SEC Football: Will Trent Richardson Be The Best Running Back in the SEC in 2011?

Mark Ingram is gone. He will no longer steal, dominate, or usurp the spotlight that many felt Trent Richardson should have had long ago. Richardson has been a spark plug for the Alabama Crimson Tide since the first time he touched the football in Tuscaloosa and, now that Ingram looks to recreate his star as a New Orleans Saint, Richardson finally has his opportunity to shine brightly for his team.

Is he ready to be 'The Man'?

Some fans and pundits question how well Richardson is capable of playing minus Ingram in the backfield.  After all, it was Ingram who spear-headed the Tide's 2009 SEC Championship against the Florida Gators—which led to them securing their first National Championship in more than a decade—so it was clear that Richardson will still running without the expectations of being both a No. 1 back or a former Heisman Trophy winner.

That said, Richardson did a fine job holding down the fort while Ingram sat with a knee injury and, at times, it was apparent that if he'd had more consistent touches per game, he might have been able to do a lot more damage on the ground (2010: 112 carries, 700 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 6.25 ypc average) than he actually did.

Bearing all that in mind, does that mean he's poised to breakout in 2011 and be the best running back in the SEC?

Perhaps, but the Alabama quarterback situation will bear watching in the early going as some are not factoring the loss of Greg McElroy into the equation—his experience and leadership will definitely change things offensively—and there will be a period of adjustment in the way the Tide's offense is executed as they get accustomed to a less experienced quarterback leading the way. 

While A.J. McCarron appeared to play well in spot duty last season, his spring performance wasn't enough to make coach Saban name him the outright starter for 2011—Saban has even intimated at playing two quarterbacks this season—so it's unclear what or how many quarterbacks will start under-center for the Tide this year.

Even more, the Tide will have to find a new set of hands in the passing game and while the offense was fairly balanced last season—passing only slightly more than they ran—a majority of those receptions went the way of Julio Jones, who is now gone, leaving Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks with big shoes to fill at the wide receiver position.

That level of uncertainty in the passing game means more pressure on Trent Richardson to make it happen early and often, at least at the start, as the Tide may need to lean on the run a lot more this year than last. And, given Richardson's propensity to play all-out on every down (recklessly at times) you feel a need to pray that Eddie Lacy is ready to get back to being a reliable No. 2 option.

Lacy had issues with ball security last season, but appears to be much improved—if his spring performance is any indication—and he could be poised for a statistically better 2011.

Richardson will need all of these things working in his favor if he is going to become the guy whom many feel has Heisman potential. There's no doubt he has the talent, the only question is if 2011 will finally be his time?

Related articles

• Is McCarron Already Over? Vote For Alabama's 2011 Starting Quarterback (sbnation.com)

SEC Football: Top 5 Wide Receiver Candidates for 2011

Joe Adams (pictured r.) in 2011 spring scrimmage

Over the last three seasons, the SEC has seen plenty of talent at wide receiver, but the media love was pointed squarely on the jersey's of two phenoms: A.J. Green and Julio Jones. Both players were game-changers for their respective teams and their potential as impact players on the next level led them to be selected in the Top 10 of this years NFL Draft. Their departures leave the door wide open for a few other difference-makers in the SEC, some of whom need no introductions, to make their presence felt on a national level.

The players you will find in this list are guys who have made key contributions on their teams already and could be poised to have an outstanding season in 2011:

1. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina: This is a no-brainer. Jeffery could have been a first-round pick in this year's draft had he been eligible, but his under-classmen's status will be South Carolina's gain this year as his return is sure to have SEC defensive backs running scared. Last season, he put up some beastly numbers (88 receptions, 1,517 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 17.24 ypc average) on his way to helping lead the Gamecocks to their first SEC Championship Game appearance in more than two decades. This season, if South Carolina can settle their quarterback situation, you can expect to see a lot more of him on the highlight reel.

2. Joe Adams, Arkansas: Where Cobi Hamilton (see next) brings the thunder, Adams is most certainly the lightning as the rising senior lit up the Arkansas spring game for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He is clearly on a mission to lay waste in the SEC West this season and assert himself as a candidate for the league's best player. Look for him to make a marked improvement over last season's numbers in Petrino's pass-happy offense (50 receptions, 813 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 16.26 ypc average).

3. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas: Before you figure me for a fool because I neglected to name either Greg Childs or Jarius Wright in this space, hear me out. Hamilton, the junior receiver who is often lost in the shuffle of the Razorbacks plethora of talent at receiver, did more with less than any other wide receiver on the team last season (32 receptions, 680 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 19.69 ypc average). Even more, he barely played until after the first four games were in the books. Hamilton had a great spring and looks to be on track for a breakout season with the Hogs.

4. Justin Hunter, Tennessee: Denarious Moore is gone and the Vols will be looking to a new guy to fill that void, look no further than Justin Hunter (16 receptions, 415 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 25.94 ypc average). Hunter has the size, the physical playing style, and the talent to both stretch the field and make the big plays.With Tyler Bray solidifying his place at quarterback—stabilizing the Vols passing game—you can expect to see a lot more of Houston in 2011.

5. Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State: Bulldog quarterback, Chris Relf, isn't exactly a candidate to win any Heisman trophies, but he won't have to be if he can avoid making bad decisions with the football. Bumphis (44 receptions, 634 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 14.41 ypc average) is a skilled receiver with a ton of speed and he can definitely make plays in the open field. With the Bulldogs returning much of their offense, bolstered in part by the stout running of Vick Ballard, Mississippi State could be tough yet again.

Other notable players: Orson Charles, Georgia, Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Rueben Randle, LSU, Emory Blake, Auburn, LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State

So, who did I miss? Go ahead...feel free to let me know.

*All stats appear courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Friday Links: Will A.J. Green Be The No. 1 Pick?

Friday is here and that means the 'Lady' will take a break from writing about sports, but not before I drop a few interesting links to buffer your morning web wandering.

Could A.J. Green go No. 1?

According to Adam Schefter, a noted NFL Insider, A.J. Green is considered by many to be the "top-rated player in the draft". Does that mean he could go No.1 overall—defying the opinion of some pundits who felt that Julio Jones' great combine, coupled with Green's bizarre pro day, made the former Dawg slip down many a draft board. We shall see what happens with this one, but it sounds to me like Green is still in a very good position.

Domonique Wilkins in brawl.

Apparently someone didn't give this man the memo. Didn't he know that Wilkins is known as the "human highlight reel"? Surely, he didn't think he was going to get a punch in on this former Bulldog great—tsk, tsk. According to this publication, Wilkins was attacked by a former NBA ref seeking to collect a debt of $13,000 from 'Nique.

Jakar Hamilton and Shawn Williams: dueling safeties.

Neither Jakar Hamilton, nor Shawn Williams, were better than true freshman Alec Ogletree last season. Now, on 2011, with Ogletree moving to linebacker, these same two players are hoping to do what they couldn't do last year—win the starting safety job and play it well. I hope that they both are committed to getting the job done, Georgia's options here are relatively slim.


Could the Bulldogs run the table in 2011?

This mailbag question by a college football fan prompted this response from a Rivals writer, "...
even if Georgia did go unbeaten in the regular season, it still would have to play in the SEC championship game, where Alabama or LSU likely would be looming. Your optimism is respected, but I cannot share it." Read the whole response here.

What's next for Auburn after the HBO report?

"The NCAA would need more than just allegations made by these players to bring a case against Auburn. But it’s enough for it to start asking questions." I don't know if the NCAA will ask questions that actually lead them anywhere, but perhaps they'll do their due diligence—you recall how they handled the Cam Newton situation, right? They'll just ask. 'did you cheat'? to which Auburn will reply, 'no'. Okay, carry on then.

Not everyone is convinced Cam Newton will be successful at the next level.

"Newton has only been exposed to basic coverages in the SEC due to the nature of the Tigers' offense, leaving scouts and coaches diligently working to determine his football acumen in workouts and meetings." So, what you're saying is, Newton looks good in person, not on paper? Well...who didn't know that?!?

Oh, I get it now, it's okay for Auburn to pay players—if they did. 

Funny, I don't think this guy would have this opinion if Alabama were the school on the proverbial hot seat for running an elaborate pay-for-play scheme, "...It's time to say, yes, Auburn paid players. And that did everyone else does too." So, as long as everybody else is doing it, Auburn shouldn't be penalized. Well, I'll buy that convenient logic for $1.


Steve Spurrier is unimpressed with his quarterbacks—as usual.

This is hilarious. I love the part where Spurrier says the mediocre play of his quarterbacks is likely why they'll be "running the ball about 50 times a game with Marcus". You hear that, SEC? Focus on the run!

(h/t GamecockAnthemTube)




HBO Roundtable With Rich Rodriguez, Jason Whitlock, etc. 

NFL Draft 2011: "Green To Cincy Makes The Most Sense" Says John Clayton

John Clayton thinks the most logical destination for former Georgia wide receiver, A.J. Green, will be the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 4—Carson Palmer or no Carson Palmer. That offense is built around the passing game and with Terrell Owens out and Chad OchoCinco likely on his way to free agency soon, the Bengals will be looking to add some young, playmaking talent.

If not them, the Browns are still a very good possibility at the No. 6 spot—assuming they don't decide to select Julio Jones. The Browns need receiver help and Green would not only fill that role, but would be just the impact guy they need to expand their offense and give Colt McCoy more viable options in the passing game.

Here's what John Clayton had to say:



Either way, it sounds like Green will be selected in the Top 10.