There's more to playing TB than just running the ball. TB has to know how to spot a blitz package and keep JJ from getting smeared. This comes with experience not just on the field but at practice. Also, Ridley has patiently waited and worked is butt off to get back quickly. I hate that Murphy had to get hurt for him to get his chance, but I'm glad to see him get it. Ridley will get much needed experience as a sophomore to hopefully carry his share of the load next year when Scott and Williams are gone. TB by committee...
How do you know he wouldn't contribute? Your crystal ball must be more clear than mine is. I still don't like the idea of going into next season with Ridley being the only tailback with any experience. If Richard Murphy is able to fully comeback from this injury then great, if Ridley works out, then great. But to me, a guy that is as conservative as Miles is, and likes to be as prepared as he does, you would think he would want his possible running back of the future to get some experience before going into a pretty tough opening season game in 2010. Randle is playing and not even getting looked at, and we are just as deep at WR as we are at running back. Eh, i don't know, i understand everyone's point about wasting a year and all that, but i just disagree. Nothing trumps experience.
It is pretty obvious now that Miles has said Ford is not quite ready to contribute. He also alluded to him getting a chance this year if it all of the sudden starts clicking for him. When Ford is ready he will get his shot and that shot still could come this year. Sounds like a great plan to me.
I am 100% ok with this. I trust the coaching staff to make the right decision regardless how i feel about it.
Crystal ball? If you need a crystal ball to predict that one you haven't been paying attention. Where was Ford on the depth chart before Murphy went down? Let's list the RB's that would get touches before him: Scott, Williams, Murphy, Holliday, Ridley and even Sheppard. So he moves from 7th to 6th on the depth chart with Murphy out. Doesn't take a genius or a crystal ball to see he wouldn't get many reps. Ridley was looking impressive before his injury, has more time in the system and is better prepared to play. Unless the other 5 backs can't get the job done there is no good argument for burning Ford's RS.
We are talking about this because Murphy went down. And if you can predict that if Ford were to get in the game this season, he wouldn't contribute, then i need you to PM me with your picks for week 2 in the NFL, and i will give you a cut of my winnings. You don't know that if he were to see playing time he wouldn't wreck ****. Weren't you the one who talked about Justin Vincent having a great freshman year? Its really not about that anyway, at least to me its not. Its more about getting game experience to me, but if Miles thinks its going to be ok, then i am cool with it, i may disagree but i am not the coach.
Sooooo you're going to sit Scott or Williams so Ford can play? Are you going to take Sheppard and Holliday's touches and give them to Ford? I never said he wasn't capable, I'm not sure where you got that. What I said was he isn't going to rise up the depth chart far enough to justify burning a redshirt even if you put him ahead of Ridley. The title of the thread is Ridley or Ford isn't it? How many times do you think Ridley will run the ball a game, 3,4,5 maybe? Are those 5 carries max worth burning a RS for Ford? I haven't read a post that says Ford isn't a quality back that can do great things in the future. I think you're reading things in posts that don't exist. JMO
Of course not. I wouldn't sit either one, share the load. Are 5 carries a game worth burning a redshirt. Yes, i think it is. And i did read your post, i said my crystal ball is too foggy to know if he can or cannot contribute. You said, crystal ball, if you need a crystal ball to predict that one you haven't been paying attention. then i said, if you can predict if Ford wouldn't contribute if he plays then i need your week 2 picks. You are confusing me now, because i never accused you of saying Ford wasn't capable. All i said is that how can you know, that he wouldn't contribute if given touches. And then i went on to say that its really not about that, its about getting the guy in game experience, and then i said, nothing trumps experience. So who is reading things in posts that don't exist?
Playing Ridley costs us nothing if he works out. We've already burned Shepard's redshirt, Ford will be saved unless dire injuries are suffered. Shepard can line up at tailback this year. Depriving Ford of a year of eligibility for 2 or 3 carries should be avoided if possible. If Scott or Williams go down, then he has to play. I think Les holds Ford back for now.
He can't move up the depth chart that's why he will not contribute even if he moves ahead of Ridley. There is not enough touches per game to go around and he will not take touches from Scott, Williams, Sheppard and Holliday. The question was Ridley or Ford and no matter which order they fall the first in line will not get many touches. That's why it is easy to predict. Also the coaching staff has Ridley ahead of Ford for a reason and it's been very clear reading their comments the past two years that Ridley is ready to play. Five plays a game would be a total waste of a years eligibility.