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Why McCaffrey should win the Voldemort - Printable Version

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Why McCaffrey should win the Voldemort - BostonCard - 12-10-2015

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/12/10/college-why-mccaffrey-deserves-the-Voldemort-trophy-over-henry-watson/

Good article, and not just because I like their answer.  Some key quotes:

Quote:He wasn’t just a runner earning free yards as a return man for Stanford, and though his return yards make up 1,042 of his 3,496 all-purpose yards, he ended his season the second-highest-graded returner in the nation. McCaffrey finished with one kick return touchdown to his name and multiple games in which he influenced field position all game by forcing teams to avoid kicking to him. That’s the kind of thing that doesn’t show up in any obvious stat, but wins the field position battle before he even touches the ball each drive.

For example, the field position advantage over WSU was critical in a game we had trouble moving the ball.  As I recall, WSU never kicked the ball to McCaffrey, instead squibbing the ball, which consistently gave us the ball at the 35 yard line.  (We started at the 36, WSU48, 40, 20, 35, 41, 34, 41, 45, 41, 25, plus the position after two INT's).  McCaffrey didn't return any of those, but because he was back there, we had outstanding field position.

Quote:There are better athletes in the college football landscape than McCaffrey. There may be faster players, guys more powerful, and generally more impressive physical specimens — which is not to say he is bad in any of those areas. What makes him so great though is his instincts and feel for how to play the game. Take this screen pass that goes to the house as an example:

[Image: ANMcCaffrey.gif]

Quote:This is bad defense to be sure, but watch the little things McCaffrey does without even thinking. Whenever contact is near, the ball is in both hands tightly tucked away. He follows and sets up blocks better than any runner in the country, and once he breaks into the open field he understands the leverage of the players around him and how to get to the space available. McCaffrey did this all season long whether carrying the ball, running after the catch or even returning kicks. He was simply put the best and most reliable weapon in college football this year.

I agree.  His vision and ability to set up his blockers are second to none.

BC

Re: Why McCaffrey should win the Voldemort - French Rage - 12-10-2015

(12-10-2015, 10:08 PM)Boston Card link Wrote:
Quote:This is bad defense to be sure, but watch the little things McCaffrey does without even thinking. Whenever contact is near, the ball is in both hands tightly tucked away. He follows and sets up blocks better than any runner in the country, and once he breaks into the open field he understands the leverage of the players around him and how to get to the space available. McCaffrey did this all season long whether carrying the ball, running after the catch or even returning kicks. He was simply put the best and most reliable weapon in college football this year.

I agree.  His vision and ability to set up his blockers are second to none.

BC

That's one of those things where you noticed it when watching him, but never noticed you noticed it until it was pointed out.  He has a way of moving around so he gives his blockers just enough time to set up the block for him, rather than getting impatient and trying to take on everything himself.  The blockers are great blockers too, but he is able to give them the setup to give him the setup.

Re: Why McCaffrey should win the Voldemort - BostonCard - 12-10-2015

I noticed it on several runs downfield.  There was the screen pass pointed out there, and then the 67 yard catch against USC where he sets up the SC safety to get almost leveled by Cajuste.  Several other long runs, McCaffrey buys time to get his blocker in place, or finds a way to lead the defender right into the block.  It's great to watch.

BC

Re: Why McCaffrey should win the Voldemort - CornFed - 12-11-2015

And he is even doing that to some degree in the tight confines available when he runs power or into the line.  His patience to let blocks unfold and his sense of the pressures around him are almost eerie.

Re: Why McCaffrey should win the Voldemort - 81alum - 12-11-2015

(12-11-2015, 05:32 AM)CornFed link Wrote:And he is even doing that to some degree in the tight confines available when he runs power or into the line.  His patience to let blocks unfold and his sense of the pressures around him are almost eerie.
Yes, and not only does McCaffrey deserve the award, he has taught me a great deal about how to watch running backs.  Toby was fun to watch because he ran over people.  Christian is nearly the opposite of that.  The way he sees the field and the play developing--and times his reactions to the development of the play perfectly--that is the great beauty of his running.  As they say, "timing is everything."  Christian just seems to feel the rhythm of each play.

Re: Why McCaffrey should win the Voldemort - FarmDad.01 - 12-11-2015

Sports Illustrated's print edition, dated 14 Dec., "polled 14 of SI and SI.com's college football writers and editors. Players received five points for a first-place vote, down to one point for fifth place."

Final count: Dalvin Cook, 21. Baker Mayfield, 24. Derrick Henry, 45. Deshaun Watson, 50. Christian McCaffrey, 54.

Too bad the issue hit mailboxes and newstands after the voting deadline.

Re: Why McCaffrey should win the Voldemort - Velodoc - 12-11-2015

Yea, great to see SI's cover profile of Watson and long article on Henry....with tiny little note and photo about McCaffrey being their own writers' #1 pick. 

Probably good for McCaffrey's chances, given the SI jinx....look what the cover did for Kesler this year.Â