'15 FL ATH Dexter Williams (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

NDRock

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Then why does Kelly keep saying the complete opposite?

Because he's a head coach of a major college football program. Translation: Don't believe much of what he says. Go watch that run of Dex against Wake. Very much doubt he is 100%.
 

Graybeard52

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Because he's a head coach of a major college football program. Translation: Don't believe much of what he says. Go watch that run of Dex against Wake. Very much doubt he is 100%.

Neither is Adams but it doesn't stop BK from riding him. He needs to be given a break more often because he's going to be run into the ground.
 

Wild Bill

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He's healthy enough to play special teams, chasing down a punt returner, but he's not healthy enough to get a few carries?
 

dwshade

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Neither is Adams but it doesn't stop BK from riding him. He needs to be given a break more often because he's going to be run into the ground.

Adams knows how to play with pain. Running into the ground? Go back and see how many carries he's had the last 3 weeks. For the year he is averaging 16 carries a game. Only once has he gone over 20 carries in a game this season. He's not being over worked by any means.
 
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Graybeard52

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Adams knows how to play with pain. Running into the ground? Go back and see how many carries he's had the last 3 weeks. For the year he is averaging 16 carries a game. Only once has he gone over 20 carries in a game this season. He's not being over worked by any means.

Yeah but he takes a lot of hits because of his running style so it's not just the number of carries that factors into wearing a back down, especially when that back clearly isn't 100%. I admire tough players but sometimes you have to balance that with sensibility. The season isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.
 

dwshade

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Yeah but he takes a lot of hits because of his running style so it's not just the number of carries that factors into wearing a back down, especially when that back clearly isn't 100%. I admire tough players but sometimes you have to balance that with sensibility. The season isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.

They essentially gave him the week off against Wake with only 5 carries. 16 and 18 carries last two games. He's a tough kid and and that amount of work is nothing. As far as the season we are down to one game. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a huge game next week much like the USC game at the end of last year. Like I said for the year he's averaging 16 carries a game. Quite a few RB's around the country have averaged more carries than Adams. Of the top 20 rushers in college football Adams is 18th among those 20 in number of carries.
 
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stlnd01

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Where art thou Dexter?

I almost feel like they're saving him for next year, when he'll clearly be RB1.
 

irishff1014

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Why tell the opposing team who is or isn't hurt among your RB's?

Then Kelly is dumber than I thought. Last week down by 30 and he is sending him out there for no reason intelligent. That shows that he is health.
 

NDty9

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I cant be the only one who thinks Dexter is the best RB on this team??? I know he was dinged up during the season, but damn I really wish this kid would get more touches ! Especially when Adams’ one cut and go style, is getting shut down.

I am a huge fan of Dexters game. Great burst, super agile, and has speed as well!
 

BeatSC

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Beat running RB but Kelly puts too much weight on pass blocking. It’s how Cam McDaniel got so much PT
 

Junkhead

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We dont see the team in practice obviously, but damn if DW doesn't to be the best RB on this team. I never notice him in pass protect because he barely sees the field. From my, admittedly amateur prospective, he is a back with NFL running talent who barely gets a chance. Next year?
 

Irish YJ

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Old Man Mike started a petition that Dexter must ride the pines because he's not a good blocker.... He does not want to risk the OL taking the blame....
 

ulukinatme

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Beat running RB but Kelly puts too much weight on pass blocking. It’s how Cam McDaniel got so much PT

Pass blocking is important. Without having a decent RB to pick up an extra blocker you're probably giving up at least a few extra sacks a game and a few more drives become failures as a result. Gotta protect the QB so he can make a play.
 

dublinirish

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DW nearly got Ian Book decapitated yesterday with his no-block on that pass attempt after his 39 yard run..
 

Bluto

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Yeah, it is unfortunate that Williams sucks at pass pro. He could be the ideal every down back if he decided to master that part of his craft.
 
K

koonja

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Let's assume DW can't pass protect (ive seen Adams get whipped on poor effort too), there are dozens of RBs I'm CFB that can't pass protect, but you as a coach find a way to still use them.

Have them go out in the flat or something to occupy a defender or get open.

It's insane that DW comes in and gives a sign of a serious threat and then sits immediately.

Adams is the Joe Schmidt of the offense, he's been tenured and BK will not give Nyles Morgan/Williams snaps.
 

Irish#1

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DW nearly got Ian Book decapitated yesterday with his no-block on that pass attempt after his 39 yard run..

He was probably too tired to block. lol

If he were too transfer, he better go to a school that runs a wide open passing offense where the RB is looked at as another WR and doesn't require the back to stay in and block. BK's first requirement for a RB is the ability to stay in and block.
 

stlnd01

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Why would he transfer? Assuming Adams goes, Dex will clearly be the best RB on the team next year (he may well be now). Learn to pass block and he's our every down back.
 

greyhammer90

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Let's assume DW can't pass protect (ive seen Adams get whipped on poor effort too), there are dozens of RBs I'm CFB that can't pass protect, but you as a coach find a way to still use them.

Have them go out in the flat or something to occupy a defender or get open.

It's insane that DW comes in and gives a sign of a serious threat and then sits immediately.

Adams is the Joe Schmidt of the offense, he's been tenured and BK will not give Nyles Morgan/Williams snaps.

Adams was seven yards away from breaking the single season rushing record. He's not the Joe Schmidt of anything.
 

Bluto

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Let's assume DW can't pass protect (ive seen Adams get whipped on poor effort too), there are dozens of RBs I'm CFB that can't pass protect, but you as a coach find a way to still use them.

Have them go out in the flat or something to occupy a defender or get open.

It's insane that DW comes in and gives a sign of a serious threat and then sits immediately.

Adams is the Joe Schmidt of the offense, he's been tenured and BK will not give Nyles Morgan/Williams snaps.

Sure everyone looses reps here and there however, both times Williams had to pass pro last night that I saw he sucked and the guy he was supposed to pick up was in Books face immediately. Now, let's assume the other team realizes your running back sucks at pass pro. That then frees them up to send a blitz irregardless of whether you think it's run or pass because the blitz is going to get home on the pass or blow up the gap on the run. As Brandon Wimbush clearly demonstrated having a one dimensional player at any skill position on offense makes the opposing defensive coordinators life a whole lot easier. It would be nice if Williams could get it together in this regard. That would be a much easier solution than having to develop and or change your entire scheme to cover up your one running backs glaring weakness. Williams is good when he is healthy but I haven't seen anything from him that would warrant designing an entire offense around his skill set.
 
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Domina Nostra

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Adams is the Joe Schmidt of the offense, he's been tenured and BK will not give Nyles Morgan/Williams snaps.

Adams was seven yards away from breaking the single season rushing record. He's not the Joe Schmidt of anything.

Wow. I get Koonja's point that Kelly plays guys he trusts, even when it means keeping guys with talent off the field. But Adams clearly justifies his playing time.

I do think Kelly and company need to just ride DW when he gets hot, though. And I think moving him to slot on passing plays, is a great idea.
 
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koonja

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Wow. I get Koonja's point that Kelly plays guys he trusts, even when it means keeping guys with talent off the field. But Adams clearly justifies his playing time.

I do think Kelly and company need to just ride DW when he gets hot, though. And I think moving him to slot on passing plays, is a great idea.

I'm not saying Adams is the same talent as Joe, obviously he's not.

But he's been tenured to the "I'll play you every snap I can, even if we have someone better/healthier/fresher that could come help you and the team by taking some snaps" treatment.
 

IRISHMAN

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I cant be the only one who thinks Dexter is the best RB on this team???
adams and Williams should be co-starters. no one in there right mind should put tony jones in over Williams (tony jones is probably the 4th best rb on the team). DW has proven his worth and talent over and over again and tony jones has been nothing but a hype machine. I think the coaching staff is on drugs.
 
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koonja

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I cant be the only one who thinks Dexter is the best RB on this team??? I know he was dinged up during the season, but damn I really wish this kid would get more touches ! Especially when Adams’ one cut and go style, is getting shut down.

I am a huge fan of Dexters game. Great burst, super agile, and has speed as well!

I believe Dexter Williams is the best RB on the team. I think Tony Jones Jr is second best. Dexter would have carried the ball for Alabama last night. Adams wouldn't have seen the field on offense IMO. I think the difference among them is marginal, though.

Adams is probably the most dependable, at least in the coaches minds.
 
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IrishLax

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I've been banging the drum all year that Dexter has the most NFL upside of any back because of his burst. He gets skinny in the hole and explodes through arm tackles. He cuts in the open field at an elite level, and has very good top end speed to go with a decent frame.

If he can't pass protect, it reminds me of a Melvin Gordon (I think? Might have been Montee Ball?) quote about not pass protecting at Wisconsin and having to improve in the NFL -- "My job was to run the ball." If Williams is bad in pass protection, you can also send him out of the backfield on a route for a check down which equally (in many cases) neutralizes a defender. There is no excuse or rationale for his lack of touches except the coaches playing favorites. He needs the ball more, at least 10+ carries a game next year. He routinely makes special plays when given the opportunity... Tony Jones does not.
 
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koonja

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I've been banging the drum all year that Dexter has the most NFL upside of any back because of his burst. He gets skinny in the hole and explodes through arm tackles. He cuts in the open field at an elite level, and has very good top end speed to go with a decent frame.

If he can't pass protect, it reminds me of a Melvin Gordon (I think? Might have been Montee Ball?) quote about not pass protecting at Wisconsin and having to improve in the NFL -- "My job was to run the ball." If Williams is bad in pass protection, you can also send him out of the backfield on a route for a check down which equally (in many cases) neutralizes a defender. There is no excuse or rationale for his lack of touches except the coaches playing favorites. He needs the ball more, at least 10+ carries a game next year. He routinely makes special plays when given the opportunity... Tony Jones does not.

And I think Tony Jones is the same at getting skinny and finding the hole efficiently. He's just less explosive than Dexter, but probably more powerful too. I think the running styles are similar, and I like both over Adams.
 

greyhammer90

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I've been banging the drum all year that Dexter has the most NFL upside of any back because of his burst. He gets skinny in the hole and explodes through arm tackles. He cuts in the open field at an elite level, and has very good top end speed to go with a decent frame.

If he can't pass protect, it reminds me of a Melvin Gordon (I think? Might have been Montee Ball?) quote about not pass protecting at Wisconsin and having to improve in the NFL -- "My job was to run the ball." If Williams is bad in pass protection, you can also send him out of the backfield on a route for a check down which equally (in many cases) neutralizes a defender. There is no excuse or rationale for his lack of touches except the coaches playing favorites. He needs the ball more, at least 10+ carries a game next year. He routinely makes special plays when given the opportunity... Tony Jones does not.

It could be that the entire makeup of the offensive system this year was RPO that doesn't allow for an RB to go out wide frequently. If the coaches thought that Dexter was going to be RB3 (which appears justified given the reports out of spring camp by reporters that Dexter was clearly the no. 3 back), it doesn't make a ton of sense to alter your offensive identity around him. Could the coaches have adjusted to this and altered the playcalling once it became apparent that Dexter needed more touches? Idk. Maybe. But system changes like that are not generally as easy to do in the middle of a season, particularly with a QB who already appears a bit mentally lost in the passing game.

I don't know if the above is true. Just spit-balling.
 
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