Well, so we can all agree that he ave. a 4-star ranking. :thumb: I'm impressed with this commitment not only because of his physical attributes that he brings, but the fact that he's played a few years at a level higher than high school ball. Sure, it's not I-A, and he'll still have to adjust to the speed difference, but you would think that the transition from JUCO to I-A isn't as drastic as high school to I-A. And with Early and LaFell as pretty much the only receivers on our roster with significant playing experience, he'll (Byrd) will be counted on more until the younger receivers are able to contribute.
Teams will be forced to double Doucet a lot, and that will leave LaFell and Byrd in single coverage. Crowton will exploit these mismatches. Look for Byrd and LaFell to have good seasons.
I know most of us think that Byrd will either start or get significant PT. But what about the Mitchell kids? Are they slowly progressing? Or do we just need someone with game time to step in to help the WR?
I agree. The "wildcard" of the 3 mentioned, IMO, is LaFell. At 6-3, 180lbs., he's shown he can stretch the field with his speed and has good height in "jump ball" situations, but I don't know if he's ready to take the slant patterns that Early, Buster Davis and D Bowe could all do, and have a frame big enough to do so and remain healthy all year. Byrd appears to be a spit-image of Buster Davis. Davis was 6-2, 195. Byrd is 6-2, 190. So I would imagine Byrd would be capable of running the same type of routes as Davis (which was pretty much any route you could think of) while LaFell, at least right now, appears to be better suited for the out-routes, flag patterns and the deep ball--everything away from the middle of the field. I don't think you can run a slant pattern too many times with a taller, thinner, wideout, without getting him killed at least once. I think it's fair to say that our 3 featured WR's this year had the ability to run all the routes--which made them that much more effective because defenders couldn't tell if they would go inside, outside or down the field. If I'm a DB, and LaFell runs a slant, or comes across the middle of the field, one big hit on him might make that route the next time simply a diversion.
I think they'll be fine, but it's comforting to know that you have a player like Byrd, who has experience at a higher level than H.S. And I think that's what a lot of us (specifically me) view as a big key--especially since we just lost two VERY experienced wideouts to graduation.
Here is an article with some quotes from Byrd. He cancelled his official visit to FSU. http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/5286381.html Also Jason Peters cancels trip to Florida and Stefoin couldnt make trip to Tenn because of weather conditions. He is scheduled to make trip to FSU next weekend.
i play football at MGCCC and Byrd played for PRCC our rivals. I think it will take a redshirt year for byrd to be able to play he wasnt the best reciever on his team this year. He is very fast but his route running is questionable. My Highshool quarterback plays at PRCC and said the Byrd is extremely fast but has not work ethic and a bad attitude. He cant even squat 235 pounds. I think its goin to take some time to get him on the field but i hope not and i hope he makes an immediate impact just trin to throw in my 2 cents from someone who has been on the field with him. He deffinetly has all the potential in the world though.
Here are some stats taken from the above linked article. The guy had 87 catches for 1433 yds and 12 touchdowns. He was named to the first team All-American team for JUCO's. Now, he wasn't playing against D1 comp, but your allegations don't hold water when compared to those stats. He must've had one heck of a QB to get him the ball that many times considering he can't run routes. Also, I live 20 miles north of PRCC, and I have many friends that attend, and some that play ball there. I have never heard anything like this from them about DByrd. Just throwing my .02 in.
