Fannin finally gets his chance...

[jadennis]

I've been saying for a while that I think Fannin should get more time lined up in the back field.  He has shown over the years he's more productive there than catching the ball "in space", as has been the emphasis of how he's been used the last two years.

As a freshman, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry in a year that Tate averaged 4.5 and Lester averaged 4.2.

This past year, the carries he did get (34 of them), he averaged 8.4 yards per carry.

When coming out of the backfield with the ball, he tends to get down field north and south better.

Here is a quote from Malzahn today when asked about the starting tailback spot going into spring...

“We feel good about the guys we have. That will be a real healthy competition, too. Mario Fannin is going to step up and do a lot of tailback in the spring. We feel like if he can stay healthy, he has that ability. Dontae Aycock did a really good job on scout team. We feel like he’s very talented. Onterio McCalebb should be more comfortable. He just needs to improving blocking and protection things.”

[djsimp]

Fannin is a freakin beast but he fumbles ALOT. I hope he does get that chance to shine at RB because I'm one that thinks he would do great things.

[Mr. Sensible]

[Townhallsavoy]

Fumble-prone.  Injury-prone. 

Fannin might be the guy they want to start, but when it comes down to it, we're relying on a redshirt freshman or a true freshman.

Fannin is perfect where he is.  Get him the ball 6-8 times a game via passes, screens, reverses, etc.

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

He's going to need to get that shoulder to hang in there for him.  Also, he'll need a Tiki Barber type turn around on holding onto the football.  Tiki at least showed it can be improved on with a little guidance....

I like the idea of giving him a shot.

[Kaos]

Just me but I won't exactly be shitting rainbows if Fannin ends up as option number one.

It would tend to indicate that Chiz is willing to risk an off year to build toward 2011.

Surprisingly I might be okay with that. 

[Saniflush]

Not sure what to make of it.

Calling Missouri.  He would have to prove he can be an every down back and we better get Lester Hayse on the payroll to teach him how to hold onto the ball.

[jadennis]

Holding on to the ball is real concern....but aside from that, I think he can get the job done and done well.  Because he's only carried the ball as running back about 90 times in the last two years combined, I think we forget that he is actually good at it.  We get used to him swinging out catching a ball in the flat, or even way down field.

When he lines up behind the QB and gets the ball, he's a good runner.  He's fast, he's strong, he's elusive, and he's a freaking load these days at at over 225 lbs.  I think he can be good....he's never gotten the chance.  He carried the ball almost as much his freshman year as the last two combined.  That's what I remember.  I remember him averaging almost a whole yard more per carry than Tate or Lester that year.

The good thing is that Malzahn will use whoever is best in that spot.  If it's Aycock, he'll get it.  If it's Dyer, he'll get it.  If it's Fannin, he'll get it. 

[Godfather]

Ask Tate how his hands were...just sayin