I think you hit on a key point, and that is he is probably the best overall running back we have. I have been particularly impressed with his blocking this year. He has done a terrific job blocking, which is too often overlooked. I still see JV as the starter with Alley Broussard on his heels and getting the 2nd most carries. Shy and JA will get the remainder of the carries. Saban will always go with the "hot" guy more as the game progresses. I also agree that Hester has looked very good so far, and Saban & Fisher will look for ways to get him on the field more often.
TE, I think you're reading too much into JV's setting a 1200 yards goal for himself. I think he just wants to be all that he can be and in doing so, that will help the team. Also, let's not judge players too harshly this early in the season. I see improvement from most players on this team each and every week.
There is nothing wrong with JV. The reason he ihasn't picked up where he left off last year is that the O line isn't opening the holes for him the way last years O line did. JV is not going to get his yards by running over people the way Broussard does. He is at his best making his cuts and choosing his spots behind great blocking. When this year's O line starts performing like last years we will see the "old" Justin Vincent.
TE, i know JV personally and i can tell you he just wants to help the team as much as possible. You are reading way to much into his comments. The problem i think this year has a lot to do with play calling, line play, and defenses keying on him. 4.6 ypc is still pretty good. He is still are best back because of everything he does i.e. blocking and catching.
I believe Tigerskin has ranked the backs correctly at this point in the season. Broussard and Addai are hungry right now and want to prove themselves. JV will get there. What a great running back 'problem' to have! Also with the game against Miss. St. the two qb situation seems to be working pretty well right now. Poor execution against Auburn but as the season progresses LSU will get stronger.
I don't understand why Saban keeps JV at #1 RB. I believe both JA and AB put the team in a better position to win game when they are in. AB runs thru the same holes JV doesn't because he keeps trying to break it outside. And if there is no hole sombody is going to pay. Isn't that what we need in a RB. There is two much speed in this game and if JV hestitates bye bye hole. I don't remember his style last year looking like this year. If and when JV starts running better than some one else I will be glad to see him get the ball. But if everything is based on last year why are we playing this year. JV came in earlier than AB and that along with a few drops put him ahead of AB. New season and guys have improved. If they are keying on JV all they are doing is staying home and keeping him from going wide. He needs to help the line and move thru when these holes are there. AB JA JV SC/Hester But I am not Saban just a fan with an opinion. I do think that if AB would have run the ball against AU more we would be undefeated. And OSU would not have been as close.
You can't use yesterday to really tell that much. Over the last four games everyone knows Alley is running hot. But I DO NOT buy this jinx crap. That's for wide receivers. Did any of the talented RB's in college really have problems breaking it loose or making plays out of nothing. Cedric Benson, Cadillac, Cedric Cobbs, Darren Sproles, Greg Jones, all get it done despite varying Oline effectiveness. It never mattered, they still tore it up. I would like to point out that JV's finesse pays from last year often involved the QB hitting him on the screen or bubble, and no QB can execute that for crap, so that limits him (what good is he if he can't get the ball). Also, teaching the guards to pull and block for the RB is key into getting bigger plays for our RB's, not just JV. JV, like Shy, is most dangerous when they get into the open field. I think these plays will happen as the season gets longer and JV will still kick ass.
JV is a victim of the two-quarterback experiment. The quality teams are loading the box and not respecting the run because of the inconsistent play of the quarterbacks, hence, JV’s lack of success. However, while this swarming kind of defense isn’t conducive to JV’s style of running, it is, fortunately, better suited to AB’s running style, hence, AB’s recent greater success. Actually, I think both running backs complement each other quite nicely and look forward to each sharing playing time the remainder of the year. I wouldn’t say either running back is better than the other one because they both do what they do very well indeed. Look for JV’s numbers to improve as the quarterbacks and passing game continues to improve and teams are forced to respect the pass. Now, I read the same article about JV telling coach he was going to have to rush for 1400 or 1500 yards this year, but the gist of the story was JV was putting to much pressure on himself to surpass last year’s breakout freshman season. All through spring practice and through the fall practice again, Saban repeatedly singled out Justin for being an outstanding team leader. JV is as much a team player as anyone on the team and a better leader than most. In fact, no one is more thrilled by his roommate’s improvement and recent success anymore than JV. So everyone please don’t worry about JV, his production will improve just as soon as the passing game improves. When our offensive line quits being outnumbered, their productivity will drastically improve also.
Swarming defense helps a power runner??? I bet Saban would have a heart attack if he read this thread.
