Re: Aah, this is more like it
I have yet to see PJ take over a game against a big time defense. He's responded when called and earned what he has recieved and he's a wonderful person, athlete, and team leader, but he has yet to put a team on his back and carry them against a very good defense.
These other backs have:
Justin Vincent
Carnell Williams
TA McLendon
and some not mentioned are close:
Leon Washington (and maybe Lorenzo Booker) - 'both' will accomplish more than Greg Jones - these 2 guys will be another of the famous FSU types
Demetrius Summers (USC)
Kregg Lumpkin (it pains me to say this)
PJ is big time, but so are these other guys.
I like PJ better and want the best for him more. I have gold-colored glasses like the next guy, but Vincent, TA, and Carnell are simply incredible. I've seen TA healthy in person 2 times now (neither GT games he's been eligible) and the guy is from another planet.
I've seen Summers live. He might be the 'best' of the bunch, Williams and Vincent included.
Summers and TA 'are' as good as the pundits say.
PJ has proven more durable, but he has 'too' much body lean (which is never happens and is much better than not enough). He accomplishes what he accomplishes at the point of impact because he has great body lean, but he falls down after he breaks the line of scrimmage for the same reason.
How many times did you see PJ break through to open space and just fall down? How many times did he get caught from behind?
PJ is a great tailback, but he also benefitted from not having capable back ups to share the load, a run happy coach, a young QB to keep the plan simple, and a big time line in Reilly, Dorsey, Wallace, Neal, Honeycut, Robinson, and Johnson.
PJ will do well this year, and if he continues to grow, he will be as good as what you all say; but right now he's a very good RB. He is not on the level of Kregg Lumpkin or Demetrius Summers, much less the others mentioned.
If he can learn to regain his balance after the line of scrimmage or increase his speed a bit, he'll make the big time. I hope he does. PJ is one of my favorite players, and clearly one of yours, and he should be, but putting him behind Williams, Summers, Vincent, and TA is not insult. Those guys are on an entrely different level.
Don't let the fact that TA has played us hurt or not played us at all; and the fact that we beat Auburn and NC State after both abandoned their running game, impact what you think about these quality backs.
The Insiders is pretty weak - period. PJ is better than what's listed. Pigskin Preview is pretty generous. The truth is somewhere in the middle.