Underrated Player(s)

[westexSMU]

If Davis and Pitman rotate more this year, our DL will be that much better as Davis provides excellent depth at NT. Davis is also quick enough to play DE right ?

[PSCA]

Rogers got/gets little love from this board, I knew when I included his name it would stir some comments. But, this was to be a positive post to recognize some guys in an individual’s opinions that don’t get enough credit. The fact that this has brought the Roger’s haters from last season out is unfortunate. So, I’m going to get on my soap box for the kid … why not, other than a few nice comments from others, no one else has … and he obviously has plenty of hatters … and I love an underdog and an over achiever, which he is.

We as a "D" did not create a bunch of turn-over’s, so to single Rogers out for a lack as a barometer of his performance … I don’t know. Mason has said on few occasions (heard once with my own ears) "we work on drills, but turnovers are one of those things that happens or it doesn’t … I’ve had big years with turnovers then turn around the next year with the same group and have nothing". You need to understand what the play responsibility is, and turnovers happen based on that, and are you lucky enough to be around the ball when it happens. I played with a guy that just had a nose for the ball, but he could not carry the jock of the guy who played in front of him. Love turn over’s, the more the better, but that is not the measure of an LB.

I think Rogers is solid in coverage, and very strong against the run. The diving break-up in the end-zone against USM, diving deflection in the TCU game that altered the pass enough to keep the receiver from collecting it over the middle, numerous times coming up and hitting the receiver/RB right when the pass arrived to force a forth and 1-2, the big break up in the UTEP game when he sent the ball 20yards the opposite direction … these come to mind, there are many more. Again, you have to understand the "D", the play that was called, the offense they ran, play responsibility etc. Often, esp. in coverage it might look like you know who screwed up, but you don’t. What you see may be the player trying to cover up the mistake. This much I learned form Monday lunches and talking to Mason. How often did Rogers’s coverage force the QB to look/go elsewhere .. create a sack or tune over or incompletion??? I recall Rogers getting called out one time from the experts over at Pony Pride, blaming him for a blown coverage that resulted in a TD, it was not even his resp, but he was trying to cover it. Is Rogers perfect, of course not.. none of them are. I have learned more the last couple of years about the 3-4 and what the BUCK (Rogers) is required to do. He often is asked to set-up the MIKE, and that is what the "D" is set up for … Mason has said that many times, the "D" is geared to the MIKE. Because of Rogers, the MIKE is often allowed to free-lance, which can put Rogers in dbl coverage resp over the middle in pass plays if the MIKE decides to blitz, or delay blitz. This is a call Mason never did with Pete for reasons, and I was a big fan of Pete’s. Rogers makes many plays away from the play that create the opportunity. I can remember a play in the TCU game were he absolutely destroyed the TE coming out after him … he got under him, lifted and dropped on his can right in the hole Ed Wessely was going to and forced him to bounce it outside … Rogers dove over the discarded TE and hit ED, but he bounced off. If you recall that was the play that ED bounced around for a small gain, was grouped tackled and the commentators made a big deal about ED’s balance etc. Rogers got zero credit, but he made the play happen. I bet some think that long run play TCU had to set-up their first TD … the one Ed I think broke up the middle was on Rogers …. NO. That was T-Reeds gap responsibility, and for some reason he decided to rush around the end … Rogers came over and dove, but missed ED. This is not a shot at T-Reed, he is a stud and I love him. Hey, Rogers had his chances for TFOL, I can think of about 7 off the top of my head where he busted through the line and made the initial hit and did not wrap up well enough, and he just missed out on a sack a couple of times as the QB just got the ball out. Last season, Rogers (the BUCK) always blitzed from the line, having to fight through the bodies. He never blitzed from depth, delay blitzed, or chose his blitz gap as it unfolded, like the MIKE, and that is a huge difference. Plus, a lot of the blitzes for the BUCK are sort of decoys (if he makes the play great) to set up the MIKE. Did he ever get blocked, taken out of a play YES … they all did. We could spend hours pointing that out on any of them … Rogers did not have more or less than the others.

It was his rookie year at a position he never played prior to some PT last year, I think he did very well and got stronger as the year went on … which is what you want. I think 2012 will be a great year for him …. But for those who think he will not start …. think again. That will have nothing to due with the depth chart, or to suggest those players are week or that we are in trouble. Rogers is the right choice, he is one of the strongest, athletic, quickest/fastest, disciplined and smartest players on the team. Mason’s words not mine. Rogers is well respected by the players and coaches. Mason is a HUGE fan ….. If Mason’s love him … I love him. After all, what does Mason know? We were the 26th ranked "D" last year with Rogers playing in a very key role/position …. That was not in spite of him. I heard from a player source(s) that Mason has told the "D" and the LB’s in particular that Rogers is one of the most underrated and under appreciated LB’s in the country. In film, Rogers is regularly the "How to do it" example. He even does the film breakdown for Coach Mason at times (more in the spring I think).

Something else I found out about Rogers, he is one of the best all around athletics on the team. They did this competition this spring, but did not finish it (don’t know why), but a year ago they had a competition … did a lot of combine drills and a lot non-combine drills that you earned points for. Rogers earned the most points of any player on the team. He was the fastest/quickest LB and he was also one of the fastest/quickest on the team. Every drill they did that was also a combine drill (shuttles, vertical, b-jump, 225), he would have placed no worst then 10th and as high as 1st at the combine for LB’s. No, I’m not suggesting he’ll go to the NFL or even get a look.

These are just a few examples why I support the kid … no where near the only ones … but I have already written a book. He has room for improvement, and he had his mistakes last year … I just don’t think he sucks or should be thrown under the bus like he was last year … and looks to be this year. I have also met the young man …. I wish I had a daughter to introduce him to. I think part of the problem is that Rogers is very humble, low key, blue collar about his approach on the field, and does not seek the attention.

The fact that we have folks debating back and forth on whether he is underatted or not, probably means that he is. Anyway, count me in as a fan, evidently one of the few. Hey, the next time you see a coach, or better yet Mason ….ask him what he thinks about Rogers … better yet, tell him what you think about Rogers and lets see how he responds. I wonder if Pony Fans has some insight as to what Mason and/or the coaches think about Rogers, or why Mason would start someone so many on this board think has no business being on the field. I hate the bashing he and others get. But, lets raise a glass in hopes he turns fans into all of you … if that happens … he must be kicking A-and the "D" is a monster.

GO STANGS …. GO CAMERON ROGERS

[LakeHighlandsPony]

I would have to say Jeremy Johnson. This is the best player you have never heard of. He won the game against TCU and then just dissappeared. This guy needs to be in the game bigtime.

[Navy Mustang]

I agree with the previous post on Rogers from PCSA. I was going to say something very similar to his post but focusing more on the 3-4 defense and how it's supposed to work. All the linebackers in the 3-4 are not equal. Each has their own responsibilities with the strong side linebackers (particularly the MIKE) will be the primary linebacker. The MIKE should almost always be the most productive linebacker on the 3-4 defense. With that being said, our defensive linebacker production is following that 'pecking order' if you look at the stats.

I would recommend looking up the term "linebacker" in the Wikipedia database and reading about the different roles. Once you do that then watch our defense with a different set of eyes to what they are supposed to be doing. Oh, the "3-4 defense" is also a good read to help understand what everyone is supposed to be doing.

Rogers is doing well enough at his position for the coaches to keep him in that spot. I think the linebackers on our team are going to have their best year yet! We probably have the most experienced group in the conference (which includes Rogers).

Looking at some of the new players coming up I think we are going to have great depth at linebacker.

I can't wait for the season to start!

[PonyPlayer4]

DJ3. I think he ends up doing more than we even imagined once he has a QB who can deliver a ball that doesn't require a circus catch each and every time.

Be careful what you wish for... DJ makes the highlight catches, but frequently drops the ones that hit him in the chest. Now if you have a QB that will hit him in the chest every time...

Just sayin'....

I can't remember DJ3 dropping any passes. None immediately come to mind. Silly post.

[Junior]

that may be the longest post i've ever seen

[PSCA]

by Junior » Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:25 am
that may be the longest post i've ever seen


Sorry, got carried away. Was tired of seeing the various players get dumped on … especially in a post that was originally designed to be a positive to the names those felt were underrated.

[JasonB]

I will say that while I have been critical, a lot of the times we saw Rogers "get beat" on the TE pass over the middle of the field 20 yards deep ( the completions that kept flying over his outreached hand), he actually had double responsibility to cover the short and the medium over the middle. The gap opened up because the safeties were a little too deep because they didn't want to get beat over the top.

Even though he was better at the end of the season and was solid the last few games, I think it is a position that one of our young LBs can take if they are picking up the system well enough. With Rambo it is size and learning curve, Pope it is learning curve, and Bordano it is injury recovery and whether or not he is as good as we thought when he was recruited.

I think we all just miss the dude from two years ago who forced all the turnovers and was a major player on the defense. Since that time, we have had solid players fill the position, but not difference makers. With Sanders, Pope, and JD, the other linebackers all have the capability to make exceptional plays and be difference makers. Add one more to that group and the LB core is one of the best in the country.

[PSCA]

I think I know who the "Dude" is in reference to … and I loved the guy … Charlie Hustle part two. But, the "D" scheme was different 2 years ago than it was last season within the 3-4, and that was because of the things Rogers can do that we could not before and it has given Mason more flexibility … again, not my words but Mason’s. That flexibility actually takes Rogers away from some so-called splash plays. I can think of many big plays he made (may be not splash plays), and not just the ones highlighted above that were difference makers. We were the 26th ranked "D" LAST season … you don’t think there is a connection? You (we all) need to understand the "D" and what Rogers is being asked to do. They say football is the ultimate team sport, which is what you are seeing. Nothing against our young guns, they can step in and get the job down as they have proven … and will be studs in their time. Rogers is the guy, and it is not because someone else’s lack of size, speed, understanding etc. Injury is the only thing that will keep Rogers out as a starter … no matter what the guys on the depth chart do. He is just as valuable as the other starting LB’s at the position he plays and what he is asked and expected to do. As for one of the best LB crews in the nation if we replace Rogers … I think we are one of the best now and will be even better with an retuning JG,T-Reed, SS, and a year wiser Rogers. What you are seeing is a finely tuned LB crew understanding their roles and playing them. I don’t expect to change opinion, no skin off my chin, so it does not matter. I would just like to see the kid and others get a little more credit for what they do. I doubt some will ever give Rogers he’s due, no matter what he does in 2012. That may have as much to do with the pedestal we have placed others on (myself including), so we look for a fall guy … and it can’t be them.

[SMUfiji43]

I like Kevin Pope a lot. I have a hunch that he'll be the starter at MLB next to Reed at some point during the season.

He's a thumper and always seems to play with a pretty good motor. He's my pick for most underrated.

For offense, I'm interested to see what Der'rikk Thompson can do this year. He has some serious wheels.

[fornaxqt]

Worthen is by far the most underrated player and under utilized. This kid was All Conference in the Big Sky Conference as a sophmore at Portland State....I think he was second in tackles both years at Portland. Just saw his picture in the weight room as he holds 2 records for backers with 500+ squat and the pro agility. I've seen video and the kid will take your head off! Hope to see him on the field more this year.

[SMUguy]

Bryan Collins
Keenan Holman
Cam Rogers
Kenneth Acker

[PSCA]

Obviously I agree with FORNAXQT (Cody was on my original list). Pound for pound he is probably one, if not the strongest player on the team. Very quick and instinctive … and he will hit you. I would like to see him get a shot at safety (not to suggest he can’t play OLB), which is where he played at Portland State I believe. I know Mason likes him, and likes what he brings at OLB. Not as tall, but he sort of reminds me of Kenamer. After football, I think he can have a career in the cross-fit games.

[Hoss]

Interesting. If nobody separates himself at free safety, I wonder if Mason would give him a look?

My underrated players:
Ben Gottschalk
Kenneth Acker
Kevin Grenier
Randall Joyner

[Stallion]

I really think Stephon Sanders might be the most underrated. He's considered the 3rd LB. I'm hoping by the end of the year he's the man. Guys like him who excell as Freshman often take a big jump as Sophomores