At one point Friday morning I noticed a tweet coming from the Arkansas sports department lauding the number number of picks their coaching staff had in the draft at that point.
Hey, I looked at it skeptically. As one of the reasons I see them claiming numbers for kids like Cordelle Patterson of UT since they have Chaney on their new staff serving as offensive coordinator. Reality is, Patterson's talent and development didn't come from his time at UTāhe was a JUCO kid that happened to benefit from being on a larger stage. (Talented WR, don't get me wrong.)
I've been in many discussions about Petrino and his time at Arkansas. As a play caller, I've always been impressed with BP. As a head coach? No. Not so much. I've pointed to things like the lack of defense as example of reasons why his talent was limited in the head coaching role.
Now, seeing the draft and this note, another point is brought up demonstrating how he's been cracked up to be more than he really is...
Since 2008, Arkansas hasn't had any players drafted in the first two rounds. Does that spell "player development?"
If someone told me they thought Jonathan Banks (MSU) was the best corner in the SEC last season I wouldn't argue with him. Seeing Slay get selected before Banks? There's a legitimate argument. But, it does affirm one thought I had during the preseason. MSU had what was likely the best secondary in the SEC last season. Coaching in the secondary? Ah, there's a subject for discussion among Bulldog fans.
I wonder if it's beginning to dawn on Auburn fans that the coach they chose to hate, before Chizik, for talent on campus is the one that developed the most for the next level?
Proven. There's been a lot of talent down in Baton Rouge on the defensive side of the ball. Out of the six chosen there wasn't one from the offensive side of the ball. Am I the only one who finds that shocking considering Miles is a former offensive player?
In closing, a thought on Bama...
If you've ever been accused of being closed minded consider this. If you've followed the team for more than a decade it's easy to recall the lack of developed, pro prospects in Tuscaloosa versus the numbers we are seeing today. That said, I'm anxious to see what our WR development is like over the next three seasons and how that translates to the league.
Hey, I looked at it skeptically. As one of the reasons I see them claiming numbers for kids like Cordelle Patterson of UT since they have Chaney on their new staff serving as offensive coordinator. Reality is, Patterson's talent and development didn't come from his time at UTāhe was a JUCO kid that happened to benefit from being on a larger stage. (Talented WR, don't get me wrong.)
I've been in many discussions about Petrino and his time at Arkansas. As a play caller, I've always been impressed with BP. As a head coach? No. Not so much. I've pointed to things like the lack of defense as example of reasons why his talent was limited in the head coaching role.
Now, seeing the draft and this note, another point is brought up demonstrating how he's been cracked up to be more than he really is...
Since 2008, Arkansas hasn't had any players drafted in the first two rounds. Does that spell "player development?"
If someone told me they thought Jonathan Banks (MSU) was the best corner in the SEC last season I wouldn't argue with him. Seeing Slay get selected before Banks? There's a legitimate argument. But, it does affirm one thought I had during the preseason. MSU had what was likely the best secondary in the SEC last season. Coaching in the secondary? Ah, there's a subject for discussion among Bulldog fans.
I wonder if it's beginning to dawn on Auburn fans that the coach they chose to hate, before Chizik, for talent on campus is the one that developed the most for the next level?
Proven. There's been a lot of talent down in Baton Rouge on the defensive side of the ball. Out of the six chosen there wasn't one from the offensive side of the ball. Am I the only one who finds that shocking considering Miles is a former offensive player?
In closing, a thought on Bama...
If you've ever been accused of being closed minded consider this. If you've followed the team for more than a decade it's easy to recall the lack of developed, pro prospects in Tuscaloosa versus the numbers we are seeing today. That said, I'm anxious to see what our WR development is like over the next three seasons and how that translates to the league.
