'25 Duke RB Transfer Star Thomas (TENNESSEE)

[GrayWaterCanine]

After watching some film in him pretty good.

Like an x-ray?

 

[VolInDayton]

He seems to be a tough runner with quick feet and a good receiver out of the backfield.
One thing I saw that I didn't like in this highlight video is that he ran out of bounds a couple of times on the sideline when faced with defenders.
Never do that as a RB. You lower that shoulder and attack the defense and get those extra yards, even if it's only 3 or 4.

Some of the best running backs in the game run out of bounds. Perfect example is Alvin Kamara. Once you pick up the first down and you are cornered on sideline go ahead and step out. Trying to break through multiple tacklers is more likely to lead to a big play for the defense than the offense and you already have a fresh set of downs. Not sure what the situation was like. But obviously if you don't have the first down you got to get to the sticks.

 

[Type Orange+]

Ladanian Tomlinson got out of bounds and avoided taking unnecessary hits. He was able to handle about 400 touches a season for 8 years because of it.

Some of the best running backs in the game run out of bounds. Perfect example is Alvin Kamara. Once you pick up the first down and you are cornered on sideline go ahead and step out. Trying to break through multiple tacklers is more likely to lead to a big play for the defense than the offense and you already have a fresh set of downs. Not sure what the situation was like. But obviously if you don't have the first down you got to get to the sticks.

I think Walter Payton, may he RIP, would likely disagree with this, as he rarely intentionally ran out of bounds. He, instead, delivered punishment to the tackler on the sideline while gaining those important extra yards.
Defenders are often not all that fired up to tackle ball carrires who bring the hate. Especially in this soft generation.

 

[bigorangekicksazz]

I think Walter Payton, may he RIP, would likely disagree with this, as he rarely intentionally ran out of bounds. He, instead, delivered punishment to the tackler on the sideline while gaining those important extra yards.
Defenders are often not all that fired up to tackle ball carrires who bring the hate. Especially in this soft generation.

Sweetness was the Best!

 

[AngryButchJones]

I think Walter Payton, may he RIP, would likely disagree with this, as he rarely intentionally ran out of bounds. He, instead, delivered punishment to the tackler on the sideline while gaining those important extra yards.
Defenders are often not all that fired up to tackle ball carrires who bring the hate. Especially in this soft generation.

He also played the game many, many decades ago, and we've learned a ton about health and the long term impact of injuries and wear and tear football does to people. Also, the style of football played back then was very different than now.

 

[therickbol]

Sampson looked better than Wright in 23 lol

It was clear at the jump Sampson was special.

Wight looked average his first couple years until he turned into a beast.

Wright averaged 7.4 ypc in ‘23, nearly 2 ypc more than D Samp that year. This can’t be serious.

That's the beauty of giving judgement on who "looked" better. Stats. Performance. Not important. How did he look?

 

[VolInDayton]

He also played the game many, many decades ago, and we've learned a ton about health and the long term impact of injuries and wear and tear football does to people. Also, the style of football played back then was very different than now.

It's barely the same sport.

Also I want to see how physical a team from 40 years ago would look against a modern team. The size and speed of the defense is night and day defense.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Wright averaged 7.4 ypc in ‘23, nearly 2 ypc more than D Samp that year. This can’t be serious.

Yeah it was clear to me Samp was more talented

For instance, the Kentucky game. He singlehandedly won that game in the 4th. That was the best performance by any of our backs all year by a longshot.

 

[Weezer]

It's barely the same sport.

Also I want to see how physical a team from 40 years ago would look against a modern team. The size and speed of the defense is night and day defense.

They were a lot tougher back then. They may have not had the size and speed we see today, but they had grit. You got hurt, you rubbed a little dirt on it and kept playing. They were some mean SOBs when they were on that field.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

They were a lot tougher back then. They may have not had the size and speed we see today, but they had grit. You got hurt, you rubbed a little dirt on it and kept playing. They were some mean SOBs when they were on that field.

They don't let them be that tough anymore either. Because it was dumb to just play injured constantly.

 

[VolInDayton]

They were a lot tougher back then. They may have not had the size and speed we see today, but they had grit. You got hurt, you rubbed a little dirt on it and kept playing. They were some mean SOBs when they were on that field.

I don't doubt that, but to what extent is it glorified and different from players today? Also how much does that toughness matter in modern day football?

 

[Type Orange+]

He also played the game many, many decades ago, and we've learned a ton about health and the long term impact of injuries and wear and tear football does to people. Also, the style of football played back then was very different than now.

Football is football.
It's a violent game created for violent men. It ain't for pansies.
You know the risks when you sign up.
But you're right, it's probably a generational thing
It's a contact sport and in my days of playing, you were a sissy if you avoided it at any time.
But this is all I will say about it since I have already derailed a player thread.
I'm just a grumpy old man thinking out loud.

 

[Weezer]

I don't doubt that, but to what extent is it glorified and different from players today? Also how much does that toughness matter in modern day football?

Today's players don't have the same mean streak that those players had. Making millions has made a lot of today's players softer.

 

[jvols1999]

Lewis
Thomas
Bishop

Really, really good trio, IMO, before even getting to the freshmen. I think Lewis has high-end potential but will still be pretty inexperienced going into the season, so adding a 6th year, 1000+ total yard ACC back in Thomas really raises the floor of the room. Bishop is another floor-raiser.

Wouldn't surprise me to see the total rush yards from the RB room meet or exceed 2024 but be way more distributed than last season.

 

[MarcoVol]

Yeah it was clear to me Samp was more talented

For instance, the Kentucky game. He singlehandedly won that game in the 4th. That was the best performance by any of our backs all year by a longshot.

Wright had 11 carries for 120 yards and a TD in that game

 

[OmegaVoLL]

Wright had 11 carries for 120 yards and a TD in that game

Apparently that doesn't matter, we judge HB on how we "feel" about the performance. Lmao

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Wright had 11 carries for 120 yards and a TD in that game

Yeah I remember. He had that 52 yard run at the beginning. Still no one on earth thought anyone outplayed Sampson that day. Joe also had a good day.

He was as fast, more elusive and better out of the backfield.

If Samp knew pass pro well enough, Jabari may not see the field, Samp and Jaylen split carries.

 

[Orangeblood75]

Anyone ready for some good news

 

[headhunter15]

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

But he's not the best RB in the portal!

Heads need to roll!

 

[Hawaiian Hammer]

I’m giving this a boom despite everyone being combative negative Nancie’s lately

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

But he's not the best RB in the portal!

Heads need to roll!

Fire Heupel!!!!!!

 

[Blake25p]

BANG!!!

 

[LakesiteVol]

BOOM!!!!

 

[Type Orange+]