Theo Riddick to WR

Thoughts?

With his combination of speed/quickness, he could really make a difference out there-like Mardy Gilyard in the Kelly offense, right?

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/kelly-notre-dames-riddick-moves-out-to-rec...

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Kelly knows that Allen is a good fit for his offense and will probably get the bulk of the carries next season. Based on his signing-day interview with Lemming, he thinks that Wood and Riddick are too talented to keep off the field, so one of them had to switch positions. But in 2011, Allen will be gone, and presumably some combination of Toma, Jones and Jackson will be able to handle the slot WR duties, which will allow Riddick to move back to RB.

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Get your most talented players on the field. I think Ricky Watters benefited a great deal from spending time at flanker and split end.

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Thoughts:

1. In a spread, pass-first offense, a receiver's ability to run in traffic (like Golden Tate) is pretty important. If we're going to use hitches, bubble screens and slants as extended running plays, it will be important to have guys who can take a hit, fall forward, etc. There's going to be five or six DBs out there, so it's going to be infrequent that it's a true one on one matchup on the outside.

2. I think this means Wood stays at TB. I confess I'm not clear what type of TB Kelly prefers, other than I'm confident he requires good pass blocking skills. I wonder if he likes Wood more, feels Riddick needs to start this year, even at WR, or he thinks Riddick is more versatile.

3. Kelly has been hinting at this one for a while. I'm more surprised by the rumor of Cleland to DE. I wonder if there are any other major or surprising moves in store. Charlie de- emphasized positional versatility so much I don't think of many of our guys in that way.

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but leaves somewhat of a hole in the backfield. The running styles of Hughes and Gray (and Roberson) aren't perfectly aligned with Kelly's offense. That leaves only Allen and an unproven Wood. If Wood moves to safety that leaves only one well-suited option (although it appears from this article he will be remaining at running back).

I thought Riddick and Allen would be a great one-two punch out of the spread.

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At least based on the way he positively gushed over his video highlights during the signing day presser.

I also think that the Riddick move means that Wood is staying on offense, and that Riddick wouldn't have moved in the first place if Kelly wasn't very high on Wood's talent.

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into signing day comments about Roberson. SSuch comments are always positive, and it's Coach psychology 101 to build up less heralded kids to instill confidence (and, potentially, downplay the bigger recruiting stars to reduce pressure or egos. I certainly noticed that Kelly went out of his way to cut off questions about Nix contributing as a freshman.)

On the same note, it would be premature to pronounce Roberson ill-fitted for tailback without seeing either rRoberson or Kelly's ND offense (and what he's able to do with Hughes. I suspect Kelly isn't a coac to sit idley by while a talent languishes without a good role).

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of Roberson was overflowing with praise. Obviously he's a more astute judge of talent than I am, but I don't see the quickness, acceleration, or speed from Roberson needed to effectively operate in a spread offense heavy with zone blocking. Just my two cents.

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Just watched the HS highlights for both Pead and Roberson. Very very similar.

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They both approach the line at full speed and run with decisive cuts. I think Pead has a bit more lateral movement, elusiveness, and quickness, but both seem to have similar acceleration and Pead definitely benefited from some poor tackling.

Pead seemed faster when I watched him on the field last year (both on TV and in person), but perhaps this video quality is misleading. Both definitely run with a purpose and attitude. Both had forty times listed in the 4.45-4.48 range on Scout, so I'm guessing they actually run about a tenth of a second slower.

I can't say that this comparison totally changes my opinion-Pead isn't what I would consider an elite back-but it is encouraging. One thing that does bode well for Roberson is that he is listed as a couple inches taller and about 30 pounds heavier than Pead but seems to have similar speed.

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Pead is by no means elite, but did well in Kelly's offense last year (121 carries, 806 yds, 6.7 ypc and a 67-yard TD + 200 yards receiving on 20 catches). If Roberson can turn in an effort like this down the line, I think we'll be pretty happy.

Based off recruiting film comparison (which is admittedly weak evidence, but really the only evidence we have), Roberson might live up to Kelly's words of praise.

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Not because I don't want Riddick on the field, but because I felt Evans was the perfect candidate to become the "next Mardy Gilyard." Maybe Kelly will have the great fortune of having two "next Mardy Gilyard's" on the roster for a few years.

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the Polo Grounds

I think it might be a one-year thing

I think its great

Excellent observation

Thoughts

I think this move is potentially good for Riddick

Kelly disagrees with you on Roberson

I don't think we can read anything

Also very good points

Yea, Kelly's signing day summary

Compare with Isaiah Pead

Could you post?

Done and done.

Interesting

Concur

Thanks for posting, I'll check them out

I hope Shaq Evans gives him a run for his money

Maybe Kelly considers Evans more of an outside WR