Drake Johnson What the ?

Submitted by BornSinner on
It takes Green and Smith to both get injured for Johnson to even get significant snaps... Makes me think whether these coaches would even give him a shot if the other two were healthy.. Granted it is Indiana and it is great seeing some awesome running. Cheers.
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MayOhioEatTurds

November 1st, 2014 at 7:39 PM ^

Yes, Indiana caveats apply, but De'Veon played, too--and there was no comparison.

I'm hoping Drake gets some play the rest of the year.  He has always been one fast MF, but he showcased some instinct and decisiveness on some of those runs today, too. 

He looked like a RB, not merely a track star.  Which fortunately, he also is--so if the linebackers don't haul him down, he can run with DBs quite nicely. 

Again I'm left to wonder about coaches' starter selections. 

Fred Jackson, I'm lookin' at you, baby. 

Joined: 06/29/2013

MGoPoints: 5893

mongoose0614

November 2nd, 2014 at 7:52 AM ^

I am also not a better coach than Hoke but it doesn't take a genius to see he is lacking.  How could you be evaluating all the people you do unless you are clearly superior to others in that aspect in your coaching and talent evaluation skills.

I have seen it with my own eyes more than once.

The RB coach DOES determine the RB depth chart.  That is his job.  

 

 

Joined: 01/12/2009

MGoPoints: 1647

johnthesavage

November 1st, 2014 at 11:28 PM ^

I'm sorry, but this is a gross, unnecessary cheap shot at an injured player, who is someone we'll need to perform well in the future. Someone who was our starter. Someone who, like Drake, has looked extremely impresive against poor competition this year. Your comment is utterly unfair and simply wrong. Green has looked good against hapless defenses too.

Not sure why the community loved this uncalled for insult against one of our injured own (judged by the upvotes). I completely disagree.

Joined: 03/30/2013

MGoPoints: 2112

mongoose0614

November 2nd, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^

is a bust.  He is a big back who goes down quicker than a fluffer on an adult film set.  

Smith IMO has run harder and tougher than Green and he played yesterday against the same IU defense and Drake was MUCH better. 

I do have to commend Hayes.  I thought he would never see the field with a hand off because he fumbled a half dozen times in practice that I have seen.

I would love to be wrong about Green.

With Ty next year and if they let Drake play will make Green and Smith less important which is a good thing for us.  

 

Joined: 01/12/2009

MGoPoints: 1647

Indiana Blue

November 2nd, 2014 at 1:55 PM ^

but ... in person you could see how Drake was "high-stepping" thru the line, then turning on the speed when he broke to the next level.  I then watched the game on TV and this wasn't as apparent on TV.  Ya know, I saw this from Mike Cox too and always wondered why he never saw the field - and then he ends up in the NFL.  Just sayin ...

Go Blue!

Joined: 09/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5677

MFanWM

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:42 AM ^

I think this is also around the time there were rumblings of unhappiness with Smith, and possibly some less outward mentions about Green on their place on the depth chart.  From what I can see with Drake is he hits the holes fast enough that if there is ANY seam, he is getting there faster than the potential to fill.  

He still was jammed up by numbers like either of Green or Smith, but he definitely looks like he likes to get up the field similar to Hayes, but runs harder with a bit more size which is helping him break through initial contact.  He also showed some ability to make defenders miss which is really lacking for Green and Smith and he most definitely has the most speed of the 4.

I am guessing he struggled the most in pass protection, but would give up a little substance there for actual threat in the running game especially with Gardner being obviously limited by injury.

Joined: 09/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5216

rob f

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:25 PM ^

Not exactly how i would describe it.  Both from watching live yesterday, and then watching the DVR'd replay today, the O-line blocking was still a problem for much of yesterday's game.  And IU's defensive front isn't anything but mediocre, overall. 

I'm looking forward to Brian's UFR on the offensive effort vs IU, but I'd guess right now he won't grade it well.  I didn't see a lot of holes for our RB's to run thru until late in the game when IU caved defensively, nor did I see the kind of pass protection that's needed for Gardner to be productive against quality defenses.

What really impresses me about yesterday's body of work by Drake is that he was productive while neither Hayes nor Smiith ever got it going.  And several of his gains were made thru the smallest of creases by hitting them quickly before they closed up. 

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 193688

MayOhioEatTurds

November 1st, 2014 at 7:34 PM ^

Yeah, RB instincts were engaged.

So was track-star speed.  That's a combination you don't often see, and when you do it's a joy to watch.  "Wheatley, but smaller," LOL.     

I'm just thrilled for Drake.  When he tore his ACL in that first game of 2013, I felt just sick for him.  I wondered how he would come back from the injury, and couldn't help but think he'd always be riding the caboose on the RB train after losing a year of experience. 

I'm so happy for him, and hope he gets some more play this season! 

Respect the track, yo!

Joined: 06/29/2013

MGoPoints: 5893

ifis

November 1st, 2014 at 6:37 PM ^

If Johnson didn't run well, we'd say Hoke can't develop talent.  Johnson runs well and Hoke can't identify talent.

Can we just be glad that Johnson ripped it up and the team played really well!?!?

Joined: 12/07/2011

MGoPoints: 1853