STrib: Gophers playing RB Jones at slotback frequently to fill need

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BleedGopher

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per Joe:

The Gophers’ use of Jeff Jones at wide receiver this spring appears to be more than just an experiment.

The highly touted freshman from Minneapolis Washburn continues to play both tailback and slot receiver during spring scrimmages. When the Gophers break into individual position groups, Jones works with the receivers, not the running backs.

“Right now him getting out and running bubble screens and doing those kinds of things — that’s where we have the most need right now,” coach Jerry Kill said Thursday. “We had him at running back all the other practices, and he’s a very intelligent kid. He learns very well and quick.

“So he’s able to do some of those things, and the more stuff you do with him in the spring, the more you can do with him in the fall.”

Kill has said the strong play by Rodrick Williams, Rodney Smith and Berkley Edwards at tailback has spurred the staff to find ways to maximize the talent on the field with Jones.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/298550311.html

Go Gophers!!
 

Makes sense to figure out a way to get as many weapons on the field at one time as possible. The only thing that strikes me as a little strange with this move is that this role would seem like an ideal fit for Edwards. Guessing that probably means they just don't see the proper skill set at WR in him to be effective running routes and catching the ball.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Makes sense to figure out a way to get as many weapons on the field at one time as possible. The only thing that strikes me as a little strange with this move is that this role would seem like an ideal fit for Edwards. Guessing that probably means they just don't see the proper skill set at WR in him to be effective running routes and catching the ball.
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I'd bet my house it is the lack of confidence in him catching the ball.


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MNVCGUY said:
Makes sense to figure out a way to get as many weapons on the field at one time as possible. The only thing that strikes me as a little strange with this move is that this role would seem like an ideal fit for Edwards. Guessing that probably means they just don't see the proper skill set at WR in him to be effective running routes and catching the ball.
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Yeah, those bubble screens are really plays based on timing. Even when Edwards caught the ball, it never seemed fluid which kind of broke the whole play down. I think Edwards may be more effective utilizing the more traditional type of RB screen where he can look the ball in, and have a little more time to follow his blockers. If Jones (or anyone, really) can prove to be a threat on the outside with WR screen, our offense will become harder to defend with the defense paying a penalty for packing in the middle.
 

Edwards is so short that play at WR never made much sense to me. He is fast but that doesn't mean he has the proper skills needed to be a WR. I am not real excited that the teams top recruit in years is not working as much as possible at the position he was recruited to play. Sure getting your top talent on the field is very important but getting your top talent prepared to play their given position is much more important. Maybe Jones is just that far ahead, I guess I can dream.
 


WolfontheProwl said:
Edwards is so short that play at WR never made much sense to me. He is fast but that doesn't mean he has the proper skills needed to be a WR. I am not real excited that the teams top recruit in years is not working as much as possible at the position he was recruited to play. Sure getting your top talent on the field is very important but getting your top talent prepared to play their given position is much more important. Maybe Jones is just that far ahead, I guess I can dream.
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Could be a combination of a few things. He lost last year due to being ineligible so he may have fallen a bit behind the other RB's on the roster. It would be more concerning if they were looking to switch him to defense, if they are just looking for a way to get him on the field while utilizing other guys they feel just as good about in the backfield then it makes perfect sense. It would not be hard to transition back to being a full time running back in the future.

The only thing this may point to is that he is not head and shoulders above the other RB's on the roster in spite of his higher recruiting ranking.
 

Edwards doesn't have near the lateral agility that Jones has that is necessary to play the slot. Edwards is blazing fast but that doesn't mean he's quick side-to-side (which he isn't). He's more of a "one cut and go" type of runner.
 

My god I would LOVE to see us work in more bubble screens with Jones. I could see him housing more than a few of those.
 

watching practice it appears...

Coaching staff has a priority of keeping JJ healthy.
 



Kill told Gaard last week that they wanted to use Jones like Wiscy used Gordon when he was a soph. Nugget has been so good that they had to find more ways to get JJ on the field. Kill said he was "too good of an athlete to be standing next to me on the boundary".
 

From what I've seen at practice, he has pretty good hands and can definitely make the quick move after the catch. Definitely worth pursuing as part of the short passing game.
 

This will benefit Jones and the team in the future. Williams has stepped it up on and off the field and Edwards seems to be a guy that needs more touches at RB. I know that Smith is getting rave reviews, but I think he will have to wait his turn barring injury.


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Breakin' The Plane said:
Kill told Gaard last week that they wanted to use Jones like Wiscy used Gordon when he was a soph. Nugget has been so good that they had to find more ways to get JJ on the field. Kill said he was "too good of an athlete to be standing next to me on the boundary".
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Hopfeully, it will amke the Gopehrs Offenes omre dfficult to defend.
 



Breakin' The Plane said:
Kill told Gaard last week that they wanted to use Jones like Wiscy used Gordon when he was a soph. Nugget has been so good that they had to find more ways to get JJ on the field. Kill said he was "too good of an athlete to be standing next to me on the boundary".
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The difference is Gordon was biding his time behind a Heisman trophy finalist and 2nd round pick. Rodrick is neither of those and is nothing special.
 

WolfontheProwl said:
Edwards is so short that play at WR never made much sense to me. He is fast but that doesn't mean he has the proper skills needed to be a WR. I am not real excited that the teams top recruit in years is not working as much as possible at the position he was recruited to play. Sure getting your top talent on the field is very important but getting your top talent prepared to play their given position is much more important. Maybe Jones is just that far ahead, I guess I can dream.
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So much of that high ranking was specifically because of his exceptional receiving skills for an RB and ability to play in the slot. Plus, height doesn't really matter for slot receivers on bubble screens or jet sweeps. Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant is 5-6(the guy who had the TD return against us) and he had over 900 receiving yards last year.
 

MinneStoa said:
My god I would LOVE to see us work in more bubble screens with Jones. I could see him housing more than a few of those.
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Totally agree on this. Bubble screens have everything to do with what happens after the ball is caught and putting JJ out in space makes a lot of sense.

I've been carefully watching Edwards and he has had a few moments of greatness; but the rule has been dropped passes and missed assignments. Perhaps it will come with maturity (or a case of the YIPS), but some of his mistakes have been momentum busters. Case in point: the Outback Bowl where he was out in front of the defender by over 5-yard and muffed the catch. I've seen those that practice well, but don't bring it in game situation. I think he's one of them.

Bottom line; the guy's got the tools, but needs to get past the game day jitters.
 

414GopherFan said:
The difference is Gordon was biding his time behind a Heisman trophy finalist and 2nd round pick. Rodrick is neither of those and is nothing special.
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You may think he's nothing special, but he's impressed the coaches, I trust the coaches. He's shown flashes in the past, now that he's lost weight and is even quicker, I think he has a break out year.
 

nsmike said:
You may think he's nothing special, but he's impressed the coaches, I trust the coaches. He's shown flashes in the past, now that he's lost weight and is even quicker, I think he has a break out year.
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I'm as big of a Nugget fan as anyone, but I won't get carried away with expectations. My guess is Jones will get a lot of carries this year - in addition to playing in the slot. Nugget will also have a solid year - he is very talented, but I don't think he possesses the potential that JJ does.


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This is a great conversation/discussion to have.

Remember when we were talking about whether or not Kirkwood would get all of the carries or would a guy named Cobb 3 people down on the depth chart get a few?

At least all of these RBs we are talking about we have had high expectations at one point or another on, where as in prior years we were hoping someone would break out!

GOOD problems to have.

GIVE ME ALL THE DEPTH!
 

With the line in front of him and the system, Nugget could be a lot like Cobb. Pound away, take what you are given, and before you know it, he has 125 yards.
 

Spoofin said:
. Nugget is very talented, but I don't think he possesses the potential that JJ does.


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Potential is likely in the future. Williams has proved some things already. Will be fun to see how the first four games go and who the coaches trust.


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MaxyJR1 said:
Potential is likely in the future. Williams has proved some things already. Will be fun to see how the first four games go and who the coaches trust.


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Agreed 100%. I'm not trying to slight Williams at all. I have been a huge fan of his and will continue to be.


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MaxyJR1 said:
I know that Smith is getting rave reviews, but I think he will have to wait his turn barring injury.
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From what I've seen in practice Smith is already above Berkley on the depth chart.
 


Roderick's career YPC is very similar to what Cobb's was the past two years. 5.0 for Roderick compared to 5.1 and 5.2 for Cobb. If he gets enough carries I think he could very well rush for 900-1200 yards and be a slightly better version of Mark Wiesman. Plus the 20 pound weight loss should ensure he is the quickest and most nimble he's been since he got here. Cobb's 10 pound weight loss was very noticeable in his burst, wiggle and agility.
 

Bubble screens? Reverses?

Are we watching the same team?

Here's a good rule of thumb for thinking about play selection for us:

Does it develop behind the line of scrimmage?

If the answer is Yes, don't do it.
 


Vandy said:
From what I've seen at practice, he has pretty good hands and can definitely make the quick move after the catch. Definitely worth pursuing as part of the short passing game.
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Last Tuesday I saw him make a very acrobatic catch in tight coverage. He does have great hands and I wouldn't even be surprised if he could catch a non-spiral pass.
 

414GopherFan said:
The difference is Gordon was biding his time behind a Heisman trophy finalist and 2nd round pick. Rodrick is neither of those and is nothing special.
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What the hell sort of relevance does your comment have? Gordon is a very good RB, and had better and more experienced RBs ahead of him. Therefore, the wisconsin staff needed to find different ways of getting him on the field.

Jones is a very good running back, and has (very likely) better and more experienced RBs ahead of him. Therefore, the Minnesota staff needs to find different ways of getting him on the field.

It's like you're searching for things to pick at, just for the sake of picking at things.
 

Playing Jones in the slot does not preclude him from getting carries at RB. What I like best about Jones playing in the slot is that it will likely keep opposing defenses off balance or at least a bit more honest when playing the run. Jones being in the slot will likely make our offense more complex which in turn will help make the other RB's more successful. It's like a good WR or DE who gets double teamed all game. Even if Jones isn't getting the ball but is forcing opposing teams to match up their best talent against him, that in and of itself is good and has the potential to open up other things.
 

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