Rutgers fans debating best RB in BE

[Apis Bull]

Does RU have the best returning RB, WR and TE in the Big East?

[RHBullsFan]

SC and ET, no mud slinging? Rutgers is pretty high on their own guys it seems.

[bulls96go]

HALL!

[LakeBull]

No problem...  we will answer this one first hand.

[S p e n c e]

LOL they are so self-absorbed.  What was it 3 or 4 times that Bien and SC mentioned Hall and put his numbers up and they just kept on trucking completely ignoring the posts all together, with the exception of UMDMJ07 who posted this "USF- Andre Hall's numbers. Are you kidding me. 210 1357 6.5 11"

Then after Andre Hall has been mentioned several times, a RU fan makes this statement in defense of thier tailback "Rhodes (SU) had a 5.7 ypc average. Brockington (CT) had a 5.1 ypc average. No other returning BE back had more than 5.0

Then uses this line of reasoning to exclaim...

"Rhodes is the best RB returning in the BE next year."

I guess they failed to notice Hall's 6.5 YPC last season.  Also wasnt he ranked like #11 in country for rushing yards.  Not too shabby.

[dabull80]

They will learn the hard way.

[Guest S.  Bien]

I've seen every Big East team play on more than one occasion, and obviously the new BE teams as well.

Of the top returning backs to the Big East I think it's pretty **** clear, even basing it on production, potential, and ability.  

1.  Damian Rhodes- a stud, can do so much, and has nice combination of size and speed.  The only question is whether he can be the man again, without platooning.

2.  Michael Bush- Mr. Versatility, he's an enigma because part of him shouldn't be on this list, he's Mr. Everything.  However as long as he takes snaps, and runs the ball more than anything else then he's a RB.  Size, speed, balance, vision, footwork....pretty **** amazing, but again, much like Rhodes, the question is can Bush be an every down back, or was he better off as the novelty act coming in to spell Eric Shelton and Lionel Gates?

3.  Andre Hall- had the staff got him in the spring of 04' instead of the fall this kid would have had gaudier stats.  He's had some amazing stats against solid talent.  Lacks breakaway speed, has everything else,  talent is amazing and possesses the uncanny abilities you see in the great ones- balance, vision, footwork, moves.  

4.  Pernell Williams- hasn't carried much for WVU, but when he did the talent was evident.  Obviously he'll be carrying it quite a bit, and has the talent to excel.

5.  Brockington- a nice blend of size, quickness, and power.  Nothing overly special, but a very solid back.

This list could shift rather quickly with the influx of some new freshmen- Gwaltney (WVU), Conredge Collins (Pitt), Messam (Rutgers).   These guys could crack the top ten rather quickly.  

If you want to include them all on raw potential exclusively as RB's, then my personal ranking would go as such:

1.  Gwaltney (WVU)

2.  Hall (USF)

3.  Rhodes (Cuse)

4.  Bush (UL)

5.  Brockington (Uconn)

6.   Messam (Rutgers)

7.  Pernell Williams (WVU)

8.  Demetri Linton (Rutgers- he's Rutger's best RB, probably better than Messam, I always liked this kid coming out of FL)

9.  Butler Benton (Cinci)

10.Ricky Ponton (USF- severely underrated)

11. Kolby Smith (UL- easily the best FB in the BE, maybe one of the best RB's)

12.Conredge Collins (Pitt-solid but maybe better suited at FB).

13. Brinkley (Cuse)

14. Brian Leonard (Rutger- FB)

That's pretty fair, even with Hall because Gwaltney is awesome, you know he's going to be great, especially in WVU's offense.  After that I just don't see one back that stands out ahead of Hall.  I do believe Ponton has that kind of ability, and if ranking by potential he's got as much as any of them.  When you talk about Ponton just think of a younger version of JR Reed.  Same work ethic, desire, but with RB skills.

[hightechbull]

Does anyone care what Rutgers fans think?  :

I mean come on, New Jersey is the armpit of New York.  

[mattegunz]

I've seen every Big East team play on more than one occasion, and obviously the new BE teams as well.

Of the top returning backs to the Big East I think it's pretty **** clear, even basing it on production, potential, and ability.  

1.  Damian Rhodes- a stud, can do so much, and has nice combination of size and speed.  The only question is whether he can be the man again, without platooning.

2.  Michael Bush- Mr. Versatility, he's an enigma because part of him shouldn't be on this list, he's Mr. Everything.  However as long as he takes snaps, and runs the ball more than anything else then he's a RB.  Size, speed, balance, vision, footwork....pretty **** amazing, but again, much like Rhodes, the question is can Bush be an every down back, or was he better off as the novelty act coming in to spell Eric Shelton and Lionel Gates?

3.  Andre Hall- had the staff got him in the spring of 04' instead of the fall this kid would have had gaudier stats.  He's had some amazing stats against solid talent.  Lacks breakaway speed, has everything else,  talent is amazing and possesses the uncanny abilities you see in the great ones- balance, vision, footwork, moves.  

4.  Pernell Williams- hasn't carried much for WVU, but when he did the talent was evident.  Obviously he'll be carrying it quite a bit, and has the talent to excel.

5.  Brockington- a nice blend of size, quickness, and power.  Nothing overly special, but a very solid back.

This list could shift rather quickly with the influx of some new freshmen- Gwaltney (WVU), Conredge Collins (Pitt), Messam (Rutgers).   These guys could crack the top ten rather quickly.  

If you want to include them all on raw potential exclusively as RB's, then my personal ranking would go as such:

1.  Gwaltney (WVU)

2.  Hall (USF)

3.  Rhodes (Cuse)

4.  Bush (UL)

5.  Brockington (Uconn)

6.   Messam (Rutgers)

7.  Pernell Williams (WVU)

8.  Demetri Linton (Rutgers- he's Rutger's best RB, probably better than Messam, I always liked this kid coming out of FL)

9.  Butler Benton (Cinci)

10.Ricky Ponton (USF- severely underrated)

11. Kolby Smith (UL- easily the best FB in the BE, maybe one of the best RB's)

12.Conredge Collins (Pitt-solid but maybe better suited at FB).

13. Brinkley (Cuse)

14. Brian Leonard (Rutger- FB)

That's pretty fair, even with Hall because Gwaltney is awesome, you know he's going to be great, especially in WVU's offense.  After that I just don't see one back that stands out ahead of Hall.  I do believe Ponton has that kind of ability, and if ranking by potential he's got as much as any of them.  When you talk about Ponton just think of a younger version of JR Reed.  Same work ethic, desire, but with RB skills.

One thing you forgot to mention about Hall.  He has the best attitude and work ethic of everyone around.  The guy simply loves football whether its a game or practice.