Acker, WRs, and other thoughts

[lwjr]

As far as G2 taking off and running, it seems in the past years previous QB's had room to run and did not. Granted they did not have the athleticism as G2. I will be the last one to say I understand this offense, but from the untrained eye it seems JJ would rather have the QB go thru all of his reads instead of taking off and running. You guys that know this stuff a lot better than myself, I would appreciate your take.

[JasonB]

OL Recruiting. I put in parenthesis who rivals gave credit if anyone is mentioned.

2007 - Beachum, Brooks (Edmondson), LeRibus (Gush), Lilly (Gush), Tennison (Vinklarek), Turner (Burns), 5 players who started at some point? Pretty good class. All from the PB staff.

2008 - Byrd (Burns), Chase, Emshoff, Free, Huahulu, McJunkin, Nwangwu, Robiskie. Huahulu had a promising freshman year, McJunkin was okay, but lots of players who didn't pan out. Mostly PB's last class.

2009 - Atchison (Odum), Collins (Reinebold), Favreau (McKnight), Fontana (Reinbold), Hughes (Reinebold), Miller (McKnight). Collins was solid, the rest not so much.

2010 - Duhe (Klemm, Reinebold), Gottshalk (Klemm). Gottshalk really good, Duhe not so much, just didn't take many players.

2011 - Lasecki (Klemm), Levingston (Klemm), Reich (Klemm), Weeks (Klemm) - Livingston never played, but the others are going to be really good when they grow up, and Reich was really highly thought of before the injuries.

2012 - Briggs, Chamagua, Myers, Rice (Suan), Walling (Suan) - Briggs, Myers, and Rice have shown potential. Chamagua has great size but isn't there yet.

2008 and 2009 had a lot of players who didn't hit. And we only took two offensive linemen in 2010. When I say the linemen are better this year, I am not comparing them to the 2007 class. I am saying the classes are much better than 2008 and 2009 (and 2010 because of the small class).

Ashcroft has been a bit disappointing to this point in the season. But really he is just providing cover for the missed recruiting classes.

[SMU 86]

Chase, Emshoff, Free, Huahulu, McJunkin, Nwangwu, Robiskie were JJ recruits. Briggs and Myers were Klemm's. Suan called them after Klemm went To UCLA but they committed under Klemm.

The offensive line does play poorly on special teams or tackle poorly on defense. GG and JJ are not free of accountability on our losses.

[JasonB]

WR Recruiting. Same bit.

2006 - Burley (Bennnett), Hudnall - we got nothing from this class.

2007 - Wilkerson (Gush), Bradley , Haynes (Gush), Aldrick - Aldrick was a stud, Haynes and Wilkerson both contributed but weren't standouts.

2008 - Beas (Roark), Lunday, Drewery, Loftin - Beas worked out really well. Drewery never made it. Lunday and Loftin were posession guys who contributed but weren't standouts.

2009 - Holyfield, McDade (Odum), Franklin (Reinebold), Darius Johnson (Reinbold), Joubert (Odum). McDade and Franklin couldn't stay in school, Joubery never made it. DJ was a standout.

2010 - JJ (Mason, Morrison), DT (Mason), Collins (Mason), Guinyard (Odum), Holman (Suan), Londy (Odum). Collins and Londy couldn't stay in school. Guinyard was hurt and is just now showing flashes. JJ is solid. DT and Holman both had to start way too early because of lack of quality of previous classes. I would say both are "okay" at this point in their career.

2011 - Ace (Klemm), Nyle Johnson (Reinebold), Darius Joseph (Morrison), Sams (Reinebold), Sims. Johnson and Sams aren't here anymore. Sims was going to have a role this year, but got hurt. Ace hasn't produced yet. DJ is solid. No playmakers.

2012 - Lagasse (Hill), Dieter (Reinebold), Stewart (Reinebold). Dieter transferred, Lagasse is solid. Stewart has potential.

2013 - Lancaster (Phillips), Rhodes (Odum), Deion (Phillips), Taylor (Hill), Gaines (Hill). Lancaster got hurt, but has playmaker potential. Taylor and Gaines have playmaker potential. Deion who knows, but he does have hands and a burst. No idea about Rhodes.

Again, when I say the WR corps is better, I am not comparing it to Sanders, Beas, or Robinson. I am saying 2008, 2009 and 2010 had a ton of misses. More than that, the guys who were stud athletes and could have been difference makers never got into school. Because of that we had to play guys way too early. Gaines and Taylor are significantly better than DT and Holman were when they got on campus, and those two had to play right away.

Yes, we are young, but we have a better players at OL and WR right now than we had last year, and at WR the year before. And even though the OL was a lot better two years ago, we are much better at QB than we were then. We should be seeing improvements in the offensive performance of the team over the inconsistencies of the last two seasons. And even though we aren't as poor offensively as we were early last season, the improvement doesn't meet expectations.

[mrydel]

What has become of Lagasse? Started game one and I do not know if he has been seen since.

[JasonB]

What has become of Lagasse? Started game one and I do not know if he has been seen since.

I assumed he got hurt because Jones seems to like him, he is quick, and he catches everything thrown at him in practice.

[PerunaPunch]

I know you are a hard core JJ supporter

Incorrect. I am a Mustang supporter. I like many coaches on this staff, but JJ is not one of them. However, that is irrelevant. I do think he is a very good coach. The only thing that matters is the road to getting to where we all want to be, but differing on how best to accomplish that. I try to take my personal frustration out of it and look at what is the best for the team. I think many of our fans have a VASTLY overinflated opinion of the desirability of the SMU head coaching job. We also assume, perhaps incorrectly, that the Circle of Champions (or whoever) is willing to Pony Up mega millions to get the pigskin version of Larry Brown on the Hilltop (if such a person even exists).

Bennett had redshirt freshman lineman and wide receivers played better than this. JJ still has not found a QB for the most part. No running back in this class. No nose tackle in this class.

Not going to argue this point with you. Bennett had a handful of kids that really made an impact. Unfortunately, in football you need at least 22 good players to field a good team. The problem right now on both sides of the line of scrimmage is youth and depth.

Not many players with BCS offers in this class. Have you seen our current incoming class?

Well, Gilbert was a 5-star Gatorade National Player of the Year. Ashcraft and Lowe were both 4-star recruits. All had LOADS of BCS offers and PonyFans have bitched about all of them.

I actually have seen (as compared to you who obviously haven't), personally and up close, almost all the kids in the incoming freshman class. I've talked to them and seen many in the weight room. Generally speaking, they look more athletic and mature than any class we've had post-DP. Gaines, Taylor, McCarty, Saena, Gentry, Hollie, Lawler, Minor, Carroll, Horton, Crosby, Dickerson, Halverson, Law, Montgomery, Richardson, Washington and Rhodes all look like they could be incoming freshmen at UT or Alabama. Other than Sanders, who I gather really does have some ability, there's not one runt in the litter (as compared to every other JJ class that seems to contain a half dozen diminutive slot receivers). Guys like Mason Gentry and Jerry Saena are obviously projects, but both have the size and athleticism that ANY program would gamble on.

Even though JJ specifically said he did not want to burn any redshirts this year, the fact that we're seeing so many of these kids on the field already should give you and indication of how good this class may be relative to some of our earlier, more high-profile (at least in the opinion of the recruiting services) classes.

[Rebel10]

I know you are a hard core JJ supporter

Incorrect. I am a Mustang supporter. I like many coaches on this staff, but JJ is not one of them. However, that is irrelevant. I do think he is a very good coach. The only thing that matters is the road to getting to where we all want to be, but differing on how best to accomplish that. I try to take my personal frustration out of it and look at what is the best for the team. I think many of our fans have a VASTLY overinflated opinion of the desirability of the SMU head coaching job. We also assume, perhaps incorrectly, that the Circle of Champions (or whoever) is willing to Pony Up mega millions to get the pigskin version of Larry Brown on the Hilltop (if such a person even exists).

Bennett had redshirt freshman lineman and wide receivers played better than this. JJ still has not found a QB for the most part. No running back in this class. No nose tackle in this class.

Not going to argue this point with you. Bennett had a handful of kids that really made an impact. Unfortunately, in football you need at least 22 good players to field a good team. The problem right now on both sides of the line of scrimmage is youth and depth.

Not many players with BCS offers in this class. Have you seen our current incoming class?

Well, Gilbert was a 5-star Gatorade National Player of the Year. Ashcraft and Lowe were both 4-star recruits. All had LOADS of BCS offers and PonyFans have bitched about all of them.

I actually have seen (as compared to you who obviously haven't), personally and up close, almost all the kids in the incoming freshman class. I've talked to them and seen many in the weight room. Generally speaking, they look more athletic and mature than any class we've had post-DP. Gaines, Taylor, McCarty, Saena, Gentry, Hollie, Lawler, Minor, Carroll, Horton, Crosby, Dickerson, Halverson, Law, Montgomery, Richardson, Washington and Rhodes all look like they could be incoming freshmen at UT or Alabama. Other than Sanders, who I gather really does have some ability, there's not one runt in the litter (as compared to every other JJ class that seems to contain a half dozen diminutive slot receivers). Guys like Mason Gentry and Jerry Saena are obviously projects, but both have the size and athleticism that ANY program would gamble on.

Even though JJ specifically said he did not want to burn any redshirts this year, the fact that we're seeing so many of these kids on the field already should give you and indication of how good this class may be relative to some of our earlier, more high-profile (at least in the opinion of the recruiting services) classes.

Most of JJ's best offense lines were Bennett recruits. Also, our best wide receivers were Bennett recruits. Also, JJ burns redshirts every year.

I am talking about this years incoming 2014 class jerk. Not many BCS offers. How do they compare against other lower tier BCS team not just SMU (have you been to UT, Alabama or Ole Miss to see their recruits?).
http://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/re ... 014/SMU-82

And yes, you are a JJ supporter more than an SMU supporter based on how you try to spin things. I realize this site is mostly a pro football staff and you are a sponsor of the site so it is obvious where your interests are.

[Stallion]

I truly believe these same comments have been repeatedly made after each succeeding recruiting class. Guess what you sign a class of sleepers you get low success/fail ratio. We all know there are a few great prospects that many were drooling about-even some like JaBryce who weren't highly recruited

[PonySnob]

I truly believe these same comments have been repeatedly made after each succeeding recruiting class. Guess what you sign a class of sleepers you get low success/fail ratio. We all know there are a few great prospects that many were drooling about-even some like JaBryce who weren't highly recruited

Sleepers? What happened to "Diamond in the Rough" or "Under the Radar"?

[PerunaPunch]

Most of JJ's best offense lines were Bennett recruits. Also, our best wide receivers were Bennett recruits. Also, JJ burns redshirts every year.

1) Best to date certainly. LeRibius and Beach play on Sundays. Thanks for acknowledging my point that we have under-recruited on the OL for several years (in favor of a zillion slot receivers)
2) I am surprised that with JJ's reputation and this crazy offense that he's been unable to recruit a marquee QB and more high-profile receivers. However, our new receveirs Gaines and Taylor (both 3 stars) and Sanders would be considered "better" recruits than E. Sanders, Robinson and Beasley (all 2 stars).
3) Agreed. But JJ specifically said this fall that he regretted burning redshirts in prior years and wanted to avoid doing so again if possible.

I am talking about this years incoming 2014 class jerk. No many BCS offers. How do they compare against other lower tier BCS team not just SMU (have you been to UT, Alabama or Ole Miss to see there recruits?).

Ah, my mistake. I thought you were referring to this year's (2013) much maligned class. I have not met or personally seen any of the 2014 class. And even though we are essentially full in 2014, I'm not thrilled with the fact that the 2014 class contains exactly 2 OL and 2 DLs.

jerk.

Really? How would you know? Does having a differing opinion qualify me as a jerk? I was actually going out of my way to be polite to you. Fact is, I think you're blinded by misplaced rage and are unable to view the situation objectively or realistically. But I don't call you names.

And yes, you are a JJ supporter more than an SMU supporter based on how you try to spin things. I realize this site is mostly a pro football staff and you are a sponsor of the site so it is obvious were your interests are.

I sponsor the site because I read it every day and believe the coverage is much more thorough, objective and professional than the other sites (which are written by college students). Not to mention the fact that those sites weren't even around when we started sponsoring PonyFans.

Further, with a lack of anything substantive or positive from the Morning News or SMU marketing, PonyFans has been the single best promotional tool over the last 10-15 years for connecting Dallas sports fans with SMU Athletics.

I am unaware of my company making a single penny from sponsoring PonyFans. A change in coaching staff has ZERO bearing on my sponsorship –– we've been sponsoring since the Rossley era.

[PerunaPunch]

I truly believe these same comments have been repeatedly made after each succeeding recruiting class. Guess what you sign a class of sleepers you get low success/fail ratio. We all know there are a few great prospects that many were drooling about-even some like JaBryce who weren't highly recruited

For sure. Every coach in America pimps the hell out of their recruiting classes.

But Stallion, even you have to admit that the current team looks a lot more like a football team is supposed to look rather than what we've rolled out in years past.

No offense to guys like Alan Adami, who turned into a terrific player for us, but hopefully gone are the days when we recruit 150 lb DEs like Adami and hope they grow. At least now, they all show up north of 6'4 and 225 lbs.

[Rebel10]

Forrest, Tom, Mike Cavan and Phil "didn't have a chance to win...The system was not set up to win. I really think I'm the only Coach since the Death Penalty that's been given an opportunity to truly be on a level playing field" Coach June Jones

I never said you made money on the site but you are a sponsor and the site is pro football staff. If they told you guys to delete a thread started by a poster that they did not like I am sure you would do it in a heartbeat. Unquestioned loyalty is hard to find these days though.

[PerunaPunch]

Fine, but then give JJ credit for forcing those changes.

Fact is, removing those barriers was a condition for JJ to accept the job here, and frustration over our administration's under-delivering on its promises probably had something to do with him looking at the ASU opportunity.

Don't like his recruiting? Fine. I like what I see today better, but I think we're suffering from underperformance in recruiting (especially along the OL and DL where you need kids to grow and mature before throwing them into the fire) in the last couple of years. So that's a knock. I don't think we have enough in the 2014 class either. I wouldn't be opposed to reallocating the scholarships from some of our underperforming athletes. I think we're close enough to a crises to justify it.

Don't like his offense? I wasn't real fond of Rossley's Run & Shoot either.

But the fact is we're better off today than we have been in the two decades leading up to JJ. Even though going to a bowl in this day and age doesn't mean anything close to what it once meant.

[gostangs]

There are two reasons we are seeing so many of these players on the field:

1) because June is trying to get his contract extended and
2) there is not much in front of them

I do agree the current freshman class is more athletic looking than a couple of the classes ahead of them. However, the class currently signed is not encouraging.