With some time to reflect on Elijah McGuire making it to the top of another list in the UL record book, UL coach Mark Hudspeth suggested the senior running back has put himself in some rare air.
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With some time to reflect on Elijah McGuire making it to the top of another list in the UL record book, UL coach Mark Hudspeth suggested the senior running back has put himself in some rare air.
As much as I love Elijah, Brian Mitchell was the Cajun's greatest offensive player.
Brian Mitchell period!! He was a work horse, rarely injured, and I cant imagine how great he would have been if he played today. Not even close
Not even close Mitchell best football player ever. Some don't know, but he was the strongest in the weight room on those teams.
I don't remember who we were playing, but I do remember Brian de-cleating somebody on a come back block on a reverse or something.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunEXPRESS
That player probably doesn't remember either.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunNation
:)
Against Rice in 1988...a DTQuote:
Originally Posted by CajunNation
Brian Power Cleaned 400lbs. In Summer of 1989 going into his Sr. Year.....no one worked harder than him...Joe Marciano, special teams Coach in the NFL is a personal friend of mine....he told me that the special teams in the league had to alter the way they do things because of Mitchell....Brian broke Walter Payton all purpose yards record. He deserves to be in the NFL Hall of Fame....
I love Eli McGuire. Eli McGuire is no Brian Mitchell. That's not just old man talk. Brian Mitchell was a force of nature.
Eli had the potential to be the greatest offensive player in UL history, but injuries and misuse (he is not a 3 yards between the tackle type of guy) have not negated that possibility. His first couple of years were nothing short of amazing, and Harris was a perfect stable mate for him. Once Harris was gone, they tried to fit a square peg in a round hole. I hope he can get healthy and give us another flash of what he can do before the year is out. A healthy Eli could have had 250 yards against TSU.
I would rest him for Idaho. We are going to win that game by hook or crook, and we need him at full speed for Geo Sou.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crawfish
Not so easy. Idaho isn't a pushoverQuote:
Originally Posted by CajunNation
We will have less trouble beating GaSo than beating Idaho. Not that I project us to win either game, but we are more likely to beat a GaSo team that cannot throw the ball at all than an Idaho team with a balanced offense.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunNation
Then, he should not have played last week.Quote:
Originally Posted by VObserver
For the first time in my memory, you are correct. TxSt was the only conference game we could possibly be favored in without Eli. He should have been held out.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunNation
I love Eli, but Brian Mitchell is our best player ever, hands down. He'll be our first NFL Hall of Famer one day too.
Reliability separates the greats from not so greats. No doubt Eli is incredible, but from the players I have seen, nobody at UL has or approaches Mitchell for talent, big moments, reliability. Staying healthy cannot be overvalued.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crawfish
Eli didn't have a problem staying healthy when Harris was here, if Brian was asked to run between the tackles 30 times a game behind a subpar OL he may have had problems staying healthy too. Correctly using a players talents cannot be overvalued.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunEXPRESS
The Prophet has had problems every year to one degree or another. I think he had a turf toe in his second year that limited him. Brian Mitchell was one tough hombre dude, did you ever see him play live? He was absolutely the man of steel. The only injury he ever suffered that limited him was a sprained ankle and he overcame that and played great.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hark Mudspeth
How many games has Eli sat out? Guys in the NFL miss half seasons for turf toe.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunEXPRESS
I guess you are looking for excuses. I like the prophet, I would put him on Mitchell's teams. I would put him on any team as a running back, we are talking the GOAT of UL and it is Mitchell.
No excuses, just don't care that you are ensuating that McGuire isn't tough. What's harder? to play healthy or play hurt? There is never anyway to accurately compare different eras, coaches, systems etc. You Gabe no way of knowing how they would perform if they swapped places. They are both incredible athletes, both tough and play different positions. It's funny though that the new guy is never as good as the guy from back in the day...never in any discussion no matter who is being discussed or discussing it.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunEXPRESS
I agree that Mitchell is the best offensive player we've ever had, but having this discussion without even a mention of Tyrell Fenroy seems odd
And Brandon Stokley wasn't too shabby either.
You are picking first for your all time UL football team. You have the very first pick. Who do you pick?
I take Brian Mitchell. And if you don't, I smile and take him second.
Is HUD the coach? Bustle? Stokley? HUD might put Mitchell at guard.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliek