re: The problem with Kaleb Jackson

Kelly said it best at the presser, some things you just can’t teach

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It happened in this last game he broke out for a run and then got easily caught from behind. It has happened more than once this year

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I'll need to see a replay of that because from what I remember he out ran a DB to the sideline and cut up down the sideline for a bigger gain until the safety had an angle on him.

To be able to out run a DB to the sideline at that size suggest his size and speed have nothing to do with his play. I agree with everyone who is saying it is 100% a vision problem and not being able to correctly read his blocks to get to open space.

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Move him to linebacker if he loves contact and doesn’t have the right mentality for running back.

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Worked good for Devin White and Patrick Queen.

That’s an unblocked defender in the hole that made the tackle when help coming back side. He got what he can.

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Kelly said it best at the presser, some things you just can’t teach

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True. It’s why historically RB was always the easiest position transition to from high school to college and we’ve seen so many true freshman throughout the years come in and be really good early. It may be a little more difficult now depending on the complexity of the offense and how much they’re called to do things in the system they didn’t have to in high school like pass pro and catching the ball out of the backfield. But things like vision, balance, ability to jump cut, change directions, etc..are kinda innate. You can work on these things and get better, but the greats know WHEN to it do it without even thinking about it. It’s instinctual.

Durham appears to have all that. (So does Thomas, who I’m going to keep pounding the table on him needing to get more carries from whatever position/formation they decide). I’m not writing Jackson off as not having that. I think there’s a lot of rust and a lack of confidence right now that could be contributing to him not playing free and letting the game come to him and trusting his instincts. I think he’s pressing at this point.

The big problem with RBs, in my opinion, is the shotgun formation. The offense should be a mix of under- center plays and shotgun plays, The under-center formation allows the RB to get to and through the hole more quickly. Both formations can easily be used for runs or passes. Just another way to add dimension to the playbook.

In practice they should run plays using a stopwatch and see the difference in a back getting through the hole. This would help the OL as well.