Chapter 168: Catch Test
In the 2015 season, Derrick Henry swept the NCAA with an incredible performance, defeating McCaffrey and Watson to win the Heisman Award.
After the season, Henry declared for the 2016 draft.
Judging from various analyzes and indications, Henry, who has shown absolute dominance in the college arena, should naturally be a popular player.
However, reality is different.
First of all, Henry has a strong body and obvious goals, so he is easily caught by his opponents; his center of gravity is high and he easily loses his balance.
Secondly, in the NCAA, Henry was always able to break the game with explosive power, but in the NFL, the defensive intensity has obviously increased to a higher level, so this trick may not be effective.
Finally, based on past experience, tall and strong giant running backs like Henry, such as Brandon Jacobs, LeGarrette Blount, Marshawn Lynch, etc. etc., can often only be used as one-dimensional running backs who rush the ball in the first gear. When the ground offensive tactics are seen through in the second and third gears, their strength advantage is often submerged in the crowd tactics.
The so-called one-dimensional running back here not only refers to the running style, but also refers to the fact that they can only run the ball but cannot catch the ball.
Looking at it this way, Henry's shortcomings are more obvious than his advantages. After the National Championship Game, NFL scouts generally predicted his draft pick to be in the fourth or fifth round, or even lower; fortunately, Henry's rookie training camp and The Alabama Crimson Tide wowed scouts with a great performance during their on-campus training day.
In the end, with the 45th pick in the second round, the Tennessee Titans selected Henry.
However.
In March before the draft, the Tennessee Titans had signed Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray (DeMarco-Murray) as the main force, so Henry could only start from the bench in his rookie season.
The quarterback of the Tennessee Titans is Marcus Mariota, the winner of the Heisman Award in the 2014 season. He is a running quarterback who is best at holding the ball on the ground and has mediocre passing ability. ; In addition, Murray and Henry have similar characteristics. They are both running backs who are good at rushing the ball but not good at catching the ball. Their roles on the court completely overlap.
Therefore, head coach Ken-Whisenhunt (Ken-Whisenhunt) can only use Henry when Murray is exhausted.
Throughout his rookie season, Henry only completed 490 ground advances and five touchdowns. His data was only one-fifth of the Heisman season the previous year.
This is the current situation.
The entire NFL has entered an era where passing is king. The traditional strength-based full-backs are gradually being eliminated, and the half-backs who can shoulder multiple tasks are becoming the main body of running backs.
The living space of one-dimensional running backs in the league is getting narrower and narrower. Running backs cannot only have one professional ability. They must not only be able to run the ball and pick up picks, but also must be able to catch the ball. Occasionally - very, very occasionally, unexpectedly. The situation is also responsible for passing the ball.
then.
Running backs do the hard work of four or even five positions by themselves, but they earn the minimum salary of the offensive team. They may be easily abandoned by the team. After all, they are hard-working coolies. If one of them doesn't work, he will be replaced. Isn’t the tool man who changed it in seven rounds high-quality and cheap?
Reality is so cruel.
To be precise, this practice is gradually becoming popular in the NCAA. Using running backs as wide receivers to break the balance of offense and defense in a misplaced manner. McCaffrey and Kamara often serve as wide receivers in the team to receive the ball. .
You can understand Kamala’s mood by analyzing the data——
In the 2016 season, he ran with the ball 103 times and advanced 596 yards; he was a passing target 40 times and advanced 392 yards.
No wonder the team didn't notice Kamara, and no wonder Levi didn't remember Kamara at all. As a running back, his performance was really lackluster; but as a wide receiver, his performance was really good, which also made him A dual threat in the run and pass.
Of course, as I have said before, there are still very traditional teams in the NCAA that adhere to the usual ground attack system and do not use running backs as wide receivers.
The Alabama Red Tide Storm is one of them.
In addition, Levi has only entered the rugby world for just one year, and even his basic running back skills are still learning and growing. Burns has no intention of letting Levi bite off more than he can chew. Throughout the season, Levi has never been able to bite off more than he can chew. Not having played as a wide receiver in an actual game, this is unfamiliar territory.
And now, the running backs are about to face the catching test in the rookie training camp - the bustling eyes are once again focused on Levi.
The test project is not a secret, and there is no sudden attack here; but the point is that the ability to catch the ball cannot be trained in just six weeks.
Perhaps this is the key reason for Levi's retreat, even more important than the bench press numbers.
After all, a running back who lacks strength and confrontation is only slightly worrying. The ever-changing offensive tactics of the NFL can always find a place for such running backs; but the living space of one-dimensional running backs in the professional arena is getting increasingly difficult. The narrower.
So, how is Levi doing?
The air was slightly boiling.
call.
Kamala let out a long breath, he had no way out now.
The plan has been completely disrupted. Things have long been out of control. He wants to curse but is no longer in the mood. If he still wants to use Levi as a stepping stone to prove himself, if he still wants to improve his draft stock Position, this is the last chance, you must seize it.
The catch test does not test time, but agility and accuracy.
The starting position is a cross block on the ground, about 20 centimeters high. The player stands in one of the quadrants, and then must switch to the next quadrant with one foot, and then switch to the same quadrant with the second foot, ensuring that one foot , the second foot enters the final quadrant separately, and then switches to the next quadrant in the same way.
Whether clockwise or counterclockwise, according to the player's own habits, he starts from one quadrant and finally returns to the same quadrant to complete a circle.
Then, start.
In the same way, the front team crossed three 20-centimeter roadblocks running horizontally and arranged vertically, and continued to advance.
In front of you are three circular air-cushion sandbags, arranged in a "pin" shape. There is a coach behind each air-cushion sandbag. They will use the way of swinging the sandbags to indicate the blocking position of the defensive players. The running back must be in the middle of the "pin" shape. Find the correct position in the two channels, break through and move forward——
At the same time, you cannot touch the sandbags and must successfully dodge.
Continuing to go straight, there is another coach standing with bare hands directly in front. He will raise his hand to signal to the left or right. This time, it is not to dodge, but to follow. The players follow the direction instructions and run a horizontal parabola, approaching the sideline. The nearby endpoint of the parabola is ready for the ball.
The person responsible for passing the ball is still a coach.
After the running back catches the football, he continues down the sideline and into the end zone.
The whole process seems simple, but is actually complicated.
It tests the footsteps, judgment, on-the-spot response, change of direction, catching the ball, center of gravity control after catching the ball and the final sprint.
Time is not important. No one tests time, but everyone can see the agility of footsteps, on-the-spot judgment, smooth breakthrough, secondary reactions, etc. This is a comprehensive test of the running back and wide receiver abilities.
Difficult, very difficult, but Kamala is ready.
The second update today.
(End of this chapter)