Whats the word on Dontavian Lee?

[lamont]

We have a RB that has looked to be the best we have at times. Rumors have been that he hasnt done what it takes in the classroom and off the field to get his playing time. Yet he is still on board heading into the Fall. Could he be the breakout RB this season? Could the maturity finally kick in? That would be a big help to one of the most questionable positions on this team

[Dawgcentral]

Heard somewhere he has a minor injury. First I heard about grades or anything else.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

I went to a spring practice. He looked disinterested to me. Like he just didn't care. Kinda just going through the motions.

Aeris looked much better. He looked like a man trying to take a job away from Holloway or Shumpert or whoever. He was much improved. He ran with some urgency.

Disclosure: I only watched one practice.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

D Lee is a cast & on a scooter right now.

[lamont]

I went to a spring practice. He looked disinterested to me. Like he just didn't care. Kinda just going through the motions.

Aeris looked much better. He looked like a man trying to take a job away from Holloway or Shumpert or whoever. He was much improved. He ran with some urgency.

Disclosure: I only watched one practice.

If he had been going through the motions all Spring, I have a hard time believing he would still be on the roster. We know R-Fr get slowly worked into the fold by Mullen- so I dont expect anything from the new guys early. So its Holloway, Shump, Williams, and Lee until the trust to pass block is there for the newbies

[Bothrops]

Lee was ahead of everyone last season, and could have helped us at times. However, he played by far the least amount of snaps.

[Reason2succeed]

Lee was ahead of everyone last season, and could have helped us at times. However, he played by far the least amount of snaps.

I hope that changes. I would love to see Lee emerge as the primary back with Holloway playing scat and splitting out to slot. Shumpert should play some type of H-back or fullback.

[Reason2succeed]

This may be off topic but I found this quote from Keith Mixon intriguing. It seems that Mullen is still looking for that Percy Harvey type talent.

“Right now, coach Mullen just wants me to learn slot receiver,” Mixon said. “Then as I get older and more mature, I’m going to learn running back so they can motion me into the backfield. There will be some packages where I’ll motion into the backfield and run out of the backfield like Gabe (Myles) and Fred Ross.”

I think that Dear and Holloway are the primaries at this position right now. But like he said Gabe and Fred Ross get some opportunities to run from the backfield from time to time too.

[Taog Redloh]

This may be off topic but I found this quote from Keith Mixon intriguing. It seems that Mullen is still looking for that Percy Harvey type talent.

?Right now, coach Mullen just wants me to learn slot receiver,? Mixon said. ?Then as I get older and more mature, I?m going to learn running back so they can motion me into the backfield. There will be some packages where I?ll motion into the backfield and run out of the backfield like Gabe (Myles) and Fred Ross.?

I think that Dear and Holloway are the primaries at this position right now. But like he said Gabe and Fred Ross get some opportunities to run from the backfield from time to time too.

Keith Mixon will be a big time player for us, take that to the bank. I think he probably could have played last year.

[BeastMan]

A lot of talent but can't stay out of the doghouse. He's a big body power back we haven't had. I don't think he's the answer to our offensive backfield by any means but if he'll do right, he could make a positive impact.

[shoeless joe]

Fully expect aeris to take the reins of RB

[biggun]

Fully expect aeris to take the reins of RB

Not trying to start an argument or fight but what did A Williams do last season that has you thinking he is about to take the reigns at RB???? Last season he looked like a tweener to me, not big or powerful enough to get the 3rd & short or 4th and 1 and not fast enough to get outside. I just was not impressed with him last season. Hopefully I am wrong about him and our talent at the RB position overall, which appears to be thin and lacking a true stud RB like AD, JRob, Ballard, etc

[BeastMan]

Not trying to start an argument or fight but what did A Williams do last season that has you thinking he is about to take the reigns at RB???? Last season he looked like a tweener to me, not big or powerful enough to get the 3rd & short or 4th and 1 and not fast enough to get outside. I just was not impressed with him last season. Hopefully I am wrong about him and our talent at the RB position overall, which appears to be thin and lacking a true stud RB like AD, JRob, Ballard, etc

I'll agree with you somewhat. He's not a blazer and he's not a pounder. He's more in the mold of Vic Ballard

[Bothrops]

A lot of backs make a jump from year 1 to year 2. We are definitely not thin at this position.

[shoeless joe]

Not trying to start an argument or fight but what did A Williams do last season that has you thinking he is about to take the reigns at RB???? Last season he looked like a tweener to me, not big or powerful enough to get the 3rd & short or 4th and 1 and not fast enough to get outside. I just was not impressed with him last season. Hopefully I am wrong about him and our talent at the RB position overall, which appears to be thin and lacking a true stud RB like AD, JRob, Ballard, etc

Kid is only goin to be a RS soph so he's got the room for improvement. If he doesn't fumble at A&M last year it really wouldn't even be a discussion. I know 100% that no one is going to outwork aeris in preparation for the opportunity and that includes on the study side. He's much more comfortable with the playbook and all his possible assignments. I hope several of the guys step up at that position and make a push.

[GreenheadDawg]

I'll agree with you somewhat. He's not a blazer and he's not a pounder. He's more in the mold of Vic Ballard

I would be perfectly fine with another Vic. But that's just me

[djaymsu5]

I went to a spring practice. He looked disinterested to me. Like he just didn't care. Kinda just going through the motions.

Aeris looked much better. He looked like a man trying to take a job away from Holloway or Shumpert or whoever. He was much improved. He ran with some urgency.

Disclosure: I only watched one practice.

I bet it's cause he knows no matter what he does Mullen won't play him. He's the best looking to back and never gets any playing time. Everytime he ran the ball last year he moved the chains but by God lets only give him 3 snaps a game. Hell I might have an attitude problem too if I busted my ass and never got to play when my results looked better than the one ahead of me who keeps fumbling the ball.

[DownwardDawg]

I would be perfectly fine with another Vic. But that's just me

And me. That worked out pretty well.

[Really Clark?]

Can anyone tell me how his SEC rushing made him look like the best back on the team? Lee had good games against the OOC opponents but Williams looked much better in SEC games. Lee had 7 rushes for 7 yards. Williams had 20 for 94 in SEC games. And before Lee missing those 3 games late in the year they had about the same opportunities and Williams out preformed Lee in SEC games.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Hell I might have an attitude problem too if I busted my ass

This could be the issue. Maybe he's not busting his ass.

[djaymsu5]

This could be the issue. Maybe he's not busting his ass.

Maybe so. You would know more than me

[Bubb Rubb]

I bet it's cause he knows no matter what he does Mullen won't play him. He's the best looking to back and never gets any playing time. Everytime he ran the ball last year he moved the chains but by God lets only give him 3 snaps a game. Hell I might have an attitude problem too if I busted my ass and never got to play when my results looked better than the one ahead of me who keeps fumbling the ball.

Here we go.

Lee didn't handle his business off the field. Playing time isn't given, it's earned. If he "busted his ass" as you say, he would've played more.

[djaymsu5]

Here we go.

Lee didn't handle his business off the field. Playing time isn't given, it's earned. If he "busted his ass" as you say, he would've played more.

I hear you

[Johnson85]

He's more in the mold of Vic Ballard

I just don't see that. Ballard was sneakily crazy athletic. To me he always looked like he might be a guy that was a solid RB that had outsized success because of running behind a good Oline, but of course our Oline wasn't exactly Bama quality and then every once in a while he would do something that would make you realize how athletic he really was. Not sure what it was about his running style that sort of hid how much athleticism he had.

Aeris does look about the same on a play to play basis, it's just I haven't seen anything yet to think he has that hidden burst, and of course he hasn't had the success, although he hasn't gotten to run behind a decent OL yet.

[Political Hack]

I see the comparisons to Vic from a size and speed standpoint, but Vic has exceptional vision that can't be taught.

Lee didn't touch the ball a lot and still had some fumble issues. I think that was a lot of it.

[Barking 13]

D Lee is a cast & on a scooter right now.

moot point

[DanDority]

Kid is only goin to be a RS soph so he's got the room for improvement. If he doesn't fumble at A&M last year it really wouldn't even be a discussion. I know 100% that no one is going to outwork aeris in preparation for the opportunity and that includes on the study side. He's much more comfortable with the playbook and all his possible assignments. I hope several of the guys step up at that position and make a push.

Just asking, are you from the Golden Triangle area by chance? Also, you can never be 100% on someones character, trust me I know for a FACT about that! The guy is human, not the Son of Man!

[Bothrops]

Vic Ballard had exceptional top end speed. He also had more rushing touchdowns in 2010 than any other RB in the SEC.

[Reason2succeed]

I like Nick Gibson. He has great vision, can really run between the tackles and get out of a jam. We're going to need someone who can pick their way through the line to get past the second level because our line isn't going to be blowing up huge holes.

[Bubb Rubb]

I like Nick Gibson. He has great vision, can really run between the tackles and get out of a jam. We're going to need someone who can pick their way through the line to get past the second level because our line isn't going to be blowing up huge holes.

This. I think Gibson has the most upside from a physical running standpoint. He and Aeris are a good complement for each other.

Unfortunately, I think we see a lot of Holloway and Shump. I hope Shump moves to fullback (he's a pretty hellacious blocker) and we see more of Holloway in the slot like Myles/Dear/Gray/Mixon. I'd love to see dual slots in a power running offense where we can establish the run between tackles behind a blocking fullback, and then hit the edges with our slot guys in space. I'm thinking that is a pretty deadly combination.

[shoeless joe]

Just asking, are you from the Golden Triangle area by chance? Also, you can never be 100% on someones character, trust me I know for a FACT about that! The guy is human, not the Son of Man!


all good points. Won't argue.

I have yet to see someone outwork him on and off the field.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Unfortunately, I think we see a lot of Holloway and Shump.

I just don't understand this talk of seeing a lot of Shump. We didn't see much of Shump the last half of last season. The last 6 games he had 17 carries with half of those (8) coming against Missouri in a rain storm where you want the surest ball handler in the game.

[Bubb Rubb]

I just don't understand this talk of seeing a lot of Shump. We didn't see much of Shump the last half of last season. The last 6 games he had 17 carries with half of those (8) coming against Missouri in a rain storm where you want the surest ball handler in the game.

He will get the chance to play himself out of the rotation again, I believe, if we play single back. He will be a senior and Dan loves his seniors. I honestly hope he is used more as a FB in a two back set this year...I think that's the correct usage for him.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

He will get the chance to play himself out of the rotation again, I believe, if we play single back. He will be a senior and Dan loves his seniors. I honestly hope he is used more as a FB in a two back set this year...I think that's the correct usage for him.

I guess we'll see. I expect Aeris to be the feature back this year.

[Johnson85]

I guess we'll see. I expect Aeris to be the feature back this year.

I don't think we'll see a lot of Shump, but I am worried we will see basically what we saw at the end of last year, with Holloway, then Aeris, with occasional Shump spottings as far as RB touches go. It's crazy how much Holloway has improved and he's a legitimate weapon now, but it's still going to be a bad sign if he's doing much more than acting as a change of pace. Williams got mroe touches towards the end of the year, but we were legitimately bad at RB last yaer for the first time in such a long time that I can't even remember the name of the backs last time we were that bad at RB (Fred something was one of them), and he still spent most of the year on the bench. Maybe he just isn't that good, which is why he didn't play even though the competition was weak, or maybe he is good but his season is going to be derailed again by missing a study hall (or whatever it was that kept him on the bench last year).

[Barking 13]

I guess we'll see. I expect Aeris to be the feature back this year.

only 40 more days till we find out.... the great Oz has spoken!!!! Lee will be doing wheelies on a scooter on the sideline.

[BiscuitEater]

I bet it's cause he knows no matter what he does Mullen won't play him. He's the best looking to back and never gets any playing time. Everytime he ran the ball last year he moved the chains but by God lets only give him 3 snaps a game. Hell I might have an attitude problem too if I busted my ass and never got to play when my results looked better than the one ahead of me who keeps fumbling the ball.

BS .. Majority of yards gained were against La Tech, NWestern St and Troy.

Guessed you missed the post by shoeless joe ..


Kid is only goin to be a RS soph so he's got the room for improvement. If he doesn't fumble at A&M last year it really wouldn't even be a discussion.

If the Coach doesn't trust that you can take care of the ball .. you are NOT playing in games that count.

[biggun]

Can anyone tell me how his SEC rushing made him look like the best back on the team? Lee had good games against the OOC opponents but Williams looked much better in SEC games. Lee had 7 rushes for 7 yards. Williams had 20 for 94 in SEC games. And before Lee missing those 3 games late in the year they had about the same opportunities and Williams out preformed Lee in SEC games.

Except for his crucial goal line fumble @ A&M

[lamont]

Lee was in no way, shape, or form given the same ops that Aeris had. I'm fine with it if the off the field stuff is true- DLee has to do his part. But anybody that watched- Lee was better than Aeris in 2015. It was obvious. Not sure why Lee's fumble out of bounds is being considered a big deal. It's not like he fumbled inside the 10 against A&M or anything.

2016 is a new season, but DLee looked better than Aeris in 2015. He just didn't get the time. There was a reason for that, and Mullen knows the behind the scenes BS. We'll see what happens this September

[Really Clark?]

Lee was in no way, shape, or form given the same ops that Aeris had. I'm fine with it if the off the field stuff is true- DLee has to do his part. But anybody that watched- Lee was better than Aeris in 2015. It was obvious. Not sure why Lee's fumble out of bounds is being considered a big deal. It's not like he fumbled inside the 10 against A&M or anything.

2016 is a new season, but DLee looked better than Aeris in 2015. He just didn't get the time. There was a reason for that, and Mullen knows the behind the scenes BS. We'll see what happens this September

I'm sorry but looking good against LA Tech, Troy and Northwestern St AFTER we were ahead by more than 2 TD does not scream better than Aeris. (122 of his 137 yards for the season were in those games). It just doesn't. The only real game we can compare was the Kentucky game where Lee was 5 for 7 yards and Aeris 8 for 27. However you want to look at it, conference only games, power 5 only games, games against winning teams, Aeris had much better rushing average than Lee. Yes the sample size is too small but I can't see getting hyped for what he did in mop up duty in OOC games. I do believe he has potential but Aeris was the better overall back last year. That 1 yard per carry avg for Lee in conference games really hurt his stock. And he looked very timid against A & M. The fumble hurt Aeris but he was gaining yards.