Fulmer's favorites (2008)

#1
robvols

robvols

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
2,956
Likes
0
#1
As all spots are up for grabs (unless you are Eric Berry) for Spring Practice, it was noted in the WR post next season that the best talent was on the bench due to Fulmer playing his favorites. These favorites probably didn't deserve to be in the starting lineup or on the field. The question is who were his favorites throughout his last season as headman.

I'll start:

Jon Crompton: Most coaches would be concerned as early as Spring ball for him to be a starting QB. Most coaches would put changes into play as early as a couple of games into the season. Apparently Fulmer stuck with him and it wasn't until the Auburn game and pressure to finally sit him on the bench; he came back during the Vandy game to start and finished the season as the starter.
 
#2
#2
I don't buy that whole "favorites" argument for one second.
 
#8
#8
clearly anyone who played over Ahmad Paige since he is the best WR on the team
 
#12
#12
GAVol said:
I don't buy that whole "favorites" argument for one second.
Click to expand...

I absolutely believe in favorites. Fans pick somebody as their "favorite" and assume they should be starting over somebody else. Somebody who said favorite can't beat out of a job in practice. Like not playing Fr, unless Fr actually play, but that's an "exception".

It happens everywhere though, so I don't suppose it's that big a deal.
 
#14
#14
After the first few games, when his job was certainly on the line, there were not very many changes in personnel. So I honestly think Fulmer was playing who he thought gave him the best chance to win. He was not just playing somebody because he was his favorite. Now you can argue that Fulmer made poor decisions about which players gave the team the best chance to win. But Fulmer believed that about who he had out there.
 
#16
#16
Arian Fumble-itis Foster

I will die an old man and still not know what Fulmer's fascination with this guy was.

It like having Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Richard Simmons as the final 3 contestants on American Idol, and picking Simmons as the winner.....makes no sense.
 
#17
#17
robvols said:
As all spots are up for grabs (unless you are Eric Berry) for Spring Practice, it was noted in the WR post next season that the best talent was on the bench due to Fulmer playing his favorites. These favorites probably didn't deserve to be in the starting lineup or on the field. The question is who were his favorites throughout his last season as headman.

I'll start:

Jon Crompton: Most coaches would be concerned as early as Spring ball for him to be a starting QB. Most coaches would put changes into play as early as a couple of games into the season. Apparently Fulmer stuck with him and it wasn't until the Auburn game and pressure to finally sit him on the bench; he came back during the Vandy game to start and finished the season as the starter.
Click to expand...

2007 cry- put in Crompton...Ainge just ain't getting it done.

Don't believe JC was a fav in 08... he sadly was a victim of the 2005 2 QB debacle
 
#18
#18
PandamoniumReigns said:
Arian Fumble-itis Foster

I will die an old man and still not know what Fulmer's fascination with this guy was.

It like having Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Richard Simmons as the final 3 contestants on American Idol, and picking Simmons as the winner.....makes no sense.
Click to expand...

Foster's not all that and a bag of chips but your analogy is badly flawed when you consider that against SEC teams Foster has gained more ypc (4.35) than either Creer (4.05) or Hardesty (3.5).
 
#19
#19
hndog609 said:
Foster's not all that and a bag of chips but your analogy is badly flawed when you consider that against SEC teams Foster has gained more ypc (4.35) than either Creer (4.05) or Hardesty (3.5).
Click to expand...

Valid Point - however, YPC is not the sole determining factor of a great RB.

Assume you are down by 5. Championship game. (or any game) 1 minute left in the game. its 4th and goal from the 2. Based on History, who would you rather have running the ball on your last play? Hardesty or Foster or Creer or hell, Britton colquitt? My money would be on Hardesty and Creer. Britton and Foster fighting it out for third place, with foster edging him. the UCLA and Florida games this year should prove this point easily. Auburn certainly didn't help either. And those are just the games this year.....

Also, Foster has had quite a bit more carries than either creer or Hardesty. More opportunity for him to break a 20-30 yard run to inflate his average (that 20-30 would be 50-all the way for the other two backs). Hardesty and Creer come in to relieve Foster. Defenses knew Fulmer's schemes and plays. They knew if Hardesty came in fresh or creer came in fresh, that 99.4% of the time, it was going to be a run. Easier to stop.

so my analogy may not be as flawed as initially though....

I'm not disputing the fact that Foster is a decent back. He's simply not the best back we have or have had.
 
#20
#20
PandamoniumReigns said:
Valid Point - however, YPC is not the sole determining factor of a great RB.

Assume you are down by 5. Championship game. (or any game) 1 minute left in the game. its 4th and goal from the 2. Based on History, who would you rather have running the ball on your last play? Hardesty or Foster or Creer or hell, Britton colquitt? My money would be on Hardesty and Creer. Britton and Foster fighting it out for third place, with foster edging him. the UCLA and Florida games this year should prove this point easily. Auburn certainly didn't help either. And those are just the games this year.....

Also, Foster has had quite a bit more carries than either creer or Hardesty. More opportunity for him to break a 20-30 yard run to inflate his average (that 20-30 would be 50-all the way for the other two backs). Hardesty and Creer come in to relieve Foster. Defenses knew Fulmer's schemes and plays. They knew if Hardesty came in fresh or creer came in fresh, that 99.4% of the time, it was going to be a run. Easier to stop.

so my analogy may not be as flawed as initially though....

I'm not disputing the fact that Foster is a decent back. He's simply not the best back we have or have had.
Click to expand...

In a goal line situation I have always preferred Hardesty, assuming he's healthy of course. Most of the rest of your premise is speculation. The biggest problem with your analogy was how extreme it was. Comparing singing legends to Simmons isn't even in the same galaxy as Foster to Creer to Hardesty.

I used ypc for the simple reason that it is what it is. If Hardesty or Creer came into games and blew up when given the opportunity against SEC competition Foster's carries would have plummeted. Instead, against quality opponents, Foster did more with his opportunities than the other two. (limited though they may be)

I'm not now nor have I ever been one of those who would make it sound like Foster should be mentioned in the same breath as, say, Lewis or Webb, but this fascination with the idea that there's some glaring and obvious reason that Creer or Hardesty* should have relegated Foster to the bench simply is not supportable by what has taken place on the practice field or on gameday. Opinions are just that but hard evidence? It's just not there.

*It will always really bug me that Hardesty, the poor guy, simply is incapable of staying healthy.
 
#21
#21
hndog609 said:
I absolutely believe in favorites. Fans pick somebody as their "favorite" and assume they should be starting over somebody else. Somebody who said favorite can't beat out of a job in practice. Like not playing Fr, unless Fr actually play, but that's an "exception".

It happens everywhere though, so I don't suppose it's that big a deal.
Click to expand...

Expect this practice to stop as Kiff has brought over the "frosh has a chance to play" USC mentality. You are going to start if you have established yourself during practice and during the games.
 
#22
#22
PandamoniumReigns said:
Arian Fumble-itis Foster

I will die an old man and still not know what Fulmer's fascination with this guy was.

It like having Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Richard Simmons as the final 3 contestants on American Idol, and picking Simmons as the winner.....makes no sense.
Click to expand...
Except that there wasn't an Elvis or Sinatra on the roster over the last four years.
 
#23
#23
robvols said:
As all spots are up for grabs (unless you are Eric Berry) for Spring Practice, it was noted in the WR post next season that the best talent was on the bench due to Fulmer playing his favorites. These favorites probably didn't deserve to be in the starting lineup or on the field. The question is who were his favorites throughout his last season as headman.

I'll start:

Jon Crompton: Most coaches would be concerned as early as Spring ball for him to be a starting QB. Most coaches would put changes into play as early as a couple of games into the season. Apparently Fulmer stuck with him and it wasn't until the Auburn game and pressure to finally sit him on the bench; he came back during the Vandy game to start and finished the season as the starter.
Click to expand...

This is the most ridiculous thread I have ever read! Where some you people dream this crap up is beyond me....:wacko:
 
#25
#25
PandamoniumReigns said:
Arian Fumble-itis Foster

I will die an old man and still not know what Fulmer's fascination with this guy was.

It like having Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Richard Simmons as the final 3 contestants on American Idol, and picking Simmons as the winner.....makes no sense.
Click to expand...

Yea...if the other two were Reggie Cobb and Chuck Webb......not Creer or Hardesty. Creer could be pretty good, but not yet. Coker is missed more than anyone thinks. What a moron he is!:cray:
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top