smokeyman15
The Gamecock Slayer
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- Jun 19, 2005
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Again, I am neutral on this issue, but an arguement against yours is Coker was the better back last season.
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.
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.
See the last several games of 2005.
Arian Foster is no Jamal Lewis. I don't care how much he improves over the spring, Jamal was a downright freak even as a freshman.
See McFadden, Jones - White, Bush - Williams,Brown -ect. How much more effective would PS have been if the had a speed back to run along with the down hill running of Hunt. UT can be very effective running both Coker and Foster.
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.
He got hurt in the Auburn game of the championship season. Henry stepped in quite well and Lewis wasn't really ever the same untill he went pro.
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.