Alagator;n288464 said:
Seems like there's an impasse. Either KT is bad and the OL is good, OR the other way around. My money is on the OL playing three true frosh and a D-3 transfer.
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TLB;n288388 said:Before reading replies, I'd have called KT 'solid, not great'. I'm not sure he would be great even if we had an OL that could open holes for him, which we do not. But he's been doing everything he's been asked, to the best of his ability - catches in the flat for a loss, blocking since the freshman must not be able to do it, and running all downs in the last game and most in the KY game (why is that? Give the young guys more chances, IMO). Bottom line, he's in a better situation than last year with the staff and QB we had then...but it is still a bad situation and he's doing what he can. For me, that's all I can ask - perform to the best of your ability, because he's the best we've got at this point, even if that isn't up to the level we'd have hoped for.
After reading the replies, I fully agree with Dude that Mark Thompson is going to be an improvement. Next year our running game overall will be better. Part of it will be a year of our OL getting it together and adding some more players into the rotation. Part of it will be the Jordan's having a year of coaching under their belt and a hunger to play after getting limited snaps this year. I don't know if KT will be back next year - most predicted he'd go pro early, but maybe not now that he's not putting up NFL numbers (again, not fully on him, but he still isn't showing NFL level of ability, and he could be sitting a few rounds behind Chubb and possibly Fournette in the draft). KT stays or goes, won't matter a whole lot to me as I'm sure we'll be much better in the run game. If he stays, the starting role isn't a lock, he'll be pushed for it, which is a good thing.
This year, I'm pleased with what we're getting from him. Next year, our running game will be better, with or without him.
He has a very good shot at playing in the NFL. He has good vision and balance and decent (not great) power. He's also legacy. The NFL chews up and spits out RB faster than any position so there is always a need.Left Coast Gator;n288574 said:He is our best RB and I am glad we have him. Unfortunately for him, he does not have the power or the break-away speed required for an NFL contract.
TheBigClaw;n288387 said:Taylor is a pretty decent tailback. If he had the line fournette had right now he'd prolly be averaging a good bit per carry as well. He's not impressed me all that much but he runs hard and pass blocks well and hasn't really fumbled at all.
I changed my mind.NVGator;n288523 said:Yes, we have 3 true freshman OL rotating in but they are damn good. I'd say that's a plus to our OL, not a negative.
Again, if you put Fournette or Chub behind our same OL, they'd still be killing it.
Gator Fever;n288639 said:Unless the line really improves quickly I doubt we have a RB averaging over 5 yards a carry which was standard practice years ago. Trying to think how many RBs have averaged over 5 yards a carry with a lot of touches in recent years - maybe the smurfs because they had a bunch of long runs to boost the average up there a lot. I don't even think Gilly with that good year in 2012 averaged 5 yards a carry.
TheBigClaw;n288717 said:according to the stats Gilly averaged 4.7 a carry back in 12. If you count all of his carries in his career though he averaged around 6 per carry. Definitely the best back we've had the last 5 years or so
BMF;n288361 said:What is the consensus on KT around here?
I think the kid is extremely overrated (at this point) and unimpressive. I'm hoping as the year moves forward he improves and shows that he's a better RB than he's shown on the field. His 4.2 yard average is extremely unimpressive considering half his games have been against ECU and New Mexico State. Throw out the 47 yard gain vs. UT and he had 18 carries for 55 yards. If his 2 backups weren't true freshman he'd likely be the #2 RB right now. He seems to block well and not fumble, which is good...but as a primary SEC RB he leaves a lot to be desired. Would it be safe to say he's not even a top-10 SEC RB right now?
I'm hoping he has a good week vs. Ole Miss, because we're going to need it to keep pressure off the QB. I also hope we see one of the freshman get some carries and playing time.
Jbossgator8;n288823 said:I think he is still learning but I think he will be in the Heisman conversation later on this year and definitely in contention next year and maybe even a Heisman frontrunner!
Jbossgator8;n288823 said:I think he is still learning but I think he will be in the Heisman conversation later on this year and definitely in contention next year and maybe even a Heisman frontrunner!