RB Situation

[bulls96go]

improved on paper...lets see what happens on the field

[Guest JulmisteForPrez]

Where are we on a starting RB? Seems like Gregory is still debating who is starting. Any chance of Williams starting at running back and Ford playing fullback?

I'm fine with Williams starting against Elon.......incumbent and most experience, and everything.

But if Mike Ford isn't getting the bulk of the carries by week #2, that's not a good sign.

Love little Ben, but like I said before, he wouldn't get off the scout team for most schools.

Right, that is why he is the starter for USF because he wouldn't be on the "scout" team for most schools.  All he did was run and block all last season.  His block in the WV game on mattts pass to Randolph helped us win that game.  Who would want that guy on their team.  Please, all the kid does is play and not make mistakes.  Is he a Steve Slaton or Ray Rice - of course not but not many people are that caliber of RB.  Instead of insulting the guy Mid-Atlantic why don't you try celebrating his accomplishments.

Hey, dabull80....

Instead of insulting my post, why not celebrate its accomplishments?

'Cause nobody should EVER think about posting anything but gloiwing positives about anyone, right?

Funny stuff. 

[Triple B]

Instead of insulting my post, why not celebrate its accomplishments?

It accomplishes making you look like a **** .... You really want to celebrate that?

[BullsFanInTX]

i like to make a point about levitt.....he typically has a fair amount of loyalty to players who have been there, however he has no problem in pulling the trigger during a game to put in who is going to give the team a better chance to win......IE-Pat taking over, Grothe Taking over, Teachey...just to name a few starters who quickly became backups....

That's my point.  His loyalty to players sometimes scares me.

He will eventually pull the trigger, but sometimes it seems like he needs to do it quicker.  He has some sort of obsession with not letting younger guys think they're very good.

Without the Julmiste injury in game one, you've got to wonder how many games we would have lost last season before he made the switch to Grothe.  Benching a Senior for a Freshman??  Leavitt may have waited until halfway through the season -- if not longer -- to make that switch.

I just hope he doesn't pull that with the RB's this year.

If you remember back to the beginning of last season, CJL said Pat and Matt were neck and neck going into the season opener.  Pat got the nod due to being a senior, but BOTH were scheduled to play against McNeese, even if Pat did not get hurt.

[JoeB]

I think the MVP of the PapaJohn's Bowl will get the start.  He deserves it.  He knows the system better than any other back on the team, so he can carry the ball on running downs and protect the QB on throwing downs.  If you need a refresher, go back and check the WVU game.  His blocking was key on many of MGs completions.

Not to mention, everything I've read lists Ben Williams as the number 1 guy.  I don't even think this is up for debate at this point. 

[DENVERBULL]

DenverBull,  I am not really sure what you are talking about?????  Banks wasn't even here in 2005. 

Oops.  It was December 2004 Leavitt played Crossley instead of Hall in the first quarter and part of the second.  Hall was better than Crossley but it was a seaon ending game for USF so who cared.

[USF-PMR]

There is no doubt about it, William will get the start and will play 1 & 2 downs.  He will bring in the bruiser for 3rd situations and sometimes on 1st.  Leavitt, as my friend said above, is a loyal coach and he should be loyal to the player with the best attitude, punch, and delivery.  That is little/big Ben.  Ford will get his shot in the big challenges and he will then prove to be worthy.

[Jihme]

i like to make a point about levitt.....he typically has a fair amount of loyalty to players who have been there, however he has no problem in pulling the trigger during a game to put in who is going to give the team a better chance to win......IE-Pat taking over, Grothe Taking over, Teachey...just to name a few starters who quickly became backups....

That's my point.  His loyalty to players sometimes scares me.

He will eventually pull the trigger, but sometimes it seems like he needs to do it quicker.  He has some sort of obsession with not letting younger guys think they're very good.

Without the Julmiste injury in game one, you've got to wonder how many games we would have lost last season before he made the switch to Grothe.  Benching a Senior for a Freshman??  Leavitt may have waited until halfway through the season -- if not longer -- to make that switch.

I just hope he doesn't pull that with the RB's this year.

If you remember back to the beginning of last season, CJL said Pat and Matt were neck and neck going into the season opener.  Pat got the nod due to being a senior, but BOTH were scheduled to play against McNeese, even if Pat did not get hurt.

Good point.

[dabull80]

Where are we on a starting RB? Seems like Gregory is still debating who is starting. Any chance of Williams starting at running back and Ford playing fullback?

I'm fine with Williams starting against Elon.......incumbent and most experience, and everything.

But if Mike Ford isn't getting the bulk of the carries by week #2, that's not a good sign.

Love little Ben, but like I said before, he wouldn't get off the scout team for most schools.

Right, that is why he is the starter for USF because he wouldn't be on the "scout" team for most schools.  All he did was run and block all last season.  His block in the WV game on mattts pass to Randolph helped us win that game.  Who would want that guy on their team.  Please, all the kid does is play and not make mistakes.  Is he a Steve Slaton or Ray Rice - of course not but not many people are that caliber of RB.  Instead of insulting the guy Mid-Atlantic why don't you try celebrating his accomplishments.

Hey, dabull80....

Instead of insulting my post, why not celebrate its accomplishments?

'Cause nobody should EVER think about posting anything but gloiwing positives about anyone, right?

Funny stuff. 

Using "think" and "posting" in the same sentence is really an oxymoron for you.  And yes, you can rely on me to defend our players when anyone takes cheap shots at them.  Josh Julmiste deserves everything he gets so no I am not all happy about everyone.

[Guest JulmisteForPrez]

Where are we on a starting RB? Seems like Gregory is still debating who is starting. Any chance of Williams starting at running back and Ford playing fullback?

I'm fine with Williams starting against Elon.......incumbent and most experience, and everything.

But if Mike Ford isn't getting the bulk of the carries by week #2, that's not a good sign.

Love little Ben, but like I said before, he wouldn't get off the scout team for most schools.

Right, that is why he is the starter for USF because he wouldn't be on the "scout" team for most schools.  All he did was run and block all last season.  His block in the WV game on mattts pass to Randolph helped us win that game.  Who would want that guy on their team.  Please, all the kid does is play and not make mistakes.  Is he a Steve Slaton or Ray Rice - of course not but not many people are that caliber of RB.  Instead of insulting the guy Mid-Atlantic why don't you try celebrating his accomplishments.

Hey, dabull80....

Instead of insulting my post, why not celebrate its accomplishments?

'Cause nobody should EVER think about posting anything but gloiwing positives about anyone, right?

Funny stuff. 

Using "think" and "posting" in the same sentence is really an oxymoron for you.   And yes, you can rely on me to defend our players when anyone takes cheap shots at them.  Josh Julmiste deserves everything he gets so no I am not all happy about everyone.

You've got a great definition of what a "cheap shot" is then, my friend.

My opinion is that Ben Williams would be a scout team player for most squads.  Is that right or wrong?  Don't know -- but it's my opinion. 

Why is that my opinion?  Because he became the RB by default last year (after Plancher's injury and Ponton's suspension), and he didn't do much of anything until the PJ.com bowl.  And even in that game, his numbers weren't all that great.

So here's a walk-on who hasn't really done much to show he can be a good D-1 running back.  And most of the arguments I'm hearing in favor of him are centered around his "great blocking skills."  Well, that's important, sure.  But we should also be looking for a running back who can....oh, I don't know........run.

So while I'm sure Ben Williams is sleeping better at night knowing you're "defending" him against certain fans' benign opinions, I'll stick with what I've seen and not be bothered by your little vigilante efforts to keep all in USF land as you personally see fit.

But hey.......thanks for the invigorating discussion.