A little from last night's radio show

[1979jacket]

I am more upbeat. I thought we played a pretty good game after falling behind 21-10. We also played through some bad breaks.

 

[CHE90]

We are relying on a freshman BB because Mills is unexpectedly GOOD. We have other BB's (Marshall, Allen, etc), who are good, and who would be getting the call if not for Mills. But the fact is that they are good, and Mills is GOOD !!!

You could also throw in the Custis academic casualty and Leggett's disciplinary casualty as reasons Mills is playing. Although I do agree with Supersize as well - Mills is just really good and might be playing anyway.

 

[Vespidae]

If you can dominate the ball, utterly wear out their defense, make their offense stay on the sideline and get really cold, then bring a bunch of heat when they do get on the field you seem likely to force a turnover.

Interesting and certainly seems to be the conventional wisdom. I read that most turnovers or breakdowns occur on the offensive side of the ball and without a big gainer, they'll fizzle out after 10-12 plays. If you do that, you get the ball back, often in good position, and you can quickly put points up.

One of CPJ's stats is number of 20 yard carries, so perhaps he plans this way? I've never heard him speak about defense. Anyone?

 

[GTFLETCH]

A bigger issue would be...why does this program have to rely on a true freshman at a position of such importance(BB)? The only other position that is more important in this offense is QB. After a summer and 6 weeks of playing, on a 4th and 1, I'd like to think you know what hole to run. That must be what CBC is talking about the "trust" in your OL to open up a crease. The back just has to run hard to where the hole is going to be I guess. It takes some courage to slam it up in there when you know you're going to get hit. Another reason that selling the fake is a huge part of playing BB. It's sets up everything else.

Becuase Travis Custis was dismissed, Donavan Wilson Quit and Transferred to Bowling Green, Cj Leggitt was Dismissed and Dedrick Mills was healthy in camp when M. Marshall was not and won the starting job.

This is crazy talk, Dedrick is going to be really good if he stays healthy, why not give him the ball...

 

[iceeater1969]

Bke I think what you said is rather insightful. Early in the season in 2014 our offense was still finding itself. Once the O began to roll coincided with our getting more aggressive on defense. It makes sense. If you can dominate the ball, utterly wear out their defense, make their offense stay on the sideline and get really cold, then bring a bunch of heat when they do get on the field you seem likely to force a turnover. Particularly if they start pressing to keep up. If not, oh well....give 'em another death march and try again.

I Have long advocated an agressiVe D be used early in season
if it fails and they score quickly then our O is back on field.
Early in season = hot ,players are not in game shape, new guys being worked into system
If it works we get turn overs and score quickly .

I want lots of reps on offense early in year .

 

[stingyoa$$]

Becuase Travis Custis was dismissed, Donavan Wilson Quit and Transferred to Bowling Green, Cj Leggitt was Dismissed and Dedrick Mills was healthy in camp when M. Marshall was not and won the starting job.

This is crazy talk, Dedrick is going to be really good if he stays healthy, why not give him the ball...

It would be nice to recruit kids that can stay in the program 4 years. That's how you stay competitive. GT fans label guys as "studs" way too early IMO. After 6 games, Mills has been average to below average in playing the position. Truth....sometimes it sucks.

 

[Jay Alexander]

It would be nice to recruit kids that can stay in the program 4 years. That's how you stay competitive. GT fans label guys as "studs" way too early IMO. After 6 games, Mills has been average to below average in playing the position. Truth....sometimes it sucks.

Lol.

I'll politely disagree.

Perfect? No.

Below average? Not even close.

 

[LongforDodd]

...The way the d-linemen were slanting, the play I called should have worked. ....."

For anyone that might know...Who might be PJ's eyes in the press box when we have the ball? Is it more than one person?

 

[lv20gt]

Lol.

I'll politely disagree.

Perfect? No.

Below average? Not even close.

Mills is averaging 4.4 ypc.

Historically here is how our primary Bbacks have performed.

Dwyer 7.0 ypc
Dwyer 5.9 ypc
Allen 5.5 ypc
Sims 5.2
Laskey 5.2 Sims 4.5
Sims 5.5 Laskey 5.8
Days 5.9 Laskey 5.0
Marshall 7.1 Skov 4.1.

Now, his low production isn't entirely his fault, but there is truth to the statement that GT fans slap on the "stud" label too quick.

 

[AE 87]

For anyone that might know...Who might be PJ's eyes in the press box when we have the ball? Is it more than one person?

Yes he has different people watching different things.

 

[Supersizethatorder-mutt]

Mills is averaging 4.4 ypc.

Historically here is how our primary Bbacks have performed.

Dwyer 7.0 ypc
Dwyer 5.9 ypc
Allen 5.5 ypc
Sims 5.2
Laskey 5.2 Sims 4.5
Sims 5.5 Laskey 5.8
Days 5.9 Laskey 5.0
Marshall 7.1 Skov 4.1.

Now, his low production isn't entirely his fault, but there is truth to the statement that GT fans slap on the "stud" label too quick.

And what was the yardage rate by any of those guys, other than Marshall, as true freshmen?

 

[MWBATL]

Mills is averaging 4.4 ypc.

Historically here is how our primary Bbacks have performed.

Dwyer 7.0 ypc
Dwyer 5.9 ypc
Allen 5.5 ypc
Sims 5.2
Laskey 5.2 Sims 4.5
Sims 5.5 Laskey 5.8
Days 5.9 Laskey 5.0
Marshall 7.1 Skov 4.1.

Now, his low production isn't entirely his fault, but there is truth to the statement that GT fans slap on the "stud" label too quick.

Umm, doesn't the OL performance have a lot to do with some of those numbers? Not saying Mills is all that, but I am not sure I would call him "below average" when he has displaced Marshall, who by your numbers averaged more than 7 ypc.

 

[WreckinGT]

Mills is averaging 4.4 ypc.

Historically here is how our primary Bbacks have performed.

Dwyer 7.0 ypc
Dwyer 5.9 ypc
Allen 5.5 ypc
Sims 5.2
Laskey 5.2 Sims 4.5
Sims 5.5 Laskey 5.8
Days 5.9 Laskey 5.0
Marshall 7.1 Skov 4.1.

Now, his low production isn't entirely his fault, but there is truth to the statement that GT fans slap on the "stud" label too quick.

He has only played 5 games, all against power 5 opponents, four of which are currently in the top 35 in rushing defense. Not to mention he has been ACC Rookie of the Week twice already. I think he is doing fine.

 

[Buzztheirazz]

Mills is averaging 4.4 ypc.

Historically here is how our primary Bbacks have performed.

Dwyer 7.0 ypc
Dwyer 5.9 ypc
Allen 5.5 ypc
Sims 5.2
Laskey 5.2 Sims 4.5
Sims 5.5 Laskey 5.8
Days 5.9 Laskey 5.0
Marshall 7.1 Skov 4.1.

Now, his low production isn't entirely his fault, but there is truth to the statement that GT fans slap on the "stud" label too quick.

Not one of those stats are from freshman years

 

[Techster]

Just my opinion. Of the BBs on that list, the only BB I'd rather have above Mills is 2008 Dwyer, 2009 Dwyer, 2010 Ant, and 2014 Days.

Dwyer was a sophomore in 08, JR in 09. Ant was SR in '10. Days was a RS SR in '14. Mills is a true freshmen. A lot of the yards he's accumulated has been through sheer physical will. The guys I listed had benefit of either playing against teams who weren't fully experienced against our offense (Dwyer, Ant), or played behind a veteran OL (Days).

I wouldn't go so far as to say Mills is a "stud" right now, but I think if you've watched enough football in your life, you see a special talent in Mills whose trajectory points to "stud". Of all the RBs in the NCAA, Mills has the most TDs of any freshmen RB. That means something. I'm excited about his potential...and if he keeps doing what he needs to do, he'll have every opportunity to reach that elite BB level we think of when Dwyer is mentioned.

 

[danny daniel]

Interesting and certainly seems to be the conventional wisdom. I read that most turnovers or breakdowns occur on the offensive side of the ball and without a big gainer, they'll fizzle out after 10-12 plays. If you do that, you get the ball back, often in good position, and you can quickly put points up.

One of CPJ's stats is number of 20 yard carries, so perhaps he plans this way? I've never heard him speak about defense. Anyone?

CPJ seems more concerned about third down stops than any other D stat.

 

[inGTwetrust]

A bigger issue would be...why does this program have to rely on a true freshman at a position of such importance(BB)? The only other position that is more important in this offense is QB.

Totally agree. I can't believe CPJ has the inability to recruit the ever so important bback. It's asinine to think he let this happen. The gal on that guy.

Who does he think he is. Nick Saban starting a freshman at something like qb??? Maybe I took that too far and unrealistic. With the way Alabama recruits they probably have some red shirt senior back there... right?

 

[stingyoa$$]

Totally agree. I can't believe CPJ has the inability to recruit the ever so important bback. It's asinine to think he let this happen. The gal on that guy.

Who does he think he is. Nick Saban starting a freshman at something like qb??? Maybe I took that too far and unrealistic. With the way Alabama recruits they probably have some red shirt senior back there... right?

no..there all in the NFL....or jail.

 

[inGTwetrust]

Nick should have planned for that, right? No way a true freshman could come in and just be that good or something like that.

 

[Techster]

Who does he think he is. Nick Saban starting a freshman at something like qb??? Maybe I took that too far and unrealistic. With the way Alabama recruits they probably have some red shirt senior back there... right?

Man, I know people dislike Lane Kiffen, but what he's done with Alabama's offense is incredible. He's changed Saban's POV on no huddle offenses, and spread pass and option concepts. And Alabama has put up some really good numbers. He's also developed several types of QBs with diverse playing styles. If it wasn't for all his baggage, he'd probably be one of the most sought after guys for HC openings.