Where does Ryan McCants fit on this team?
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 4:15 PM PDT
in Oregon State Football
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PrintHeading into this season, we thought we had a viable running back combination in Ryan McCants and Jacquizz Rodgers. We liked Ryan's size and power, and we knew Jacquizz was quick and shifty. However, we weren't sure if Ryan and Jacquizz's skills would translate to the college game.
Quickly, we learned that Jacquizz is the real deal. He eclipsed Ryan on the depth chart after the Sanford game, and he hasn't stopped running yet-- he's rushed for 100 yards in the last five games, if you round up the 99 yards he got at Penn State. He's on pace to shatter all kinds of records at Oregon State.
That being said, Ryan and Quizz are different backs. As we saw at the end of the Washington State game, Ryan has power and the ability to move a pile like none other. Jacquizz can move a pile in his own right, but clearly, they're different runners. Quizz is 5-7, 200; McCants is 6-2, 240.
After the season, Ryan and Jacquizz will both have three years of eligibility. Mike Riley has shown that he doesn't like to rotate quarterbacks or running backs. He'll even tell you that if you were to ask. With that being said, can Ryan and Quizz coexist on this team and both contribute?
Will 6'2" Ryan McCants continue to stand in the shadow of 5'7" Jaquizz Rodgers?
I'll meet you in the thread.
(Photo taken by Thomas Boyd of the Oregonian, via www.oregonlive.com)
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McCants=next great DE/LB at OSU?
Hey, I’m just sayin… Butler came to OSU as an ATH that wanted to play WR. Think about it.
Good point.
He really does look like a defensive player, now that I think about it.
The Media Guide says he played DE in high school along with RB.
--JB--
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I would love McCants to contribute.
But he really is overshadowed by Quizz. Quizz possesses the “it” factor… he just makes plays. McCants could be a good back, but he doesn’t seem to have the special talent level Quizz possesses.
I hope they find a role for him. He does look like a wicked DE/LB in the mold of DeMarcus Ware in college. A guy who is undersized at DE but has the speed to make up for it.
Exactly
And Quizz had the ability to hit the ground running. He’s already got what it takes to compete in college. With McCants, I think he would need time to develop at running back. If he stuck with RB, I’d see him having a breakout junior year, and continuing that in his senior year.
--JB--
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah...
He seems stuck in the depth chart. Unfortunately for him, Quizz is great in short-yardage situations – which one would assume that the much bigger McCants would be better at. Not only is Quizz better on first and second down, he runs short yardage and catches passes.
I really hope McCants stays and doesn’t transfer out like the RB that was behind Yvenson who went to I-AA… His name escapes me. He scored an 80-yard TD against Wazzu in ’04 or ’05.
Oh, ok.
Quick check of 2004 OSU stats reveals Ryan Cole as the player I couldn’t remember. He reminds me of McCants ironically.
Somehow, we need to find a way for McCants to get more involved.
That’s part of the reason I brought up this topic in the first place.
Obviously, McCants knows he has talent. If he’s not going to play here, I’m afraid he could get happy feet.
--JB--
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah Ryan Cole was who it was. I do think McCants would be a good DE or OLB, I think we should give him a chance to switch to that side of the ball and see how he does over there.
He's fast and physical
And he has the size to make it on the other side of the ball. It definitely seems like a possibility.
--JB--
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I have no idea why Mike Riley doesn't rotate RBs
Rotating QBs is understandable, that completely dictates the offensive rhythm… but he could easily use McCants and Quizz somewhat like Morris and Smith or even Blount JJ, respectively.
Don’t worry, Chip and Mike wouldn’t press copyright infringement.
Your friendly neighborhood placekicker.
I'm not quite sure either
But I’ve heard him say he doesn’t like to do it. He rotated QB’s last year when we had Sean and Lyle healthy to start the season, but I think even then he felt uncomfortable, and so did Beaver Nation.
It’s just hard to rotate RB’s when you’ve got a guy who can practically do it all. Like someone else said, Quizz is a great third down back. So in a 3rd and short situation, it doesn’t make sense to go to McCants when you can give it to Quizz.
--JB--
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
McCants needs to stay at RB
Think about it? Who else is behind Quizz on the depth chart? All that I know is Jeremy Francis and he will be a senior next year. I love Quizz just as much as the next Beaver fan but I think you have to safeguard yourself against injuries and I really do think Coach Riley need to start looking at rotating them. Im not saying every other play or even every other series but just maybe once a quarter give McCants a series to make the defense adjust and give Quizz a breather.
However, if Riley and Co. dont want to use McCants as a running back then I do think a hybrid DE/LB would be perfect for the guy. Especially if he did play defensive end in high school. The guy is definitely a beast but I think the move would need to be done maybe by the end of this year to get him ready to contribute right away in ’09.
Yeah, but I don't think we want McCants rotting behind Jacquizz
If Quizz goes down, then maybe Ryan can cross back to the offensive side of the ball? I think they’re two of the best athletes on the team…. seems like we need to utilize both of them as much as possible.
--JB--
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Great Backup
I think McCants could be a starter (he was) but Jacquizz is just better. Although, if Quizz goes down I would feel very comfortable with Ryan behind him. I also think Francis is a good running back with his power and speed. The only thing is this was against the Cougars so we really don’t know yet.
Sure, he's a great backup
But don’t you think he will need more game action than he’ll get in Quizz’s shadow?
--JB--
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Sure.
I can’t disagree there. But it seems like this guy has enough talent to help the team somewhere else.
--JB--
by Jake Bertalotto on Oct 13, 2008 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah.
It’s about comparative advantage. Sure, it’s nice to have a solid backup RB. Say the backup gets x number of carries, and is a certain amount better on each carry than the third string guy. That advantage is important, but is probably nominal and not that crucial to the team’s success.
However, if McCants can play the the whole game and is a solid player starting on defense, it helps the team more. Sure, it’s a luxury to have the backup RB, but there are more snaps on defense and it is therefore a better way to utilize him. He needs to play on defense, provided he can.
by Cablinasian on Oct 13, 2008 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Two HB set
Something Riley ever does is run two back sets. I think with the talent we have at the position, split backs would be a good idea.
by AnotherBeaverFirstDown on Oct 13, 2008 10:18 PM PDT reply actions
Change of Pace
Use McCants more – what a great one two punch!
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
I’d rather see McCants get a shot as an H-Back or heavily rotated RB. The kid looks good and just needs carries. Quizz is special, but I’m confident McCants can be too. He just needs a fraction of Quizz’s carries.
Taking his size and athleticism into consideration though, I can’t help but think of a bigger Doggett. If only the kid would give D a chance! We’ll never know.
Is this the thread? I know you wanted to meet me here, but I think I got lost.
I'm no The Maharg! But I try. Oh, how I try!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
are you f@#$ing serious?
It makes absolutely no sense to put McCants on defense. We are six games into Jacquizz and McCants’ first season. What if Quizz gets hurt? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a guy who was a top 10 RB recruit in HS available? These guys will have 42 more regular season games + bowl games together in their OSU career.
McCants also provides a change of pace at tailback. He is much bigger and gives the defense a different look than Quizz.
Riley is also an offensive genius – e.g. the fly sweep last year and scoring points and moving the ball even though Moevao can’t throw down field this year. Isn’t it possible that he may have some things in mind that use both backs?
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Pacific-12 Conference Standings
(updated 1.2.2012 at 11:12 PM PST)
| North | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
Oregon Ducks
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
|
Stanford Cardinal
|
8 | 1 | 11 | 2 |
|
Washington Huskies
|
5 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
|
California Golden Bears
|
4 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
|
Oregon St. Beavers
|
3 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
|
Washington St. Cougars
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
| South | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
USC Trojans
|
7 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
|
UCLA Bruins
|
5 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
|
Utah Utes
|
4 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
|
Arizona St. Sun Devils
|
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|
Arizona Wildcats
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
|
Colorado Buffaloes
|
2 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
Pacific-12 Conference Standings
(updated 2.8.2012 at 11:00 PM PST)
| Conf | Overall | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Washington Huskies
|
9 | 2 | 16 | 7 |
|
California Golden Bears
|
8 | 3 | 18 | 6 |
|
Colorado Buffaloes
|
8 | 3 | 16 | 7 |
|
Oregon Ducks
|
7 | 4 | 16 | 7 |
|
Arizona Wildcats
|
7 | 4 | 16 | 8 |
|
Stanford Cardinal
|
6 | 5 | 16 | 7 |
|
UCLA Bruins
|
6 | 5 | 13 | 10 |
|
Oregon St. Beavers
|
5 | 6 | 15 | 8 |
|
Washington St. Cougars
|
4 | 7 | 12 | 11 |
|
Arizona St. Sun Devils
|
3 | 8 | 7 | 16 |
|
Utah Utes
|
2 | 9 | 5 | 18 |
|
USC Trojans
|
1 | 10 | 6 | 18 |
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