Tuesday Practice Updates 4.4.17

#126
#126
butchna said:
I'm not hung up on # of running backs ON THE ROSTER. Just viable players. There's an element of unknown I agree but less so than last season imo. We had four running backs that we reasonably HOPE could perform going into last season. Ended with two vetted performers. This season five...we end up with 3 and that's still forward motion.
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We had two proven RBs last year. This year we have only one and we have less (talented) depth.
 
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#127
#127
BeecherVol said:
Maybe not but it appears some are, and I was responding to them.

"Reasonable hope" may be a stretch for your 5.

Who are the 5 by the way? Ive got 3 figured out.
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Kelly,CFA,Chandler,Coleman and Jordan.
 
#129
#129
VAVolsFan2009 said:
Remember that we saw two different Richmonds last year. In the first game, he was lost and ineffective. He was replaced by Kendrick which help stabilize the left side. Richmond continued to work and develop, working specifically with Wells. When Hall went down, Kendrick moved back to RT and Richmond came back as the LT. His performance improved significantly. He finished the year with strong performances. He just needed the extra time to develop. I expect him to be even better this year. Same is true for all the OL. They will be bigger, stronger, and better coached. And hopefully nastier!!!!!:rock:
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I hope he does improve, because that would be a much better situation than having to insert a freshman at either tackle, no matter how talented they may be.
 
#131
#131
butchna said:
Kelly,CFA,Chandler,Coleman and Jordan.
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I "hope" that pans out in viable depth. I don't see the 3-4 being as viable as last year.

Kelly has proven SEC production. If he goes down you are depending on a lot of unknown. More so than when Hurd or Kamara went out.
Pure opinion but I think Chandler will be the clear cut 2 pretty quick.

If they stay healthy I think those 2 provide a solid 1-2.
 
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#132
#132
butchna said:
It's reached a level of pathetic on here. She went overboard backing her kid. There's real evil out there...she doesn't qualify. Let it die.
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Common ground. Solid take.

I know a few of the family members. It's amazing what's missing or who from the rock throwing.
 
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#133
#133
Catbone said:
We had two proven RBs last year. This year we have only one and we have less (talented) depth.
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THAT remains to be seen sir. We will not know what we have 2017 RB wise until mid to late October. Then you can say whether our RB depth is less than last year.
We didnt really know what we had in Kelly this time last year and right now I would not trade him for either Alvin or the other guy that quit on us. I personally think this RB group, from top to bottom, will turn out to be deep and talented.
 
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#135
#135
allvol123 said:
Good grief, NOBODY counts walk ons.

And until we see the product, it is absurd to claim we have more depth at RB. We have 1 proven SEC back.
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Well, yeah ... when you lose your #1 and #2 RB, everyone else is gonna look less proven for a while. But they will get their reps, just like everyone else had to do.
 
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#136
#136
Kristy* said:
Clearly I'm in the minority on this, and I'm okay with that. Anyway, last post on this subject for me.

Last year we started with a RS Jr, Jr, So, and Fr with a combined 4 years experience and 1 newbie to provide depth (which was needed). We finished the year without the Jr and could have used another body for depth IMO when AK went down. This year, we'll start the year with a Jr, So, and 3 Fr with a combined 3 years experience (pretty close) and more options to provide the needed depth.
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You're not in the minority.
As for the actual conversation, IlovedoubleD's literally stated "more bodies to fill the holes."

The poster you are debating with literally posted 4 backs last year and 5 this year?
Last I checked, 5 is "more bodies" than 4.

I agree none of those bodies are Kamara, but to my knowledge, basic math hasn't changed. So Ilove's statement of 'more' is correct.
And by natural reasoning, so is yours.

Maybe next we can discuss a player falling so we can question gravity also :)
 
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#137
#137
We actually had 5 scholly RBs last year including the late addition, one and done Jeremy Lewis. We'll have 5 this year too assuming the three signees arrive this Summer as planned.

I think the top 3 RBs going into last year were near Hayden/Stewart/Garner and Lewis/Cheese/Stephens for the best RB trio in at least 40 years. You want at least three quality RBs in the SEC since the chances of getting one or two knocked out in a game or for stretches of the season are pretty high. Beyond Kelly, we don't know if we have other quality RBs. I'm optimistic that Chandler and at least one of the others including CFA will quickly establish themselves as winners at the SEC level.

I'm a little concerned that we don't currently have any big backs on roster. Kelly runs well between the Tackles, hopefully he or Chandler can get the tough yard on 3rd and one or 4th and one.
 
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#140
#140
I believe that the most important player to step up this spring is CFA. With Kelly being a proven commodity, you don't want to have to depend on a true freshman and hope he is an instant sensation. I would just like a viable sec running back (does not have to be all conference) between them.

After viewing the top ten list of running back recruits, I agree that Chandler belongs on that list.

As for Jordan and Coleman? I believe our running back coach may be our best position coach. So if Robert Gillespie thinks that these two are significantly underrated, then I would take his word for it over the analysts. I do know its easy to just claim some one is underrated.

Wish more were here early for the spring.
 
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#142
#142
Kristy* said:
You guys are confusing talent/readiness with depth. 3rd string isn't as talented/ready as 2nd string. 2nd string isn't as talented/ready as 1st. But those capable bodies are able to provide depth. To provide rest to the 1st/2nd string. To mop-up and learn in the process.
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May be semantics but for the purpose of this discussion, when one says "depth", one is referring to a player that we would trust to enter the game at any moment without much dropoff in production. That we do not have on campus at the moment.
 
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#145
#145
IluvdoubleD's said:
What I expect is that if our one and two both go down (our luck the lately) we have another RB and don't have to throw a safety or something in there at RB.
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I must have missed the game last year when we had a S playing RB

Which roster would you choose:

Hurd
Kamara
Kelly
CFA
Jason Lewis

or

Kelly
CFA
Chandler
Coleman
Jordan

And hindsight is 20/20 so you have to view Hurd as preseason 2016 Hurd.
 
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#146
#146
butchna said:
I'm not hung up on # of running backs ON THE ROSTER. Just viable players. There's an element of unknown I agree but less so than last season imo. We had four running backs that we reasonably HOPED could perform going into last season. Ended with two vetted performers. This season five...we end up with 3 and that's still forward motion.
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So you would be comfortable if Coleman or Jordan had to play meaningful snaps in an important game?
 
#147
#147
orangebloodgmc said:
Well, yeah ... when you lose your #1 and #2 RB, everyone else is gonna look less proven for a while. But they will get their reps, just like everyone else had to do.
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Thats somewhat true. Kelly looked much more like a 2 (or even a 1) coming out of the 3 spot. And did it pretty quick once given the chance. That doesn't happen with every team every year.

The one takeaway from the discussion of depth in this thread (by comparison from 16' to 17') for me is the known facts from last year.
Kelly provided 2 deep production from the 3 when it was required.
Even with Hurd leaving and Kamara getting dinged late CFA (the 4) carried the ball 10 times after Hurd left and 8 of those come against Tech in a 55-0 game. Which is not that uncommon anywhere. When you start digging that deep into a position you change your approach because you re not going to get what you need that far down the roster especially at RB. The gameplan is adjusted.
2 of the 3 SEC caliber (2 deep production) RBs, are no longer on the roster.

The 17' group may prove to have more depth, but it won't be measured by how many RBs are listed on the roster. But rather when or if needed can they produce. Theres no way of knowing that today. We didn't know it in 16' until the A&M game.
 
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#148
#148
Also I think it's been said earlier but CFA isn't 175 anymore. He's closer to 195 from what I've heard. Will probably play at about 190 this year.
 
#149
#149
LaagerVol said:
May be semantics but for the purpose of this discussion, when one says "depth", one is referring to a player that we would trust to enter the game at any moment without much dropoff in production. That we do not have on campus at the moment.
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It seems to be an interesting term for some.
Not too long ago we were talking about "depth" (the lack thereof) in regards to FR filling holes all over the 2 deep and not being ready to contribute right away at an SEC level.
 
#150
#150
99bubble said:
Have you seen Dowdy any in practice? Kid was up for Mr. Football his Sr year at Blackman but didn't turn 18 until he arrived on campus. Wondering if anyone has watched to see how he's doing? He might be able to play at this level. Film looked good against good competition. Haven't compared it to Chandler's or CFA's.
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I'm not sure he'll ever be ahead of guys like Chandler or CFA on the depth chart.

But, like youd hope with walk ons, if he sticks around 4-5 years and our scholarship guys don't pan out, I think he has the upside to contribute. Doubt he'll ever be able to be All-SEC or anything like that though.

If we see him contributing in 2017 or 2018, then it likely means he's carved out a role on Special Teams.
 
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