I'll probably get slammed for this and this may be viewed as negative...

[Volznut]

But it's my opinion that Poole is simply not that good. What is more, he was better last year through the first part of the season....but he has lost something. I don't know if it's mental or physical, or both, but this year he doesn't look like the same back that was running against Oregon, Bama, or even LSU last year. I know the OL has not blocked that well, and Lane has not avergae much either, but Poole to me has looked terrible, it almost seems like he's magnetically attracted to the defender, just no moves. The running back needs to make some plays, break some tackles, make some moves, even with poor OL play. CDD has even alluded to this.

 I look for him to be replaced by Lane soon.

[Clockwork Orange]

But it's my opinion that Poole is simply not that good. What is more, he was better last year through the first part of the season....but he has lost something. I don't know if it's mental or physical, or both, but this year he doesn't look like the same back that was running against Oregon, Bama, or even LSU last year. I know the OL has not blocked that well, and Lane has not avergae much either, but Poole to me has looked terrible, it almost seems like he's magnetically attracted to the defender, just no moves. The running back needs to make some plays, break some tackles, make some moves, even with poor OL play. CDD has even alluded to this.

 I look for him to be replaced by Lane soon.

I don't think that's overly negative, and to me it's a fair observation. The only thing I'll add is that so far, Marlin Lane has not showed me that he's going to set the world on fire either so I'm not sure if he'll be replacing Poole or not. I'd like to see him get more carries and see if he can make something happen.

[Stogie Vol]

I have to agree as well. Poole looks much stronger...maybe to the point of becoming more of a fullback type runner than a tailback.  That extra bulk probably cost him a step or two.  Overall, though, I've seen bigger tailbacks than he is right now, I just don't think his frame can handle that kind of size.  I'd like to see more of Lane, but also more of the younger runners.  If there's a question at a position, I'd give everyone a gameday shot. You might just find a diamond in the rough.

[101stDad]

That's not negative, it's just a realistic look.  In fact I will go even further and say that we have no tailbacks on the team right now who are going to be more than just an average to below average SEC running back.  It really is a position of need. 

[Volznut]

I don't think that's overly negative, and to me it's a fair observation. The only thing I'll add is that so far, Marlin Lane has not showed me that he's going to set the world on fire either so I'm not sure if he'll be replacing Poole or not. I'd like to see him get more carries and see if he can make something happen.

See I think Lane's a back that will get better, he's shown some flashes to me. He is not a speedster though, he's a shifty guy who can be dangerous in space, but he has not had much space to work with.

Also, it's a position that the right freshman or juco guy can come in and immediately impact.

[ReVOLver]

Not negative at all IMO. Poole is one of those guys who has been a great Vol but the fact that he's a starter is indicative of where our talent level is right now. I think Lane becomes the starter by Bama and Tom Smith and Devrin Young will get a chance to get snaps.

[Volznut]

Not negative at all IMO. Poole is one of those guys who has been a great Vol but the fact that he's a starter is indicative of where our talent level is right now. I think Lane becomes the starter by Bama and Tom Smith and Devrin Young will get a chance to get snaps.

Yeah I am intrigued to see DY and how we use him. he brings a different dynamic, but CDD seems to see him as a speciality guy.

[ReVOLver]

Yeah I am intrigued to see DY and how we use him. he brings a different dynamic, but CDD seems to see him as a speciality guy.

I don't think he can be an every down back but I'd be surprised if they don't at least try to get him some touches.

[101stDad]

I don't think he can be an every down back but I'd be surprised if they don't at least try to get him some touches.

I just don't see how he can help us at the TB position.  He is way too small, and he isn't a burner.  Good speed - yes, but he is not a 4.3/4.4 speed back, and with that smallish size, he would have to be in order to help at the RB spot.  He is the kind of player that you have to get the ball to outside of the tackles to have a chance to be effective.  Maybe he will be an effective slot type of guy someday, but I don't see that yet.  Like I have said before, he would really benefit from a redshirt year. 

[Volznut]

I just don't see how he can help us at the TB position.  He is way too small, and he isn't a burner.  Good speed - yes, but he is not a 4.3/4.4 speed back, and with that smallish size, he would have to be in order to help at the RB spot.  He is the kind of player that you have to get the ball to outside of the tackles to have a chance to be effective.  Maybe he will be an effective slot type of guy someday, but I don't see that yet.  Like I have said before, he would really benefit from a redshirt year. 

yeah I don't think he will be used as a conventional Tailback. I am thinking he could get some reverses, end arounds, or maybe screens.

[ReVOLver]

I just don't see how he can help us at the TB position.  He is way too small, and he isn't a burner.  Good speed - yes, but he is not a 4.3/4.4 speed back, and with that smallish size, he would have to be in order to help at the RB spot.  He is the kind of player that you have to get the ball to outside of the tackles to have a chance to be effective.  Maybe he will be an effective slot type of guy someday, but I don't see that yet.  Like I have said before, he would really benefit from a redshirt year. 

I didn't realize he wasn't a burner, to be honest.

That's probably why Dooley sees him as a specialist only then... those small guys have to have burning speed to make up for size.

[101stDad]

I didn't realize he wasn't a burner, to be honest.

That's probably why Dooley sees him as a specialist only then... those small guys have to have burning speed to make up for size.

He is a 4.5/4.6ish kind of runner, which is very good speed, until you realize that there are guys in the SEC playing against and trying to tackle him who are 6 inches taller and 70 pounds or more heavier are just as fast as he is. 

[ReVOLver]

He is a 4.5/4.6ish kind of runner, which is very good speed, until you realize that there are guys in the SEC playing against and trying to tackle him who are 6 inches taller and 70 pounds or more heavier are just as fast as he is. 

That does sound more like a Brandon James than a Dexter McCluster.

[PirateVOL]

But it's my opinion that Poole is simply not that good. What is more, he was better last year through the first part of the season....but he has lost something. I don't know if it's mental or physical, or both, but this year he doesn't look like the same back that was running against Oregon, Bama, or even LSU last year. I know the OL has not blocked that well, and Lane has not avergae much either, but Poole to me has looked terrible, it almost seems like he's magnetically attracted to the defender, just no moves. The running back needs to make some plays, break some tackles, make some moves, even with poor OL play. CDD has even alluded to this.

 I look for him to be replaced by Lane soon.

Welcome to my postion, which I've had since he was a FR.
Poole has consistently not made the best decisions with the ball this year.  Not sure why that is.  Also, a lot of the decisiveness he had last year is not there this year, he would make one cut and go while this year he is "dancing" a lot.  Again, not sure why.

IMO Lane performed well in difficult conditions in the swamp in the 2nd half (I also pointed out to BDV how things were different in that Lane, a true Fr was playing extensively while in 97 Lewis was held back).