Is this JJ's last hurrah?

[tenplay]

From his 2000+ yard senior year at Cal, JJ has sunk almost into oblivion. I mean, how can a RB who runs 2000+ yards in an 11 game season a major conference like the Pac 10 become a mere footnote on a bottom feeder NFL team so quickly? If he is not good enough to play, why don't we cut or trade him? If he is good enough to play, why is he not utilized more? I don't get it.

 

[slanidrac16]

JJ will be a part of this team. He made a couple of key contributions last year and needs to be utilized more in the manner that he was last year. He is never going to be a guy to bowl 2 guys over but given a little space he can utilize his speed. Swing passes and dump offs is the way he needs to be used plus he is our "other" return guy.

 

[joeshmo]

1. Just more proof that college production is not the only thing to evaluate when scouting a player becuase college production does not equal NFL success. I think GM's can fall into that trap sometimes when making their selections.

2. Just becuase they didnt hand him the ball doesnt mean he wasnt utilized last year or wont be utilized again this year. He was used very often last year as a reciever out of the backfield(more so then James), often times as a pass blocking RB(more times then James), and as a return teams blocker. All three of which is does pretty well IMO. I see him being utilized often in those area's again this year as well.

 

[cgolden]

JJ will be a part of this team. He made a couple of key contributions last year and needs to be utilized more in the manner that he was last year. He is never going to be a guy to bowl 2 guys over but given a little space he can utilize his speed. Swing passes and dump offs is the way he needs to be used plus he is our "other" return guy.

Agreed. He isn't going to be full-time back and I've never been a big fan of his, but he's got some place in this league. He'll never live up to his 2nd round draft status but if he's used as 'scat back' type on swing passes and gets the ball in space, he's got some value. Basically he's a part of his team and as long as they use in limited skills in the right way, he can help this team win.

 

[joeshmo]

Also, do not underestimate contract year motivation.

That can apply to JJ, A. Smith, Green, Dansby, and a few others.

 

[bg7brd]

The O line has something to do with it too.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

I still don't understand why JJ was used more exclusively in the 2 minute offense than Edge. Edge is a good receiver out of the backfield and a superior pass blocker. Sure JJ has more speed, but Edge is more of a sure thing.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I still don't understand why JJ was used more exclusively in the 2 minute offense than Edge. Edge is a good receiver out of the backfield and a superior pass blocker. Sure JJ has more speed, but Edge is more of a sure thing.

I have been wondering this for years now. Edge still thinks he is an everyday back too.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Pac-10 doesn't know what defense is.

 

[ajcardfan]

JJ is still on the team, come Sept. 7th.

 

[40yearfan]

JJ is still on the team, come Sept. 7th.

His performance today warrants that.

 

[conraddobler]

JJ is not an every down back but if used properly he's an excellent change of pace back, catching passes and helping out on special teams.

He's valuable although no where near as good as hoped he's plenty good for depth.

 

[Chopper0080]

He definitely is no Raynoch Thompson, and we kept him on our roster for 5 years.

 

[joeshmo]

He definitely is no Raynoch Thompson, and we kept him on our roster for 5 years.

Not only that but we gave him a contract extension.

 

[TJ]

Its either him or Baylark, unfortunately.

 

[D-Dogg]

JJ hasn't had a first hurrah yet.

 

[football karma]

JJ stays for a few reasons:

1. No other rb on the roster is pressing him -- and he does bring the speed quality the other two backs dont have

2. Special teams depth -- with Breaston looking like the 3rd WR, you need JJ around to return kicks if Breaston gets nicked during his work with the offense, or simply to give him a blow.

unless somebody gets released that can do those things better, JJ stays for this season

 

[Russ Smith]

If things continue the way they're going JJ might wind up the primary KOR, Breaston is making a strong case for #3 WR with Doucet still hurt, and JJ is outperforming Breaston on KOR so far.

THe one area I really hoped for improvement, pass receiving, he still looks like he's just not a natural he has to turn and face to catch the ball he can't do it on the run.

Still nice to see him making some impact on returns, if Breaston winds up playing a lot at WR they're going to want to rest him on returns at times.

 

[ajcardfan]

Baylark isn't doing diddly-sqaut on special teams. That's why JJ will make it, and Baylark won't.

Even better than the kickoff return, was the run he made on the 3rd and 9 draw to convert a first down. I liked that, and don't think Baylark is fast enough to do the same thing.

 

[john h]

Agreed. He isn't going to be full-time back and I've never been a big fan of his, but he's got some place in this league. He'll never live up to his 2nd round draft status but if he's used as 'scat back' type on swing passes and gets the ball in space, he's got some value. Basically he's a part of his team and as long as they use in limited skills in the right way, he can help this team win.

I was really pumped up when we drafted him. With a RB you learn real quick what you have. JJ has no place on this team IMHO and never will. He is like the Lion with no heart in the Wizard of Oz. He should be out there on the yellow brick road looking for Oz.

 

[D-Dogg]

I hate these "no heart" comments. He sure didn't run like he had "no heart" last night.

Some guys never live down a perception built in one or two plays. It's unfortunate.

 

[JeffGollin]

JJ had his moments last night. Wolfley observed he looked more decisive in his cuts.

Sometimes being on the bubble going into your final (or close to final) year brings with it "a heightened sense of urgency."

 

[Assface]

I think we as a whole tend to focus too much on what JJ can't do as opposed to what he can do. I know there's some bitterness that he didn't become the every down back that we wanted but he does have a lot of value to the team.

 

[Skkorpion]

I think we as a whole tend to focus too much on what JJ can't do as opposed to what he can do. I know there's some bitterness that he didn't become the every down back that we wanted but he does have a lot of value to the team.

Yes. Now if we can channel his 00:dark:30 nightclub parking lot aggression on to the football field, we'd have a bad little minehune of a 3rd down back.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Yes. Now if we can channel his 00:dark:30 nightclub parking lot agression on to the football field, we'd have a bad little minnehunne of a 3rd down back.