Get low, get low, get low!

#1
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snapcracklepop

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#1
Daniel Lewis observes:
"In what will likely be a reoccurring theme throughout the spring and fall, coaches are already trying to get running back Jalen Hurd to play lower. That’ll be one of the biggest challenges for the 6-foot-3 freshman, who is a couple inches taller than an average SEC running back. He clearly has the frame and the athleticism to play, but will need to play low to avoid taking too many big hits."

I found this quote interesting, and it caused me to recall several conversations I have read and heard since Jalen Hurd committed.

It seems that immediately people began to speak of Jalen as the next Adrian Peterson. I admit, I am just as excited about the kid's potential as anyone. However, I really, really hope that us fans do not expect too much from him as a freshman. We should be cautiously, optimistic! Let's all remind ourselves that Jalen played only one game as senior in high school due to an injury.

It's very easy for us wild VOLS fans to crown a kid as a Football Savior based on his high school success or star rating. Then, when the athlete arrives and experiences normal freshman bumps in the road many are ready to make fun of them, or call them busts.

I truly believe Jalen will be a superstar sooner or later, but let us all try to temper our expectations a little.
 
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#5
#5
Yeah, that is the best training that he can get, but believe me if he can retain his speed with the big body there is not 2 many players on the other side that will lay a hit on him.

By the way I saw the hit when he was injured, it was Jalen's fault because he just laid a shoulder into the tackle of this bruising RB, instead of hitting the player to wrap him up, defense and a good tackler is not his thing. Running over and thru some players in HS, we will have to see if it translates the toughness to College and the SEC.
 
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#9
#9
If he hits the line in an upright position in the first full contact drill, as he did in the video of yesterdays non contact drill, he will quickly learn that he needs to lower his center of gravity by a considerable amount. As an old defensive lineman, I'll tell ya there is nothing more satisfying than hearing the rush of air out of a running back when you make contact with him "running high.":)

AJ if you read this, teach him gently, please. LOL
 
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#12
#12
KBVol said:
Too much time on your hands today OP? This thread necessary? Nah.
Click to expand...

Considering how much his height has been discussed, that quote also caught my eye yesterday. If just reaffirms how important pad leverage is going to be for Hurd at this level if he wants to stay healthy.
 
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#14
#14
Freak said:
Considering how much his height has been discussed, that quote also caught my eye yesterday. If just reaffirms how important pad leverage is going to be for Hurd at this level if he wants to stay healthy.
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Exactly! I really want to see him plowing through the D, but if he does not get low he will either be flying through the air frequently.
 
#16
#16
Watching one of the practice videos yesterday, Hurd fell down running the through the arm tackle stand and had a fumble using the banded ball. I'm not knocking him at all, but think he has a ways to go. We should all be cautiously optimistic about his freshman season. With that said, I do believe he will be force for us in the next couple of years.
 
#18
#18
ItsAllVols said:
but believe me if he can retain his speed with the big body there is not 2 many players on the other side that will lay a hit on him.
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I don't believe you. Every good SEC RB gets hit and hit hard at times. Only the hybrid slot / scat backs might avoid it and they aren't running between the tackles.
 
#22
#22
snapcracklepop said:
I've got just as much time as the guy who goes through threads seeing if he deems them necessary. :crazy:
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Apologies for coming off a jerk there Crackle. Just that Hurd's height has been discussed ad nauseum in multiple threads on here, at the expense of his elite abilities and our desperate need at Runningback IMO. It's just been brutal, so when I clicked in the thread and saw this same topic again I vented a bit. Again, apologies.
 
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#24
#24
I've said for months he runs too high. Only difference was, I was an idiot when I said it.
 
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