Imani Cross...

[StPaulHusker]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team. I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

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

Do any of us really know if he has or hasn't?

 

[Warrior10]

Who here believes that if the coaches give Cross 15 carries a game every game we win more than 9 this year? I don't.

I don't.

 

[Warrior10]

Who here believes that if the coaches give Cross 15 carries a game every game we win more than 9 this year? I don't.

And who thought AA would be the last man standing after Heard and Green...........

The people who stared at the stars and ratings (which seems to be yourself), or the ones that saw Ameer's on field skill, work ethic, and team attitude that were all more advanced then the others from game 1 freshman year? Cross has the work ethic and team attitude, the on field skill just isn't showing to the level some think it should yet.

 

[Warrior10]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team. I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

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

Do any of us really know if he has or hasn't?

What makes Cross deserve more carries? He's a effort/workout freak or his skill level?

Ameer: A workout warrior by all accounts, multiple time lifter of year. Oh ya, he has Heisman/All-American productivity on the field too.

Adam Taylor: By multiple accounts is a gym/weight room rat. Also said to be "a faster Imani Cross".

Newby: "The best back in the room, just hasn't shown it yet".

 

[True2tRA]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team. I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

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

Do any of us really know if he has or hasn't?

What makes Cross deserve more carries? He's a effort/workout freak or his skill level?

Ameer: A workout warrior by all accounts, multiple time lifter of year. Oh ya, he has Heisman/All-American productivity on the field too.

Adam Taylor: By multiple accounts is a gym/weight room rat. Also said to be "a faster Imani Cross".

Newby: "The best back in the room, just hasn't shown it yet".

Great point Warrior. They are all deserving. Yet, Ameer gets 65%. This whole argument is turning one against the other when the fact is, Ameer is a stud. The guy is so good he should get the ball a lot. Some of us don't think Cross is a bad back either. Ameer graduates after this season. I hope the next guy is ready.

 

[Warrior10]

Alabama won NINE games by 21+ points. Do you think Yeldon was in during the end of the game? Do you think the distribution was the same during the beginning of the game?

Yeldon had three games with 25+ carries. 2 close games and a 21 point win. In those games, he accounted for 68%, 60%, and 74% of the team's carries.

Ameer had three games with 25+ carries. 3 close games decided by 11 points total. In those games, he accounted for 63%, 61%, and 63% of the team's carries.

Also, one of those 3 went into OT and he wouldn't have reached 25 if it didn't.

 

[True2tRA]

Yes, if you are going to entirely discount the styles of play and forget the fact that we had two dual-threat QB also carry the ball, Ameer had more carries when compared only to the RB corp.
I'm upset we "ran his legs off." He looked so tired gutting out 4th and 16 against Georgia. Cross should have been in.

Next, you're going to tell me we should get our backup QB some reps like Saban does ...

I'm not going to tell you anything about QB's. You brought QB's into the discussion when you were fluffing your bullsh#t numbers you wowed some of your devoted fans with. My numbers were posted in a thread TITLED AFTER A RB, discussing CARRIES BY RUNNING BACKS, after another poster made a comment about ow well Alabama distributes the ball to many RUNNING BACKS. No sir, it was your comment that brought up QUARTERBACKS in an attempt to make your argument. I just squashed it.

 

[Warrior10]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team. I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

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

Do any of us really know if he has or hasn't?

What makes Cross deserve more carries? He's a effort/workout freak or his skill level?

Ameer: A workout warrior by all accounts, multiple time lifter of year. Oh ya, he has Heisman/All-American productivity on the field too.

Adam Taylor: By multiple accounts is a gym/weight room rat. Also said to be "a faster Imani Cross".

Newby: "The best back in the room, just hasn't shown it yet".

Great point Warrior. They are all deserving. Yet, Ameer gets 65%. This whole argument is turning one against the other when the fact is, Ameer is a stud. The guy is so good he should get the ball a lot. Some of us don't think Cross is a bad back either. Ameer graduates after this season. I hope the next guy is ready.

I would like Ameer to say at 65% of the carries, if you look at the game logs we didn't use him heavily unless we HAD to. Only time he broke 25 carries was Penn St (OT), Michigan (won in last minute), UGA (he had to carry us to have a shot). If you look back at top backs in the country from the last few years, Ameer's carries aren't really higher. Also I by no means think Cross is a bad back and am glad to have him on the team. But I don't thing as of right now he is an every down back. He is a great situational tool, and if we have the ball inside the 3 its great to know he is going to get the TD.

 

[Warrior10]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team. I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

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

Do any of us really know if he has or hasn't?

What makes Cross deserve more carries? He's a effort/workout freak or his skill level?

Ameer: A workout warrior by all accounts, multiple time lifter of year. Oh ya, he has Heisman/All-American productivity on the field too.

Adam Taylor: By multiple accounts is a gym/weight room rat. Also said to be "a faster Imani Cross".

Newby: "The best back in the room, just hasn't shown it yet".

Actually, there's been countless articles about how Imani has both the athletic ability to be an every down back and he is the HARDEST working player...not just in the RB's...but on the entire team. It's not like people are snatching this idea out of thin air...there were no less than 3 articles last year by beat writers about this fact.

So when people act like he's a no talent a$$ clown, I think they're mistaken.

I know Imani is a workout freak/hard working guy and have gave him credit for that multiple times. But it has to start translating to the field before we can want him to take carries from our All-American RB and become an every down back. There are situations where Imani is perfect for the situation....inside the 3 yard line we know we got a TD....4th quarter when the D is gassed (think of Wyoming game where Ameer didn't really play the late 3rd or 4th) Newby and Imani came in and took turns gashing the tired D with changes of pace.

 

[NUpolo8]

If Cross was indeed injured, like the coaches said when the season ended, 5.3 yards per carry and 10 TDs is mighty impressive. I think he's earned more carries.

The only issue I have about that stat, is its deceiving. Not trying to start a huge debate or argue with you The Dude, but 5 of those 10 TD's came out of conference play, while 0 were gained at UCLA. In conference play, he had 53 carries for 247 yards @ 4.6 ypc. 31 of those carries and 132 yards were against Purdue and Illinois where we had a heyday on the ground.

I am not trying to down the kid at all, just saying I personally have not seen enough to say "he needs more carries". IMO, he needs to prove he can be a quality back when we need him, not just against weaker opponents with really bad rush defenses.

Cross only had three carries against UCLA, none of which in my memory were anywhere near the end zone. He would have needed a 40+ yd burst to score in that game. Just looking at that stat alone drive me nuts about the UCLA game plan.

Though either way, you are correct that you earn your carries.

 

[lo country]

Who here believes that if the coaches give Cross 15 carries a game every game we win more than 9 this year? I don't.

And who thought AA would be the last man standing after Heard and Green...........

The people who stared at the stars and ratings (which seems to be yourself), or the ones that saw Ameer's on field skill, work ethic, and team attitude that were all more advanced then the others from game 1 freshman year? Cross has the work ethic and team attitude, the on field skill just isn't showing to the level some think it should yet.

Not me. Not a star gazer. I could care less about stars and rankings. Proof is in the playing IMO. My comment came about with all the worry that Heard and Green had left and our only RB left was a last second "get" or "reach" depending on what Huskerboard expert said what. Coupled now with all those saying they knew he would be great. Very few on this board, when all 3 were at NU thought he would rise to the level he has. Guy is a full on beast and great character (which I admire more than his athleticism) so my comments about dividing carries should not be interpreted as negative towards him, but more positive towards the other guys on the roster.

I would love him to have a break out senior year (his junior year was incredible), but would like us to lean on the whole O to save him some wear and possibly be looked at better by the scouts since he has "less miles".

 

[lo country]

If Cross was indeed injured, like the coaches said when the season ended, 5.3 yards per carry and 10 TDs is mighty impressive. I think he's earned more carries.

The only issue I have about that stat, is its deceiving. Not trying to start a huge debate or argue with you The Dude, but 5 of those 10 TD's came out of conference play, while 0 were gained at UCLA. In conference play, he had 53 carries for 247 yards @ 4.6 ypc. 31 of those carries and 132 yards were against Purdue and Illinois where we had a heyday on the ground.

I am not trying to down the kid at all, just saying I personally have not seen enough to say "he needs more carries". IMO, he needs to prove he can be a quality back when we need him, not just against weaker opponents with really bad rush defenses.

Cross only had three carries against UCLA, none of which in my memory were anywhere near the end zone. He would have needed a 40+ yd burst to score in that game. Just looking at that stat alone drive me nuts about the UCLA game plan.

Though either way, you are correct that you earn your carries.

I still wonder if his lack of carries is not more indicative of his pass pro,than his running ability.

 

[StPaulHusker]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team. I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

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

Do any of us really know if he has or hasn't?

What makes Cross deserve more carries? He's a effort/workout freak or his skill level?

Ameer: A workout warrior by all accounts, multiple time lifter of year. Oh ya, he has Heisman/All-American productivity on the field too.

Adam Taylor: By multiple accounts is a gym/weight room rat. Also said to be "a faster Imani Cross".

Newby: "The best back in the room, just hasn't shown it yet".

Actually, there's been countless articles about how Imani has both the athletic ability to be an every down back and he is the HARDEST working player...not just in the RB's...but on the entire team. It's not like people are snatching this idea out of thin air...there were no less than 3 articles last year by beat writers about this fact.

So when people act like he's a no talent a$$ clown, I think they're mistaken.

Not sure where anyone has indicated he is a no talent a$$ clown. Were any of the articles you mention quoting Ron Brown, Tim Beck, or Bo Pelini? I mean, they would know who was the HARDEST working player on the team, as subjective as it is, wouldn't they?

 

[Warrior10]

Who here believes that if the coaches give Cross 15 carries a game every game we win more than 9 this year? I don't.

And who thought AA would be the last man standing after Heard and Green...........

The people who stared at the stars and ratings (which seems to be yourself), or the ones that saw Ameer's on field skill, work ethic, and team attitude that were all more advanced then the others from game 1 freshman year? Cross has the work ethic and team attitude, the on field skill just isn't showing to the level some think it should yet.

Not me. Not a star gazer. I could care less about stars and rankings. Proof is in the playing IMO. My comment came about with all the worry that Heard and Green had left and our only RB left was a last second "get" or "reach" depending on what Huskerboard expert said what. Coupled now with all those saying they knew he would be great. Very few on this board, when all 3 were at NU thought he would rise to the level he has. Guy is a full on beast and great character (which I admire more than his athleticism) so my comments about dividing carries should not be interpreted as negative towards him, but more positive towards the other guys on the roster.

I would love him to have a break out senior year (his junior year was incredible), but would like us to lean on the whole O to save him some wear and possibly be looked at better by the scouts since he has "less miles".

I apologize then for making that assumption. By the time Green left I think that most of us from what we had seen of the 3 thought Ameer and Heard were the better two of the three. Then when it came time for Heard to leave, for who knows which of the many reasons that have been thrown around, the majority although closer thought that Ameer was the best back. I thought/think Ameer is better than Heard, but I'll admit I never thought he'd be THIS (All-American/Heisman Canidate) good. I wouldn't mind seeing Ameer get about the same number of carries, but that really will depend on how games play out. Then remember when T-Mart was playing he had quite a few carries, I don't think we get Tommy that many and spilt more between Newby/Cross/Taylor.

 

[Redux]

I wanna see Ameer split the carries with Cross about 60-40. Also in on the same plays more often. Lets make sure that if one goes down the other is capable and healthy enough to step up.

With the likelihood of Tommy getting the starting job Id venture to say we see the bulk of drives being a combo of TA AA and Quincy. We have more talent in place but we tend to push the stars to a breaking point. Hope we can blend all the talent into a well oiled machine.

Cross is capable of being an any down back but Id be surprised to see him used more behind the 50.