The Pope is on TV.

mmisbg · Post by **mmisbg** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:10 pm

PJ was put in after the half. He has been for two drives, and he is already the Bears leading rusher.

P.J. Pope for Prez.

Go Falcons!

BGSUFootballFan · Post by **BGSUFootballFan** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:33 pm

Wow he is doing really well. 10 carries for 45 yards and 1 catch for 2. And how about Michael Turner the burner? 6 carries for 55 yards!

bgmaggot00 · Post by **bgmaggot00** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:34 pm

Yeah, I just turned it here right now. Pope's looking pretty good. The last I saw, he had 7 carries for 31 yards, and at least one reception for 3 or 4 yards.

The announcers had great things to say about BG though. At one point, he was talking about how Pope had been doing great so far, and that Lovie Smith was looking forward to taking a look at him. In addition, they mentioned that Omar and "a lot of other Bowling Green players are getting chance to play in the NFL. When you start seeing that happen, you know your program is on the rise."

Definately cool to hear that stuff on TV.

mmisbg · Post by **mmisbg** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:56 pm

Well, they just took him out. But, unless something happens in the next 2 minutes of play, he should finish as the top rusher for the game.

Looks like he'll at least make the practice squad. He could make the active roster. They may suit up 4 running backs if Thomas and Benson can't stay healthy, which so far they haven't been able to.

Go Falcons!

BGSUFootballFan · Post by **BGSUFootballFan** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:57 pm

I heard them say that too! Definitely my dream come true!

bgmaggot00 · Post by **bgmaggot00** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:55 pm

Well, the final stats from the game for the Popemobile are:

14 rushes for 56 yards, with a long of 14, and one reception for two yards.

bgmaggot00 · Post by **bgmaggot00** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:57 pm

BGSUFootballFan wrote: And how about Michael Turner the burner? 6 carries for 55 yards!

If you look at the stats for the game, his "Long" was 45 yards, so with that play taken out, Turner averaged 2 yards/carry.

Who would've guessed that we would've gotten to see two MAC RB's in a rematch though. Pretty cool.

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:02 am

I would guess that PJ will make the team as the 3 or 4 back. They wont want to put him on the PS where he would most likely be sucked up fast, esp as mentioned with two top backs that are uncertine.
PJ is being a consistant producer, and that is all he needs to be. I wish they would throw to him more, as he has real good hands, but that will come in time.
Godo Job PJ

Tricky_Falcon · Post by **Tricky_Falcon** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:05 am

Go to the Bears message board and you will see a lot of good things mentioned about him. A lot of people are surprised with his ability and strength.

I went to the search and typed in PJ Pope and there are a lot of threads that mention him.

Oh yeah and it was nice to see Scott get a lot of playing time with the Chargers tonight too.

Warthog · Post by **Warthog** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:06 am

bgmaggot00 wrote:If you look at the stats for the game, his "Long" was 45 yards, so with that play taken out, Turner averaged 2 yards/carry.

FWIW, you could probably do the same thing when Barry Sanders played. He'd dance around and lose yards and his line would be 18 carries, 108 yards, with the long run being 73 or something like that. Some think he was the best running back ever. I am not one of them, but I am just saying...

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:10 am

He played very well. Not just running, but he picked up some blitzes well, too. Though the one punt coverage I saw him on, he looked like he mailed it in after the return man cut away from him.

Didn't hear the announcers make the Scott M. BG connection at all, but it was cool to hear some love for P.J., and those O-line uglies never get any props anyway.

As a side note, the Bears last preseason game is at Cleveland, two nights before the Wisky game. Hmmmm....

Warthog · Post by **Warthog** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:45 am

TG1996 wrote:As a side note, the Bears last preseason game is at Cleveland, two nights before the Wisky game. Hmmmm....

I'ver got four tickets on the 35 yard line, row 13. You want 'em?

reyray82 · Post by **reyray82** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 8:14 am

Pope is currently top 5 in the nfl for rushing this preseason

BGSUFootballFan · Post by **BGSUFootballFan** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 9:28 am

Why would I care what is average is if you take out his 45 yard run. Thats the whole point he got a 45 yard run, it was lidgit and its going to help his average a lot. Barry Sanders also isnt the only great RB to make a living off of the big runs. As much as I like Pope and as good of a job as he's doing I still think Turner is a better runner, Pope is a better blocker and receiver, so its kind of hard to compare the 2. Anyway I hope they both make teams this year and contribute to the team!

dduncan · Post by **dduncan** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 9:38 am

TG1996 wrote:He played very well. Not just running, but he picked up some blitzes well, too. Though the one punt coverage I saw him on, he looked like he mailed it in after the return man cut away from him.

This is key for PJ to make the team. He's going to have to show the special teams skill. There's no doubt he has the ability to be a good special teams player, along with an occasional 3rd down back. But the Bears seem content with Adrian Peterson as their 3rd down back, currently. Though, I guess if PJ keeps it up, the chances become greater that PJ can take over that spot.