Free Roderick Williams

[WorkingMyTailOff]

I'd like to see R Williams gets some work in soon. I know Kirkwood is a senior and he rushed for a 1,000 yards in 2012, but if Cobb needs to take a series or two off a game, I'd like to see Williams get some play. He style is more punishing and I think he accelerates better than Kirkwood. Edwards should eventually be a threat running inside, but not yet.

 

[GO4INLALALAND]

I was really unimpressed with Kirkwood's running against Ill. He did not seem to look for an opening, instead he took the ball, put his head down and bull rushed into the line for minimal gains. It made appreciate Cobb all that much more.

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

I'd like to see R Williams gets some work in soon. I know Kirkwood is a senior and he rushed for a 1,000 yards in 2012, but if Cobb needs to take a series or two off a game, I'd like to see Williams get some play. He style is more punishing and I think he accelerates better than Kirkwood. Edwards should eventually be a threat running inside, but not yet.

Williams' issues have nothing to do with his running as far as I can tell. Last year he was our clear #2 behind Cobb when he fell off the map. Not a reduction of carries, or anything like that. He went from a major contributor to not getting a carry the rest of the year & being excluded from the travel roster. This year looks like more of the same. He was getting a good share of the carries & then nothing. Just fell off the map again. When a RB doesn't do the little things like block well or catch the ball well, they see reduced carries because of situations they can't be used in. That doesn't appear to be the case with Williams. It's either an off the field issue (struggling with grades), or his attitude/practice habits aren't up to snuff (i.e. he's late, doesn't give 100%, etc.). Whatever it is, I hope he gets it figured out because the dude can ball.

 

[GopherinPhilly]

Williams' issues have nothing to do with his running as far as I can tell. Last year he was our clear #2 behind Cobb when he fell off the map. Not a reduction of carries, or anything like that. He went from a major contributor to not getting a carry the rest of the year & being excluded from the travel roster. This year looks like more of the same. He was getting a good share of the carries & then nothing. Just fell off the map again. When a RB doesn't do the little things like block well or catch the ball well, they see reduced carries because of situations they can't be used in. That doesn't appear to be the case with Williams. It's either an off the field issue (struggling with grades), or his attitude/practice habits aren't up to snuff (i.e. he's late, doesn't give 100%, etc.). Whatever it is, I hope he gets it figured out because the dude can ball.

And next year we have two very good RS Fr coming in and another 2-3 Fr coming in that can run the ball. Edwards may end up in the KJ Maye roll before it is done and Rodrick may never see the backfield.

 

[60's Guy]

It is strange

Williams' issues have nothing to do with his running as far as I can tell. Last year he was our clear #2 behind Cobb when he fell off the map. Not a reduction of carries, or anything like that. He went from a major contributor to not getting a carry the rest of the year & being excluded from the travel roster. This year looks like more of the same. He was getting a good share of the carries & then nothing. Just fell off the map again. When a RB doesn't do the little things like block well or catch the ball well, they see reduced carries because of situations they can't be used in. That doesn't appear to be the case with Williams. It's either an off the field issue (struggling with grades), or his attitude/practice habits aren't up to snuff (i.e. he's late, doesn't give 100%, etc.). Whatever it is, I hope he gets it figured out because the dude can ball.

He definitely can play. So like you say it's something else that's preventing him from playing. We have had a few guys like that on the roster over the last couple years. Rodrick has strengths greater than any other back besides Cobb. Would make sense to use those strengths to me. Like anybody, he needs experience if we hope to have depth at the position. Everybody has deficiencies, but not all have the strengths Rodrick does...curious how these guys bury themselves in the Jerry Kill doghouse?

 

[tikited]

Williams' issues have nothing to do with his running as far as I can tell. Last year he was our clear #2 behind Cobb when he fell off the map. Not a reduction of carries, or anything like that. He went from a major contributor to not getting a carry the rest of the year & being excluded from the travel roster. This year looks like more of the same. He was getting a good share of the carries & then nothing. Just fell off the map again. When a RB doesn't do the little things like block well or catch the ball well, they see reduced carries because of situations they can't be used in. That doesn't appear to be the case with Williams. It's either an off the field issue (struggling with grades), or his attitude/practice habits aren't up to snuff (i.e. he's late, doesn't give 100%, etc.). Whatever it is, I hope he gets it figured out because the dude can ball.

He still see's the field on special teams, but he is a better runner than everyone not named Cobbs imo. Williams should be the #1 going in to next season...we will see if that happens though.

Side note: Kirkwood trying for the outside on the play, or two, before the missed FG was a total head scratcher. When was the last time Kirkwood got to the outside for a gain?

 

[60's Guy]

He still see's the field on special teams, but he is a better runner than everyone not named Cobbs imo. Williams should be the #1 going in to next season...we will see if that happens though.

Side note: Kirkwood trying for the outside on the play, or two, before the missed FG was a total head scratcher. When was the last time Kirkwood got to the outside for a gain?

Bigger head scratcher...I'd have to watch again but wasn't the play designed to go outside?

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Side note: Kirkwood trying for the outside on the play, or two, before the missed FG was a total head scratcher. When was the last time Kirkwood got to the outside for a gain?

1. Apologies for not spelling Rodrick's name correct on this thread!
2. That series when Kirkwood spelled Cobb was a killer. The defense made a big stop, and that second Kirkwood run where he tried to bounce it out it was a head scratcher for sure. Cobb needs to be able to rest for a series or two a game.

 

[Goldy Gopher]

He still see's the field on special teams, but he is a better runner than everyone not named Cobbs imo. Williams should be the #1 going in to next season...we will see if that happens though.

Side note: Kirkwood trying for the outside on the play, or two, before the missed FG was a total head scratcher. When was the last time Kirkwood got to the outside for a gain?

I know he hasn't played a down yet but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Jeff Jones #1 on the depth chart going into next year. I do agree though that Williams seems like a better runner than Kirkwood though and would have preferred either Edwards or Williams to get the carries that Kirkwood got on Saturday.

 

[diefirma]

I know he hasn't played a down yet but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Jeff Jones #1 on the depth chart going into next year. I do agree though that Williams seems like a better runner than Kirkwood though and would have preferred either Edwards or Williams to get the carries that Kirkwood got on Saturday.

I think Rod Smith will be number #1 on the depth chart. Jones will be fighting it out with Rodrick (If he gets his stuff together) or Edwards. Unless Edwards gets better at catching the ball he won't take K.J. Maye's place

 

[MaxyJR1]

I think Rod Smith will be number #1 on the depth chart. Jones will be fighting it out with Rodrick (If he gets his stuff together) or Edwards. Unless Edwards gets better at catching the ball he won't take K.J. Maye's place

It will be a true platoon next year until someone takes the job. Nice part is there will be a couple HR hitters in the platoon. We have to be balanced pass/run for any of it to be successful.

 

[mkAz]

Cobb is taking a beating, they really do need to find a few more carries for Williams or Kirkwood.

 

[Spoofin]

I love Nugget. Second best RB on our team, and it ain't close.

I'm not so sure there is more to it than an inability to block. That (alone) kept Cobb on the bench for two years.

Jeff Jones is our starter next year by the time the B1G season starts.