Orange and White Game proves that “Chain Moving Gang” will be essential
- Wyeth Wilson
- Apr 26, 2015
- 2 min read
When the second team offense took the field at Neyland Stadium during the Orange and White Game on Saturday, fans were left searching for a familiar face at running back.
Tennessee fans have all heard about the running back duo of Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd that call themselves the “Chain Moving Gang”, but after that, the running back position is full of question marks.
After Kamara and Hurd, the next option at the position is walk-on Jayson Sparks, who totaled 51 yards on 12 carries during the scrimmage.
While Kamara and Hurd have the potential to be a very productive tandem in the backfield, injuries, like the one that limited Hurd this spring, would pull down what is a talented duo.
"I feel like we can be deadly,” Kamara said. “It was just a taste out there today of what we can do together.
“Jalen is not 100 percent yet but once he gets back to 100, we will give a show. We will go out there and hopefully put `CMG' on the map."
If injury does befall onto one of Tennessee’s two star running backs, the ground attack would take a major hit, as Kamara and Hurd each bring specific talents to the table.
For an offense that relies heavily on the running game, this would be devastating.
"They both know that they need each other," Butch Jones said. "You can never have enough running backs.
“I think that has been proven over time. Their relationship — they push each other. They coach each other. They help each other. They respect each other."
The Vols will bring in three-star (247 Composite) running back John Kelly in the fall, which will provide depth, but Kelly has experience only at the high school level.
Tennessee’s running game has the potential to be special this season. But for that to happen, they have to stay healthy.
Over the course of last season, Tennessee’s two leading rushers, Hurd and departed senior Marlin Lane both suffered injuries at some point in the fall.
If the Vols want to take the next step in success, their main sources of offensive production cannot be sidelined.
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