When I read the article about Montario suffering a stress fracture in his leg, I have to say this is what I have come to expect. Three years ago when he came to campus the buzz could be felt all the way to Gainsville. He was the back all the coaches and media were touting. Then he tore his ACL and everything since has been a question of will he ever live up to his expectations.
I for one wish him the best, somehow I believe we may see more of him on Sundays rather than Saturday. Here's to wishing the rest of his career is more Jamal Lewis (post ACL reconstruction) rather than Chuck Webb.
BTW, last weekend I was cleaning out some space in my garage. When I say cleaning out I mean my wife wanted me to throw out some of my VHS tapes and some of my sports cards and memorabilia. I came across an old video tape that I made in high school. The tape was Tennessee vs. Georgia at Neyland on a Saturday night. The running back for Georgia was one Terrel Davis.
Terrel Davis, if any of you can find it, watch it. He was a beast. Every time he touched the ball he punished defenders. Never running out of bounds and looking to hurt someone. Honestly, if he had not gotten hurt that game we probably would have lost. Six, seven yards a pop when he touched the ball. Then in the third quarter he hurt his foot.
The funny thing about watching the tape is not that a future Super Bowl MVP who was a late round draft pick but the story that came with it. The announcers said that Davis began the year as a cornerback. That's right a cornerback. Due to injuries and a lack of play makers in the Bulldog backfield they moved Terrel to running back.
Now I must say I love Arian Foster. Here comes the but. But, Eric Berry needs to have his hands on the ball. Any kid who can rack those interception return yards needs more touches just like Terrel Davis.
I was at the UT/Cal game last year in Berkley and from the first play on defense you could tell this kid was going to be something. Some kids tackle, some trip, some just fall down to avoid being trucked but Eric ran through his tackles.
I never played football in college but I did play as a youngster. In football some kids like contact some don't it is just human nature. Fight or flight. This kid punishes people like Roy Williams did in college.
The reason I bring all this to conversation is to highlight the situation we are in. Down a running back with no proven back-up, tremendous depth in the secondary and a kid who can take it the distance every time he touches the ball.
Making a move like this takes guts, huge giant guts. But, it also adds years to a coaching career. Stay current, innovative and kids all across the country will take notice. When you make a move like this other kids will know that just because they recruit me as a defensive back I may get the chance to shine other places. It keeps kids from going to TCU because the major programs think your to small (Ladanian Tomlinson).
Just one Vols opinion.
No comments:
Post a Comment