Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

Did he quit? Or did he quit and come back?

He was on the sideline Saturday night in his jersey and sweats.

That is what I thought - I beleive he quit but came back.

I hope he hangs in there. I know it's got to be tough now with a one-back set and Pope and Lane in there now, but his time is coming if he can keep working hard. He has a chance to be the feature back in when Pope and Lane are gone.

Stover is in a tough spot, he has tons of talent, but has had to sit behind Pope and Lane for too long. I kind of feel bad for him.

I agree, but you could argue that Lane and Pope could probably start for every team in the conference. It's hard to play/wait behind that.

1st of all, I think it's a MAJOR stretch to say that BJ could play for any team...I don't think his decisions on hitting holes etc. are that great. I've felt for a LONG time, (ask the Freak) that Stover should be alternating with Pope...he's bigger, stronger, and a more instinctive runner than Lane in my opinion.
A few yrs ago, at a Cleve. alum. luncheon with then head coach Urban Myer, I asked him about Stover, who BG had just signed, along with Pope.
UM's response to me then..."Pope's good, but Stover's gonna be our 'go to' running back".
This said, I also know that some kids don't practice well, but are "gamers". If this is Stover's problem, then I can understand why he's 3rd string... and Danny Macon is coming fast as I anticipated when I saw him play about 7 times in H.S.
What someone posted about Stover "waiting his turn" so to speak and being around for another 2 yrs. isn't about to happen. He and Pope came in together, he was redshirted while Pope played in freshman yr. I'd just like to see this kid get a chance to play and contribute on the field beyond the special team appearances and a few carries against I-AA's like last year.

To Clarrett of all people!!! The guy is to talented to be sitting on the bench. Stover is way more talented than Lane in my opinon for sure. Heck, why arent we running some two-back offense since we have all these running backs. It give something more for opposing D's to have to figure out.

falconboy

We do run a two back offense. Omar is the other running back.

Flipper wrote:We do run a two back offense. Omar is the other running back.

Jacobs does run that QB draw a lot. Everytime I see him do it I hold my breath because one of these days he's going to get popped big time.
I know he's built like a tank and he get's yards but I still worry.

Tricky_Falcon wrote:

Flipper wrote:We do run a two back offense. Omar is the other running back.

Jacobs does run that QB draw a lot. Everytime I see him do it I hold my breath because one of these days he's going to get popped big time.
I know he's built like a tank and he get's yards but I still worry.

As I said in another thread our entire running game is predicated on this threat of the QB toting the rock downfield. That is why we have these big, athletic QBs that can take the hits & gain yards at the same time. It is not our system to run a 2 back pound it out running game.

That said, in what I've seen I think Raishaun should be the #2 over Lane for sure. I think Stover & Pope should both be seeing some time...Lane has never really impressed me.

I think I will echo the same sentiments that Stover appears to be ultra-quick and very strong. Again, with many of you . . . I'm not a BJ Lane fan at all . . .

But Stover is too good to just be used sparingly at best . . .

Two of my major (perhaps, only) gripes I have with the Gregg Brandon coaching staff are
1. Big game preparations . . . I felt we did an absolute p*ss poor job of preparing for Ohio State and little changed my mind at Oklahoma. Rather than being happy to be in the game, why not go into the game with the opinion of Fresno State, Boise State and yes Utah and EXPECT to win rather than being content to COMPETE.

2. This notion of the offensive coaches getting first dibs on players . . . Stover, Macon, even Corey Partridge as of late . . . What the hell is this about? We're a football team, not an offensive team that occassionally plays defense. We'll take the next steps towards becoming a major college football PROGRAM when we:
1. Throw out 1950's logic of a depth chart being mostly/or at least partially based on seniority. GET THE ATHLETES ON THE FIELD . . . Raishaun Stover, Dan Macon, Corey Partridge, etc, etc, etc . . . are FOOTBALL players . . . You find ways to use them and you find ways to get people like COLE MAGNER and JAMES HAWKINS the ball . . .

2. Quit putting 2nd, 3rd and lower strings on special teams plays . . . I'm be really hot in 2007 when Pete Winovich is one of the more athletic LBs in the MAC and we have to send him away a year early a la Josh Harris b/c he was playing FREAKING SPECIAL TEAMS as a second/third team FRESHMAN. If you're taking the redshirt off of Winovich, wouldn't you want to stretch a defense with a tight end that can actually expose a 1-on-1 LB match-up or find out if the kid can play OLB . . . ??? Just seems logical to me . . .

I'm done ranting now . . . On a more positive side . . . I would really like to see us run some wishbone/flexbone type stuff in redzone situations to give another look . . . Why not put all 3 (and take your liberties picking WHICH three RBs) on the field . . .

1. It's a new look that NIU, Ball State, OU, Direction Michigan, Marshall and Toledo don't have tape on . . .
2. It saves wear and tear and potential big hits on your RS-SO Quarterback
3. Open competition . . .
4. You can still run-action pass out of it, but it gives additional options . . . With 3 or yes 4 backs as unique and diverse as Pope, Lane, Stover and Macon are it gives many, many looks to an opposing defense.

Stover was third in Mr. Ohio in 2001 behing Clarett and Justin Zwick

We're deep at RB. Its amazing. Pope is a proven player, and I think you guys underrate Lane. Coming into this season, he averaged 6.4 yards per carry, and that's a pretty good track record. Stover and Macon are good, and I don't blame Stover for feeling frustrated, because its not getting any better soon.

One comment, Option. We run plenty of starters out there on special teams. I'm not sure either about taking the REDSHIRT off a guy for special teams, but they are a vital part of the game.