[SuperJon]

Rashad would have been better than any of those backs in any system at this level. He is a better player with more talent period.

He is now. You're not thinking about the 6'1 265 pound running back who ran a 4.7 which is what he was in 04.

[jinxy]

I have to disagree, I enjoyed watching him Sophomore year more so than any other year. He had more bruising runs where he was just so dominant. If you listen to Cowherd on Espn much, everyone on there constantly preaches that talent wins, Rashad had more talent than those two guys had. Rashad was productive at a legit D1 school, neither dre nor Eugene would have been. Sure some systems better suit some players than others. Ultimately your main point is correct and it's the job of the coach to fit the system to the players he has. Rocco was smart in that he built a winner the fastest way he could, in the trenches. I;ll take Rashad all day long over them at any stage in his career versus any stage in their career in any system. I think he is very coachable and can adjust very well

[Libertine]

Barnes and Goodman were better. They just didn't have NFL bodies.

Not better just different runners. Should have been used in a big / small rotation.

Nope, they were both better and Sam admitted as much himself. Prior to his injury, Goodman was one of the best pure runners I've ever seen. Sam struggled with zone blocking schemes and ball security. He had a pro-style body and speed which helped him get to the league but those same problems surfaced again when he was with Houston.

As for Karcher, he was a successful coach at every level until he was the head coach at Liberty. You could argue any number of reasons why he wasn't a winner here and most of them would be at least a little bit valid but it's not like he was just some yokel that fell off a truck on the way down 460.

Moving on to Rashad, bear in mind that Rashad coming out of LCA was a completely different player from the guy who transferred from Pitt and was practically an entirely different person from the guy who just got drafted. He was big and fast but not quick. He was purely a power runner who couldn't consistently make cuts and wouldn't really learn that skill until his junior season. Karcher's system was essentially the Shanahan Denver Broncos system which relied on the RB reading the OL to figure out where the hole was going to be and making a cut to get there. LCA Rashad would not have been successful doing that.

Comparing Rashad to Dre or Eugene is comparing apples to spaghetti. Dre was a Brian Westbrook-type back who had talent enough to make it but didn't have enough size to survive a Big South season let the NFL. Eugene was a physical freak who was as fast as Rashad, was physically stronger and hit the hole harder than Rashad but was a less versatile player. If not for that G-W cheap shot in '04, he would have been the most likely of the Dre/Gene/Sam trio to make it to the next level.

[Rocketfan]

I wasn't here but I spent the past two and a half years around people that were so I've got a pretty good idea what I was talking about.

If he didn't know talent, tell me why Eugene Goodman, Dre Barnes, Manny Rojas, Nick Hursky, Ryan Greiser Pat Calvary, Mike Godsil, Colin Dugan, etc were here. He had no clue what to do with that talent or how to relate to that talent, but he got them here. A lot of that had to do with his assistants (as does every staff) but ultimately the head coach gets credit/blame for recruits. He got some talent here. He just couldn't do anything with it.

Yeah speaking of people you talk fondly about KK, tell Lib i said HI. For each example you give on "talent" i can give you 2 people who were complete busts or Karcher mismanged there career to the point that they left. When you can name 4 Qb's of KK's off the top on your head that were awful and KK was a QB himself and a QB coach, thats laughable. IF you can't recognize talent at the position that you played, thats just an embarrassment.

I said you statement wasn't 100% true because as far as the RB goes, he DID know what to do with it obviously as Goodman set the single season TD record ( which Rashad later broke ) and Goodman and Barnes rushed for a ridiculous amount of yards as well.

Some of the others guys you mentioned were great for LU, but as much as karcher gets credit for them being here you made my point for me by saying he didn't recognize the talent, someone else did and got them here.

[Rocketfan]

Barnes and Goodman were better. They just didn't have NFL bodies.

Not better just different runners. Should have been used in a big / small rotation.

As for Karcher, he was a successful coach at every level until he was the head coach at Liberty. You could argue any number of reasons why he wasn't a winner here and most of them would be at least a little bit valid but it's not like he was just some yokel that fell off a truck on the way down 460.

Moving on to Rashad, bear in mind that Rashad coming out of LCA was a completely different player from the guy who transferred from Pitt and was practically an entirely different person from the guy who just got drafted. He was big and fast but not quick. He was purely a power runner who couldn't consistently make cuts and wouldn't really learn that skill until his junior season. Karcher's system was essentially the Shanahan Denver Broncos system which relied on the RB reading the OL to figure out where the hole was going to be and making a cut to get there. LCA Rashad would not have been successful doing that.

Comparing Rashad to Dre or Eugene is comparing apples to spaghetti. Dre was a Brian Westbrook-type back who had talent enough to make it but didn't have enough size to survive a Big South season let the NFL. Eugene was a physical freak who was as fast as Rashad, was physically stronger and hit the hole harder than Rashad but was a less versatile player. If not for that G-W cheap shot in '04, he would have been the most likely of the Dre/Gene/Sam trio to make it to the next level.

Last statement on KK...when you say early in your career that your making a difference in the locker room to deflect the fact that you just lost by 60 + points in multiple weeks - not inspriing. Not to mention after a game he couldn't even comment on any play " until he saw the film" - ugh im done.

Also GMTM and i called all of Rashads games his senior year at LCA. You say Rashad was quick but not fast ( and yes i understand that the teams that LCA played were not off the charts good) but i never saw him once get caught from behind *in the open field*. i mean no corner or safety ever came close and even if those kids weren't amazing some of there were still pretty fast.

Comparing Dre Barnes to Westbrook is not accurate either. Westbrook doesn't get run down from behind and Dre did. Id be shocked also if Goodman could lift more ( or is physically stronger than Rashad ). That would have to be close. The 04 cheap shot still haunts me for Goodman, man what could have been...

[Libertine]

He was big and fast but not quick.

You say Rashad was quick but not fast ( and yes i understand that the teams that LCA played were not off the charts good) but i never saw him once get caught from behind *in the open field*.

Comparing Dre Barnes to Westbrook is not accurate either. Westbrook doesn't get run down from behind and Dre did. Id be shocked also if Goodman could lift more ( or is physically stronger than Rashad ). That would have to be close. The 04 cheap shot still haunts me for Goodman, man what could have been...

Look again. I said Rashad was fast but not quick. His game at LCA was running over people pure and simple. I remember one game where he went for something like 210 yards but it took him 42 carries to get it.

If "not getting caught in the open field" is your definition of a good running back then there is no such thing as a good running back. They all (Westbrook and Rashad included) get run down from behind at some point. Barnes may not have been as fast as Westbrook but that doesn't mean they weren't a similar type of player with a similar type of game and talents.

I stand by my statement about Goodman. When I said he was a physical freak I meant he was an actual aberration from the physiological norm. He had what amounted to extra muscle tissue that allowed him to lift obscene amounts of weight and be far more strong than a his person size would normally be. Most of his weight room records still stand and no RB (Rashad included) since has come close.

As for Karcher, much of what's been said on here about him is true and I'm not going to try to defend his decisions or his comments in front of the press. It obviously didn't work out for him here and it obviously didn't work out for Liberty to have him here but I see no reason to go after the man unnecessarily four years removed. If you believe that anyone inside or outside the program (but especially inside the program) "remembers the Karcher Era fondly", especially now, then you don't really know what the Karcher Era was actually like.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Comparing Rashad to Dre or Eugene is comparing apples to spaghetti.

Apple flavored Spagetti. I always say apples to Giraffes.

Anyway, you make good points. They are totally different runners that fit totally different systems. If I had to pick one it would be Rashad. With the speed and size he has a chance of fitting into more sets.

[RagingTireFire]

If you believe that anyone inside or outside the program (but especially inside the program) "remembers the Karcher Era fondly", especially now, then you don't really know what the Karcher Era was actually like.

You loved that spiky-haired Frankenstein and you know it. You've probably got a Fathead version of this on your bedroom wall.

[Libertine]

You're a funny guy, RTF. I had to throw the Fathead out when my wife wanted to re-paint and denver orange didn't work with the color scheme anymore.

Let's just say that there are those of us who thought we knew Karcher pretty well and it turned out that we really didn't. In the end, it wasn't pretty and I would rather be the one to take the high road when it comes that situation.

[RagingTireFire]

So did he get fired or did you two just break up?

[Libertine]

We broke up. He got the kids and I got two rings.

[Rooster Cogburn]

We broke up. He got the kids and I got two rings.

Your new love got you the 2 rings. I hope that relationship lasts much longer. I don't wanna see that split unless it is just you leaving!

[RagingTireFire]

We broke up. He got the kids and I got two rings.

Got to give you an obligatory "Oh, snap!" on that one. Excuse me while I cover my hand with my mouth and fall backward like a 12-year old on a schoolbus.

Check your PM.

[El Scorcho]

We broke up. He got the kids and I got two rings.

Got to give you an obligatory "Oh, snap!" on that one. Excuse me while I cover my hand with my mouth and fall backward like a 12-year old on a schoolbus.

Check your PM.

Oh you two.

[LUconn]

Ha. You two should start a fight club. Get all that aggression out. I'd join. As long as I'm not the blond guy who gets his face rearranged.

[jinxy]

Once again, I disagree completly. Good players make adjustments. You disprove what your saying by the evolution of Rashad's game that you describe. He is a better player, smarter, and more gifted. This allows him to adjust his body to any type of system, thereby making him a better back. If what you are saying is true then every time a team changed a offense they would have to rebuild the entire offensive personnel because they can't handle the new offense. If those players are as good or better then why havent any of them been able to adapt to play in the league??? or even get a shot??. You guys are really underestimating the value that Rashad had and his ability to change his style and body. Good players with the right body and brains cant adapt to any system. Dre could not because of his size limitations and Eugene couldnt stay healthy. Solid runners at our level, but not in the same league as Rashad and it's not comparing apples to spaghetti

[SuperJon]

Rashad has said himself that he wouldn't be nearly the player he is now if he didn't spend that year at Pitt.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Running Back: After a big contract Maurice Jones-Drew is in the spotlight. The Jags decided to invest in the younger Drew and let long time starter Fred Taylor sign with the Patriots. Drew is a solid starter as the Bronco D can attest when Drew had his season high 125yds and 2 td’s against them in October. With the 250th pick the Jags feel they got a steal in Rashad Jennings who some had rated as a 2nd round talent. Jennings should help spell Drew this season. Hold over’s Chauncey Washington and DD Terry should provide depth.

http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/5/14 ... le-jaguars

[Rooster Cogburn]

The word coming out of OTAs is that Jennings has been very impressive. Jaguars.com writer Vic Ketchman wrote the rookie RB from Liberty "has been eye-popping so far this spring."

Having had a chance to watch some film on Jennings, he looks like a tough runner with good field vision and decent speed when he gets through the hole.

It's hard to tell how much of his ability was magnified by the fact that he played against lesser competition. But don't be surprised if the 6' 1", 234-pound back emerges as the No. 2 guy.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1831 ... -mjd-at-rb

[ALUmnus]

That "lesser competition" line is just a cop-out for writers who don't know how to do real analysis. You watched the film just tell us what you think! Don't give us a ready-made excuse if you turn out to be wrong.

[Rooster Cogburn]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1955 ... le-jaguars

Running back Rashad Jennings was such a good pick for Jacksonville. I'm so high on this guy. He brings in power to compliment the small, quick Maurice Jones-Drew. I projected him to be picked in the late 2nd or early 3rd round, but he fell because he played at Liberty. Don't be surprised if Jennings is this years break out rookie.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1955 ... le-jaguars

Running back Rashad Jennings was such a good pick for Jacksonville. I'm so high on this guy. He brings in power to compliment the small, quick Maurice Jones-Drew. I projected him to be picked in the late 2nd or early 3rd round, but he fell because he played at Liberty. Don't be surprised if Jennings is this years break out rookie.

Easyyyyy Tiger.


Rooster I think someone is making a run at your "homer" title!

[LUconn]

Bleacher Report is a terrible place for sports information. It's stuff written by fans. I used to follow the Bengals guy on twitter but his articles were always the same sarcastic pessimism.

[Rooster Cogburn]

He is a bit over the top, but it's cool folks are paying him some attention.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Bleacher Report is a terrible place for sports information. It's stuff written by fans. I used to follow the Bengals guy on twitter but his articles were always the same sarcastic pessimism.

First mistake = Bengals fan