Nobody here has beat up on Smith like you said. It's just hard watching us run him up the A gap when our line is getting no push when we could be pushing him to the outside to use some of that speed we always talk about. It's the way he's used. I don't think he's a primary back but with the holes our line were creating last night, that will make many backs look good. Our backs took advantage and played well.
Go back and look at the Ga So thread and you will see several saying Smith should have limited to no touches at running back in favor of the other two backs. I believe all three are good as well as our QB and Coach. Our Coach did his part and Smith took care of the rest last night. He is a running back on our team deserving of his touches.
…..I think we have the best of 3 worlds……If you block, run the ball, catch a pass, fake a direction for say 3-8 plays your skill is diminished in my view……love to see Chris, Montreal, or Amanti coming in or going out of the game…..we have been so blessed with multiple stars as RBs……of course my favorite is ??????? IDK!!!
Don't misquote me. I said I felt that Levi, Johnson and Bailey should have more carries and that Smith should be used in the same role he had last year, a change of pace back who would get fewer carries. My opinion hasn't changed, though Smith did have a good game Tuesday.
As for Levi, Tuesday was a fantastic game for him; largely because our game plan played to his strengths rather than to his weaknesses. No one, including me, has ever questioned Lewis' leadership qualities or his ability as a running threat. He is limited in the passing game, but his limits can be minimized by planning a game with fewer plays that demand him to overcome his limitations and more plays that emphasize his strengths. Napier did that Tuesday, and Levi responded brilliantly.
What I am seeing more this year than years in the past is our WR's are getting separation on deep balls, specifically Michael Jefferson and Kyren Lacy and to some extent John Stephens Jr. and Dontae Fleming. I think that Levi feels more comfortable on the deep throws to Jefferson, man that guy is doing more with less catches. He is leading the team with 190 receiving yards on only 8 catches. To put that in perspective, he is in a 4 way tie for 5 on the team in receptions with JSJ, Neal Johnson, Peter Leblanc and Errol Rogers JR. He is averaging 23.75 yards a catch, the next closest guy to him with a minimum of 8 catches is Stephens JR with 15.13 yards per catch and then it is Kyren Lacy with 13.92. He is killing it on the long passes and he seems to catch them all.
I spoke before the season started that I thought he would be the biggest surprise for us on offense and it is coming to fruition. Levi has thrown the ball to 17 different players and 13 of those guys have at least 5 catches on the season, so he is spreading it out all over the field. Just some comparisons
App State 15 total receivers, but only 7 have more than 5 catches.
Coastal 17 total receivers, but only 4 have more than 5 catches.
Troy 13 total receivers, 10 of them have more than 5 catches.
Georgia State 16 total receivers, but only 7 of them have more than 5 catches.
Georgia Southern 13 total receivers, but only 6 of them have more than 5 catches.
Texas State 16 total receivers, but only 9 of them have more than 5 catches.
South Al 12 total receivers, but only 6 of them have more than 5 catches.
ULM 13 total receivers, but only 3 of them have more than 5 catches.
Arkansas State 17 total receivers, 11 of them have more than 5 catches.
So the Cajuns are tied with the most used receivers on the season with Arkansas State and Coastal, both of which are high powered throwing offenses, but only the Cajuns have 13 of these guys making significant contributions. Troy and Arkansas State are the only ones with double digit guys making more than 5 catches. The reason I bring this up is because it makes it really hard to guard all of our guys if they are spread out all over the field making catches.
Thank you, Michael Jefferson for making me look smart.
He signed, sealed, delivered? Or?
IMHO, Levi goes as the OL goes. The App game was one of their best games.
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