The CheckerBoard

I feel like Neal will not get drafted and be 2nd string behind Lane this year. I think Neal runs to high, he doesn't break tackles, and his so called "speed to kill" is not exhibited on the field. What was his longest run last year 30 yards? Lane is the more complete back and can actually get YAC. This is the SEC not the Big East, Neal isn't going to just all of a sudden run around guys.

Some good points and things to watch out of Neal and Lane. I personally think they're both good backs, but I saw a little more out of Neal than what you did.

Lane is much better in between the tackles in terms of run straight and not second guessing the hole. But when I look at the highlights of the Georgia game, I see Neal's true potential as a runner. He can be really good when he trusts the holes, and is unhindered by injury. Lane didn't have the speed in what I saw last year. He had two occasions where he blew past the line and then was caught up to 30 yards later. You could also make the argument that Neal didn't get that far, but he was a completely different player before the Georgia game and then after.

I agree about Neal. He never broke tackles and very rarely made defenders miss. I remember thinking about 3-5 times a game that other, elite backs would have scored on plays that Neal was tackled by the last defender. Our line opened some great holes for him last year and wil do so again this year, hopefully Neal or Lane can take advantage of it. Neal has a long way to go before I'm ready to say he will be drafted.

Lane may not be the prototypical fit for this style of offense, but I still think he sees the field plenty. I still think Raijon will be "the guy" for the most part, but I don't see any of the other guys (Devrin, Smith, Hill, Lee) supplanting Lane as the #2 (or even 1b). I didn't realize this until I just looked it up, but Lane only had 50 fewer rushing yards than Raijon on the season, and that was on 36 fewer carries for a full yard higher per rush. He's also our leading returning receiver so he's clearly not just a between the tackles runner. All together, he had more yards from scrimmage than any returning player. I just think he's talented enough that the staff will have to keep him on the field even if he isn't what they typically look for in a RB.

i also think lane will get the start i think dooley drooled over neal so much and thats why he started i saw Lane hit the holes much harder and with more consistency and honestly who wouldnt take 30 yd runs with lane all day than with neal trying to bust everything outside around the end for 2 or 3 you have to run north south in this league and thats exactly what Lane does.

I must admit that I do not know enough about how Jones uses running backs in his offense to comment intelligently on who would fit better in his style of play, but I agree that in a pro-style offense with a straight ahead running style, Lane is the better option. If he is running sweeps and throwing to the backs on swings and things such as that, Neal may be a slightly better option in that case. Lane should as close to 100% after his knee injury as he is going to be so we will see his speed displayed better this year, if he has gotten it back. I hope he has, and shows it.

Wes, do you still have that man-crush on Rajion?

UT sports says Rajion , Google says Raijon

I think Neal has an opportunity to be special this year. He has become a weightroom beast, but if you think about him in HS and as an underclassman, he was more of a speed guy who ran away from people. I think he spent last year getting used to his body/strength, and this year he will be much improved with regards to breaking tackled. I think it is like a guard in basketball that goes through a growth spurt, it takes time to learn to play in the post.

Foster is a great comparison. Similar running styles with Foster showing a little more patience, but Foster's knock his senior year was that he couldn't break a tackle hardly. Sound familiar? His junior year he broke through because his line blocking was great, and the passing game allowed him to execute at his highest level. Both were horrible his senior year.

Edit: Even the fumbles are similar, except Neal hasn't lost a game due to fumble with the exception of the Kentucky game. I think you're on to something...