So...you are saying Ameer jumped over 2 highly touted running backs. Did he have more talent than them or did he learn more and became better by outworking them? "Meek and mild" or "Heart of a Lion" has nothing to do with talent. That is a personality trait, and neither is mutually exclusive or a portent of how one performs. See, there was this one meek and mild guy named Barry Sanders...
Epley's comments on Talent
- Thread starter Warrior10
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StPaulHusker
Banned
I think the talent level was equal among the 3. He outworked the other 2.
And please. Barry Sanders had talent.
One man's given gift is another man's acquired skill, I guess. The difference being if we all agree it is a "given gift" then it excuses a lot of people from having to make a considerable effort. Like saying "Computers hate me!" or "I can't do math!" or "I can't swim because I sink like a rock!"
Swiv3D
Well-known member
Don't forget Ameer's incredibly strong legs. He was only 5'9 198, yet he was able to run over people if they didn't have the right tackle form. If you watch him run and make all of the cuts he had, you notice how low he gets. He doesn't bend at the waist, he bends at his hips which lowers your center of gravity, gives you more balance, and allows you to explode out of that stance with more power. It's the sign of a squatter in the weight room.
Also this doesn't discredit your comment either. By doing this he had to work on technique religiously until it became muscle memory and second nature, which meant that he had to allow himself to learn what the proper technique was and then work hard at being as close to perfect at it as possible. His ability to squat and focus on technique is what made him better than his teammates and was the reason he was on the field. I wont forget to mention how rigorously Abdullah watched film, the guy could see a gaping hole that looked blocked to everyone else.
Anyways, when he makes a cut, he still moves forward as well which is what Newby struggles so much with. Newby makes a cut that might make a guy miss, but he has so much wasted movement that he doesn't end up moving forward as he's making his cut and gives the defenders time to recover. It's a sign that his technique isnt as sound and ultimately the level of his strength and technique isn't as high as what Abdullah's was.
Husker Psycho
Well-known member
Nope.
Look at his high school highlight reel.
He already had the "gift" and he knew it. He knew he could "swim" (run with the football). He was the very definition of a gifted athlete.
Ameer was also a very determined and self confident person. He took personal responsibility for his own development every step of the way. We gave him the facility... he did the work.
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Swiv3D
Well-known member
He knew had a gift, but he worked very hard in the weight room and film room to become the rb he was his junior and senior year.
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StPaulHusker
Banned
This argument is getting silly.
Ameer Abdullah was an obvious talent the first game he played as a Husker. There is no denying this. His hard work got him to become a starter, in the Heisman talk and a 2nd round pick in the NFL.
Ameer Abdullah was an obvious talent the first game he played as a Husker. There is no denying this. His hard work got him to become a starter, in the Heisman talk and a 2nd round pick in the NFL.
Husker Psycho
Well-known member
Husker Psycho
Well-known member
BigRedBuster
International Man of Mystery
BigRedBuster
International Man of Mystery
Damn.....
The entire time I was a kid I wanted to be a professional athlete. Now that I'm 48 I find out that I didn't need talent, all I needed was hard work.
Crap....I could have been a hall of famer.
The entire time I was a kid I wanted to be a professional athlete. Now that I'm 48 I find out that I didn't need talent, all I needed was hard work.
Crap....I could have been a hall of famer.
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StPaulHusker
Banned
I seriously don't think you even know what you are talking about anymore.
BigRedBuster
International Man of Mystery
I guess according to some, it would have. Never mind I was 6'3" and 160 lbs coming out of HS with a 3" vertical jump. I could have gone on to great things. I could have turned that into a 42" vertical and ran a 4.3 40. If I only had the heart and work ethic.If you knew that back then, would it had made a difference?
Oh the missed opportunities in life.
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