Remember hearing considerable criticism for Pete Carroll and his use of Reggie Bush in their national championship defeat against Texas. Besides the boneheaded lateral turnover Reggie made early in that game, he was always a satellite guy, but Lendale White was a running back.

Reggie can credit the media with at least half of his Heisman, but Lendale gets the credit for the rest. What happened to Reggie when the Saints feature back went down and he had to carry the load? It was the same way at USC. Reggie "the satellite" Bush was always fun to watch, but Lendale White was always the best running back on that team.

I think the more important question is..what is more important to a college coach in a RB today?

Do you want a RB that is more of a big play threat or do you want a RB that is more of a runner and can be more effective in short yardage situations?

Some college coaches might argue that these smaller "satellite" RB's are more of a threat for the big play, so they are more conducive to a higher scoring offense than your every-down back. They may not be able to be used in short-yardage or goal line situations, but in the end they may be more responsible for the offense putting up more points on the score board because of the threat they pose in space and the speed they possess. So coaches may be putting more value on them these days.

Alot of what you said makes sense, but not the part about "satellite" backs being great in college and busts as pros. I don't care that Reggie Bush isn't dominating as a pro -- I would still love him on my college team. Same with kids like Noel Devine.

Who cares if Ralph Samson wasn't as good in the pro ranks as in college -- I still want him at the college I root for.

Having attended OSU in the 60's and 70's I tend to agree with you. BUT you take a look at the past few national champions, and the facts don't support our preference. Name me the last big back Florida had. Not even Emmitt Smith was that big. Lendale White was a bigger back, but he did not get the buzz Bush did. LSU the same way. You guys would go CRAZY for the stable of big backs Georgia Tech has. Their 3rd string redshirt freshman is better than anything we have. Jonathan Dwyer and Allen could start just about anywhere in the country. The one thing you didn't point out, is that a big back can make up for a bad offensive line. As great as Beanie was, what more could he have done with a decent line. Not good, just decent.

:evil: Their 3rd string redshirt freshman is better than anything we have?
GOOD THING YOU ARE ON A COMPUTER PAL.
You would be in for a good ol fashion bitch slapping!
TOSU is "RB U" and you are a FLAKE.

Couldn't agree with you more, Duane. I never expected Bush to be much in the pros, either, and he has done nothing to change my assessment. While these small and quick backs have advantages out in space, an offense needs more than these backs can offer when it faces an outstanding defense. The reason Bush and his like have such success in college is that very few teams (especially in the Pac 10 and Big 12 and the minor conferences) have really good defenses. Florida's offense does not prove the contrary (the win against OSU didn't validate their choice of running backs inasmuch as OSU never showed up for the game, and their win over Oklahoma was largely attributable to their defense and outstanding QB play, who also functioned as their power back).

Having said all of the above, Duane, do you think someone like Jermil Martin could fill the role of a good third and short power back? Brandon Joe ran on short yardage situations from the TB position quite a bit for the Bucks, and was successful for the most part. OSU will need a power back for third and short, now that Hyde won't be here for the fall.

Hey Bobby Hanes. This 3rd string running back is 6'2", 230 lbs, and runs a 10.6 100 for Ga. Tech track team. he was the top running back in Fla. as a senior. Name Richard Watson. He may be 3rd string at Ga. Tech, but there is NO doubt he would start at OSU

The thing is, all you guys saying that you would take a Reggie Bush type back cannot be referring to OSU as the destination for him. Sure I'd love to have a Bush type back on my team, if the coach knew what to do with him. We've had satellite rbs at OSU and the suprising thing is that they all had the same name, bust. Why, because the coaching staff is all for equality. Every rb gets the same plays, regardless of ability to execute them. How many 3rd and 2s did Wells convert for the Bucks, yet how many times was he forced to run that ridiculous dive play.

I'm totally with Duane on this one. Given the offensive philosophy of this coaching staff, it is, frankly, a waste of a scholarship to recruit these "satellite" rbs. Given that they aren't going to be placed in a situation to succeed given their skill set. Everyone is talking about the great things Jordan Hall brings to the table, but given the plays he'll likely be asked to run, what are they?

asked to run, what are they.

Finishing my response from above. I don't like how it cuts off the responses!

I agree with Duane. Let's be real about it, there isn't a team coach or fan anywhere that wouldn't like a little lighting in a bottle, Reggie could give you that. We are talking about a true RB and they have to be able to produce between the tackles, in the weather and when they didn't the execusion up front. The satellite guy's are great for what they do, but they can't give you 30 touch's a game 12 weeks in a season. That's a RB job.

'SC had the best of both with Bush and White, so why can't we? Roderick Smith as White and PA ATH Corey Brown as the Bush type guy. I don't know what our chances are with him but I wonder if, with the Carlos Hyde issues, the staff might be looking at another back for this class.

I think having satellite guys rated above natural and legitimate running backs is a crime. But Reggie Bush was in the National Championship game and other big bowl games and he was play very impactful even though is was not from playing like a typical running back. These satellite guys may not be very good in the pros as a starting running back, but their impact in college cannot go unrecognized.

But just to note, I would prefer that OSU's running backs get the ball more in the same way Bush did, out in space on a swing play or screen to let him do what he does best. I think that may help the guys on our roster succeed better this year, like that Berry kid.

We have a 6'1 220lb RB that runs a 10.3(numbers from HS I might add) and he isn't starting here at tOSU. So please tell me again why Mr. Watson would be starting here? Those 230lb & 10.6 numbers look good on Xbox but on the real field they don't mean nearly as much. The player who can read the D, block and get tough yards will play everytime over the track start with helmet. There is a reason somebody with those measurables isn't on the field!!!!! So NO Mr. Watson wouldn't start here and would probably be third string here too.

Reggie Bush was injured last season or he would have dominated like he did the first three games. OSU needs to recruit more all-purpose backs that reach top speed in a hurry. Every time we play fast defenses like USC or Florida the offense gets exposed by an 8 man front. You always need a 3rd down explosive back in your offense. Saine is very fast hasn't shown he can reach top speed as an explosive third down back. Maybe he will show his it this time against USC?