Will there be any personnel changes for the LSU game?

[ShotgunDawg]

I don't want this to turn into another "Favoritism" thread like the one taking place in the other thread, but was curious if you guys expect any personnel changes for the LSU game?

Here are the options:

Donald Gray (Where was he the other night?)

Branden Holloway (Is he really our #2 back?)

Corey Thomas (I expected to see him play against USM, but didn't)

Gerri Green (Did this guy take any meaningful snaps against USM? He seems like a perfect fit against LSU)

Malik Dear (Where does Josh Robinson's doppelganger fit in? Did he beat out Gray?)

Lee & Williams (Again, is Holloway really our #2 running back?)

[msstate7]

Jt gray in place of Zach Jackson maybe. Jt is undersized though, so maybe not

[HoopsDawg]

To answer your question, I don't expect any personnel changes.

Gray plays on the outside. He backs up Fred Brown and he played but wasn't targeted.

Cory Thomas not playing is a head scratcher. I thought he was our #4 DT, but apparently Dale is.

Mullen likes the Shumpert/Holloway duo.

[msstate7]

Will Adams redshirt?

[ShotgunDawg]

Mullen likes the Shumpert/Holloway duo.

This scares the crap out of me.

Holloway is like a left handed specialist reliever on a baseball team. I like Holloway, but you are in trouble when you start thinking your situational reliever is your set-up man. We need a real guy

[Ralph]

delete

[Todd4State]

To answer your question, I don't expect any personnel changes.
Gray plays on the outside. He backs up Fred Brown and he played but wasn't targeted.

Cory Thomas not playing is a head scratcher. I thought he was our #4 DT, but apparently Dale is.

Mullen likes the Shumpert/Holloway duo.

This would be my answer as well. No way Mullen was holding people back for LSU. If I had to guess what changes would be made other than the obvious Calhoun for Cleveland it would be Gray or Green for Zach Jackson. I still expect Zach to start though.

I think we were hoping to rotate guys through more against USM but we couldn't because we didn't have the ball much in the first half (thanks special teams) and the score was still in doubt (thanks Shumpert).

We'll be able to see more of what our guys can do against Northwestern State.

[HoopsDawg]

Mullen likes having a feature back. He thinks Shump is that guy. Then he likes how Holloway is a complete change of pace to Shump. We just need Shump to run like he has in practice and like he did on his last carry vs USM.

[HoopsDawg]

Will Adams redshirt?

Yes, more than likely the only true freshman that play are Dear, Johnson, Peters, Smitherman and McLaurin.

[Todd4State]

This scares the crap out of me.

Holloway is like a left handed specialist reliever on a baseball team. I like Holloway, but you are in trouble when you start thinking your situational reliever is your set-up man. We need a real guy

We would be better with Shumpert, Lee, and Williams. But what scares the crap out of me is Holloway out rushing Shumpert against USM.

But Shumpert and Holloway as a duo doesn't surprise me based on Dan's track record. I was worried about it in the offseason.

I just hope that if Lee and/or Williams prove to be better than Shumpert and Holloway that we actually make a change.

[msstate7]

Yes, more than likely the only true freshman that play are Dear, Johnson, Peters, Smitherman and McLaurin.

Has he been a little disappointing in practice? With dale playing dt, seems there would be some opportunity there

[Todd4State]

Mullen likes having a feature back. He thinks Shump is that guy. Then he likes how Holloway is a complete change of pace to Shump. We just need Shump to run like he has in practice and like he did on his last carry vs USM.

I'm OK with Shumpert being the feature back if he performs. But what I don't want is Shumpert and Holloway splitting carries 50/50.

[HoopsDawg]

Has he been a little disappointing in practice? With dale playing dt, seems there would be some opportunity there

No, he looks good. High motor, high effort guy. It's just tough for a true freshman to be physically ready to play DT unless he's a really special talent. Adams is a little undersized.

[bulldawg28]

I would love to see Green with the Browns for the LB crew this week. B. Brown in the middle with Richie and Gerri outside seems ideal for LSU.

[Todd4State]

Has he been a little disappointing in practice? With dale playing dt, seems there would be some opportunity there

With the way Jones and James looked, plus the older Adams brother who is a really good third DT to have- and then not to mention Dale, Thomas, and Hoyett- there may not really be that much opportunity for him than we may think.

So, redshirting and bulking him up this year is probably not that bad of an idea.

[HoopsDawg]

I'm OK with Shumpert being the feature back if he performs. But what I don't want is Shumpert and Holloway splitting carries 50/50.

It won't be 50/50. It will be more like 80/20. Everyone needs to give Shump 1 more game before they write him off.

[Homedawg]

I'm OK with Shumpert being the feature back if he performs. But what I don't want is Shumpert and Holloway splitting carries 50/50.

Base on the game I watched- I'd rather holloway carry it than shump. At least holloway can make an explosive play. Shump did nothing save one play in garbage time. I'd live for him to do well but he's not a feature back. Period. And yes I know holloway is t an every down back- but he offers something we don't have- a hr threat

[Coach34]

We dont even like playing R-Fr...much less true Freshman. I'm not even sure McLaurin plays at this point. Corey Thomas not playing is head sratcher- as is Lee and Williams not getting some time. Gerri Green didnt play a meaningful snap Saturday. We have got to do a better job of getting talented R-Fr on f'ing field

[HoopsDawg]

I would love to see Green with the Browns for the LB crew this week. B. Brown in the middle with Richie and Gerri outside seems ideal for LSU.

I always wonder why posters make posts like this. B. Brown is not moving to the middle. It's just not happening.

[Coach34]

Base on the game I watched- I'd rather holloway carry it than shump. At least holloway can make an explosive play. Shump did nothing save one play in garbage time. I'd live for him to do well but he's not a feature back. Period. And yes I know holloway is t an every down back- but he offers something we don't have- a hr threat

agreed Homedawg. Lee and Williams are the future at RB- not Shump. I know Shump does all the little things- but running the rock is the main job. And he aint as good as the other 2 at that

[msstate7]

Base on the game I watched- I'd rather holloway carry it than shump. At least holloway can make an explosive play. Shump did nothing save one play in garbage time. I'd live for him to do well but he's not a feature back. Period. And yes I know holloway is t an every down back- but he offers something we don't have- a hr threat

On the fumble play, didn't shump run between the tackles? Seemed we ran shump outside almost every carry, which isn't where he's best IMO. I also think shump will look better after Dak holds a few times on the zone read

[Coach34]

I always wonder why posters make posts like this. B. Brown is not moving to the middle. It's just not happening.

Because when LSU is lined up in the Pro-I, this would be the best thing we could do defensively- whether we do it or not

[HoopsDawg]

agreed Homedawg. Lee and Williams are the future at RB- not Shump. I know Shump does all the little things- but running the rock is the main job. And he aint as good as the other 2 at that

I don't think so. I don't see Lee or Williams ever being feature backs. Shump and Nick Gibson are going to be the guys until we get Kylin Hill ready.

[msstate7]

I don't think so. I don't see Lee or Williams ever being feature backs. Shump and Nick Gibson are going to be the guys until we get Kylin Hill ready.

How's Gibson looking in practice?

[Todd4State]

It won't be 50/50. It will be more like 80/20. Everyone needs to give Shump 1 more game before they write him off.

Especially considering how Shumpert looked at the end of the year. I think that fumble might have gotten into his head a little bit.

[Bucky Dog]

I would love to see Green with the Browns for the LB crew this week. B. Brown in the middle with Richie and Gerri outside seems ideal for LSU.

Completely agree with this if with want to stop LF between the tackles. And put speed in the backfield.

[Homedawg]

I don't think so. I don't see Lee or Williams ever being feature backs. Shump and Nick Gibson are going to be the guys until we get Kylin Hill ready.

If shump is out feature back our coaches will get to go recruiting early....

[Todd4State]

We dont even like playing R-Fr...much less true Freshman. I'm not even sure McLaurin plays at this point. Corey Thomas not playing is head sratcher- as is Lee and Williams not getting some time. Gerri Green didnt play a meaningful snap Saturday. We have got to do a better job of getting talented R-Fr on f'ing field

AMEN

[ShotgunDawg]

What am I missing about Lee?

Even his carry against USM looked "right". The guy has natural running skills & falls forward.

What his shortcoming?

[Bucky Dog]

One more personnel change of note, I will be at this game after sitting out the first one!!!

[HoopsDawg]

What am I missing about Lee?

Even his carry against USM looked "right". The guy has natural running skills & falls forward.

What his shortcoming?

burst/explosiveness

[Homedawg]

burst/explosiveness

Good news is we already have a back that lacks, bursts, explosiveness and vision- and he starts. I agree he can pass block though.

[msstate7]

I agree he can pass block though.

Since Dak is the franchise, this is no minor deal, right?

[ShotgunDawg]

burst/explosiveness

Really?

That's exactly what I would have told you that he DOES HAVE after watching the Spring Game.

[Coach34]

If shump is out feature back our coaches will get to go recruiting early....

I've seen enough to D-Lee to tell you he is better running the ball than Shump. I aint telling you what I think- I'm telling you what I know

[HoopsDawg]

Good news is we already have a back that lacks, bursts, explosiveness and vision- and he starts. I agree he can pass block though.

Shump has more power than Lee. And Shump has some explosiveness, he's just not very shifty. Shump just needs to run North/South b/t the tackles.

[Coach34]

What am I missing about Lee?

Even his carry against USM looked "right". The guy has natural running skills & falls forward.

What his shortcoming?

exactly- he exploded into the seam for 6 yards and his one carry looked better than Shump did all night

[ShotgunDawg]

Shump has more power than Lee. And Shump has some explosiveness, he's just not very shifty. Shump just needs to run North/South b/t the tackles.

Sorry Hoop, I don't agree. I like Shump and think people are being a little hard on him here, but Lee appears to be the more natural runner to me.

[Homedawg]

Shump has more power than Lee. And Shump has some explosiveness, he's just not very shifty. Shump just needs to run North/South b/t the tackles.

Hard to run between the tackles when you can't see the hole.

[Homedawg]

Since Dak is the franchise, this is no minor deal, right?

Yea- someone needs to block. Pretty important- not saying it's minor, just that he's not a feature back carrying the ball. Not hard to see

[HoopsDawg]

Sorry Hoop, I don't agree. I like Shump and think people are being a little hard on him here, but Lee appears to be the more natural runner to me.

It's cool. I hope I'm wrong and Lee ends up being the next great MSU back. I just don't see it. I don't love any of our backs to be honest.

[archdog]

Hell I love all our backs. Seriously. Shump will find his grove in 5 days. Lee and Williams will get work too. Holloway needs to keep doing what he is doing. Nothing wrong with any of them.

[archdog]

All I am saying is Shump looked like he couldn't grip the field. He needs to learn how to fight for every yard though. Guy fell down pretty easily and since he was running like he was on frozen concrete, it isn't easy to stay upright when you can't trust your footing. USM are a bunch of amatures including their turf.

[maroonmania]

Sorry Hoop, I don't agree. I like Shump and think people are being a little hard on him here, but Lee appears to be the more natural runner to me.

Yep, believe Hoop is on an island with that opinion. Shump as our feature back IMO is going to make our running game even more pedestrian than it was when Perkins was the guy. Lee or Williams either one offer more potential.

[ShotgunDawg]

Yep, believe Hoop is on an island with that opinion. Shump as our feature back IMO is going to make our running game even more pedestrian than it was when Perkins was the guy. Lee or Williams either one offer more potential.

I'm going to disagree slightly. At least with Shump, you have the option of just pounding it up the middle & going 3 yards & a cloud of dust. That IMO is better than the Perkins run game in which we were trying to run outside with a slow player.

To me, while I don't believe Shumpert is as natural of a runner as Lee, he does have a high floor in that we can just pound it with him.

[fishwater99]

We need to play Shump as a FB with Lee or Williams at TB.
Shumpert just isn't a feature SEC back.

[GreenheadDawg]

burst/explosiveness

And you think shumpert has that?

[CadaverDawg]

I'm with Hoops and arch. I still believe in Shump. But I like Lee too.

We're going to all wish Holloway didn't have such a big game Saturday, when he's getting decapitated at key moments of the game vs LSU this weekend. He'll get a bunch of carries Bc he played so well vs Southern...that ain't good.

[ShotgunDawg]

I'm with Hoops and arch. I still believe in Shump. But I like Lee too.

We're going to all wish Holloway didn't have such a big game Saturday, when he's getting decapitated at key moments of the game vs LSU this weekend. He'll get a bunch of carries Bc he played so well vs Southern...that ain't good.

YUP. I loved the kickoff return but cringed at the long term consequences of it

[TaleofTwoDogs]

Shump has more power than Lee. And Shump has some explosiveness, he's just not very shifty. Shump just needs to run North/South b/t the tackles.

Agree that Shump needs to run north & south. When he runs east & west his center of gravity makes him easy to be brought down if he doesn't square to the point of attack in time. At 6'2" his CoG is much higher than JRob and can be taken down much easier.

[cheewgumm]

I think we're one more fumble away from seeing a lot of somebody.

I hope Shump does great. But you can't fumble. Mullen hates that . Ask that guy that went to Mcneese.

[Todd4State]

I think we're one more fumble away from seeing a lot of somebody.

I hope Shump does great. But you can't fumble. Mullen hates that . Ask that guy that went to Mcneese.

Unfortunately that someone is probably Holloway.

[Bothrops]

Lee is better than Shump. He pushed the pile in the spring game and has more speed, plain and simple. Aeris has the most speed of the three, but lacks punch. He's more effective in space.

But if we don't start rotating Lee and Williams in early Saturday, we are limiting our offense. If we want to win Saturday, Dak is going to have run the ball like he did in last year's game. Dak's feet are the key to establishing the passing game, and screwing up their defense. That will be the only way we can outscore LSU. If Dak stands in the pocket, I think we lose big.

[Dawg61]

Unfortunately that someone is probably Holloway.

Mullen already showed it'll be Dear.

[ShotgunDawg]

Bob Carskadon ‏@bobcarskadon 2m2 minutes ago
Leftover nugget: Mullen told us more true freshmen will likely play. S Mark McLaurin and CB Maurice Smitherman mentioned specifically.

[dawgwood]

To answer your question, I don't expect any personnel changes.

Gray plays on the outside. He backs up Fred Brown and he played but wasn't targeted.

Cory Thomas not playing is a head scratcher. I thought he was our #4 DT, but apparently Dale is.

Mullen likes the Shumpert/Holloway duo.
Once Dak open up so will the running game. But Lord please don't let torrey Dale take a snap.

[msstate7]

Bob Carskadon ‏@bobcarskadon 2m2 minutes ago
Leftover nugget: Mullen told us more true freshmen will likely play. S Mark McLaurin and CB Maurice Smitherman mentioned specifically.
Wish they had played last week

[Dental Dawg33]

Hell I love all our backs. Seriously. Shump will find his grove in 5 days. Lee and Williams will get work too. Holloway needs to keep doing what he is doing. Nothing wrong with any of them.

^this

[BoomBoom]

Mullen likes having a feature back. He thinks Shump is that guy. Then he likes how Holloway is a complete change of pace to Shump. We just need Shump to run like he has in practice and like he did on his last carry vs USM.

The problem there is Holloway up the middle for no gain is not a change of pace. Trying to stretch to the outside, even if you dont make it, is a change of pace that may open up the middle on a read play. But against USM we were sending Shump wide and Holloway up the middle.

[HancockCountyDog]

Especially considering how Shumpert looked at the end of the year. I think that fumble might have gotten into his head a little bit.

I've never seen so many people make a big deal out of so few carries.

[maroonmania]

I'm going to disagree slightly. At least with Shump, you have the option of just pounding it up the middle & going 3 yards & a cloud of dust. That IMO is better than the Perkins run game in which we were trying to run outside with a slow player.

To me, while I don't believe Shumpert is as natural of a runner as Lee, he does have a high floor in that we can just pound it with him.

Well, Shump obviously has more power and size than Perkins but Perkins had more speed and better balance. Pretty much a wash in my book. Power backs don't need to fall over at the first hint of contact. I'm still waiting for Shump to show me he can break a tackle.

[Maroons]

Lee is better than Shump. He pushed the pile in the spring game and has more speed, plain and simple. Aeris has the most speed of the three, but lacks punch. He's more effective in space.

But if we don't start rotating Lee and Williams in early Saturday, we are limiting our offense. If we want to win Saturday, Dak is going to have run the ball like he did in last year's game. Dak's feet are the key to establishing the passing game, and screwing up their defense. That will be the only way we can outscore LSU. If Dak stands in the pocket, I think we lose big.

Completely wrong about AW lacking punch.

[Maroons]

I don't think so. I don't see Lee or Williams ever being feature backs. Shump and Nick Gibson are going to be the guys until we get Kylin Hill ready.

How in the world can you say that when the two RFr RB's have gotten one carry apiece?

[smootness]

I'm OK with Shumpert being the feature back if he performs. But what I don't want is Shumpert and Holloway splitting carries 50/50.

Why would this be a concern? We always use Holloway a good bit against bad teams and dial him back against good competition.

Holloway will probably get 4-5 touches against LSU, and I would guess we'll see either Williams or Lee get more carries.

[DancingRabbit]

Completely wrong about AW lacking punch.

Obviously small sample size, but on one play in the spring game he ran into a DB (seems like it was Jiles), and it was like he ran into a brick wall. AW went backwards.

[smootness]

Obviously small sample size, but on one play in the spring game he ran into a DB (seems like it was Jiles), and it was like he ran into a brick wall. AW went backwards.

That's literally the smallest of sample sizes.

He ran like a truck in HS; similar style to Shumpert.

[Barking 13]

I rewatched the game last night, and slo-mo'ed the carry where Shump got sacked... Warren pulled and Walley missed the DE, so that was not all on Shump. There were a couple other missed assignments as well.

[the59dawg]

I'm OK with Shumpert being the feature back if he performs. But what I don't want is Shumpert and Holloway splitting carries 50/50.
I think the best way to utilize Holloway is as the second back in backfield. That way the assignments require more thinking by the defense. Auburn's running game was awesome with the multiple backs, sometimes 4. Similar to what OK St put on us a couple yrs ago with 4 backs.

[MabenMaroon]

I will defer to the MSU coaching staff, the same coaching staff that guided a bunch of 2* & 3*'s to seven weeks at #1 in the 17* nation and a 10-3 overall record. That same coaching staff is now dealing with 3*/4*'s, with which many of whom were integral in that feat and are quite perturbed about how the season ended.
This coaching staff has shown that it knows how to build a program and win in this league. The running back situation will work itself out as well as the other position groups. Nobody on this board wants to win more than the guys wearing the helmets and pads and the coaches who are teaching them and leading them. I also trust this staff to know what is the best combination of players to do just that. Last year WAS NOT A FLUKE and is just the beginning of some unprecedented things to come for this school and its fans. The one common thing that all of our opponents coaches and the serious big boys media have said about Coach Mullen, is that he is a very intelligent young coach.