Upgrade/Downgrade // Running Back

But I blame Shannon. He had so much potential. I remember his freshman year thinking to myself, “This kid has the kind of speed where, if he ever gets around the corner, he’s gone.” But it never materialized, and from what I learn, he didn’t work as hard as he could have. I do believe we have upgraded in Batch, I am just slightly worried about his pass blocking (compared to Shannon).

I look at B Batch as the horse – the go to guy. A running back with desire to trample the opponent. He gets the job done and with style as well. Watching him speak in interviews it is clear why Leach puts this young man in front of the camera. Well spoken and thoughtful leaps to mind. He was not as good a blocker as Woods but boy did he just pop through holes and get up field with authority. You have to believe he will improve his block throwing and blitz pick technique in 09. I can’t count how many time he appeared to be daring someone to pull him down. 4 and 5 guys laying all over him and he’s still pushing forward. He’s easily one of my favorite players of this year group. I would not be surprise d if he’s the MVP for the offense and easily breaks out over 1000 yard rushing and another 500 – 700 receiving. Or if you like flip that numer. Someone Plano or Kayakyakr was hoping /predicting that the offense would flow though the running backs (most touches)to make the Raider Offensive Assault run at peak efficiency.

and it is 98 Upgrade and 2 downgrade….please make sure that the 2 that voted downgrade are not on the roads when I am driving. Baron Batch is a certified stud, and every time he wasn’t on the field last year…..we weren’t as good as we could be.
I think the other 2 RB’s behind him are great and I (very biased) think we have a chance of having the best group of running backs in the Big 12. Batch gives you everything he has every play, its as if he doesn’t have long to live and he is determined to give it up on every play. In person, we saw him at the Kansas game go and fire up each of his teammates as he came out of the tunnell for the 2nd half.
I am a 44 year old man and have told my 13 yr old son that it would be odd for me to wear a Jersey (for any team, any player)……I would consider breaking that rule for Batch. Batch is going to be Potts best friend….lets run the ball more Mike.

Last year’s Woods/Batch tandem was in my opinion one of the top running back units in the country in terms of efficiency. Woods could block like an OT, but run when he needed to and he had a TON of speed. Batch was the big bruiser who ran people over, was able to burst through holes (sometimes making his own), and he gave every play his all. Not only is he a great player, he is a very down to earth person, a strong Christian (99% of the time his Facebook status is either a quote from scripture or an inspirational message about God’s power and love) and Batch’s work ethic is second to none.

Whenever Woods was on the field, most teams knew we were passing the ball, due to his ability to block (look at the game winning Harrell to Johnson pass from the 2006 TAMU game). Of course, Woods ran the ball (he got about 35% of the touches), but he wasn’t as explosive as Batch.

When Batch was on the field, defensive coordinators were left guessing. You have to play the pass, because we’re Texas Tech. You have to make sure to lock up Crabtree. But that might leave Britton to streak down the sideline for a quick TD. But then the middle is left open. But that leaves the D open to a shuffle pass or screen pass. Or Batch could run it and any time he touches the ball, he is a threat to score (4-5 plays from the UT game come to mind, runs and screens). We will have more of that this year. I know Baron isn’t as good of a pass blocker as Woods was, but I know he will be putting a ton of effort into that during the offseason. Worst case scenario, we have other backs that can pass block, but the chances of Baron being that bad are basically ZERO, because that means he would have to get a lot worse at pass blocking.

Overall, I am sad to see Shannon go. He was a player that showed a ton of promise, but wasted it by not working hard and spending time in Captain Leach’s dog house. I know Baron will not have behavioral problems or slack off. Plus, he has this year AND next year to improve.

6.8 yards per carry says upgrade.

That is somewhat close. Woods was a good back and did well after reinstatement. Batch, it seems, just explodes when he gets the ball. UPGRADE!

How many of ya’ll are looking forward to seeing what our dual back can do this year, with what looks like two strong fast runners?