From this week’s press conference it sounds like the coaching staff is weighing the options of redshirting some of our backs like Bowser and Anderson. Here’s my question- what would we gain (long-term) from suffering with a thin group this year that has been sidelined permanently or temporarily but exchanging the POSSIBILITY of an extra year of “learning” for these two talented guys?
It sounds like John Moten might have something that will hamper him the next couple weeks and Jesse Brown has already been shelved for the first half as it is. That leaves us with Vault, Anderson, Bowser, Hanaoka, and Alex Bouska (who allegedly is working more as a kicking specialist) in the thin RB room. We can’t compete in earnest with Wisconsin or- more dangerously- Iowa without the opportunity for those two talented young first-year backs.
So what would be the point in saving the redshirts of Bowser (who was flat out wasted in three games with only two carries) and Anderson? If the coaching staff sees them as just plain NOT READY to take ten-plus carries a game, then so be it, but if they CAN compete, what do we gain out of sitting them this year and risking not even making a bowl? This isn’t panic, but if things snowball the wrong way, it’s a seriously dilemma.
We should play them, let them gain experience and help as much as they can this year and ready themselves for next year with turnover on the line, a new QB and their leading receiver gone.
I just think we gain MORE by playing MORE of what we have and if they are gone in four, they’re gone in four. But at least it puts us in a better position to be successful which would mean bowl money, sweeter juice for recruiting, and valuable experience already gained with the hope that they will be better in the years.
The college game today, as we know, is about winning and playing to win NOW. I don’t think the four-game redshirt “option” really IS one for these backs anymore. Play them and win... let’s go ‘Cats!!!
It sounds like John Moten might have something that will hamper him the next couple weeks and Jesse Brown has already been shelved for the first half as it is. That leaves us with Vault, Anderson, Bowser, Hanaoka, and Alex Bouska (who allegedly is working more as a kicking specialist) in the thin RB room. We can’t compete in earnest with Wisconsin or- more dangerously- Iowa without the opportunity for those two talented young first-year backs.
So what would be the point in saving the redshirts of Bowser (who was flat out wasted in three games with only two carries) and Anderson? If the coaching staff sees them as just plain NOT READY to take ten-plus carries a game, then so be it, but if they CAN compete, what do we gain out of sitting them this year and risking not even making a bowl? This isn’t panic, but if things snowball the wrong way, it’s a seriously dilemma.
We should play them, let them gain experience and help as much as they can this year and ready themselves for next year with turnover on the line, a new QB and their leading receiver gone.
I just think we gain MORE by playing MORE of what we have and if they are gone in four, they’re gone in four. But at least it puts us in a better position to be successful which would mean bowl money, sweeter juice for recruiting, and valuable experience already gained with the hope that they will be better in the years.
The college game today, as we know, is about winning and playing to win NOW. I don’t think the four-game redshirt “option” really IS one for these backs anymore. Play them and win... let’s go ‘Cats!!!
