Just when it appeared John Shoop had found an efficient way to use both RBs.
Junior RB Shaun Draughn suffered a fractured left shoulder blade on the first play of the game against Duke and has been lost for the season. Draughn carried the ball for nine yards but was in obvious pain leaving the field and was out of his shoulder pads within minutes. UNC turned to Ryan Houston for the remainder of the game. Houston recorded a career high 37 carries for 164 yards.
At this point UNC has gotten really thin in the backfield. Jamal Womble and A.J. Blue are already out for the season and now Draughn. The problem for UNC is the running game had developed into the bread and butter on the offensive side of the ball. In the two previous two games versus FSU and VT, UNC had effectively used both Houston and Draughn in different ways almost like a pitchers uses the fastball and changeup. Draughn had been used for quick runs, especially around the ends while Houston was mainly ran inside. Since both RBs brought something different it gave UNC a slight edge when it came to keeping opposing defenses off balanced. Having two RBs also kept their legs fresh over the course of the game, a bit of a bonus when you are chewing seven minutes of clock at a time.
The question is whether UNC can continue to use the same scheme with Johnny White or Anthony Elzy running in Draughn’s place or do they simply ride Houston for 30-plus carries per game? I don’t see the latter happening unless it is working the way it did against Duke. You also have to wonder if Houston can hold up under that kind of punishment, especially against a team like Miami or Boston College. Regardless, Shoop and Butch Davis have very little time to figure it out before the Hurricanes show up on Saturday for a 3:30 PM start on ABC.
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No. No, no, no, no, no.
Yep, this really stinks considering Shaugn had a great game at VT and based his one carry Saturday was in for a big day. Certainly his absence makes the Heels even less potent and more predictable.
I have been a fan of Elzy and think he is under utilized. Womble or Blue would have been interesting, but I do think we’ll have to get in a time warp and see Johnny White, Greg Little and Anthony Elzy as the tailbacks when Houston isn’t in the game. The Heels certainly can’t afford another injury at that position.
Maybe good TJ will emerge Saturday? Daggonit!
We can do it. I hope TJ brings his A-game Saturday too. Maybe we can sneak Nicks back.
HP,
I’m a fan of Elzy myself and also wonder why he’s been absent from the lineup a lot. I think he doesn’t have Draughn’s quickness, but he’s also like Houston in being a punishing runner that can help wear down the defense; utilizing White and Elzy can be a good complement to Houston.
I think Miami is beatable. No doubt they will stack the box with eight and nine guys to make Yates beat them with his arm. If Yates can make some throws early on and UNC can utilize Houston/White/Elzy to make the running game effective, then the Heels have a chance.
Elzy was moved to fullback along with Rome but both have basically been used on special teams. Devon Ramsey must be a better blocker but to my knowledge he has not carried the ball at all. I do know Elzy and Rome are decent pass catchers.
I also think that putting Elzy and Houston in the backfield at the same time would be effective and punishing.
I would tend to agree on Elzy, using him in the backfield would certainly add some depth and help us out versus Miami. We do have a good record against Miami and you have to think that this game always holds a little something extra for Davis. Hopefully that will translate into a win for the Heels.
Having just become a subscriber to digital cable I found all the UNC games with Woody free via TWC. If I had known about this feature I would have converted some time ago but the only website worse than tarheelblue is the Time Warner website. I was watching the VT game last night as I missed some of the first half and it was interesting to see the momentum change in the first half. Does anyone know if they do the same for the basketball games via TWC?
Nope, I didn’t know that. I’ve been looking for a reason to go to cable instead of satellite too.
That sucks about Draughn. Just when it seems that part of the offense is coming together we lose a key player again. It’ll be interesting to see what Shoop does to fill the hole.