I was wondering everyones opinion on the rising star freshman, Keiland Williams? After watching him in recent games I cant help but wonder. To put it bluntly, why in the hell isnt he in the game more? I mean he plays extremely well against Tennesse and Bama. Then doesnt play at all against Ole Miss. He starts out in a blaze against Arkansas. Then in the second half Vincent starts out. Broussard who has had fumbling problems and a shell of himself is in critical moments of the game. Only to fumble. There is no reason Williams shouldnt be starting and getting the bulk of the carries. He is clearly the best back on the LSU team. Hester is a great change of pace, so give him a few carries. Hester is also a great receiver so he is great in 3rd down situations. I can see Vincent getting a few snaps as a back up. Still in all Williams is our best, most consistent runner, yet he doesnt get enough carries. Williams looks like he can be a stud back. Im not getting this constant rotation of backs. Allow a back to get in sync with the line and in the flow of the game. Williams brings the best combo of speed, with power. There is absolutely no reason he shouldnt be in there more often. I was wondering how others felt? Im also wondering if Im one of the only ones who thinks there is a problem?
I just finished talking to his HS coach's wife who I work with. He's doing o.k. but he did have an ankle injury and they didn't take a chance in Ole Miss game. He came on late b/c he wasn't cleared until a week before first game and has been learning system. He will be a monster for us....like you said, he has power and speed. I look for him to be our feature back next year.
Wasn't KW nursing an ankle injury from the Alabama game, thus his not playing against Ole Miss? Since we didn't see him much late against Arkansas, that injury could've been aggravated. But, yes, he looks to be very promising for the future.
Well I think Keiland is our best back now. However, he wasnt getting alot of carries in the start of the season because he joined practices late because of Clearing House problems with his transcripts. All the tailbacks got a head start on him because of that. He steadily played more and more throughout the season as he progressed. He didnt play in the Ole Miss game because of an high ankle sprain and it was Ole Miss on Senior Day which means Vincent would get the most carries anyway.
Miles seems to be very cautious about playing true freshmen early in the season. Looks like he wants to bring these guys along slowly during the year. I don't have a real problem with that, unless we have a real need at a position. We definitely had a real need at RB. Unfortunately, Williams missed most of fall camp, which delayed him being ready to play early. Then again, we'd be screaming at Miles if he played a true freshmen against Auburn and he fumbled, missed the blitz, etc. Damned if you do, damned if you don't ... we're fans!
Williams is probably our best power back right now, although Broussard is starting to show glimpses of his old self. He has been nursing an ankle that we do not want to aggravate this late in the season. Playing him sparingly is smart for his career and for our 2007 season. Williams can flat run with the ball. He's not very good at reading the blitz and picking it up yet, nor has he demonstrated any receiving talent. Right now, Vincent and Hester are better third-down backs. They pass-block well and protect Russell, they pick up the blitz and they can slip out in the flat for passes. Vincent did a fine job of improvising on that shovel pass from Russell that saved us a sack and gained major yardage against Arkansas. Hester is the most dependable runner on 3rd and short. They have experience and have seen the defenses before. Next year, I expect sophomores Scott and Williams to develop the blocking and pass reception skills that will keep them in the game for more plays. Two power backs with speed that can also block and catch would be really sweet. Add a healthy Broussard and LSU will have a steady running game in 2007.
Im not necassarily talking about the early part of the season. I can understand why he wasnt getting the carries. I didnt know about the ankle injury against Ole Miss. Against Arkansas though he looked great early, so I cant see his ankle being a reason why he didnt get the carries in the second half. Same thing against Tennesse, he got most of the carries early. Then in the second half less. In the bowl game Keiland should get the large majority of the carries, especially if we play Michigan. I mean I like Alley and hope he comes around. Fact is, he hasnt, its all on him. Now its Keilands time to shine.
Keiland has gotten the majority of the carries in the games, you just want him to get all of them I think.
I never said all the carries. I know Hester needs some plays and a few for Vincent as well. I just want to see a back in there consistently so he can get in the flow of the game. Not get the majority of carries in the first half, then one or two in the second half.
I don't think so. Here are the total carries/yards: Hester 91/415 Broussard 74/281 Russell 74/126 Williams 62/329 Scott 46/277 Vincent 45/139
