Imani Cross...

[Enhance]

I am confident that if the coaches thought Cross could help the team running the ball differently than how you say they have pigeon holed him, they would.

Aaaand that's /thread imho.

It comes down to whether or not you think the coaches are doing their job, really. They see this guy every single day, watch all his tape and calculate his successes/failures. Then, they transition what's done in practice to Saturdays. It doesn't matter how hard he works or whether he's the last guy to leave practice or the first - what matters is his ability and how it transitions to Saturdays. It's extremely unwise to do something in practice but then try something completely different in a game. It stands to reason the coaches have evaluated Cross and are using him accordingly.

 

[BigRedBuster]

I am confident that if the coaches thought Cross could help the team running the ball differently than how you say they have pigeon holed him, they would.

Aaaand that's /thread imho.

It comes down to whether or not you think the coaches are doing their job, really. They see this guy every single day, watch all his tape and calculate his successes/failures. Then, they transition what's done in practice to Saturdays. It doesn't matter how hard he works or whether he's the last guy to leave practice or the first - what matters is his ability and how it transitions to Saturdays. It's extremely unwise to do something in practice but then try something completely different in a game. It stands to reason the coaches have evaluated Cross and are using him accordingly.

Which needs to be proven to the coaches in practice.

 

[BigRedBuster]

Guys, I'm not saying Cross is a world beater and the BESTEST EVAR...

I'm saying the coaches haven't given him a chance because they're using him in short yardage situations the majority of the time. I think we all know this to be true.

I'm saying the coaches should give him a chance to do other things. If he doesn't pan out, then so be it. But he puts in the work to be given a shot as evidenced by the many articles written about his tireless work ethic.

They most likely have given him a chance in a variety of situations - in practice. If he has shown in practice every day that he is best suited to a certain type of play and that other players are better at other types of plays, why would the coaches not stick to that plan in games. To do otherwise would be stupid.

Maybe so, maybe not. Coaches aren't infallible by any means and they make many mistakes (as everyone on this board knows). My point still stands: we can't say one way or the other since no one is at every practice. The bottom line is, he doesn't get carries IN GAME outside the tackles. Almost all of his carries are in short yardage situations with the defense being BROADCAST that it is...there is no mystery as to who they're giving it to and where it is going. That doesn't help showcase his talent. I hope they give him a chance this year.

What you are saying is that you hope he proves in practice that he is an effective runner both inside and outside so we as fans can see him do that on Saturday.

 

[BigRedBuster]

I am confident that if the coaches thought Cross could help the team running the ball differently than how you say they have pigeon holed him, they would.

Aaaand that's /thread imho.

It comes down to whether or not you think the coaches are doing their job, really. They see this guy every single day, watch all his tape and calculate his successes/failures. Then, they transition what's done in practice to Saturdays. It doesn't matter how hard he works or whether he's the last guy to leave practice or the first - what matters is his ability and how it transitions to Saturdays. It's extremely unwise to do something in practice but then try something completely different in a game. It stands to reason the coaches have evaluated Cross and are using him accordingly.

Which needs to be proven to the coaches in practice.

And which we have no data one way or the other (for or against) Imani. But which numerous people in this thread are trying to insinuate and infer that they do.

We don't other than the coaches get paid huge amounts of money to win games with the players they have in practice. I think it's a safe assumption a) that they are one hell of a lot better at judging what a player can or can not do than the fans, b) they have one heck of a lot more riding on if they are successful or not with the players in practice and on Saturdays than any fan is, and c) they are the ones that see the players day in and day out and are in one heck of a lot better position to determine if a player has the ability to do certain things on Saturdays well enough to trust that he will get it done.

But...then again....we do have his HS tape to go off of.

 

[Mavric]

I agree with this absolutely. It's a sad state of affairs when people think he hasn't earned his due.

I think we're misusing him. He did power sweeps in high school...he even operated the zone read out of the wildcat.

I think he can make cuts just fine just based on watching his film from his senior year of high school. It's obvious he's an agile player...and he's even better at it now.

And which we have no data one way or the other (for or against) Imani. But which numerous people in this thread are trying to insinuate and infer that they do.

For not having any data one way or the other, you sure seem to know a lot about what he can do.

 

[BigRedBuster]

What you are saying is that you hope he proves in practice that he is an effective runner both inside and outside so we as fans can see him do that on Saturday.

I'm saying I hope they put him in when it isn't 3rd and short/goal and I hope they call a sweep/option or veer or similar.

How do you know that is what you want them to do? Do you know that he has proven to the coaches he can do that better than others on the team?

 

[True2tRA]

Imagine this discussion next year if Newby starts showing he's as good as advertised, Adam Taylor gets a few early season carries and looks incredible. Then Cross looks even faster and just as reliable as always, then Abduallah is in All American senior season form. How in the hell are these coaches going to distribute the ball? Fact is, they probably really can't take care of everyone. I'm sure this discussion will be back again for years to come. We've got a ton of talent at RB right now.

 

[StPaulHusker]

Imagine this discussion next year if Newby starts showing he's as good as advertised, Adam Taylor gets a few early season carries and looks incredible. Then Cross looks even faster and just as reliable as always, then Abduallah is in All American senior season form. How in the hell are these coaches going to distribute the ball? Fact is, they probably really can't take care of everyone. I'm sure this discussion will be back again for years to come. We've got a ton of talent at RB right now.

Diamond formation. Every play.

 

[BigRedBuster]

Imagine this discussion next year if Newby starts showing he's as good as advertised, Adam Taylor gets a few early season carries and looks incredible. Then Cross looks even faster and just as reliable as always, then Abduallah is in All American senior season form. How in the hell are these coaches going to distribute the ball? Fact is, they probably really can't take care of everyone. I'm sure this discussion will be back again for years to come. We've got a ton of talent at RB right now.

Oh...then we will constantly hear that every player other than AA is going to transfer because they are miserable and the coaches are clueless in their roster management. They should all get 20 touches a game along with our WR and tightends....oh....and don't forget the fullbacks. I'm sure our QB will carry the ball 10-15 times a game too.

In 2016 we won't have any issue because everyone will have transferred and the coaches can start with a clean slate.

 

[QMany]

How in the hell are these coaches going to distribute the ball? Fact is, they probably really can't take care of everyone. I'm sure this discussion will be back again for years to come. We've got a ton of talent at RB right now.

I completely agree. It is a great problem to have.

 

[True2tRA]

Imagine this discussion next year if Newby starts showing he's as good as advertised, Adam Taylor gets a few early season carries and looks incredible. Then Cross looks even faster and just as reliable as always, then Abduallah is in All American senior season form. How in the hell are these coaches going to distribute the ball? Fact is, they probably really can't take care of everyone. I'm sure this discussion will be back again for years to come. We've got a ton of talent at RB right now.

Diamond formation. Every play.

You know, while we might be being somewhat sarcastic, I would love this! Oregon runs a ton of two back sets. And remember that diamond formation when Ameer made that pitch to Rex? Damn that was fun to watch. Imagine Tommy and his grasp of the option, running diamond form with Ameer and Cross/Newby/Taylor.

 

[ADS]

Imagine this discussion next year if Newby starts showing he's as good as advertised, Adam Taylor gets a few early season carries and looks incredible. Then Cross looks even faster and just as reliable as always, then Abduallah is in All American senior season form. How in the hell are these coaches going to distribute the ball? Fact is, they probably really can't take care of everyone. I'm sure this discussion will be back again for years to come. We've got a ton of talent at RB right now.

Diamond formation. Every play.

 

[Mavric]

Oh I'm basing it on what type of running back he was in high school...something everyone did with Taylor and Newby...using the same logic here.

His data set in college is small and particular a$$ we've discussed in college. 140 carries over 2 years...especially when a majority of them are situational calls...dives right up the gut for short yardage.

140 carries vs. how many in his high school highlight video you keep touting (which, by the way, starts with a run between the tackles at the goal line)?

And if we're going by high school highlight films, which one of these two guys are you going to try to get more carries running around the outside?

 

[Enhance]

I'm saying I hope they put him in when it isn't 3rd and short/goal and I hope they call a sweep/option or veer or similar.

Do you trust the coaches to evaluate the talent they have and then use that talent in the best way possible come gameday? If you don't, that's fine, but it would help us better understand your perspective. Nobody is saying the coaches are perfect, but like many have said, they spend day after day evaluating and watching these kids in practice and on film, way more than you, I or any fan. At this point, do you think they know (from practice) what Cross is and isn't good at? As a follow up, wouldn't that performance in practice then translate to gameday? If not, why? And then, it goes back to my original question - do you trust the coaches?

 

[Enhance]

I made a statement and someone jumped all over my a$$ for it a couple pages back and people are continuing to jump all over my a$$ for it.

There you go...understand it. It's not about trust. It's not about whether or not I like someone or something. It's not about practicing or game film or nothing.

Well, I'm not jumping all over your a$$ for it. Just trying to have discussion. The bolded part is why you're drawing a lot of ire, though. You may not mean to, but you're insinuating that practice and game film are irrelevant to how you feel a player should be used. You're also saying that there's no evidence one way or the other regarding what Cross can or can't do, except for high school film and his college carries. This, in extension, insinuates you don't think the coaches know what Cross is capable of.

If Cross was capable of going outside and making a difference on the perimeter, the coaches would give him that opportunity. They don't, and there are only two reasons for this. One is more likely - the coaches know what he's good at and put him in situations to be successful. The other is possible, but less logical - despite all the hours of footage and time spent with Cross, they don't know how to use him.

Furthermore, I believe there's a difference between getting different position groups involved and getting players within a position group involved. Two years ago, which tight end did you want streaking down the field for a big play - Reed or Cotton? Reed. Which tight end did you want running short/intermediate routes and blocking? Cotton. They were both good at different things, but Cotton didn't go streaking down the field for a reason - that wasn't what the coaches felt he was best used for.