RB-Allen Bradford USC (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

So here's a guy that went to a big time program at perhaps the wrong time. I can remember when it seemed like SC was recruiting 2-3 and sometimes more 5 star sensations at RB each year and you think "How many of these guys are going to get significant playing time?" Allen Bradford is one of those guys who didn't do a whole lot but when he has the opportunity especially as a Senior he has flashed greatness IMO. He likely won't be taken very high in the draft, probably won't be looked at as a starter on 2011, but if the opp arises or if he can get on the field I think you will also see some of what I am talking about.

Highlights this season include...12/130/TD @MN, 21/233/2TDs WA, 28/212/TD @UCLA...he didn't get more than 12-15 touches but in a handful of games this past year. In high school as a Senior he rished for 29 TDs, and scored 70 TDs over his 3 year run.

He is 5 foot 11 and plays at about 235-240, he's a big guy that used to play defense too in HS...in the JStew mold I would guess. Not much of a receiver but another guy that everyone passed on was Blount last year and once he found the field he found a home. Guy ran a 4.54 40 coming out of HS...again I don't think this guy will be drafted high, maybe even a camp invite but that just means the draft sharks on this board can cruise in and nab him late in the rookie drafts.

Anybody watched him or thought they liked what they saw? I couldn't find an injury that was hampering him from touches but at SC you don't see a lot of 300 carry RBs, too many mouths to feed.

 

[Balco]

Had him the last 2 years in fantasy ncaa, most frustrating player ever, had 200 yards one week, then 3 carries for 12 yards the next.

Anyway, intriguing prospect. Obviously at USC he had to share the carries. Powerful back without much shiftiness (very slow cuts) but he is fast and powerful. When he breaks through he is an absolute load to bring down. Interested to see his combine numbers.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Had him the last 2 years in fantasy ncaa, most frustrating player ever, had 200 yards one week, then 3 carries for 12 yards the next.

Anyway, intriguing prospect. Obviously at USC he had to share the carries. Powerful back without much shiftiness (very slow cuts) but he is fast and powerful. When he breaks through he is an absolute load to bring down. Interested to see his combine numbers.

Jerome Bettis mold?

 

[Balco]

Had him the last 2 years in fantasy ncaa, most frustrating player ever, had 200 yards one week, then 3 carries for 12 yards the next.

Anyway, intriguing prospect. Obviously at USC he had to share the carries. Powerful back without much shiftiness (very slow cuts) but he is fast and powerful. When he breaks through he is an absolute load to bring down. Interested to see his combine numbers.

Not even close. Bettis was a very rare player, he had great agility for such a big guy. I have not seen a player like him in a while.I think Willis McGahee is a better comparison.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

From the OC Register...

Tailback Allen Bradford played his final game for USC on Saturday night, but he could have a positive impact on the immediate future of the program.

Bradford's epic effort – 259 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in USC's 28-14 victory over UCLA – served as the final chapter in a tale about overcoming adversity.

The Trojans are in a similar place, seeking to pick themselves up off the proverbial mat.

USC finished 8-5 in Lane Kiffin's first season, its worst record since 2001 and below the standard Kiffin and Trojans fans have come to expect. Along the way, the team endured a coaching change, NCAA sanctions and a rash of transfers. The program will be on probation for three more years, including a bowl ban in 2011 and scholarship reductions (subject to appeal).

Bradford endured a rollercoaster ride that included injuries, losing his job, regaining it, losing it again and then finishing with a career-best effort in a game USC needed to win to avoid a season-ending three-game losing streak.

"It's really a compelling story," Kiffin said Sunday. "I'm glad our guys got to see that."

Bradford never complained about his playing time, instead spending extra time watching film, taking notes and figuring out ways to avoid the fumbles that caused Kiffin to bench him for most of the past month. Bradford never gave into the temptation to check out mentally.

"I could have quit, easy," he said late Saturday night. "You've got to look (at) how your teammates are going to look at you if you just quit on them, especially at the end of the season, just because my season wasn't going well. I told everybody, even if I don't get another carry the rest of the season, as long as we won games, I'll be happy."

The play that stood out the most to sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley was Bradford's 47-yard catch-and-run on a swing screen early in the fourth quarter.

"Plays like that is what 'SC football used to be, and that's what it needs to be," Barkley said. "Making guys miss. Making guys fall to the ground."

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Had him the last 2 years in fantasy ncaa, most frustrating player ever, had 200 yards one week, then 3 carries for 12 yards the next.

Anyway, intriguing prospect. Obviously at USC he had to share the carries. Powerful back without much shiftiness (very slow cuts) but he is fast and powerful. When he breaks through he is an absolute load to bring down. Interested to see his combine numbers.

McGahee pre-OSU was a beast. Bradford has been hit with injuries but nothing quite as drastic as McGahee IIRC...agree on Bettis and your points.

 

[Balco]

Had him the last 2 years in fantasy ncaa, most frustrating player ever, had 200 yards one week, then 3 carries for 12 yards the next.

Anyway, intriguing prospect. Obviously at USC he had to share the carries. Powerful back without much shiftiness (very slow cuts) but he is fast and powerful. When he breaks through he is an absolute load to bring down. Interested to see his combine numbers.

I meant McGahee as a Raven. He was ridiculously good before his serious leg injury. Wonder how his career would be if he didn't get hurt.

 

[Don Quixote]

He had trouble holding onto the ball, IIRC.

 

[Vision6]

best rb usc had in a while. He'll be a steal for someone because his coaches wouldn't use him.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

He's got pretty good feet for a big back, but he seems to be lacking in the intangibles. In that highlight clip he looked indecisive on a few runs, just standing in the backfield waiting for a hole to open, he won't be able to do that in the pros. It's also surprising that he never really ran over any defenders despite being 230+ lbs, you'd think there'd be a couple highlights of him just trucking somebody. When you combine this with his fumbling issues and his lack of use on 3rd downs, he definitely has some warts. Still, his combination of size, speed, and agility make him someone to keep an eye on as the draft rolls around.

 

[EBF]

Saw him play plenty at USC and always had sort of a "meh" reaction. He's okay. Nothing special.

Decent combination of speed and power. Biggest weaknesses is that he's not very elusive or fluid making difficult cuts.

I think he's kind of like Charles Scott from LSU last year. A little more athletic, but similar in many ways.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I like that he landed in Tampa Bay, anyone else?

 

[footballsavvy]

I was confused by this because he is in the mold of Blount. Where the "change of pace" back they needed? How valuable can he be sharing touches with Blount and not getting receptions?

 

[Premier]

I was confused by this because he is in the mold of Blount. Where the "change of pace" back they needed? How valuable can he be sharing touches with Blount and not getting receptions?

Dominik came out and said that the Bucs are "collecting big backs" since it is a big man's league now. They don't appear to care about the change of pace thing. Nor should they really.

 

[Balco]

I was confused by this because he is in the mold of Blount. Where the "change of pace" back they needed? How valuable can he be sharing touches with Blount and not getting receptions?

Dominik came out and said that the Bucs are "collecting big backs" since it is a big man's league now. They don't appear to care about the change of pace thing. Nor should they really.

I also think they took Bradford with special teams in mind. I could be wrong, but I believe started his career as a linebacker. He should help on the coverage units.

 

[Native]

I like that he landed in Tampa Bay, anyone else?

Love this kid MOP. Wish the Phins would have taken him instead of Daniel Thomas - then we couldve used our second rounder on a QB. This kid has the tools to be a legit 1000 yard rusher in the right situation and Im pretty surprised he flew so far under the radar.

 

[NorrisB]

My problem with bradford is he's a 240 lb back he plays like he's trying to be reggie bush

 

[Go deep]

I like that he landed in Tampa Bay, anyone else?

One of the better places he could have landed, but its only fair i point out i dont think Blount is very good, At the very least i think Bradford is the short yardage back. Bradford is another guy who could end up being aa steal in the 3rd round of rookie drafts this year.

 

[saintfool]

I was confused by this because he is in the mold of Blount. Where the "change of pace" back they needed? How valuable can he be sharing touches with Blount and not getting receptions?

i think it's a sign that huggins recovery is coming along. he's bought himself some time if nothing else. they like the role they have made for cadillac too. what they need is a similar RB to blount, in case he goes down. they'll wait on what turns up on the waiver wire.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I was confused by this because he is in the mold of Blount. Where the "change of pace" back they needed? How valuable can he be sharing touches with Blount and not getting receptions?

i think it's a sign that huggins recovery is coming along. he's bought himself some time if nothing else. they like the role they have made for cadillac too. what they need is a similar RB to blount, in case he goes down. they'll wait on what turns up on the waiver wire.

All valid points but let's break this down. 1. Blount-Nice story, and he was a guy I picked up late in the rookie drafts last year and then I was a fool as I cut him when TN let him go as I was short on roster space. But the fact is they have very little tied up with him. They ahve had other back come in in the past and post decent numbers and the Bucs still move in another direction. I think Blount is in their plans but they also know the kid has had some issues and I don't think they look at Blount as the "franchise back"2. Cadillac-Again we love him for coming back form injuries, he's a decent part of the passing game but he is not a "franchise back" at this point. They will keep him around because no one else wants him. I'm shocked he is even playing to be honest. 3. Huggins-Again nothing invested here really. Bradford has a good chance to make the team but the Bucs are now close to being a playoff favorite meaning they should be talked about as one of the 6 standing in January in the NFC. If I were a fan I would encourage the team to try and sign a decent FA, be that DWill(Big signing if that happened) or Addai, Bradshaw, someone else that has the "it" factor they need to give Freeman even more horse power under center.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Is this scenario impossible?

Bradford because of injuries in front of him becomes part of a 2 back system. The other back in the 2 back system is not on the TB roster right now. Is that so far fetched?

 

[saintfool]

All valid points but let's break this down. 1. Blount-Nice story, and he was a guy I picked up late in the rookie drafts last year and then I was a fool as I cut him when TN let him go as I was short on roster space. But the fact is they have very little tied up with him. They ahve had other back come in in the past and post decent numbers and the Bucs still move in another direction. I think Blount is in their plans but they also know the kid has had some issues and I don't think they look at Blount as the "franchise back"

I think they were very happy with him. he was effective, pure and simple. even better, he was cheap. if he backslides or is somehow less effective then they will bring in competition. until then, he has bought himself more time.

2. Cadillac-Again we love him for coming back form injuries, he's a decent part of the passing game but he is not a "franchise back" at this point. They will keep him around because no one else wants him. I'm shocked he is even playing to be honest.

i think they like the leadership he brings. he was pretty effective in his role as the 3rd down back. he will be offered a contract commensurate to his role on the team. no one expects him to be a starter ever again.

3. Huggins-Again nothing invested here really.

exactly. they liked what they going into last season with him. they can afford to wait on his recovery. if he's lost it then they can find another player easily enough.

Bradford has a good chance to make the team but the Bucs are now close to being a playoff favorite meaning they should be talked about as one of the 6 standing in January in the NFC. If I were a fan I would encourage the team to try and sign a decent FA, be that DWill(Big signing if that happened) or Addai, Bradshaw, someone else that has the "it" factor they need to give Freeman even more horse power under center.

i don't think this team is under a "win now" mandate. last year it was proven that RB is not the problem for the team. they should be confident going into the season.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I was confused by this because he is in the mold of Blount. Where the "change of pace" back they needed? How valuable can he be sharing touches with Blount and not getting receptions?

i think it's a sign that huggins recovery is coming along. he's bought himself some time if nothing else. they like the role they have made for cadillac too. what they need is a similar RB to blount, in case he goes down. they'll wait on what turns up on the waiver wire.

The news on Huggins looks mighty bleak. Latest from Rotoworld:

Free agent RB Kareem Huggins reportedly "blew out everything" in his knee when he suffered a torn ACL in October.The concern is that Huggins will no longer be a "NFL caliber runner" once the multiple ligaments as well as the meniscus have finally recovered. The Bucs will revisit Huggins late this summer if he's showing signs of progress, but he's going to be an extreme longshot to make an NFL roster in September

I wish I could take credit for this joke (but I'm stealing it from some one else): The next uniform you'll see Huggins in will be a McDonald's one.