#GTCamp2016

Boomergump

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Clinton Lynch discussion reminds me of DeShaun Watson debate last summer. Not saying CL is a Watson level player, but that some wanted to say Watson was just hype because of whatever THEY thought a good QB should look like, Watson didn't fit the bill. But anyone who knew football knew they were witnessing a special player.

To me a really good player just makes plays. That's what CL did. CL isn't a natural running back, he was after all a WR in HS, but an AB doesn't need to be a RB. It's a hybrid position. First priority will always be blocking. After that, you make plays when your number is called. By every metric, CL did that. He may not fit the mold YOU expect from an AB, but as long as he fits what CPJ wants from an AB that's all that matters. For all the "well, wait till so and so who is faster and stronger is back" reasons why CL may be diminished this season, the fact is, CL is still out there making plays. That's what a good AB Does. That's what a good football player does.
This is a really good point. I just looked up some historical data. Not because I am doggedly trying to prove myself right, but because I was just curious. Robbie Godhigh has kind of set the standard for AB performance. His senior season of 744 rushing and 471 receiving stands alone. Although Clinton's 2015 season of 457 and 273 pales in comparison, it IS eerily similar to RG's first year as a starter. I can remember being in RG's corner, arguing against the masses saying he was going to blossom despite everybody telling me he was too small and too slow. It seems the tables have turned slightly. Haha. It's going to be fun to watch. This will be my last comment on this line of discussion. Go CL! and Go Jackets!
 

biggtfan

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I recall him being unusually positive pre 14. And surprisingly negative prior to 15.

The best predictor of our season is probably CPJ's pre-season comments. We were all sky high on the team at this time last year but CPJ was not. He knew something was wrong with the team. His optimism this year has me more excited about our prospects for a good season.
 

gtg936g

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It is strange how things can go from bad in the spring to okay in the fall. Our guys must have really put in the work. Remember CPJs spring comments?
 

deeeznutz

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20 play drive for the first team, converting two 4th and shorts...

"Couldn't have scripted it any better." -CPJ
That was partly in the context of playing guys (Shamire especially) into shape. These guys need to get ready for those death marches so we can roll this year. I love those extended drives where you can visually watch the opponents' will being crushed play by play. They also help create big plays because then you get defenders pressing, trying to somehow stop us from moving at will, and take themselves right out of position. I hope to see more of those, and less 3 and outs, than last year.
 

Longestday

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CPJ was not high on the offense until the last scrimmage. The last scrimmage seemed to be a bright spot until the spring game. CPJ seem flabbergasted at the lack of enthusiasm for the spring game.

Also Fredie is back and CPJ has said that made a big difference. Add in the body transformations and summer practicing and things could really look different.

I am worried about Will. I have not seen his dad on in a while. I hope he is ok.
 

OldJacketFan

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CPJ was not high on the offense until the last scrimmage. The last scrimmage seemed to be a bright spot until the spring game. CPJ seem flabbergasted at the lack of enthusiasm for the spring game.

Also Fredie is back and CPJ has said that made a big difference. Add in the body transformations and summer practicing and things could really look different.

I am worried about Will. I have not seen his dad on in a while. I hope he is ok.

Are you speaking of @flea77 ? I've seen him on here and another site in the last couple of days.
 

NorthGaJacket15

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CPJ was not high on the offense until the last scrimmage. The last scrimmage seemed to be a bright spot until the spring game. CPJ seem flabbergasted at the lack of enthusiasm for the spring game.

Also Fredie is back and CPJ has said that made a big difference. Add in the body transformations and summer practicing and things could really look different.

I am worried about Will. I have not seen his dad on in a while. I hope he is ok.

Did Will get dinged up in the scrimmage or something? Was he one of the ones CPJ said they would x-ray but he was hopeful?
 

lv20gt

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The best predictor of our season is probably CPJ's pre-season comments. We were all sky high on the team at this time last year but CPJ was not. He knew something was wrong with the team. His optimism this year has me more excited about our prospects for a good season.

Last year the biggest problem we had was the oline, and there's no good reason for how bad they played last year. IMO it was mental, and I also think that Johnson's negativity played a role in getting into the heads of the Oline. They flat out crumbled the first time they went against adversity (against ND) and it couldn't have helped that their coach spent much of the off season talking them down. The year before imo was more coincidence than anything. We started out sluggish, went 5-2, and there's a good argument that we should have lost to georgia southern. Regardless it wasn't until an injury forced Johnson to go with Days that we turned into such a great team. And I doubt Johnson was so positive because he knew that halfway through he'd switch up BBacks and get a 100 ypg rusher in there.
 

Longestday

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@flea77 glad to hear!

@lv20gt I saw what CPJ saw in the first two games 2015. We out powered them, not out executed them. CPJ also knew we did not have the right experience level at BB, AB, and WR. I think the coach should speak straight. Sugar coating "not good" is not the way to change.

I do disagree with CPJ about the 2014 OL. They passed blocked so much better than 2015 and new where to go even if they did not execute all the time. But, CPJ is so much more than I ever could dream to be that my disagreement seems silly.
 

lv20gt

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I saw what CPJ saw in the first two games 2015. We out powered them, not out executed them. CPJ also knew we did not have the right experience level at BB, AB, and WR. I think the coach should speak straight. Sugar coating "not good" is not the way to change.

You mention BB, AB, and WR. You completely ignored my point about the OL. We had the experience at OL. Yet they completely folded at the first sign of adversity and never came close to regaining confidence. There is a big difference between being realistic in a manner that helps keep the team's mentality right and being overly negative. Johnson last year was overly negative and the effects of that showed with the lack of confidence that the OL played with after the first real test.
 

NorthGaJacket15

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Y'all are funny. I always go a bit silent when the pads start popping. Just holding my breath, hoping no one gets hurt. Will is fine. I thought the team looked great Sat!

Great to hear flea! I just wasn't sure if I had missed somewhere that Will was dinged. Glad to hear you felt good about Saturday! I've heard good things!
 

Whiskey_Clear

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Funny I never heard CPJ say our Oline was garbage last year. I recall complaints about consistency, execution, and knowing where to go at times. All things that appeared to be pretty consistent problems across the entire line at different times.

I think the notion that our guys are so mentally and emotionally fragile misses the mark entirely. I don't think it comes close to the truth of their heart and inner fiber. I also think it's counter productive not to shoot straight about a team's/unit's/player's strengths, weaknesses, etc. This notion smacks of the "everyone should get a trophy" philosophy that I think is making sissies out of our younger generations.
 

deeeznutz

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This is a really good point. I just looked up some historical data. Not because I am doggedly trying to prove myself right, but because I was just curious. Robbie Godhigh has kind of set the standard for AB performance. His senior season of 744 rushing and 471 receiving stands alone. Although Clinton's 2015 season of 457 and 273 pales in comparison, it IS eerily similar to RG's first year as a starter. I can remember being in RG's corner, arguing against the masses saying he was going to blossom despite everybody telling me he was too small and too slow. It seems the tables have turned slightly. Haha. It's going to be fun to watch. This will be my last comment on this line of discussion. Go CL! and Go Jackets!
I've got your back on this, I was impressed with what I saw from Lynch in 2015. And for the people comparing his performance to Deon Hill or the other seniors in 2014, that's just inherently unfair since Lynch was only a R-Fr last year, whereas those dudes were 5th year seniors. With his performance last year, I'm very excited to watch him develop over the coming 3 years. Whatever your feelings on how well he played, that's basically his "floor". Whoever gets to start at QB after Justin is going to have some talented, experienced backs and receivers to help him along (hmm, kind of like JT had in 2014).
 

Rock

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That's a perfectly legitimate question that I'm going to let CPJ answer or not. Let's stay tuned to see if media gets that from him.

What I don't ever want to do is comment on injuries, player usage, strategy or any other thing that is beyond what CPJ gives out. I hope folks understand.

It was MJ.
 
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