Football Board

I'm guessing Sanders got dinged up sometime? I saw him on one knee on the sidelines, but I never heard what happened to him.

Anyone notice how "nervous" Sanders looked trying to get into the hole. He will be just fine once he learns to let his OL open up the holes for him. Dont remember him waitin at all unless it was a run to the edge where he would stutter and try to cut back. Hopefully Russell will get his mojo back and stop puttin the ball on the ground. Then again that could be why we didnt see more of him last year. I hope its not a trend.

Strained something in his stomach/mid section area I believe.

I don't get it. Obviously I'm not at practice or around the team so I don't know the whole story or anything but I really thought we could have used Russell, especially late in the game. I like Sanders but I think it would have been nice to have seen Russell split the load with Sanders. And again, if Russell has done something wrong well it hasn't been announced so of course the fans are going to question why he didn't get more time and help keep a fresh RB in the game.

-Donald Russell has had one fumble this years....a bad one vs. UGa.
-Locke has two fumbles on the year
-Sanders had a fumble vs. Miss St yesterday.

So from gametime, Russell doesn't seem to be appreciably more fumble prone than others. Secondly, I don't get Joker's love affair with smallish RB who can't run thru tackles or push for extra yards. If we were running the Oregon type offense, I could accept it more, but in a pro-style set and running a kid that small into a pile with a FB in front of him...I don't get it.

The only other SEC team that runs with smaller backs is UF with their spread attack. But all other teams run a bigger back. Why does Joker assume this RB style is his best bet.

Little, Alphonszo Smith, Locke...going forward from coach's comments it is going to be Sanders over Russell. We'll see what Gainer can look like.

I'll be interested to see how the RB rotation works out for 2011. I would guess that Russell will stick it out through spring practice. But, IMO, Sanders and Gainer will come of the spring 1-2. That leaves Donald the 3rd back, provided Simpson doesn't overtake him, and he may use his redshirt to transfer under that scenario.

I'm with you. I like the smallish guys we've had the last few years (Little, Locke, and now Sanders), but MY GOD how I would love to see us get a bigger RB who "looks the part" (but who obviously still has the speed and moves to play SEC, not just someone who passes the look test). Like you say, the smallish guys are great for a spread attack, but in a conventional pro-style offense that relies on a strong running game to open up the pass, I don't know why we insist on trotting out scat backs year after year. There is no doubt in my mind that Sanders is their guy going forward after this year, regardless fo WHO else we have on the roster or who else we get. They've stated their love affair with him to the media time and time again, so get used to it. Don't get me wrong, I like how he runs and think he's a good leader, but.....

Hey all..this is Donald's mother..I wanted you to know that I read the blogs the good and the bad. We always use them as a learning tool to improve so believe me when I say all of your comments are appreciated. I couldn't sit back and just let everyone assume what is going on. The coaches are only going to tell the fans so much but I feel I will tell you. Donald and Johnthan George was recruited because Coach Brooks wanted tailbacks that could hit the hole in the middle and break tackles. Now Joker and Coach Sanders (also quoted by Joker in different press conferences) they feel the smaller runnerbacks fits what the offense needs and the direction the offense is going in. Donald has been dealing with the pressure of knowing the Coaches do not feel they need his type of running style. He was told by a coach after the GA game that "his margin of error is smaller than the other players because the Offensive Coordinator wants to play #4 Sanders so he cannot make any mistakes so work harder." Donald has been commended by teammates and other Coaches (EVEN Joker in a press conference) on how well Donald has shown good character by still working hard in practice, doing everything they have asked him to do and by not showing any ATTITUDE. I watched the Giants/Dallas game last monday and a running back fumbled the ball and the coach put him right back in. The commentator stated he commends that coach for putting that player right back in the game and that the coach was a true players coach. Also, in the Fl. State game on Thursday the quarterback fumbled the ball the last few seconds of the game costing them the game. His team rallied around him and the head coach talked with him and touched him to consule him. He knew what the young man must have felt to know that he just lost that game after a start of a great season. When Donald fumbled his ball (WHICH WAS A HORRIBLE FUMBLE FOR THE TEAM) I was in the stands and I just screamed repeatedly No No No (along with the some others words I will not type) because I knew what that meant and what he was going to feel like. NOT ONE COACH went to him to say "What were you thinking or that he was to good of player to make such a mistake or to even encourage him as the Fl State coach did"...my family and I knew what was going to happen.. he was punished because he has no room for a margin of error because of his running style. Now don't get us wrong..not every coach can go over and give every kid a hug..that is not what we are asking but Donald and (us his family) can see what their intentions are for him. I told Donald everything that he did wrong and every play that he missed because Donald has to work on being a great tailback not just a good tailback if you want to be in the SEC. I'm sorry if any reader believes there is more to the story but there isn't. This is Donald's lesson on having mental toughness. You have to build a bond and a relationship with players in order for them to believe and trust in what you are doing. If you don't.. then you won't be able to motivate them to do more than they have already have for you. They lost our trust with their words so we have been going by their actions and their actions are speaking loud and clear. This may not be the appropriate to put my thoughts online especially when we are easy going quiet people but this is our story. Yes this is Jokers team and he should and has the right to do what he feels is best for the team and he has our respect for that. Joker is under a lot of pressure and my family and I are so proud of him and wish him the best as a coach...

Ma'am,

Certainly appreciate you're coming on here and letting us know what is happening. Sometimes speculation without knowing can lead to all types of mis-understanding. You have cleared that up now. Please keep us informed about Donald's situation. He has really shown promise and I hate to hear this is a "style" issue.

Thank You.

I hope we move on from YOU as quickly as possible.

Joker is half way through one season. Every SEC back big and small gets banged up. Lattimore, the Bama backs, etc. all have been dinged up this year. You have to have four backs to feel good about things, that's what we've learned and that's what we have.

Ms. Russell, tell Donald to keep his head up and that the fans are behind him 100%. I haven't seen anyone blasting away at him, other than a few complaints about how costly of a fumble his was in the UGA game (which I'm sure he knows anyway). Tell him to play pissed off and with a purpose when he gets in there and things will come together. Thanks for coming on here, and please keep us updated the best you can. This is a more "mature" board where people can discuss the pros and cons of coaching decisions without everyone getting immature about it.

To me...even this thread looks like you're calling for him to be fired or resign...

How should one take this statement, "I'm merely suggesting that this football philopspophy will not work, and that if that's Joker's philosophy, I'd rather move forward" ??????????

Or how should we read this, "^ if that's true, I hope we move on from Joker as quickly as possible."

Perhaps instead of judging the reader you should choose your words more carefully or use an emoticon to clarify.