[Kiwon]

How about somebody giving Coach Gill credit for the scope and tone of his public statement on Grooms? It's exactly what you'd want to hear from a head football coach of a Christian university.

Good stuff, hope Grooms leaves Liberty for the NFL as a Champion F.C.

Amen!

[Chris Lang]

When you look at it closely, it's really a low-risk, high-reward situation for Liberty. The NCAA took the issue of whether or not he could play this year out of Gill's hands. That allows Grooms an opportunity to take a year to get his life in order. If he succeeds, that's great. If he fails, it's on him. There's really no culpability at all for the school in this scenario. The school looks like the good guy. Marshall's decision was the absolute correct one. You can't allow a kid that many chances and continue to turn a blind eye and let him play. There have to be serious consequences.

To me, the controversial story would have been if Grooms, fresh off getting booted from another program, was on the field starting in Chapel Hill in two weeks, especially in light of the public backlash over the Asa Chapman situation. Granted, that came under a different coaching staff, but it was the same athletic administration. The way this is being handled isn't controversial at all. Grooms has a zero tolerance policy in place and a chance to get his life in order. He screws up that chance, and he's done. Christian university or no, that's fair. I'd say the same thing if Virginia Tech or Penn State allowed him to enroll. Playing college football is a privilege and not a right, and he's going to have to earn that right back with good behavior over the next year. That's completely fair. Let's see what he does with the chance.

[BJWilliams]

Agreed on all counts Lang...this is pretty much his last chance...period. he can still practice which allows him to keep in some football shape, but he can use his time away from the field to do things like seek counseling, take care of his classes, really whatever he needs. That way when 2015 camp rolls around, as long as he does his part now, he will have laid a strong foundation in other areas of his life.

[CinciFlame]

So now that we know he's coming and let's assume he's able to stay the course and play next year how good is this kid? It's no joke to be the Fr. of the year in Conf USA. A top 150 player out of high school with an offer sheet of the who's who in college football. He is a small back, but watching his highlights he can so some amazing things running and catching the ball out of the backfield. This kid is good enough to be a total game changer. I would love to see what he could do retuning punts and kickoffs.

[BJWilliams]

As I believe I said on page 1, he does very well in space. Being a smaller back, he isnt somebody you would count on in a lot of short yardage situations (at least that's my thinking). but he is someone that if you give him a hole, he can take a 2nd and 4 and break off a 50+ yard run, or take a bubble screen or flare screen and bust off a 20 or 30 yard gain, or take that to the house as well. I like him paired with Des or Macon or Kaigler as a combo backfield, forcing defenses to have to really respect both the power run and the speed/misdirection run as well

[Purple Haize]

How about somebody giving Coach Gill credit for the scope and tone of his public statement on Grooms? It's exactly what you'd want to hear from a head football coach of a Christian university.

First, he welcomes Grooms. Second, Coach Gill puts the burden of responsibility on Grooms to make positive changes for himself. Third, he offers the support of the Football program and the University to help him reach his goal of bettering himself.

If you were a 21-year old promising athlete who has messed up publicly, suffered shame and embarrassment and have further legal charges hanging over your head, what more could you ask for in terms of encouragement if you are serious about turning your life around?

Time will tell if Grooms is serious and whether he has the intestinal fortitude to change ways. But that's what God is about and that's what a Christian university should be about. Coach Gill is more than a teacher of Football. He's a minister and mentor to young men.

Like the unserious comments on the Grooms' article on the main blog page, it's too easy to look at Grooms as a caricature, as a generic figure from a video football game. We need to remember that there's a real person there, a person that God loves and has a good plan for.

I am proud that Coach Gill and Liberty University have done that.
............................................................................................

Head Coach Turner Gill on Grooms' Addition to Team:
"Kevin sought out our football program because he is at a point in his life where he wants to make some positive changes. He believes Liberty University would provide the type of atmosphere that would allow him to be successful in this endeavor. He understands that he will be expected to grow academically, athletically, socially and spiritually. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Kevin and be a part of his growth and maturity."

"While Kevin has enjoyed success both academically and athletically at Marshall, the thing that made Kevin attractive to us is the fact that he has had some adversity and he wants to make changes in his life. Liberty University is a place that has always offered young people a second change and we are excited to be a part of that process in Kevin's life."

^^^^^. I'm sorry but THIS is the reason I can't see Coach Gill being on a short leash. If we dump a coach after 3 years like he has had our Ath Admin are idiots. If they dump a coach like this who actually has some type of success, they are idiots. Granted, I'll be the first to bang on the shared titles et al, but I'm also the first to say I like where he is taking us. I think not he and Layer are the types of people we need as coaches here at LU. If we keep Layer after the horrible record he's put up over the years then Gills seat should be cushy and not the least bit warm.

As for the Grooms kid. I would be worried about is academics. I mean you know what they say: ' if you can't go to college go to Marshall"

[Purple Haize]

As I believe I said on page 1, he does very well in space. Being a smaller back, he isnt somebody you would count on in a lot of short yardage situations (at least that's my thinking). but he is someone that if you give him a hole, he can take a 2nd and 4 and break off a 50+ yard run, or take a bubble screen or flare screen and bust off a 20 or 30 yard gain, or take that to the house as well. I like him paired with Des or Macon or Kaigler as a combo backfield, forcing defenses to have to really respect both the power run and the speed/misdirection run as well

Dre Barnes and Barry Sanders are on the phone for you.

[Chris Lang]

Haize, I've been told he's in fine academic standing. Not an honor student by any means, but well above the minimum grades wise.

[BJWilliams]

Like i said, what made barry Sanders and Dre Barnes so successful was they weren't just three yards and a cloud of dust backs. they took a 3 yard play and turned it into a 40 or 50 yard gain.

[Purple Haize]

Haize, I've been told he's in fine academic standing. Not an honor student by any means, but well above the minimum grades wise.

Yeah, but it's MARSHALL

[BJWilliams]

To follow up...Backs like Grooms or Dre or Barry Sanders or even DeAnthony Thomas accelerate into the hole and either burst through or take one maybe two cuts and they are in the open field chewing up yards. a back like Rashad or I guess Jerome Bettis in his prime will use their size and power to slam into the point of attack and then accelerate once they are in the open field

[Sly Fox]

I'm sure LeSean McCoy really wishes he were taller so that he could be an every down back because he is only 5' 11". The same goes for poor Jamaal Charles who I remember playing at 5' 10" 150 lbs at Texas. But he's no every down back, I guess. And Alfred Morris at 5' 10" must think he has no chance to be an every down back. In fact, 6 of the Top 10 rushers in the NFL this past season all were within an inch of Grooms in height while admittedly all of them had a little more meat on the bones. But that's just the NFL, it must be much tougher to be an every down back in the Big South.

As for the comments on Coach Gill, I agree with the rave reviews of his comments on hoe he is handling this situation publicly.

[BJWilliams]

I was more going on the weight than the height Sly.

[Purple Haize]

I'm sure LeSean McCoy really wishes he were taller so that he could be an every down back because he is only 5' 11". The same goes for poor Jamaal Charles who I remember playing at 5' 10" 150 lbs at Texas. But he's no every down back, I guess. And Alfred Morris at 5' 10" must think he has no chance to be an every down back. In fact, 6 of the Top 10 rushers in the NFL this past season all were within an inch of Grooms in height while admittedly all of them had a little more meat on the bones. But that's just the NFL, it must be much tougher to be an every down back in the Big South.

As for the comments on Coach Gill, I agree with the rave reviews of his comments on hoe he is handling this situation publicly.

[BJWilliams]

He will be an interesting case as I said. it will be him, Josh Smith, DJ Abnar, Austin Kaigler, Todd Macon and 2013 starter Des Rice all battling for those 3 or 4 spots.

[SuperJon]

Beej - he's better than all of them right now. Pay attention to the overall story and stop getting blinded by the tiny details.

[BJWilliams]

Fine...all I am saying is let's see if it stays that way when he starts practicing (which I'm guessing will be this week). If he comes in and after getting adjusted to Liberty's offense for a week (or even a couple days), and absolutely blows everyone away, then though he will not play this year, he certainly will have a leg up heading into spring practice and will be the top guy heading into next August.

[bluejacket]

Fine...all I am saying is let's see if it stays that way when he starts practicing (which I'm guessing will be this week). If he comes in and after getting adjusted to Liberty's offense for a week (or even a couple days), and absolutely blows everyone away, then though he will not play this year, he certainly will have a leg up heading into spring practice and will be the top guy heading into next August.

This semester is only going to have little bearing on what he will be doing next year. When he's ready to go, he's going to the scout team with the backups/walk-ons to help the defense get ready for opponents. Right now, its more about off the field stuff than depth chart or learning an offense.

[bluejacket]

^^^^^. I'm sorry but THIS is the reason I can't see Coach Gill being on a short leash. If we dump a coach after 3 years like he has had our Ath Admin are idiots. If they dump a coach like this who actually has some type of success, they are idiots. Granted, I'll be the first to bang on the shared titles et al, but I'm also the first to say I like where he is taking us. I think not he and Layer are the types of people we need as coaches here at LU. If we keep Layer after the horrible record he's put up over the years then Gills seat should be cushy and not the least bit warm.

Don't discount the pressure to make the playoffs. His leash has slightly shorter each season. They will not fire him after this season, but this is going to be his first benchmark season at Liberty. If we fail to make the playoffs, there will be pressure to change the coaching staff after the season. No doubt about it. Our performances in big/close games under TG leaves several glaring concerns.

[Purple Haize]

^^^^^. I'm sorry but THIS is the reason I can't see Coach Gill being on a short leash. If we dump a coach after 3 years like he has had our Ath Admin are idiots. If they dump a coach like this who actually has some type of success, they are idiots. Granted, I'll be the first to bang on the shared titles et al, but I'm also the first to say I like where he is taking us. I think not he and Layer are the types of people we need as coaches here at LU. If we keep Layer after the horrible record he's put up over the years then Gills seat should be cushy and not the least bit warm.

Don't discount the pressure to make the playoffs. They will not fire him after this season, but this is going to be his first benchmark season at Liberty. If we fail, there will be pressure to change the coaching staff after the season. Our performance in big/close games under TG leaves several glaring questions.

How many opportunities has he had? This is his 3rd year. Benchmark? Sure Plauoff pressure? But you don't build consistency, or winners, by constantly turning over your staff.

[BJWilliams]

Fine...all I am saying is let's see if it stays that way when he starts practicing (which I'm guessing will be this week). If he comes in and after getting adjusted to Liberty's offense for a week (or even a couple days), and absolutely blows everyone away, then though he will not play this year, he certainly will have a leg up heading into spring practice and will be the top guy heading into next August.

This semester is only going to have little bearing on what he will be doing next year. When he's ready to go, he's going to the scout team with the backups/walk-ons to help the defense get ready for opponents. Right now, its more about off the field stuff than depth chart or learning an offense.

Remember, he is coming in with a lot of hype being the C-USA Freshman of the year and over 1200 yards in 2 years, so even if he is on the scout team this fall, theyre going to have an eye on him to some degree. If he impresses with the scout team preparing the starters, I think theyll give him plenty of reps in spring ball.

[bluejacket]

How many opportunities has he had? This is his 3rd year. Benchmark? Sure Plauoff pressure? But you don't build consistency, or winners, by constantly turning over your staff.

As of this moment, TG is 14-9 at Liberty. However, if you take the fluff out (Concord, Brevard, Kentucky Wesleyan) he's only 11-9. You could also take out his four games against Presbyterian and VMI. That's leaves only 7-9 in meaningful D-I games. TG won 40% of his games at Buffalo and, at the current clip, he is at 43% in meaningful games at Liberty (only played one FCS game at Buffalo which was Gardner-Webb, 2009). Our record in "benchmark games" is 2-9.

TG should not be fired after this season. But if these trends continue, there will need to be some changes. We failed to make staff changes under DR and that played a role in our inability to make the playoffs during his time here.

[bluejacket]

Fine...all I am saying is let's see if it stays that way when he starts practicing (which I'm guessing will be this week). If he comes in and after getting adjusted to Liberty's offense for a week (or even a couple days), and absolutely blows everyone away, then though he will not play this year, he certainly will have a leg up heading into spring practice and will be the top guy heading into next August.

This semester is only going to have little bearing on what he will be doing next year. When he's ready to go, he's going to the scout team with the backups/walk-ons to help the defense get ready for opponents. Right now, its more about off the field stuff than depth chart or learning an offense.

Remember, he is coming in with a lot of hype being the C-USA Freshman of the year and over 1200 yards in 2 years, so even if he is on the scout team this fall, theyre going to have an eye on him to some degree. If he impresses with the scout team preparing the starters, I think theyll give him plenty of reps in spring ball.

I am simply responding to your comments. This semester will not have much bearing on his position on the depth chart. Spring ball is not right now. They'll watch him, just like everyone who is practicing. But his play on the scout team will only play a small role in determining future depth charts. Hype means nothing to the conversation. He would be getting plenty of reps in the spring, even if he didn't practice a single day in the fall.

[Purple Haize]

How many opportunities has he had? This is his 3rd year. Benchmark? Sure Plauoff pressure? But you don't build consistency, or winners, by constantly turning over your staff.

As of this moment, TG is 14-9 at Liberty. However, if you take the fluff out (Concord, Brevard, Kentucky Wesleyan) he's only 11-9. You could also take out his four games against Presbyterian and VMI. That's leaves only 7-9 in meaningful D-I games. TG won 40% of his games at Buffalo and, at the current clip, he is at 43% in meaningful games at Liberty (only played one FCS game at Buffalo which was Gardner-Webb, 2009). Our record in "benchmark games" is 2-9.

TG should not be fired after this season. But if these trends continue, there will need to be some changes. We failed to make staff changes under DR and that played a role in our inability to make the playoffs during his time here.

Really? A coach with a downward trending losing record should be fired. Wow. Great insight.
Football is about a 5 year proposition. He is ENTERING year 3. Relax.
And if you haven't noticed, LU athletics in general, not just football, have a tendency to choke in big games

[bluejacket]

Really? A coach with a downward trending losing record should be fired. Wow. Great insight.

I said that TG should not be fired after this season (and he won't be). But if we continue on this trend of under performing, we will need to make some changes to the coaching staff. Failing to do so will further stagnate the program.

Football is about a 5 year proposition. He is ENTERING year 3. Relax.
And if you haven't noticed, LU athletics in general, not just football, have a tendency to choke in big games

The rest is excuses for under performing in football in the last two years. Liberty football (and college football in general) is definitely not a five year proposition. You could say that when a HC is building or rebuilding a program from the ground up; that was not the case here. You could say that if it was his first season at the helm; that is not the case either. You could say that if you lost 25-30 seniors from a team; again, not the case here.

Our inability to close out games in football has had nothing to do with how the other sports are performing. Heck, I wish some of them (with one especially notable exception ) would rub off on football. The talent has been here for years, but we haven't put it on paper with this staff or the former.

This is a benchmark year for TG and the program and I hope that they prove my 8-4 prediction wrong.