Aeris "A-Train" Williams

[Dallas_Dawg]

Any chance they burn his redshirt due to the underwhelming performances by Shump, Griffin and Holloway? I was expecting Shump to be our 2nd best back with little dropoff from JRob. He doesn't appear to be that guy, only a fullback at this point.
I think Aeris could give us that spark and would like to see him play this year. My prediction is that he will be active against Texas a&m after the bye week.

[ShotgunDawg]

Not unless someone gets hurt

[smootness]

There's always a chance they go back to him and tell him his potential role has changed and ask if he would be willing to burn it now.

But we need to cool off on Shumpert. They guy has carried the ball 8 times. 8.

[CadaverDawg]

There's always a chance they go back to him and tell him his potential role has changed and ask if he would be willing to burn it now.

But we need to cool off on Shumpert. They guy has carried the ball 8 times. 8.

Yep.

If people will quit writing players off so fast, they may realize the benefit to having the backs we currently have.

Robinson is our all around back..power, speed, can break tackles, can catch passes, always falls forward.

Shumpert is a power back. Power, power, and thump.

Holloway is our scat back. Speed, speed, and that's it.

Griffin is like a slower, less quick version of Robinson after the surgeries. Still serviceable, and can fill in if needed. Won't be a game changer, but won't lose a game for you either.

If we put either JRob, Shumpert, and Holloway...or JRob, Shumpert, and Griffin in the diamond....we can beat you in 4 different ways out of the same backfield. We can do anything with JRob, pound you with Shump, beat you to the edge with holloway, or run/pass option with Dak. That sounds like a nightmare to defend. (Assuming we use it)

People quitting on Shumpert piss me off. And I'm just as guilty for quitting on Holloway, so I'm changing my tune on him. He's a Soph, and he hasn't wowed anybody this year, but he also hasn't fumbled or cost us yardage (except the punt return, but he's done there). So I'm going to see if we can find a way to use Holloway AND especially Shumpert before writing off any Sophomores with less than 20 carries on the season. But maybe that's just me.

[shoeless joe]

Some good points...I don't feel like beating this dead horse again but some folks need to not only chill on shumpert being terrible they need to chill on Aeris being the savior of the backfield. In time I think he will be outstanding, at whatever position he ends up, but rite now he doesn't bring anything to the table that the other backs don't.

It is unfair to the kid to place unreasonable expectations and then when he doesn't meet that uninformed ridiculous criteria everyone just throws him under the bus and forgets him like so many have done with shump...IN HIS TRUE SOPHOMORE SEASON.

Dumbasses piss me off...

[CadaverDawg]

Some good points...I don't feel like beating this dead horse again but some folks need to not only chill on shumpert being terrible they need to chill on Aeris being the savior of the backfield. In time I think he will be outstanding, at whatever position he ends up, but rite now he doesn't bring anything to the table that the other backs don't.

It is unfair to the kid to place unreasonable expectations and then we he doesn't meet that uninformed ridiculous criteria everyone just throws him under the bus and forgets him like so many have done with shump...IN HIS TRUE SOPHOMORE SEASON.

Dumbasses piss me off...

http://i.imgur.com/45WW0wy.gif

[Dallas_Dawg]

http://i.imgur.com/45WW0wy.gif

Y'all need to chill out, nobody has written anybody off, I simply said underwhelmed. And against weak competition, no less. I just think it wouldn't hurt to burn the redshirt if he can help us this year. He was Mr football in Mississippi and all we have heard from anyone who talked about freshmen is that he has looked great and done everything he is asked to do.
We have 3 rbs committed for next year and also have Dontavian Lee. My point is that Aeris can help us with right NOW

[Todd4State]

Josh is our RB. How many times during Dan's time here have we used more than one RB exclusively? Not many- if ever. We've always had one guy that has gotten the lion's share- whether that be Dixon, Ballard, Perkins, and now Robinson.

So, if we burn Aeries RS, I doubt we would use him enough to warrant it unless we planned to platoon him with Robinson, which is obviously not likely.

[archdog]

He has only had 8 carries. I am still a shump guy. Matter of fact, I am a fan of every one of our players. If we cannot support these guys, then who will.

[shoeless joe]

My point is that Aeris can help us with right NOW

Your point is wrong.

Aeris is a workout beast and is going to do whatever the coaches ask of him every day. However, as I stated earlier, at this point he brings nothing different or better than what we already have. He will develop and I'm sure improve in certain areas to where he will stand out in a year or two. And that is it... That's the reason we won't and shouldn't burn his redshirt.

[Coach34]

they need to chill on Aeris being the savior of the backfield. In time I think he will be outstanding, at whatever position he ends up, but rite now he doesn't bring anything to the table that the other backs don't.

Dumbasses piss me off...

Amen homey. If Aeris was going to really be a factor- he would be playing.

[DudyDawg]

There's always a chance they go back to him and tell him his potential role has changed and ask if he would be willing to burn it now.

But we need to cool off on Shumpert. They guy has carried the ball 8 times. 8.

Thank you. People complain that he doesn't have breakaway speed yada yada. That's right. He's a power back. Not a homerun hitter. Give him some carries this season to see how he's improved before freaking out and saying we need to move him.

[gravedigger]

Not no but hell no

[Dallas_Dawg]

Your point is wrong.

Aeris is a workout beast and is going to do whatever the coaches ask of him every day. However, as I stated earlier, at this point he brings nothing different or better than what we already have. He will develop and I'm sure improve in certain areas to where he will stand out in a year or two. And that is it... That's the reason we won't and shouldn't burn his redshirt.

You say that so definitively but I can think of ton of freshman backs over the years in the SEC that have been playmakers in their first year. Jamal Lewis, Jeremy Hill, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, and too many more to name.
How does anyone on a message board know if Aeris can't have the same impact? I say we don't need to worry about him keeping an extra year of eligibility because we always have a lot of backs including THREE next year coming in.

[DudyDawg]

You say that so definitively but I can think of ton of freshman backs over the years in the SEC that have been playmakers in their first year. Jamal Lewis, Jeremy Hill, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, and too many more to name.
How does anyone on a message board know if Aeris can't have the same impact? I say we don't need to worry about him keeping an extra year of eligibility because we always have a lot of backs including THREE next year coming in.

If he was that good right away we wouldn't red shirt him

[Bothrops]

I think many have been under the assumption that Aeris was the most talented newcoming RB that we've had in many years. I think most people expected him to play from day one. That would be my guess on why people are wondering why he isn't playing. Either way, the coaches are making the correct decision about Aeris, at least I hope, and it's still too early to close the book on anybody. I will say that I'd rather see Holloway on short pass routes rather than running the ball.

[War Machine Dawg]

The "he's only had 8 carries" BS is wearing thin. He got 30+ carries last season. We've seen enough to make at least somewhat of a judgment about his potential moving forward. No one denies Shump is a power back. Universal agreement. But show me where he's run away from anyone, including Alcorn State. You can't do it. The guy loves contact and is great in short yardage but lacks top end speed. That screams "fullback." The fact he isn't a clear #2 over Griffin after Griffin's decline due to injuries should tell everyone something about Shump's future. Put him in a role where he can best utilize his skill set and maximize his contribution to the team.

The bottom line is this: We all better pray J-Rob stays healthy. If he goes down, we're screwed. We don't have another RB on the roster right now that brings the total package, unless it's Dontavian Lee.

[smootness]

The bottom line is this: We all better pray J-Rob stays healthy. If he goes down, we're screwed. We don't have another RB on the roster right now that brings the total package, unless it's Dontavian Lee.

So I see that we've now not only thrown out Shumpert, we're throwing out Aeris Williams, at least as a 'total package', before he ever even plays a down. Awesome.

[CadaverDawg]

So I see that we've now not only thrown out Shumpert, we're throwing out Aeris Williams, at least as a 'total package', before he ever even plays a down. Awesome.

It's amazing isn't it.

Damien can look like shit in every appearance and he is still "going to be a good one for us".....but if Shumpert doesn't run for 200 in 10 carries against Alcorn, he's "not the total package", "needs to be a safety", and "runs to contact"

[MaxedOutMaroon]

It's amazing isn't it.

Damien can look like shit in every appearance and he is still "going to be a good one for us".....but if Shumpert doesn't run for 200 in 10 carries against Alcorn, he's "not the total package", "needs to be a safety", and "runs to contact"

Pretty sure no one is saying this. Sorry, you basically admitted Shumpert wasn't a great back. Being a power back makes you 1 dimensional in carrying the football. Even Boobiedixon had breakaway speed. Also, a power back is expected to have good ball security. Well, he fumbled on one of his first 10 carries because he had the ball tucked in the wrong arm. That's common running back knowledge. Am I writing Shumpert off? NO!!! He has time and room for improvement. I sure hope he does cause I would love to see him be a great one. And what I have to say to your Damien comment: am I comfortable with him and think he's great, nope! But are you not "writing him off" with that comment?

[CadaverDawg]

Pretty sure no one is saying this. Sorry, you basically admitted Shumpert wasn't a great back. Being a power back makes you 1 dimensional in carrying the football. Even Boobiedixon had breakaway speed. Also, a power back is expected to have good ball security. Well, he fumbled on one of his first 10 carries because he had the ball tucked in the wrong arm. That's common running back knowledge. Am I writing Shumpert off? NO!!! He has time and room for improvement. I sure hope he does cause I would love to see him be a great one. And what I have to say to your Damien comment: am I comfortable with him and think he's great, nope! But are you not "writing him off" with that comment?

I didn't say YOU said anything. I said "people" are. And no, I'm not writing off Damien...just like I'm not writing off Ashton. Neither has looked great....neither is beyond 3 games in to their 2nd season. If you aren't saying these things....I'm not talking to you. And no, I didn't say Ashton wouldn't be a great back. I said it's too early to tell. Players can improve.

And as for your comparisons to Dixon and calling out Shumpert's ball security and handling of it in the wrong hand....He. Is. A. Sophomore. and you're comparing him to one of our best ever RB's.....seems fair**

I'm not saying Ashton will ever be a stud RB, I'm just saying shame on our fans for writing him off as a contributor at RB this early. If you don't fit in that category, this isn't directed at you. But clearly you fit part of it, bc you just talked about how he didn't have what it takes, as if he couldn't get better.

"Even Boobie Dixon had break away speed"....yea, and "even Eric Moulds had IT", so I guess Ross and DeRunnya won't ever be great players for MSU because they aren't Eric Moulds.

[War Machine Dawg]

So I see that we've now not only thrown out Shumpert, we're throwing out Aeris Williams, at least as a 'total package', before he ever even plays a down. Awesome.


It's amazing isn't it.

Damien can look like shit in every appearance and he is still "going to be a good one for us".....but if Shumpert doesn't run for 200 in 10 carries against Alcorn, he's "not the total package", "needs to be a safety", and "runs to contact"

http://i.imgur.com/2YJ5inX.gif

Seriously? I'm not discounting A-Train. He could well become an elite back for us. But from the film I've seen, he looks much like Shump & post-injury Griff. He seemed to get caught from behind a bunch. But no one really knows and won't for at least another year. My best guess is the Williams will be just fine and show us he's capable of carrying the load once J-Rob leaves. Rooting for that, actually.

I also don't understand how it's "writing off" Shump to say what's obvious: He lacks top end speed, has massive short yardage power, and loves contact. Lots of guys have been successful as a FB with that combination. Hell, I'd be more concerned about Shump if he didn't love contact. RBs & FBs who don't like contact usually don't last very long. Look at Kailo Moore, for reference. I think it's his best fit to be a short yardage specialist, take the occasional flare as a receiver out of the backfield, and block the hell out of some LBs leading J-Rob and Dak into the hole. Also doing the little things like picking up the blitzing LB or S, something he seems to be good at already. As I pointed out two weeks ago, if he doesn't pick up a LB in pass pro, Dak probably doesn't have time to throw a TD to Bear.

The other thing I've noticed with Shump is he seems to lack vision. Go back and watch the option pitch he took against USA. If he cuts it up after taking the pitch and goes North-South quickly, he gains at least 3 yards. Instead, he kept going sideways, then tried to truck the LB once he started running out of room. Result: No gain. To be effective with his skill set, he needs to get downhill as fast as possible, because he isn't outrunning anyone to the corner. He can still be a VERY productive player for us, I just don't see his role being an every down stud RB like so many thought. I could see him being a stud every down FB, though. He reminds me a lot of the string of great FBs we had under The Kang. Guys like Fred McCrary, Nakia Greer, Dennis McKinley, etc. I miss having "that guy" in our offense. So far as I'm concerned every offense can benefit from a player willing to do that job.

[bulldawg28]

Shump needs to learn to get upfield quickly rather than dancing. J Rob is the only back that will stick his foot in the ground and go forward. Shumpert rarely shows his power because he's trying to dance and cut.

[fishwater99]

Any chance they burn his redshirt due to the underwhelming performances by Shump, Griffin and Holloway? I was expecting Shump to be our 2nd best back with little dropoff from JRob. He doesn't appear to be that guy, only a fullback at this point.
I think Aeris could give us that spark and would like to see him play this year. My prediction is that he will be active against Texas a&m after the bye week.

Do you also think we need to play Staley and Fitz...

Red-shirting players is a good thing...

[borne]

He will keep his redshirt unless we are hit with some injuries

[mparkerfd20]

I am now dumber for having read this thread. I swear we have to have some of the dumbest fans in the history of sports.