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re: Jeff Thomas has no interest in Mizzou
Posted on 11/27/16 at 2:42 pm to the808bass
Posted on 11/27/16 at 2:42 pm to the808bass
Strong got to campus late. Generally you need to be here in the spring to contribute in the fall.
He was hurt middle of the season.
And despite looking pretty good at times Friday, we saw some of what the coaches certainly see on a regular basis in practice -- he danced east-west way too often when he needed to hit north hard. It almost cost us a key first down on the series we drew them offside on 4th and short.
That said, all year I felt like Thomas could be feeling the ESL kids aren't playing enough and I felt like it may end up being a problem.
He was hurt middle of the season.
And despite looking pretty good at times Friday, we saw some of what the coaches certainly see on a regular basis in practice -- he danced east-west way too often when he needed to hit north hard. It almost cost us a key first down on the series we drew them offside on 4th and short.
That said, all year I felt like Thomas could be feeling the ESL kids aren't playing enough and I felt like it may end up being a problem.
This post was edited on 11/27/16 at 2:44 pm
1
Posted on 11/27/16 at 2:50 pm to Sleeping Tiger
I have less of a problem with that argument.
I feel like some of his mistakes happen though because he's not getting enough touches to get the experience to avoid those mistakes in the future.
And I agree. I thought that his lack of playing time, especially versus Witter, would be noticed by the ESL players.
I feel like some of his mistakes happen though because he's not getting enough touches to get the experience to avoid those mistakes in the future.
And I agree. I thought that his lack of playing time, especially versus Witter, would be noticed by the ESL players.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 2:56 pm to reedus23
Not that it matters, but the only guy who really has a gripe would be Taylor. TBJ was obviously a major contributor. DL rotates a lot. That's on any team.
Strong had an injury, trouble picking up the playbook and was behind two good backs. Maybe he's better than Witter, but you can't make the case that he definitely is. Once he learns to run north and south he'll be a lot better and probably play more.
Strong had an injury, trouble picking up the playbook and was behind two good backs. Maybe he's better than Witter, but you can't make the case that he definitely is. Once he learns to run north and south he'll be a lot better and probably play more.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 3:03 pm to JesusQuintana
The situational use of Witter in short yardage plays is indefensible and I'm baffled why anyone would defend it.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 3:15 pm to the808bass
After watching Strong get an extended run in the Arkansas game, I don't blame them for playing Witter.
Strong doesn't get upfield on enough of these runs. He's more talented than Witter, but at this point I'd have to agree that Witter is the more efficient runner.
Hopefully Strong can work on that aspect this offseason. He has a high ceiling. Witter did and he was a much better back for it.
Strong doesn't get upfield on enough of these runs. He's more talented than Witter, but at this point I'd have to agree that Witter is the more efficient runner.
Hopefully Strong can work on that aspect this offseason. He has a high ceiling. Witter did and he was a much better back for it.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 3:17 pm to JesusQuintana
We disagree. I saw the same issues you did. But they wouldn't be there if he'd have carried the ball earlier in the year. Just my opinion.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 3:35 pm to the808bass
It's likely he would have progressed with more playing time throughout the year and been more comfortable hitting holes -- there's legitimacy to that point, of course.
But can we blame the staff for not playing him earlier given what we saw Friday?
That coupled with the likelihood he wasn't up to speed with the playbook and reportedly spent time injured during the middle of the year.
Saying that, I'm the first to ask 'why' when we hand the ball off to Ish in certain goal line situations that require powering through opposing DL and LBs. I would have taken Strong to be a good candidate for those situations, playbook down or not.
But can we blame the staff for not playing him earlier given what we saw Friday?
That coupled with the likelihood he wasn't up to speed with the playbook and reportedly spent time injured during the middle of the year.
Saying that, I'm the first to ask 'why' when we hand the ball off to Ish in certain goal line situations that require powering through opposing DL and LBs. I would have taken Strong to be a good candidate for those situations, playbook down or not.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 3:44 pm to the808bass
Possibly, but the staff also has to play the players who give us the best chance to win and I just don't see Strong as a great short yardage option either with his tendency to dance.
I think Strong can overtake Witter this offseason. He has more ability, but he's going to have to take the same route Witter did this past offseason. He's got to be better at getting upfield. If he can do that, he can be very good.
I think Strong can overtake Witter this offseason. He has more ability, but he's going to have to take the same route Witter did this past offseason. He's got to be better at getting upfield. If he can do that, he can be very good.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 3:46 pm to the808bass
About the time that the staff planned on playing Strong more he got hurt and missed 3-4 weeks.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 3:56 pm to Sleeping Tiger
One thing that none of us knows is that maybe some of the ESL players might have been critical of not getting much playing time on a very bad team. Don't forget Simms being passed over for 2 non scholarship players on the o-line especially when he played a game earlier in the season and played well. Taylor who's talented doesn't get much time in a bad secondary. Strong wasn't get much clock before Crockett took off.
Thomas route running is second to none, but he also might see that Mizzou is loaded with capable slot receivers. I would still love to have him, but whatever his destination I wish him the best.
Thomas route running is second to none, but he also might see that Mizzou is loaded with capable slot receivers. I would still love to have him, but whatever his destination I wish him the best.
This post was edited on 11/27/16 at 4:00 pm
Posted on 11/27/16 at 4:02 pm to the808bass
I agree with you on Witter in general and in short yardage in particular, but Witter was head and shoulders the best RB in pass blocking and blitz pick-up. He has value as a change of pace and pass catching back and was finally used correctly by the staff once Crockett emerged.
As funny as it sounds I've kind of warmed to him a little. He gives his all, isn't a fumbler and the near-boner against Arkansas aside, seems to handle himself in a correct manner. No pouting or showboating. He's a plus player.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 4:03 pm to Mizz-SEC
Witter has improved a lot over last year. Back then he went down at the first sign of contact. Now he's actually finishing runs.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 4:22 pm to wubilli
Strong's struggles with his blocking reads have limited his reps more than his running.
Ish has his faults but he can read the blitz and stunts occurring in front of him. Johnson's run on Saturday doesn't happen without him selling out.
Ish has his faults but he can read the blitz and stunts occurring in front of him. Johnson's run on Saturday doesn't happen without him selling out.
This post was edited on 11/27/16 at 4:25 pm
Posted on 11/27/16 at 4:43 pm to spytiger
Witter ran over some people often in that game against the Vols.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 5:33 pm to Mizz-SEC
quote:
but Witter was head and shoulders the best RB in pass blocking and blitz pick-up.
He's one of the best in the country at blocking. I get it. He's not one of the best in the country at short yardage pick ups. Yet we continued to see the coaching staff use him in the worst possible situation for his abilities.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 5:34 pm to Zou brownmajic
Or...the other thing would be is that is just something he said and doesn't have any real meaning.
He just doesn't want to play here and someone asked him why, so he said something.
He just doesn't want to play here and someone asked him why, so he said something.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 5:42 pm to JesusQuintana
Sure. But if I was recruiting against Mizzou, I'd tell him the same thing.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 6:20 pm to the808bass
But what is Illinois selling him on? Jeff George Jr and Chayce Crouch?
The other schools on his list are blue bloods and understandable destinations but Illinois is an offensive mess.
The other schools on his list are blue bloods and understandable destinations but Illinois is an offensive mess.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 9:46 pm to navynuke
I can't understand what Illinois is selling him other than Lovie, the NFL coach. It's a head scratcher.
Posted on 11/27/16 at 9:50 pm to the808bass
quote:
And I agree. I thought that his lack of playing time, especially versus Witter, would be noticed by the ESL players.
Without a doubt.
And let's not forget how gawd awful our secondary was and Taylor barely sniffed the field. Again...maybe completely justified that he wasn't on the field but I guarantee you the belief from within ESL is that their players on the team (Taylor & Strong) were better than the dogshit (secondary) and mediocrity (Ish) that they saw on the field.
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