The bulk didn't seem to bother Bo Jackson. Bo knows baseball. I'm not sure what position he plays, but the extra muscle didn't seem to hamper Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Palmero,---oh well thats a different story, but you get my point. Many baseball players are doing everything they can to bulk up. Even at shortstop Alex Rodriguez, approximately the same height as Jones, hit around 50 home runs before he went to the Yankees and played 3rd base. He is probably the best example of staying flexible and quick while gaining muscle and power.
The interesting thing about Coleman was that he was ACTUALLY listed as the #36th OLB coming out of high school. He made the switch to safety to provide depth (when LB actually wasn't a depth issue), but '08 might be a year where the position depth is reversed. Of all the safeties capable of making the switch to LB, you would think that Coleman makes more sense and possibly an easier transition considering he played that position up until the last few seasons at LSU. I also read other places that listed Shomari Clemens as a LB as well. He's probably got a build suited for LB. Francois is too lanky/thin and like I've said before, Chad Jones is the closest thing we have to a LaRon Landry clone at the safety position. Why on earth would we move him out of position???
I think we'll see both Coleman and Clemons moved to the OLB position next season to either start or provide depth to Sheppard/Riley. I would feel a whole lot better about our depth at OLB if that happens. We're already looking at Jones/McCray/Hatcher and Taylor/Francois/Hatcher at SS and FS, respectively.
I know, that is what I was alluding to when I said that is a different story. :yelwink2: But the roids packed on muscle and that enabled them to hit an outrageous amount of home runs, etc. My logic is why would Jones be so concerned about getting bigger for baseball when it usually helps, not hurts, baseball performance?
Of all the safeties capable of making the switch to LB, you would think that Coleman makes more sense and possibly an easier transition considering he played that position up until the last few seasons at LSU. I also read other places that listed Shomari Clemens as a LB as well. He's probably got a build suited for LB. Francois is too lanky/thin and like I've said before, Chad Jones is the closest thing we have to a LaRon Landry clone at the safety position. Why on earth would we move him out of position??? [/quote] I'll play devil's advocate. I already stated Coleman's listed weight is only 205. Maybe they think he is too light for an SEC LB. Coleman looked great in the championship game at safety. Because Jones is a true freshman maybe they are afraid he will blow to many coverages at safety even though he is an incredible athlete. This can result in a quick score. If you want to get your best athletes on the field you may play Jones at LB which is a more instinctive position depending on what he is asked to do and keep Coleman at safety where he looked comfortable. If you play Jones at safety maybe you can't get Coleman as much playing time unless he plays nickel or dime.
You're totally missing the boat on steroids....either that, or I have NO clue as to how to follow you. Steroids MAKE you bigger...AND make you FASTER. You don't just throw on muscle mass AND get faster. And if there ever were athletes that HAVE gotten bigger (i.e. put on BIG-time muscle mass) while getting faster WITHOUT using roids, then they are the exception, NOT the average. And as for baseball performance being aided by more muscle, then that just depends on what you want. Do you want to be an offensive guy or an all-around player? How many "power hitting" centerfielders do you see out there???? Brady Anderson was a juice box. Andruw Jones is probably as well, but even if he's not, that's ONE out of how many?!?!?! You want your center fielder to be fast enough to cover lots of ground. You want him to steal you some bases. You really DON'T want him hitting 40 HR's but not be able to cover ground.
I'll play devil's advocate. I already stated Coleman's listed weight is only 205. Maybe they think he is too light for an SEC LB. Coleman looked great in the championship game at safety. Because Jones is a true freshman maybe they are afraid he will blow to many coverages at safety even though he is an incredible athlete. This can result in a quick score. If you want to get your best athletes on the field you may play Jones at LB which is a more instinctive position depending on what he is asked to do and keep Coleman at safety where he looked comfortable. If you play Jones at safety maybe you can't get Coleman as much playing time unless he plays nickel or dime.[/QUOTE] Care to explain to me how "instinctive" is it for Jones to play LB when the guy has NEVER played LB???? The guy has been a DB since high school....THAT's where his "instincts" lie. And, how many times did Jones blow coverages????
Thats why I believe CJ wont be moved to LB. In addition, I dont believe CJ would be too receptive to the move. He is a natural DB...played it throughout his HS career.
Chad Jones seems to be the kind of player who can do what Bob Sanders does for the Colts. I would like to see him play "centerfield" and run wherever he wants from one play to the next.
