Is Foster holding Coker back?

#1
lacrossepro70

lacrossepro70

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#1
I have no personal opinion, just trying to feed some thought, but I think Coker might be frustrated by his lack of PT. He was probably the better back last year, even in his first season. Like I said I don't have a personal opinion on this, but do any of you think this is a possiblity?
 
#2
#2
lacrossepro70 said:
I have no personal opinion, just trying to feed some thought, but I think Coker might be frustrated by his lack of PT. He was probably the better back last year, even in his first season. Like I said I don't have a personal opinion on this, but do any of you think this is a possiblity?
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Absolutely not, as I explain to my youth football team and former players that are in middle school or high school, noone or anything can hold you back. If you love the game of football, then you have to do all the things that are required in order to play the game. 1. Going to class, completing assignments, staying away from trouble off the field, doing the intangibles that can set you apart from the next player. In order for me to maintain my home and car, I have to go to work. If I don't I lose them both !
 
#3
#3
lacrossepro70 said:
I have no personal opinion, just trying to feed some thought, but I think Coker might be frustrated by his lack of PT. He was probably the better back last year, even in his first season. Like I said I don't have a personal opinion on this, but do any of you think this is a possiblity?
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Finally...
 
#5
#5
Who was the last Vol back to consistantly get more than 20 carries per game and what was the team rushing avg. per game? Tenn has utilized more than one back each year for the last decade and a half. Did Cedric hold Gerald back in 04 when they both rushed for 1000 yards. No doubt Coker has more speed and runs hard but the team needs both to be successful.
 
#6
#6
memvol said:
Who was the last Vol back to consistantly get more than 20 carries per game and what was the team rushing avg. per game? Tenn has utilized more than one back each year for the last decade and a half. Did Cedric hold Gerald back in 04 when they both rushed for 1000 yards. No doubt Coker has more speed and runs hard but the team needs both to be successful.
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Again, I am neutral on this issue, but an arguement against yours is Coker was the better back last season.
 
#7
#7
memvol said:
Who was the last Vol back to consistantly get more than 20 carries per game and what was the team rushing avg. per game? Tenn has utilized more than one back each year for the last decade and a half. Did Cedric hold Gerald back in 04 when they both rushed for 1000 yards. No doubt Coker has more speed and runs hard but the team needs both to be successful.
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How many carries did Hunt have in the bowl game?
 
#8
#8
If Coker is upset that he didn't get more playing time as a true freshmen he has a legitimate arguement. IF he's upset that he got benched for not making the great thats a completely different issue.
 
#9
#9
memvol said:
Who was the last Vol back to consistantly get more than 20 carries per game and what was the team rushing avg. per game? Tenn has utilized more than one back each year for the last decade and a half. Did Cedric hold Gerald back in 04 when they both rushed for 1000 yards. No doubt Coker has more speed and runs hard but the team needs both to be successful.
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Travis Stephens was pretty much a solo back. Of course someone came in occasionally to relieve him, but he pretty much was the main guy.
 
#13
#13
Being a great athlete is more than just what you can do on the field. Coker has to get it all together and then he could be GREAT. Foster won't be able to hold him back (not that he is) if Coker gets his off field issues in order.
 
#14
#14
The bottom line is when you are put in for a play, you better perform or you will be playing a back up role.
 
#15
#15
i think we will see a new foster next year. i think they will both get about equal carries and make one great running game. either that or coker is our guy
 
#16
#16
doozer said:
Coker is holding Coker back.
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Agreed. He's having a rough time getting over his grandfather's death. He's gone home quite a bit the last month. I live beside him in Gibbs, I am not making this up. There is something going on his life that is more important than spring practice right now.

However, he does need to get his head on straight because Foster has dropped some weight and looks to be in great shape. There is nothing wrong with a little one-two punch at TB and I believe that is what we are going to see. See the Colts, Bears and Patriots to see how effective it is.
 
#17
#17
Fulmer's comment in the Knox News Sentinel was that after the spring either Foster or Coker would come out as the feature back.

I don't blame Coker for being a little upset with the coaches at this point. He's done enough IMO to already be established as the feature back going into spring.

Unless Coker is on the verge of flunking out of school, I dont understand Fulmer's comments.
 
#18
#18
How has he "done enough"?

He's made some great reads and runs and botched some. He has been challenged about his academic habits and seemingly copped somewhat of an attitude.

Weren't several of you among those who said every position should be open?

I love watching him run but he hasn't "done enough" to walk out on the practice field and be handed the job. The fact that Foster is close to him reminds me of the Ainge-Clausen situation way too much.

There shouldn't be any question about who the feature back is... but only Coker can eliminate those questions.

Sorry to hear about his grandfather. Those things can really mess you up for awhile. But the question of attitude seems to have haunted Coker for awhile now.
 
#19
#19
oklavol said:
Unless Coker is on the verge of flunking out of school, I dont understand Fulmer's comments.
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Maybe it isn't something Fulmer wants to spell out while they're working through it.

Maybe the lack of classroom discipline has a parallel in football that's holding Coker back from being the Heisman type back he can be.
 
#20
#20
So where does Montario Hardesty whind up in all this? I just have a hard time forgetting that run he had against CAL.
 
#23
#23
I dont know if Coker has a right to be mad at the coaches for playing Foster and Hardesty as often as they did. Fact of the matter is...Coker doesnt break many tackles. In fact I really cant remember that many plays where Coker got hit and kept going, while I certainly can with Foster and Hardesty. Those two are going to be the short yard/goaline guys, while Coker will do the heavy lifting...its a Brandon Jacobs/Tiki Barber dynamic.

If Coker wants to be the sole man and get more then 15 carries, he is going to have to put on muscle and show that he can break tackles, move the pile, and be more then one-dimensional (even though that one dimension is awesome). Plus, dont forget that he redshirted because of a highschool injury and had injury problems last year. And dont think Foster and Hardesty leaving or switching positions will change things...Creer is going to get some carries as well.

Do whatever training that can help him break tackles and stay healthy and he'll be the featured back. Otherwise he will always share the ball...with Foster, Hardesty, and Creer.
 
#25
#25
Well, I'd be surprised if he doesnt. He'll probably get the garbage time carries that the "5'9 senior that I cant remember his name for the life of me" had. Plus with all the injuries the three backs in front of him have had, he'll be 2nd and 3rd on the depth chart in some games.
 
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