Will we see more of Berkley Edwards this season?

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hungan1

hungan1

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We've been excited to see his electrifying plays in the scrimmages.

Does anyone know what the story is as to why we are not seeing much of an impact from him?

Injury? Need to put on more pounds?

Potentially as advertised, he can be another Jalen Myrick with a knockout play.
 


He isn't playing much because when he's in he usually loses three yards.

But the way we use him is so predictable. For starters, he's the only guy in the Midwest who wears his jersey like an Alabama linemen so it's not at all difficult to tell when he checks into the game as far as recognition on defense is concerned. Second, everytime he gets the ball is on a screen pass or an outside run where he is supposed to try and turn the corner.

It probably takes 4 minutes for opposing defenses to game plan for him, and then they move on to planning for Cobb.
 

Put them both in the back field at the same time or something. We've got to transition him into a playmaker.
 

They did promote him as a possible slot receiver this year as well, but not one pass for him has been beyond the line of scrimmage. He's still got 3 years left to figure his place out.
 



Yesterday he had a blocker behind him for the cutback. He would've gained 4-5 yards if he'd been patient, but instead he lost three by trying to get outside.

He's fast, but not that fast.
 


Studwell55 said:
Yesterday he had a blocker behind him for the cutback. He would've gained 4-5 yards if he'd been patient, but instead he lost three by trying to get outside.

He's fast, but not that fast.
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This.
 



We have a borderline All-American running back who is a senior. Berkeley will have to bide his time.p
 

He has no business lining up in the backfield right now.

Sorry kid.

Get bigger and smarter. Like any other frosh.
 

Sparlimb said:
They did promote him as a possible slot receiver this year as well, but not one pass for him has been beyond the line of scrimmage. He's still got 3 years left to figure his place out.
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I have a feeling he will end up at receiver sooner or later. Too early in his career to know for sure how it is going to play out but I have serious doubts that he has what it takes to be a running back in the Big Ten.
 

Speed is a huge advantage for running backs but only if they hit the right holes. make the right cuts, avoid the first tackle, and break the second tackle. Berkley has a long way to go and a lot of work to do.
 




First of all the jet sweeps they've tried have not been blocked very well. Try him on the option pitch so
he gets some space. They can't keep hammering Cobb. 30 plus carries a game is ridiculous.
 

ruppertflywheel said:
First of all the jet sweeps they've tried have not been blocked very well. Try him on the option pitch so
he gets some space. They can't keep hammering Cobb. 30 plus carries a game is ridiculous.
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I agree. Have to be able to get him in space somehow.

Every time we try to get the ball to the outside, it seems to take forever.........way too slow.
 

MNVCGUY said:
I have a feeling he will end up at receiver sooner or later. Too early in his career to know for sure how it is going to play out but I have serious doubts that he has what it takes to be a running back in the Big Ten.
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He had one game, granted it was EIU, where he got some reps as a tailback and I was impressed with the power he showed. I think he has a chance to be a featured back, but he'll need to wait his turn and contribute along the way, just like everyone else.
 

Sparlimb said:
He had one game, granted it was EIU, where he got some reps as a tailback and I was impressed with the power he showed. I think he has a chance to be a featured back, but he'll need to wait his turn and contribute along the way, just like everyone else.
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Not if Jeff Jones has anything to say about it. It's unlikely that he'll be anything more than a 3rd down back unless he breaks out next year.

Fortunately for him, we have a huge need for a slot receiver.
 

Sparlimb said:
He had one game, granted it was EIU, where he got some reps as a tailback and I was impressed with the power he showed. I think he has a chance to be a featured back, but he'll need to wait his turn and contribute along the way, just like everyone else.
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He'd have to want it bad to start, and have to earn his time through hard work like Cobb.

He has the pedigree. Now he has to match attitude.
 

I believe there is a place for him, but not when teams are keying on the run game. Even Cobb has trouble with that. I do agree he doesn't help his case any by wearing this jersey over the shoulder pad straps. He is very easy to spot.
 

The defense needs to make choices, the more options the better. The motion of either Donovahn Jones or Edwards across the formation has opened the inside zone play for Cobb. The jet sweep is an option. QB read is an option. QB bootleg away from the action, a third. Now there is another option by having Jones and Edwards in the game at the same time.
 

husker70 said:
The defense needs to make choices, the more options the better. The motion of either Donovahn Jones or Edwards across the formation has opened the inside zone play for Cobb. The jet sweep is an option. QB read is an option. QB bootleg away from the action, a third. Now there is another option by having Jones and Edwards in the game at the same time.
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I would've like to have seen Mitch run it 3-4 more times on Saturday. In particular, our last 3rd down play when we were trying to milk the clock. David had been fed the ball for what seemed like the last 10 plays.
 

Can Berkley catch the ball? It's hard to imagine keeping a guy with that much speed on the sidelines. If he can catch the ball, then why not use him in various slot positions as a wide-receiver?

Don't get me wrong, we're winning so I'm not complaining, but I'd love to see Berkley's speed being utilized in a number of different scenarios...if the kid is versatile enough to take on those roles...which is why I ask if he can catch the ball.
 

Berkley is not a WR. Berkley will not become a WR. Berkley is a RB and likely a pretty good one. Dude is a freshman - let's all take a breath and give him some time. What did David Cobb do as a Fr?
 

Bringing Berkley in for the same formation only, it was pretty clear that they were trying to set something up for him later in the game against northwestern. Until he plays more consistently teams will be ready for him to get the ball on the perimeter.
 

Spoofin said:
Berkley is not a WR. Berkley will not become a WR. Berkley is a RB and likely a pretty good one. Dude is a freshman - let's all take a breath and give him some time. What did David Cobb do as a Fr?
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What makes you say that? His brother was a phenomenal WR. Why couldn't Berkley be used in a similar role as Percy Harvin was at Florida?

I trust the coaches and accept that they have a reason for why they are doing what they are doing with Berkley. I just don't trust your blanket claim that Berkley isn't a WR.
 

tinyarch said:
What makes you say that? His brother was a phenomenal WR. Why couldn't Berkley be used in a similar role as Percy Harvin was at Florida?

I trust the coaches and accept that they have a reason for why they are doing what they are doing with Berkley. I just don't trust your blanket claim that Berkley isn't a WR.
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Tiny, he is still just a freshman.
 

Dr.Don said:
Tiny, he is still just a freshman.
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He's a redshirt freshman. He's had quite a bit of time to practice and get stronger. We have pure freshmen playing extensive roles on this team, which means they have less experience than Berkley, and they are producing. Your argument is a bit of a copout. As I've said, I trust the coaches to make the best decision for the team.
 

tinyarch said:
What makes you say that? His brother was a phenomenal WR. Why couldn't Berkley be used in a similar role as Percy Harvin was at Florida?

I trust the coaches and accept that they have a reason for why they are doing what they are doing with Berkley. I just don't trust your blanket claim that Berkley isn't a WR.
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Braylon Edwards was, for starters, much bigger than Berkley. Berkley has always been a RB, is built like a RB, and is a pretty good RB. I think he could be a very good RB, but we may not see it for a couple years yet. He may catch some bubble screens, etc., but this idea of moving him to WR is as knee-jerk as the 'is Kill the right guy' thread following the TCU game.
 

MNVCGUY said:
I have a feeling he will end up at receiver sooner or later. Too early in his career to know for sure how it is going to play out but I have serious doubts that he has what it takes to be a running back in the Big Ten.
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You could have said the same thing at the beginning of last year about David Cobb and he was a Junior. How'd that work out? Give him a chance to grow and learn.
 

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