The difference is the explosiveness. ETN was the 60 yards to the house threat and when you have a limited OL, you need the RB to convert on the limited opportunities. Johnson is much more easily replaced than ETN. I'll also have to disagree with the catching part, if we are gonna destroy ETN for missing blocks, it's only fair to call out his dropped passes.
I guess the explosiveness is what I find most interesting. Did you know that when it comes to explosive plays/runs over 30 yards, that both Etienne and Johnson have the same number from last year with 3 each. Interesting as I thought Etienne was more explosive. The numbers don’t say that.
And you completely glossed over the "to the house" part. ETN had 3 20+ yard TD runs, Montrell's longest TD run was 8 yards vs McNeese. ETN's explosiveness was also limited by just running out of field, opposed to Montrell who was always tackled. 21 fewer carries for ETN too BTW. For the year, ETN had an explosive every 15.2 touches, Montrell every 26 touches.
This right there is what keeps me from completely checking out. This guy has been a rock from the time he was verbally committed. Refreshing to see for a change. Be more like Kelby Collins.
there is one big difference between them… the big difference as noted by football analysts- ETN averaged like 3X the # of explosive plays per carry over Montrell (explosives play definition can vary but usually it’s a run of > 10 or 15 yards and a pass play over 20 yards). With an offense like UF that struggles with or doesn’t attempt down field passing plays, that often has procedural penalties and similar issues hurting the offense, the explosive plays are a huge deal. Stats show that drives with explosive plays have a HUGE increase in scoring tds than those without- like a 50% increase. UF relies on 10-11 play drives mixed in with illegal procedures on 3rd and 1 making the drive harder. Explosive plays makes scoring soooo much easier. Not having explosive plays makes your margin for error even harder. ETN has highest rate for explosive plays per snap on UFs roster, even though his total stats aren’t much different than Montrell. Montrell is a steady back. But without ETN, the offense is less explosive and will make it harder to score unless you find someone else to make explosive plays.
ETN has a much worse 3rd down success, which is just as important as explosives. If we were just talking about hand the ball off in open space and make something happen, we would all choose ETN as a clear choice, but good defenses take away open space and explosives. We would have been a much better offense this year with better pass blocking at every position with no changes in the run game, and we needed ball control in close games against good teams because our young and thin defense was exposed and needed time on the sidelines.
If ETN was not transferring, nobody would be saying anything negative about him. However, Montrell is not transferring, but some people feel the need to dump on him. Is being “right” so important that you will trash talk your own team?
If your rb causes your qb to be replaced, maybe you’re playing Georgia in the Orange Bowl instead of going to the playoff . The qb is by far the most important player in football and protecting him is above all else. That’s why left tackles make so much money. You can win with average running backs, it’s been proven over and over. You can’t win without a line and a qb unless you have a historic defense and then you still have to hope a truly elite qb doesn’t drop forty on you. Running backs are nice but kind of overrated in today’s game. Their paychecks in the NFL tells you so.
EN makes the highlight plays and Johnson overall moves the chains just as well and blocks for our quarterback alot better. Plus, Johnson is not in the transfer portal, he wears orange and blue.