Why i want a JUCO MLB

[AmonRa777]

When Jasper went out yesterday LSU ran at will....Jasper came back injured in the second half and our defense looked good again....Our young backers didn't have a clue...Sapp did a good job...But the other kids seemed to be thinking and not reacting...Lets get a JUCO MLB in for spring practice and hopefully avoid a huge hole at MLB....

[Hondocock]

That might be a good idea, although Ingram may be ready for starting MLB next year. We would need depth regardless. Jasper is the one player we have to have this year.

[PC_Gamecock]

When Jasper went out yesterday LSU ran at will....Jasper came back injured in the second half and our defense looked good again....Our young backers didn't have a clue...Sapp did a good job...But the other kids seemed to be thinking and not reacting...Lets get a JUCO MLB in for spring practice and hopefully avoid a huge hole at MLB....

Agreed 100%!

[gamecockfinatic2007]

i thought ingram played pretty well.being a freshman against LSU.and the same with cliff m. i do agree though...saw what hapened last time we had a JUCO MLB. Mr J. Brinkley. Although i do think that Sapp, Ingram, maybe Matthews,and the slew of other guys like lindsey, banag, paulk, shakleford, and etc. we will field a good linebacker core.

[mjmiller]

There is going to be a huge hole to fill when the Brinkley's leave. I agree with u, our staff doesn't seem to be recruiting to many top notch lb's. Why?

[4|_3|<54/\/|)3R]

Rodney Paulk was only a 3* coming out of high school at RNE. He's turned out pretty good so far. Our coaches know what they want, and if that means not signing 5* linebackers, then that works for me. I haven't seen any big busts this year in terms of freshmen defensive players. I think we have solid players waiting to take over, and we will go on. Just think, after 2005, no one knew what we were going to be like without Ko Simpson and Jonathan Joseph, and yet we turned out okay.

[Ga_Gamecock]

Imo Ingram is the heir apparent, but I agree ... we need another big headhunter in the mix to help out if Ingram goes down

[gamecockfinatic2007]

Imo Ingram is the heir apparent, but I agree ... we need another big headhunter in the mix to help out if Ingram goes down

definately. when jasper was out anytime there was a tackle being made i saw ingram in the picture.hes just like jasper.always in the mix.and hes only a freshman. get him alittle bigger and we might have another jap on our hands.but we do need a solid 2 deep at all positions.

[NYCGamecox]

There is going to be a huge hole to fill when the Brinkley's leave. I agree with u, our staff doesn't seem to be recruiting to many top notch lb's. Why?

I don't believe Amon was saying that our LBs aren't talented. I think he's saying they look inexperienced (they are). Look at yesterday's two-deep chart:

SLB
Rodney Paulk (True Sophomore)
Marvin Sapp (Jr.)
MLB

Jasper Brinkley (Sr.)
Melvin Ingram (True Freshman)
WLB

Cliff Matthews (True Freshman)
Gerrod Sinclair (True Sophomore)
Ingram was a 4-star recruit at linebacker and Matthews was the #3 defensive end in the nation (of course, if it weren't for an injury to Peppers, Matthews would have been playing one of the end spots yesterday). Both Ingram and Matthews have all of four games of experience, so it's a bit early to say they aren't "top-notch" talent. On the contrary, I think Matthews has started to show some major flashes of talent already. Ingram plays behind Jasper, so obviously, his number of opportunities will be limited this year. However,
I think most people believe he'll be a great linebacker before his USC career is over. Not to forget him, Paulk is a talented player as well who started a number of games last year as a true freshman.

Concerning next year, Dustin Lindsey used to be our starting MLB, so he's an option. I think we'll see either Ingram or Lindsey replace Jasper. By then, Ingram will have a full year of SEC experience and should know his way around. I wouldn't be surprised to see Paulk, Ingram, and D. Lindsey as our starting linebackers next season.

[COCKDIESEL]

Our young backers didn't have a clue

Give them time remember this is only Ingram's fourth college game. No sense in writing them off so early in their career. Plus Sapp played a pretty good game filling in for Jap I thought.

[willy]

When Jasper went out yesterday LSU ran at will....Jasper came back injured in the second half and our defense looked good again....Our young backers didn't have a clue...Sapp did a good job...But the other kids seemed to be thinking and not reacting...Lets get a JUCO MLB in for spring practice and hopefully avoid a huge hole at MLB....



An excelent idea, but I thought Sapp did a decent job when he came in.

[happygilmore527]

So we bring in a JUCO MLB and he'll play for 2 years...then we could be in the same position.

This is what Lou did, tried to fill gaps with JUCO players and looked how that all turned out. JUCO players are hit or miss, the Brinkleys have definitely been a hit. But you can't build depth with guys who are going to be here for just 2 years usually. I think we'll be ok with or without a JUCO LB next year.

[AmonRa777]

So we bring in a JUCO MLB and he'll play for 2 years...then we could be in the same position.

This is what Lou did, tried to fill gaps with JUCO players and looked how that all turned out. JUCO players are hit or miss, the Brinkleys have definitely been a hit. But you can't build depth with guys who are going to be here for just 2 years usually. I think we'll be ok with or without a JUCO LB next year.

I don't understand your premise? We have some very promising young backers in the program....Lets say Ingram progresses enough to fill Jaspers shoes next fall....What do we do if he is injured....We need to add an experienced head hunter to the middle of our defense for next fall...In the SEC you must have depth....

There is absolutely nothing wrong with aqdding a JUCO or 2 each year....The key is evaluation and teaching...Lou's staff failed miserably to evalute Olinemen and linebackers...That staff also did a pee poor job of developing talent on both line of scrimmage....With the 85 rule and normal attrition we will always need to suppliment with a JUCO on occasion... There is not one thing negative about it if you can do expert talent evalutions

[ConwayGamecock]

LB is supposed to be our biggest focal point for the 2008 recruiting class, so hopefully we will bring in some beasts. I agree it is better to establish depth with 4-year players than bring in 2-year JUCO players. But no-one can deny the Brinkley's positive impact to our defense. If there are other Brinkley-type players in the JUCO arena, then I'd have no problem bringing in one or two.

Perhaps the biggest contribution that Jasper has made to the defense has been his leadership qualities. He gives the defense - which is comprised mostly of young players - a sense of direction and bearing. If one of our defensive linemen, ends or other LB's step up next season and become a leader like this, then losing the Brinkleys won't be so hard. I'm hoping that the other players are learning leadership from Jap......

[doccock]

Ingram has the size and speed but the light sure hasn't come on yet. he was out of position on nearly every play he was on the field. His head must be spinning with the speed od the SEC game. By the time he's a junior, maybe he'll be like Jap, but right now we are desparate for someone close in size with some game experience.
doc

[uscmatt]

Ingram has the size and speed but the light sure hasn't come on yet. he was out of position on nearly every play he was on the field. His head must be spinning with the speed od the SEC game. By the time he's a junior, maybe he'll be like Jap, but right now we are desparate for someone close in size with some game experience.
doc

Agree 100%

I rewatched the whole game tonight (I love DVR) and he definitely was out of position most of the time and could never get through a block. Our other linebackers werent helping out much either. Sapp had 2 really nice plays out of the 6 or 7 he was in for.

[pitchcock]

The key is evaluation and teaching...Lou's staff failed miserably to evalute Olinemen and linebackers...That staff also did a pee poor job of developing talent on both line of scrimmage....With the 85 rule and normal attrition we will always need to suppliment with a JUCO on occasion... There is not one thing negative about it if you can do expert talent evalutions

Lou and his staff signed a lot of highly touted guys that just didn't pan out. Telfort, Saint Preaux, Hurley, Shaun Smith, Slay, Atkinson, Matthew Thomas..the list goes on and on. Most programs would've been happy to have signed some of these guys...their production just never matched their hype.

The problem with recruiting, is you don't have a crystal ball...you can't tell when a good player has peaked development wise, if he'll continue to improve, or if he just doesn't give a rat's ass about working hard to get better.

[snoopcockycock]

Ingram has the size and speed but the light sure hasn't come on yet. he was out of position on nearly every play he was on the field. His head must be spinning with the speed od the SEC game. By the time he's a junior, maybe he'll be like Jap, but right now we are desparate for someone close in size with some game experience.
doc

sorry, but that is one of the most ridiculous statements that i have ever heard!!!!!!!! this kid has played just a few plays in real live college game environment, as a

TRUE FRESHMAN,

and you think he won't look great until he is a junior, because he was out of position on a couple of plays, against the number two team in the country?????? and on the road at one of the toughest places to play in the nation!!!!! christ, i would hate to be your son playing peewee league football!!!!!!

jabrink plays almost the entire game, almost every game. so melvin has had very limited chances, in real game situations. HE IS A TRUE FRESHMAN, GETTING HIS FIRST REPS IN D1 COLLEGE FOOTBALL. give him a break!!!

melvin ingram will be a force at middle linebacker by the beginning of next season, mark my words.

...and to answer your question from an earlier post, amonra777, if melvin got hurt, we still have dustin linsay, who use to be a starter. we also have shackleford, who could end up being a great middle lb in his own right. also, there is winfield.

the point is, that i am not saying we shouldn't recruit more lb's. but i am saying that i think you are over reacting just a little bit. we will have an excellent group of lb's next season. it will hurt to lose jabrink, but i totally believe that melvin will fill that void very well, with very little drop off if any at all.

[johnmcclane]

well, Japs out

[Dr. Cock]

well, Japs out

While it is a horrible blow for this season and for the guy, we would have lost him at the end of this season regardless, so it doesn't change anything as far as this thread goes.

[Gamecockfanatic4]

well if Jap gets a r/s and comes back next year it does change some things though

[Dr. Cock]

well if Jap gets a r/s and comes back next year it does change some things though

I'm not sure... I thought one of the primary reasons he came back was for Cap, and don't put it past some slimy agent to come him and fill his head with illusions of greatness like one did with Sidney. I personally cannot stand playing the "Wait til next year" card, but having him back along with the more experienced D we'll have next year would be awesome.

[JAYBEZ]

When Jasper went out yesterday LSU ran at will....Jasper came back injured in the second half and our defense looked good again....Our young backers didn't have a clue...Sapp did a good job...But the other kids seemed to be thinking and not reacting...Lets get a JUCO MLB in for spring practice and hopefully avoid a huge hole at MLB....


You are assuming that every JUCO linebacker is a Jasper Brinkley.

I believe you are very incorrect. Jasper was a diamond in the rough. You can just as easily pick up a Freeman. He was supposed to be something special, but he hasn't shown any production yet.

Juco's are used to fill a need in a hurry. They are bandaids till you can recruit. We have recruited and have players, they just need to play.

Our LB core will do just fine without a bunch of JUCO stand-ins.

[AmonRa777]

You are assuming that every JUCO linebacker is a Jasper Brinkley.

I believe you are very incorrect. Jasper was a diamond in the rough. You can just as easily pick up a Freeman. He was supposed to be something special, but he hasn't shown any production yet.

Juco's are used to fill a need in a hurry. They are bandaids till you can recruit. We have recruited and have players, they just need to play.

Our LB core will do just fine without a bunch of JUCO stand-ins.

Thats insane...Show me where i say every JUCO linebacker is a Jasper Brinkley...I clearly pointed out that evaluation is key with recruiting whether its high school or JUCO...My point is no HS kid is gonna make an easy or quick adjustment to MLB at the SEC level....The MLB has to be able to take on 300 lb guards that will hit you in the mouth...Ingram has a chance to be very special...But we need a contingency should something unforseen happen...If you have only one good MLB you don't have any...Its obvious to me we have a need at MLB for 2008...How that need is handled is up to Nix and SOS....I would evaluate the best JUCO MLBs and sign one that can join us for spring ball...Thats just my opinion...Others disagree and thats cool....IMHO poor evalutions of HS talent hurt as much as misses with JUCOs...

[snoopcockycock]

unless we could lure a top juco mlb, i am against it. we have linsay, ingram and shackleford to play in the middle. those are three damn nice mlb's in my opinion. dustin was an excellent mlb before he failed out. and i believe he can be again. melvin is going to be a stud when he learns his assignments. he might even prove to be better than jasper before it is all over with. but there is also the chance that we get jasper back next year. so we could be stacked at mlb next season. we have plenty of time to sit back and see what is going to happen. let these young guys gain some more game experience and coaching, and who knows how good they can be.
we held lsu to 87 yards in the second half, with out jasper. so we can play defense still. sapp and ingram will do well the rest of the year.