Last season the Cardinals finished 12th in the Mid-AmericanConference in rushing yards per game, something the team will haveto improve this season if they want to be successful.
The 117.4 yards per game that the Cardinals averaged needs tobecome much larger.
One way the Cardinals are hoping to do that is by moving juniorLarry Bostic to running back permanently from the wide receiverposition. Last season he split time between receiver and runningback. He had 38 catches for 438 yards as a receiver and ran theball 23 times for 60 yards.
Hoke believes the 5-7, 177 pound back will add a whole newdimension to the backfield.
"He has excellent vision and he's got great quickness," Hokesaid. "He hides back there a little bit because he's not thetallest guy in the world, but he's a physical guy who I thinkreally gives a little more speed."
Bostic is not new to the backfield, he played running back inhigh school at Fort Wayne. During his senior season he ran for1,297 years on 202 carries and had 15 touchdowns. He finished hiscareer with 4,301 rushing yards.
"I know one thing about Larry, he loves to play the game," Hokesaid.
Hoke believes after the first week of fall camp that Bostic willprobably be the starter, but still sees competition among all thebacks.
Senior Scott Blair should also see plenty of playing time as thebigger back that likes to pound for four or five yards at atime.
"I thought Scott really finished out the spring really well andran hard," Hoke said. "We expect good things from him."
Even Blair agrees that Bostic adds another dimension in thebackfield.
"Knowing that there's a real capable playmaker back there withhis speed and quickness, it just livens the whole group," Blairsaid.
Other backs that will probably get some snaps are junior CharlesWynn, who has been battling mononucleosis during fall camp, alongwith freshmen Adell Givens and Jovens Degage.
"We've got competition there and that's exciting," Hokesaid.
One thing that will help the running game is a strong offensiveline. They must, however, replace two tackles in Travis Barclay andJoel Hoffman.
Seniors Nick Tabacca and Jeff Ramsey return at center and leftguard respectively and will lead the line through the season.
"With the other seniors that I have with me, we've been doing itas a group but I think we've been doing a heck of a job thissummer," Tabacca said. "It's just a matter of encouraging and notbeing afraid of talking to a guy if he's doing something wrong andjust doing the right thing yourself."
Hoke said the line's toughness needed to get better before thisseason and he sees that happening so far this fall.
"We're making great headway in that department," Hoke said. "Ithink Nick Tabacca and Jeff Ramsey are outstanding leaders and theyunderstand how we want to play."
Bostic said the line has been good so far in fall camp.
"It's wonderful, the guys did a marvelous job picking up theweight the coaches wanted them to pick up," Bostic said. "It's niceto see them pulling, blocking, pancaking, fullbacks pancakingpeople and running behind them when you've got a big lane. It'sjust fun."
The whole team is looking forward to being a team that can relyon running the ball.
"Our goal is to be a team that is known for running the footballand hopefully we'll be able to do that," Tabacca said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
