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As you can guess, I became an SMU fan when ShanDerrick Charles started playing for the Ponies. Now I'm reading a ton of great hype about DeMyron Martin.

So my question is simple: if ShanD had stayed healthy, who would have been the more productive RB for the Ponies (and why)?

Man, DMart's got a great future. He's up 10 pounds this year with no loss of speed. Bennett will feature him and rightly so.

Based on their freshman years, I go with Charles. Charles basically got serious carries in the last seven games of the year. 134 carries for 899; 6.7 yds/carry.

Martin played in 10 games. 185 carries for 916; 4.95 yds/carry. make no mistake, that is good. If Martin had Charles yds/carry average, he would have had over 1,200 yards.

Some people like to say Cavan was an offensive genius, but the passing game of 2001 was worse statistically than 2005 (barely). Basically, the offenses in 2001 and 2005 were both poor and remarkably similarly ranked nationally. So, neither player got much help from the passing game.

Both players had their best games against some of the worst rushing defenses that year, not surprising. Though, I would say Martin's 122 yard game against TCU was remarkable in that TCU has a good rushing defense.

At the end of the day, the 6.7 yards per carry wins me over.

Take a look at ShanD's brother at UT and you realize he is not as talented as ShanD. ShanD was one of the most talented backs I have ever seen as a freshman. Don't know what his career had in front of him though. Still think a great deal of our problems in 2002-4 was a result of his not being around. DMartin may just get better every year. If I had to make a choice I might just go ShanD as long as he was healthy.

I ain't doubting BrianT after his Boma prediction.

What's ShanD up to nowadays?

ShanD was amazing. For the me the edge goes to DMart. I like his size and durability. And his physical resemblance to Dickerson.

SMU Football Blog wrote: .... Some people like to say Cavan was an offensive genius....

Who said THAT?

Up to this point, ShanD, hands down.

I haven't seen anything like ShanD's freshman year in the last 20 years of Mustang Football. His quickness to the line of scrimmage was amazing and he could cut on a dime. Read every block perfectly. Just an amazing, amazing player. Single-handedly turned a horrible offense into a solid one with his breakaway threat.

I am pumped up about Martin, and thought he was great last year. But ShanD was in a class by himself that one season.

I'd take ShanD too. Martin had a solid season (especially for a freshman) but Charles had better speed and was harder to tackle. Keep in mind he also didn't really play for the first half of the season, and he still put up remarkable numbers.

Also ShanD was a true freshman when he put on the pads for the first time. That kid was amazing. Just sensational. All this being said though...

For the first time since that sizzle on the map that was ShanDerrick - we have a back to be proud of - Demyron is going to be huge for us. And I really like what all of our backs bring to the table. I think we will see a lot of Mapps as the changeup back. We're going to have a pretty tasty offense for the first time in along while. I have no idea the numbers, but this will be the best offense since '97 and I think has all kinds of potential to be even better. Beating Arkansas that year was awesome, beating Tech this year will be better.

But, ShanD gets my vote.... let's hope that this year DMart puts this issue to rest - not who is/was better but just that we will remember that few games of greatness for what it was, and DMart charts his own course.



Edit: And I do realise that ShanD was of course not on that '97 team of senior Flanigan, freshman J. Brewer, etc.

ShanD was fabulous- a truly program devastating loss. But how can you claim hands down that Shan D was better than his brother. Jamal ran the second fastest 100 in the Nation as a Senior and showed he will be a superstar as a freshman playing against schools like OU, Ohio St., USC and the rest of the Big 12. Its a whole different level of football.

Some people like to say Cavan was an offensive genius

Who the hell said that?!?

<EDIT>
Oops, sorry SMUguy, knee jerk post

SMUguy wrote:

SMU Football Blog wrote: .... Some people like to say Cavan was an offensive genius....

Who said THAT?

Cavan.

BrianTinBigD's brother.

SMU Football Blog wrote:BrianTinBigD's brother.

I have to explain that joke, which is funny to five people, but more if you realized it.

At the TCU game in 2000, it was cold and rainy and SMU was getting killed. We were sitting in our season tickets and some SMU player gets penalized for a late hit out of bounds. BrianT's brother jumps up and screams at the top of his lungs, "Where's the discipline Cavan?!" It was so loud it was funny. But, then, Cavan's daughter jumps up and turns around and starts screaming at him. "You idiot! If you ever played a down of football in your life..."

Good times.