A-Back vs B-Back

TechFan4Life

TechFan4Life

Varsity Lurker
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
497
As I understand it - and please do not hesitate to call me a dumb bass :pat: - last season(08) Dwyer played A-back and was the pitchman streaking down the sidelines, plowing into, around, and over people on his way to glory. This season (09) he played B-back and was the dive man who still plowed into people on his way to glory yet seemed less likely to break the big play. Is the A-Back more of a big yard threat simply because you run around people rather than thru them? Will it by nature of the scheme be the highlight producer more often than not? That's what I'm thinking.

It would be interesting to see the yardage stats for both individual positions - not players - for 08 and 09. I have no clue how to find that.
 
Last edited:
You've got the two positions confused.

B-Back is the back that lines up directly behind the QB in a 3 point stance. Dwyer played this position both in 2008 and 2009.

A-Backs are the wing backs in the slot on each end of the O-line.

Dwyer had plenty of big runs this year too, from the same position. It may not have seemed like as many because:

1) We were getting more production on the edges from other backs.

2) Teams were specifically keying on Dwyer so other guys got to make the big plays.
 
ITJacket said:
You've got the two positions confused.

B-Back is the back that lines up directly behind the QB in a 3 point stance. Dwyer played this position both in 2008 and 2009.

A-Backs are the wing backs in the slot on each end of the O-line.

Dwyer had plenty of big runs this year too, from the same position. It may not have seemed like as many because:

1) We were getting more production on the edges from other backs.

2) Teams were specifically keying on Dwyer so other guys got to make the big plays.
Click to expand...

3) Not as many of the big runs went for touchdowns because after 2008, other DC's told their secondary to keep on the lookout for running backs trying to bitchmake them. (for definition of bitchmake see: http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/10/26/alphabeticalizing-apologies/)
 
You're also mistaken that Dwyer played both positions. Dwyer has only played B-back. He's played A-back on a handful of plays in his career.
 
The only time I recall Dwyer playing A was in the ACC Championship game, and that was only for a few snaps.
 
Also, even lined up at B-Back, Dwyer did sometimes run the option with Nesbitt and take a pitch.
 
Jacket4Life13 said:
Also, even lined up at B-Back, Dwyer did sometimes run the option with Nesbitt and take a pitch.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is the speed option play where it is a true 1-2 option, but techinically, Dwyer is not the pitchman as the original poster stated in the triple option. In the true Triple option, the aback is the pitchman.
 
okay the speed option must be why I thought Dwyer played A-Back. Was that the first play of the season when dwyer busted that huge run down the sidelines against Jacksonville St?
 
TechFan4Life said:
okay the speed option must be why I thought Dwyer played A-Back. Was that the first play of the season when dwyer busted that huge run down the sidelines against Jacksonville St?
Click to expand...

Yes. Also see FSU last year and UGA 1st play of 2nd half last year.
 
BarrelORum said:
Yes. Also see FSU last year and UGA 1st play of 2nd half last year.
Click to expand...

That play, when used at the appropriate time, produced some NASTY good results. I am actually surprised we don't use it very often.

But we may see it more this season since AA has spent a year at A-back. He's certainly very comfortable being the pitch man.
 
Personally, I probably would have played Dwyer at A Back instead of B Back.

The B Back, can use his speed if he can break away from a tackler and has daylight before him. Occasionally, Dwyer did this and then used his speed to outrun the defense to the end zone or sideline.

Most of Dwyers long runs appeared to me to be down the sideline, which meant he either took a pitch and ran to the outside or went into a hole and cut back to the outside. He did occasionally go straight up the middle.

Some of his runs were enhanced by his sheer strength to get through the first or second tackles. However, he also used this sheer strength while running to the outside.

I believe the best scenario is to use a speedy runner with power by giving him more room to run in the open and blow past the defense with both speed and power.

I would think it would be more advantageous to use a Bull who might have less speed, but more consistency on the straight ahead drive for the B Back. Although, Anthony Allen may turn out to be a good B Back, I hate to see us lose him on the outside. He has both speed and power to to make the outside game go.

I am curious as to how the B Back position looks in the Spring with Lyons, Watson, and Drummond trying out for the starting position.

If they look good, it is possible Anthony Allen will continue to be the explosive A Back with both power and speed.

Father Time
 
Last edited:
gtbuzz2011 said:
That play, when used at the appropriate time, produced some NASTY good results. I am actually surprised we don't use it very often.
Click to expand...

PJ likes to call this play early in a half, before a defense has adjusted to the speed of the offense (their scout team can't simulate the offense). He also uses it as a change of pace, which means we have to run the other types of options enough to set this play up.

Clemson used the wheel route to Spiller effectively for TDs in several games this year. But they would only run the play once or twice a game, because the play has to be set up by other playcalls to help fool the defense.
 
ahsoisee said:
Personally, I probably would have played Dwyer at B Back instead of A Back.
Father Time
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: Seriously? You need to read this thread again and again until you may have some essence of a clue about our offense. How many times can people explain this. Dwyer IS a B-back. He played B-back the last two seasons. If you think Dwyer would have been better utilized on the corners at A-back, then you're a dummy. Guys who are 6-1 close to 240 lbs and run a sub 4.5 are b-backs in this offense are better suited to be a B-back.
 
Also, just because Dwyer takes a pitch when we run the speed option play doesn't mean he is an A-back for that play. He's still lined up as the b-back on that play.
 
Reply to cajunjacket. I was thinking the opposite of the posting. My mind did not let my fingers type the exact thoughts of my mind. My mind knew better, but my fingers did not. My mind sent the wrong signals to my fingers.

I have made the correction to my original post.

Father Time
 
ahsoisee said:
Reply to cajunjacket. I was thinking the opposite of the posting. My mind did not let my fingers type the exact thoughts of my mind. My mind knew better, but my fingers did not. My mind sent the wrong signals to my fingers.

I have made the correction to my original post.

Father Time
Click to expand...

Don't let that happen again. I hope you don't have similar problems when you have to pee.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top