PonyFans.com feature: GROWING UP INTO A NEW ROLE

[Webmaster]

http://www.ponyfans.com/features/martin/index.asp

[smu diamond m]

Could you stop posting these? They are killing me with anticipation.

Good job pf.com!

[Corso]

Once again, PonyFans.com separates itself from the competition. DMN reports DeMyron Martin "is leading the running backs this spring." PonyFans.com actually talks to him ... and his position coach, no less ... and gets comments about his health, his frustration while watching during his injuries last year, and best of all, his claim that "he will carry his rigorous training over the summer by taking part every time the Ponies convene over the summer to work out..."

Work hard every day, DeMyron. Put this offense on your back. Show up in the best shape of your life in August. With a punishing running game, Justin Willis will only get better as he matures, and vice versa.

HOW LONG UNTIL 2-A-DAYS?

[PK]

Once again, PonyFans.com separates itself from the competition.

There is no real competion to PonyFans.com...just a few "also ran"s.

[PerunaPunch]

Did anyone notice the Martin's bench is 400 lbs. now? We have linemen benching 500 and RBs putting up 400. Could some smash-mouth football finally be looming on the horizon somewhere?

[mustang06]

I don't know about anybody else, but that story pumps me up for the season. I'm picturing DeMyron running over a Texas Tech Safety after Andrew McKinney has blasted the Middle Linebacker.

[smu diamond m]

By God I hope so.

[Cadillac]

Great story, thanks for getting in there and getting it.

The best thing to consider about Martin in his Jr. Year, is that there isn't the expectation that he'll need to carry this team by himself. This year we won't go into the season with "Martin+10 guys." Having a healthy Martin and an experienced Willis on the field at the same time should really mess with opposing defenses.

Sure, I'm a sunshiner, a Pollyanna, but I like the way this offense is looking.

-CoS

[Stallion]

I still believe the most likely scenario for SMU to break its bowl drought is for Martin to become a superstar running back. I'm still not sure he has the breakway speed to be a NFL calber running back which SMU needs for him to be. We heard reports that he was running sub 4.5 forties last year but we never saw it hopefully just because of the injuries. Don't forget he got caught from at least 10 yards behind at the 1 in the Rice game-that's why we are talking about the goal line offense in the first place. Could be a strong motivational tool. I don't see the other RBs carrying the team like Martin's potential suggests he could.

[westexSMU]

Last year Martin appeared to be running about a 4.7 most of the time. An example, easily caught from behind at Rice when he should have been gone after getting into the clear in the secondary. He looked more like a fullback on that play instead of a running back speed wise. Hopefully, last year was caused by an injured foot/knee situation and a pulled hamstring. Martin now says Coach Valoria's weight training program has stopping tendonitis problems in his knees during long practices............. If he is getting his speed back also, I will look forward to watching him break some long runs in 08.............To be honest though, my biggest problem with Martin has been the way he hesitates alot at the line of srimmage instead of finding the seam quickly running into the hole with explosion. If he can improve his quickness off the line and basically quit hesitating so much, the guy could be playing in the NFL in a few years.

[perunapower]

SMU head coach Phil Bennett has said the Mustangs will have more of a power element to their offense, particularly when it comes to short-yardage situations. More direct, powerful blocking schemes, coupled with Viloria’s more power-intensive workouts, would suggest that the chiseled Martin should enjoy a breakout season in such situations. But Martin insisted that the schemes and training will benefit the entire SMU offense, not just him.

“Yeah, I like what we’re doing, on the offensive line and with the backs,” Martin said. “But all of our backs are going to be able to run in short yardage. It doesn’t have to be me — we have a lot of guys back there who can run the ball. Just watch.”

That is good stuff. Should make us very potent in the red zone.

[Vitale]

The man broke a foot, and then pulled a hamstring. The fact that he got caught from behind was not a surprise. The fact that he as out there on the field at all was the surprise. If the reports that he's leaner and stronger and tougher and healthy, he should be able to build on his promising freshman year.

[Horseshoe]

A VAST improvement from last year at this time, just in terms of how fit he looked and how he ran. Can't wait for two-a-days.