In the Spartan Plus podcast that Jim, Rico, and I recorded I indicated that my informed opinion was that Madre London or Gerald Holmes would be the Week 1 starter and that LJ Scott would have a chance to push his way to the top of the rotation by the start of Big Ten play.
Rico feels pretty strongly about London based on what he's hearing.
I think the forgotten guy is Gerald Holmes, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is the Week 1 starter if he plays as well in the second scrimmage as he did the first one. Dave Warner said afterward that Holmes, London, and Scott, all graded out about the same in the first scrimmage. There are, however, some that think that Holmes was the top performer, based on how decisively he ran, and his yards after contact.
Holmes was the better of the two tailbacks in the Green-White Game. London was the better overall tailback during spring football. The basis for London being considered better than Holmes is likely the result of his 100-plus yard game in the second scrimmage of spring football.
If Holmes, however, outperforms London in the second jersey scrimmage this weekend. It would be the third straight scrimmage where he outplayed London. That would give the coaching staff a lot to think about. Going into the season.
Delton Williams is an X-factor obviously given his experience and the fact that he is back in pads. He has some rust, but I have heard some positive things about his progress thus far.
The fact that several quality sources are saying different things about the RB competition is a good sign IMO. It means that all players have taken a step forward during training camp. I spoke extensively with Trevon Pendelton and Jack Conklin today, and both of those guys indicated that the competition has been heated at RB and that it will likely play out into the season.
Bottom line, things are moving in a positive direction, much like they were in 2013 when Langford was the opening day starter, but didn't really solidify his role as the feature back until the second week of Big Ten play.
My advice, don't write off Holmes. But also don't write off the possibility that the opening day starter may not be the guy with the most yards at the end of the year. Should be interesting.
Rico feels pretty strongly about London based on what he's hearing.
I think the forgotten guy is Gerald Holmes, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is the Week 1 starter if he plays as well in the second scrimmage as he did the first one. Dave Warner said afterward that Holmes, London, and Scott, all graded out about the same in the first scrimmage. There are, however, some that think that Holmes was the top performer, based on how decisively he ran, and his yards after contact.
Holmes was the better of the two tailbacks in the Green-White Game. London was the better overall tailback during spring football. The basis for London being considered better than Holmes is likely the result of his 100-plus yard game in the second scrimmage of spring football.
If Holmes, however, outperforms London in the second jersey scrimmage this weekend. It would be the third straight scrimmage where he outplayed London. That would give the coaching staff a lot to think about. Going into the season.
Delton Williams is an X-factor obviously given his experience and the fact that he is back in pads. He has some rust, but I have heard some positive things about his progress thus far.
The fact that several quality sources are saying different things about the RB competition is a good sign IMO. It means that all players have taken a step forward during training camp. I spoke extensively with Trevon Pendelton and Jack Conklin today, and both of those guys indicated that the competition has been heated at RB and that it will likely play out into the season.
Bottom line, things are moving in a positive direction, much like they were in 2013 when Langford was the opening day starter, but didn't really solidify his role as the feature back until the second week of Big Ten play.
My advice, don't write off Holmes. But also don't write off the possibility that the opening day starter may not be the guy with the most yards at the end of the year. Should be interesting.
