Knowshon's touches

by randomterrace on Nov 18, 2007 9:53 PM EST

There was an interesting post over at Paul Westerdawg's blog tonight defending the decision to limit Knowshon's carries in the UK game.

Personally, though, I disagree for a few reasons.

I think that Knowshon is being taken out at bizarre times. I remember two incidents (and there might have been more) where Knowhson left the game in the middle of a drive and immediately after Knowshon had run for ten yards and a first down. The second time this happened Knowshon had run for two straight 10yd-plus runs. This reminds me, in the worst way, of the end of the South Carolina game, in which we ripped off three straight big gainers into the red zone only to pass three times, losing us the game. We shouldn't be taking him out when he's rolling. Ever.
Knowshon can break for a huge gain any time by himself. Thomas Brown has been a consistent back, but he rarely burst for big gains without the O line coming through in a huge way. For instance, his 81 yards in the Auburn game were often pointed out as a big positive for the Dawgs, as that meant we now had two big time backs. However, if you take away his one fifty or so yard gain (I don't recall the exact yardage) his total is around 30 yards. I wouldn't hold that against him except that he wasn't touched on the big gainer - he just ran through a big hole, made one move with no Auburn players around him to change his angle, then ran free.

I'm not saying Thomas Brown is a bad running back. He isn't - I think he's a very good back. But he's not Knowshon, and it's my hope that unless we open up a huge lead on Ga Tech, his carries are never again less than or equal to any other running backs. (Unless, of course, Caleb King turns out to be even better, which I doubt.)

That's my two cents. Anybody disagree?

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agree and disagree

firstly, i agree with you that knowshon can bust it for 6 at any time. But I think the point PWD was making is that the kid is only a freshman and it's not like we don't have anybody behind him that can run the ball too.

I certainly think the timing of when he comes out is at times questionable but when i would say knowshon has been taking himself out for a blow rather than the coaches yanking him.

I think the two back system is working perfectly with him and TB and i have absolutely no problems with the amount of carries for both.

by loran smith on Nov 18, 2007 11:20 PM EST reply actions

agree and disagree, part2

it was TB's final game at home....have a heart.
i don't feel that we were in danger of losing to UK when TB started subbing in more, as our D really stood up, so his playing didn't negatively affect the outcome.
i also noticed that he came right back in after that frosh-looking fumble, but it WAS Senior Day...meh
i wanted KM to break Herschel's record, and woulda liked to see him run into the books, but i also want him healthy for GT (maybe he will get 400 yards in that game!) and LSU or Hawaii, whoever we play next.
-Go Dawgs!

by dawgstyle on Nov 19, 2007 8:49 AM EST reply actions