Thrashen
Hall of Famer
Historically, O'Brien had not played white running backs prior to Danny Woodhead showing up at New England, so I figure Zwinak and Zordich have Woodhead to thank for their opportunities. O'Brien apparently "un-Caste" his mind a bit after his experience with Danny.
There’ve been no white “feature backs†under O’ Brien, but there have been “situational backs†(like Woodhead). During New England’s undefeated 2007 regular season (O’ Brien’s first season with NE, where he was an assistant to McDaniels), running backs Kyle Eckel and Heath Evans were usually permitted to carry the ball behind the ever-putrid Lawrence Maroney (who failed to rush for 1,000 yards that season) during “garbage time†of their many blowout wins. Eckel received 33 carries, scoring twice. Evans received 34 carries, scoring 3 times. It’s important to note that they weren’t running out of the traditional “blocking fullback†spot, either. Unlike Maroney, who was slow, small, weak, and possessed no elusiveness or creativity, Eckel and Evans both ran ferociously that season…
CAPTION: Eckel in 2007
CAPTION: Evans in 2007
In reading countless articles featuring interviews like the one Truthteller posted above, I’ve come to the conclusion that it was Bill O’ Brien alone who gave us Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and Danny Woodhead simultaneously flourishing. It was Bill O’ Brien’s dazzling 2011 offensive play calling (and he who limited the roles of Chad “Ochnocinco†and Deion Branch) that finally allowed two white pass-catches in the same offense to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. It was Bill O’Brien who helped Gronkowski break the single season yardage and touchdown marks for tight ends. It was Bill O’ Brien who convinced Belichick to trade Randy Moss in 2010 after their infamous “locker room brawl†following a Week 4 win at Miami.
I wish him the best at PSU. Of course, it’ll take a few years to “cleanse†the program of Paterno’s black thugs and Caste-friendly (whites at QB, TE, OL, LB, and occasionally safety) positional recruiting.