but we gotta play with what we had and Win the Day. Would another Blount or Ontario Smith-like RB help? Maybe. I can't wait to see D-Will and Lache, though...that would be a kick-ass combo.

[buckmarkduck]

Why would Dontae care? From everything I know about him he has a great attitude. No one goes to a top 10 D1 school and thinks that said school won't recruit other kids after him that play is position.

If we take this kid, Dontae is going to throw a fit. We're going to have to shift him to an outside linebacker or safety.

[Phenom]

Why would Dontae care? From everything I know about him he has a great attitude. No one goes to a top 10 D1 school and thinks that said school won't recruit other kids after him that play is position.

If we take this kid, Dontae is going to throw a fit. We're going to have to shift him to an outside linebacker or safety.

Exactly. What are you talking about NC?

[Oregonian]

The coaches are very high on Bigelow, they will leave a a scholarship open for him. From what I've heard they think he could be better the Seastrunk.

Looks like the bigger back that we need. If he commits to Oregon, I doubt we get Bigelow since I don't think the coaches were planning on taking 2 RBs this class.

Bigelow looks great in his video's but you wonder about the two knee surgeries. Very dicey taking a RB with 2 surgeries already. Hope he can succeed and become the back in the video again.

That's what makes me worry about Bigelow. Just look at Nate. He had multiple knee surgeries and was never the same player. Once a player is oft-injured, they tend to stay that way. Maybe he's built differently and he can stay healthy enough to possibly help at Oregon if he comes here.

Yeah, but you've also got guys like Frank Gore that bounce back.