AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRanking the ACC’s top rushers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The ACC may be a bit thin when it comes to quarterbacks, but the stable of running backs is talented and deep. Here are my top five running backs in the ACC for the 2007. Tell me if you disagree.
1. Tashard Choice, Sr., Georgia Tech. Choice led the ACC in rushing (1,473 yards) on a team that had Calvin Johnson, the best receiver in the country. With Johnson gone, Choice will clearly be the man in the offense of new coordinator John Bond.
2. James Davis, Jr., Clemson. The Atlanta native had a good year (1,187 yards) in 2006 but it could have been a great year if Clemson had been able to throw the ball a lick. He barely touched the ball at the end of the season when opponents figured out that the Tigers couldn’t pass. That needs to change.
3. Brandon Ore, Jr., Virginia Tech. Ore (1,137 yards in 2006) has proven he’s tough enough to get yards inside but quick enough to get into the secondary and make big yardage. He had consecutive 200-yard games last season. Like Davis, Ore needs for his quarterback (Sean Glennon) to play better in order to take some of the pressure off him.
4. C.J. Spiller, Soph., Clemson. Speed, speed and more speed. Just when defenses adjust to the pounding of Davis, Spiller (1,415 all purpose yards) will rip off a long run. Offensive coordinator Rob Spence has to keep finding different ways to get this guy the ball in the open field. Spiller scares linebackers to death.
5. Antone Smith, Jr., Florida State. People forget that the diminutive Smith (5-9, 188) actually beat out Lorenzo Booker at the end of the season only to dislocate an elbow in his very first career start. New offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will find a lot of different ways to get Smith the ball in space. Think Warrick Dunn.
HONORABLE MENTION
— Toney Baker, Jr., N.C. State. Baker (688 yards in 2006) had 174 yards against Clemson.
— Lance Ball, Sr., Maryland. For a stocky guy, the 5-9, 223-pound Ball showed surprising quickness in rushing for 815 yards (8 TDs) last season.
— Andre Brown, Jr., N.C. State. Brown was the Wolfpack’s leading rusher in seven games and went over the 100-yard mark twice.
— Andre Callender, Jr. Boston College. Callender was the second-leading rusher on his team last season, but he will thrive as a runner and a receiver in the offense of new coordinator Steve Logan.
— Javarris James, Soph., Miami. Edgerrin James’ cousin had 802 yards last season, the second-highest total ever for a Miami freshman. Now James will be a big part of rebuilding the offense under new coordinator Patrick Nix. One caveat: James will have to hold off another rookie, Graig Cooper, to get his carries.
Comments
By SC
July 31, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Antone Smith will rush for 1,000 yards this year.
By Thorpe
July 31, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Go BC!
By jacketguy
July 31, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
why tashard and the jackets will beat notre dame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbMw4tOM1Io
By MJ
July 31, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
An FSU RB rushing for 1000 yards!?!?!? That will be the day.
By Shawn
July 31, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Without Calvin Johnson every team in the ACC will load the box to stop Choice. James Davis and C.J Spiller will have a better year than Choice.
By wp
July 31, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
haha, notre lame. great video!
By Burdell's Brother
July 31, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
I think defenses will start up loading the box, but will find a different offsense that spreads the field and is less predictable. This will force them cover reciever, TE, and other weapons, and give Choice the opportunity to run. Also keep in mind, how many QB draws did Tech run last year and defenses were in the box then as well. Also, the offensive line comes back deep and entirely intact and we also have more depth at RB to keep CHoice fresh throughout the year. Sept 1 will be his national coming out party!
By ga_tech_92
July 31, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
Go Jackets!
By Bearden
July 31, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Choice got yards, but you live in dream land if you think every D coordinator in the ACC is not having nightmares about these guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LBNA6kQWXA
By King of Sense
July 31, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
Being the best at anything in the ACC is kind of like being the world’s tallest midget…
By ACC midget
July 31, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
You are right on. It’s kind of like losing to Kentucky and Vandy.
By JOE
July 31, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Tech’s #1 Choice runs all over UGA’s defense on the way to victory!!!
By GTGreg
July 31, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
I think that GT’s offense will surprise some people, and Tashard will greatly help Taylor’s transition into the starting QB role. GT will beat ND, but I don’t believe it will be a blowout… it’s too early in the season for that.
As an aside, you’ve gotta love antagonistic homers wasting space on these blogs under great names like “King of Sense.” A little egomaniacal eh buddy? Do you have tea at 4 with the Prince of Moderation, the Princess of Prudence, and the Archduke of Good Tidings? Perhaps you should choose a more appropriate nickname like “reely smart gye.” We all know that’s what you were thinking anyway.
By No Dawgs Here
July 31, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
I think Choice will do great. Many people overlook how many players are returning. Yes, we lost CJ. But, there is another Johnson that isn’t too shabby. The plus is we have a QB!!! Tech will be better this year than last year. I think a 10 game win season is acheivable. UGA is beatable, Notre Dame is beatable and the schedule is somewhat favorable. Go Jackets!!
By SteveO
July 31, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
This Thomas guy at WR looks very simular to Johnson
By The Truth Hurts
July 31, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Programs at Miami, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Boston College, GT….yeah, horrible track records.
Didn’t Arkansas and Tennessee both lose to Big 10 teams in their respective bowl games last year? I thought the Big 10 stunk, Gomer (Big 10—2-5 in bowls). Nice.
Didn’t UGA lose to W. Virginia the last time they played them? BC, too? Hmm….
Calm down on the SEC thing for a bit…the conference has a losing record against the Big East.
Do you want to read that last sentence again?
Is the Big East the best football conference in the country then?
Top to bottom, the SEC has the best athletes in the country. I do wish USC played a tougher schedule…but they’d still win the SEC (see Arkansas), albeit with a loss or two.
Anyway, I think Choice, the kids at Clemson, and James at Miami will probably be the most NFL-ready backs in the league. But Ore at Va. Tech definitely wins the best-name-for-a-RB contest.
By silver
July 31, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Loading the box will result in James Johnson and company catching more long passes for touchdowns! The midget quarterback is gone, gone, gone!
By TigerPaw
July 31, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
Smoke you another one Truth Hurts! You are right about the Clemson backs, though. Choice would make a great 3rd string back for Clemson.
By tim
July 31, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Choice is going to be a great back for tech this year. I think that the qb is going to have some growing pains though. It will be tough to win the division this year unless qb progresses quicker than I expect
By Spike
July 31, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Hey No Dawgs Here… Yea, both teams are beatable, but not by Tech. The Irish are way down this year and the Nerds have a real shot at beating them. But if you think you guys are beating both in the same year, especially the Dogs, I want some of what you are smokin’…
By Brian Longmore
July 31, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Choice doesn’t have a prayer with a terrible QB like Bennett in there
By Brett
July 31, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
As long as Tashard stays away from Tickle Piles I think he will be fine. He shouldn’t allow anything to sap his strength. He especially needs to stay from the alumni Tickle Piles before the big games.
By tek wrek
July 31, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
It seems to me that you teksters were high (pun intended) on another QB about four years ago. I seem to remember the students carrying him off the field after his first game. He was to lead tek to the promised land. How did that work out for you? Now, your are doing the same thing for a QB who started one game and was just throwing it up for Calvin. Well, Calvin is gone. Your QB will still be throwing it up, but chances are the opposing defenders will be coming down with the Ball (pun intended).
By King Of Sense
July 31, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
Wow. Alright ACC folks, you’ve forced my hand.
Since 2000, the ACC is 3-31 against top 10 teams.
The ACC champion has now lost 8 straight bowl games.
UGA lost to Kentucky and Vanderbilt last year. (now what are you gonna say?)
GT lost to UGA last year.
And yes, my name is extremely appropriate. Take 2 and call me in the morning.
By King of Sense
July 31, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Did I mention I’ve never actually been to see a game in Athens?
God, I’m better than all of you!
By The Truth Hurts
July 31, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
TigerPaw, it’s funny for you to be bragging about the most underachieving football program in the country. What a running joke.
King, no one would doubt that the ACC as a football conference was weaker between 2000-2003. But after the expansion, things have changed. It just happened to coincide with a downturn in Miami and FSU’s programs. It happens everywhere (Ray Goff anyone?). You really question the pedigree of Miami/FSU/VT/BC’s programs? Really? Wow.
The SEC is stronger NOW. The Big East, however, has a winning record against the SEC. Care to explain? SEC’ers poo-poo the Louisville’s and W. Virginia’s of the world…and then lose to them. They poo-poo USC for having an “easier” road, then they play Arkansas twice and KILL them. It’s not even competitive. I don’t get it.
I think there isn’t very much discrepancy between the major conferences in most years. It then becomes a shouting match. Who cares? I went to one school and that’s who I root for.
Everything is cyclical, anyway.
It’s the circle of life, Simba.
By jacketnation
July 31, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
Kick Vick
By ecVT
July 31, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this
Brandon Ore is the MOTHER LODE
By Elijah
July 31, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
One thing I want to start with is all these UGA fans talking about the tickle piles. Seems to me that it is the UGA campus that has those parties as much as the fans like to talk about it. What is on the inside is going to come out. Second, if anyone doubts Choice just look at his #s. Not just total yards, but 5.0 yards a carry, and despite having Calvin; Tech really didn’t even an average passing game. Last, most of you guys that knock on other teams so bad don’t even watch them play. I saw Bennett in the bowl game and I went to the spring game. He is ready. You will see.
By GTGreg
July 31, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
Wow, I’ve forced the king of sense’s (or reely smart gye’s) hand… which made him lower his scepter of truth and plagiarize a recent sports illustrated article. And he’s never even been to a game in Athens! So hanging on to Stuart Mandel’s shirttails + never having been to a game in Athens = better than all of us. Wow… the king is good at math.
“The Truth Hurts” is right… this is all cyclical… I just hope that people like the king of sense don’t go bonkers when the SEC loses a few marquee non-conference games and is accused of having a “down year” by the talking heads.
By Georgia Tech=JOKE
July 31, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Yes, everything is cyclical. If by cyclical you mean like losing to your in-state biggest rival 15 out of the past 20 meetings. Its all cyclical.
By GTGreg
July 31, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Georgia Tech = Joke?
Sounds like the king of sense is at it again. By the way, our biggest rival is Clemson.
By GT Rich
July 31, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
Bond’s offense last year had a 1900yd QB and a 1900yd rusher. He knows how to call a balanced game.
Although Bennett lost the best target he will ever have in CJ, he found five OTHER receivers in the bowl game. When did Reggie ever find six different targets in the same game??
That is the reason why Choice will have a great year, possibly a better year than last. Not sure about our RB depth though…
By mtraininjax
July 31, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
Tickle Pile = Athens Clarke County Jail with Coach Richt on the bottom.
By GTNC
July 31, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
Shawn, if teams load the box to stuff Choice, that’s when the accurate arm of Bennett will exploit and be effective. I still think this the best Tech team (top to bottom) under Gailey yet. Whether that translates into beating UGA is another story but at least we don’t have Mr Ball to help the cause.
By Sal
August 1, 2007 1:48 AM | Link to this
This Tickle Pile controversy needs to be treated with kid gloves. We don’t need to air our dirty linen in front of the entire state. I for one am embarrassed that this has come to light. It was better discussed in private.
By WFC
August 1, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
I’m optimistic about Tech’s chances this yrar for the following reasons:
The veteran offensive line. As an retired high school football coach, I know only tooo well how important this is. OL mistakes may not be obvious to the casual fan but any coach will tell you that they are killers regardless of how talented your skill people are.
Bond will install a more diversified “west coast” style offense. GT will have far fewer “2nd and 10,” “3rd and 14” situations.
Choice is the real deal. I recently watched the 2006 Tech-Ga game and it was amazing how many times he would be hit and fight on for 2-3 more yards.
CJ was a magnificent player and we will miss him. However, wide-out is by far the easiest position to find a good replacement for. Not CJ, but a good player.
A generally stout defense. Lost in our disapointing loss to UGA was the fact that the Dawgs didn’t score an offensive touchdown until there was less than two minutes left in the game. Props to Stafford and Massoud for that last drive.
By 2N4YEARS
August 1, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
No Dawgs Here : TECH should’ve beat what found out to be an ‘as usual’ over-hyped Notre Dame team last year. They go through an as-usual weak schedule, only to be matched up with a much better team in their Bowl games (see ND vs. LSU last year), which is why Notre Dame hasn’t won a bowl game since the ‘80’s. I picked GaTech to beat ND last year, and they didn’t. It should be a close game this year too, though. That still doesn’t make TECH any better. They will succumb to the DAWGS in NOV., as usual.
By Wolf-n-Atlanta
August 1, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Wow, a UGA/Gtech p** match.
By werewolf
August 1, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
be on the lookout for NCSU’s killer B’s, Baker and Brown
By curtrob
August 1, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
well i will say this, i am a huge Tech fan and an even bigger Tashard fans because i love how he goes about his business on and off the field. with that said i do think he is a slightly better back that Davis at Clemson, matter of fact if Davis didnt have to spilt time with another great back, and if he had the durability to play every game, he’s easily the best back in the ACC. but i think tech o-line will help Bennet and create holes for Choice this season.
By TheWrongChoice
August 2, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Yea Choice is pretty good. He would be 3rd team at best if he played for the Dawgs. Get ready for 7, 8, and 9 in a row as long as Stafford is in charge nerds.
By Crux
August 2, 2007 3:40 AM | Link to this
3rd best back at UGA? HAHAHAHa… Go see where ol’ Lumpkin fell among SEC backs. Not even in the top 5. Get over yourself. UGA backs suck. They stay injured and never really produce. Put out 1,400 plus yards from one of your backs and then come talk about “pretty good.” Bandwagon UGA fan…
By ArkyTech
August 2, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Choice certainly had no trouble running right through the Georgia D last November for 146 yards. That with only one touch in the 4th quarter! (Don’t get me started.)
By Jamie
August 5, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
Hey MJ!! Antone Smith will be the next Warrick Dunn. (And…before our current “skid”…we didn’t NEED a 1000 yard rusher, now did we?) lol GO SEMINOLES!!