Jimmy Johns moving to tailback....

[BamaDevO]

What were the reasons for this move? Is he being considered for TB instead of QB, or are they just wanting to keep him on the team without a redshirt etc..?

 

[Mamacalled]

Devo,
Where have you been man? This happenned a couple of weeks ago..
Jimmy Johns said that he wanted to help the team in any way possible instead of redshirting. With Brodie, J.P. Wilson and Guillon all ahead of him on the depth chart he knew that he would have to reshirt if he wanted to hold out for QB. Instead he put the team first and him second by going to the coaches and asking him to be played where they needed him instead of waiting.

 

[ddoublevision]

I thought he was still being "considered" for both, athough it seems more like TB. I find this a little confusing considering the depth at tailback. After last years *insert the word of your choice here* at the QB position, I think we need talant at QB. Hey, Shula & CO are the coaches for a reason, so I am not 2nd guessing them...

 

[BamaDevO]

That was my question...

I just wanted to know if he asked to stay on the team, or if they were no longer considering him at QB. Seems like this boy is talented and at 245 lbs. he should be a load to bring down! :biggrin2:

 

[ddoublevision]

Yeah, him and Keys look great too me, like they could lay some lumber..

 

[KanBama]

I think he worked his way onto special teams also, this way the can redshirt Roy Upchurch.

 

[TerryP]

Come spring camp, '06...

speculation has it he'll get some reps at QB once again. We may see him for a few plays this weekend on the HB spot, but we'll definitely see him playing on the special teams.

It's an interesting placement, IMO. I know that a lot of coaching staff's will put a young player on ST to give them a feel for hitting. Which, if that is the mindset, may be the first taste JJ gets of what kind of action he'd see on our LB corps. I've made no bones about wanting him as an LB, but with his talent and athleticism there are several positions he could play and do very well.

 

[Love the Ping]

TerryP,

That is very true, but I also remember Ahmaad Galloway being a guy who played a lot of special teams for us early in his career. He and Johns kind of remind me of one another with regards to their size and power. I only wish AG could have stayed healthy that last year. He was having a great season.

 

[TidenLA]

I think JJ at RB is brillant....he can run and possibly throw the halfback option when possible....I think he's a duel threat for sure!!!

RTR in Cali

 

[rgw]

Plus he is named after the fine sub franchise that you can enjoy on the strip.

 

[TerryP]

TerryP,

That is very true, but I also remember Ahmaad Galloway being a guy who played a lot of special teams for us early in his career. He and Johns kind of remind me of one another with regards to their size and power. I only wish AG could have stayed healthy that last year. He was having a great season.

I've always enjoyed watching special teams play. In fact, one of the most entertaining players we've had in the past decade when it comes to our coverage teams was Shontua Ray. I only wish he would have had a better understanding of what was required in the defensive backfield. A little more "upstairs" and he would have been on heck of a defensive backfielder.

 

[dayhiker]

Wasn't Ray another one of those guys who had their freshman year squandered by Dubose?

 

[J.Will]

...

Shontua wasn't made to play in the defensive backfield. He was a running back...probably one of the best prep running backs this state has ever seen. He also holds the all division state record for the 100 and 200 meter. There were a lot of crazy things that happened regarding his relationship with certain coaches who are no longer at the University that led to him being in the defensive secondary and then he went down with a knee injury during his first start against UCLA. His college career was marred by disappointment and broken promises as his friend I wish he would have taken either the scholarship to FSU or Florida, but he wanted to play for the tide.

 

[J.Will]

Yes...

He was in for two plays...one at wide reciever and another on a reverse. Total net yard his freshman year -4 I believe.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

And who's to say things would have been any different at another school? You can only speculate.

 

[alatider]

IMO, he will do good.