Butch says Kirkland has a high ankle sprain...

[Black Diamond Vol]

...Out this Saturday, week to week thereafter.  For what it's worth (which probably isn't much).

[PirateVOL]

I don't expect him back till after the open date

[BanditVol]

 

As discussed on another board, his backup is the dreaded Colton Jumper.  Apparently McDowell backs up JRM and Jumper backs up Kirkland.  I can only hope that Sapp or someone else can split time with Jumper, or that Jumper is on a short leash.

Experience with Jones' personnel decisions is not encouraging.  Jumper stayed in too much last year, IMO, and also took way too long this year to adjust the OL, IMO.

[RockyMtnVol]

Dang shame - Kirkland sure seems like a great kid, a fast learner and a real talent.  Hopefully Shoop can take charge of defensive personnel.  Anyone hear anything on MacKenzie?  He limped off...

[PirateVOL]

As discussed on another board, his backup is the dreaded Colton Jumper.  Apparently McDowell backs up JRM and Jumper backs up Kirkland.  I can only hope that Sapp or someone else can split time with Jumper, or that Jumper is on a short leash.

Experience with Jones' personnel decisions is not encouraging.  Jumper stayed in too much last year, IMO, and also took way too long this year to adjust the OL, IMO.

Right after talking about Jumper Butch mentioned the two LB positions were "intrchangeable" and that they were looking at moving JRM inside

I suspect that at the end of the day we will see JRM and CMac in the game together and possibly more PT for Sapp as well

[Tnphil]

Right after talking about Jumper Butch mentioned the two LB positions were "intrchangeable" and that they were looking at moving JRM inside

I suspect that at the end of the day we will see JRM and CMac in the game together and possibly more PT for Sapp as well

Yes please!!!

I'm sure Jumper is a good kid...tries hard. But if he's a P5 linebacker I'm a Chinese fry cook.

[Tnphil]

Word I'm getting is JRM moving to the Mike and McDowell to OLB.....Hope it happens.

Won't be surprised if Richmond is replaced at LT.

[PirateVOL]

Word I'm getting is JRM moving to the Mike and McDowell to OLB.....Hope it happens.

Won't be surprised if Richmond is replaced at LT.

There was another OL that had some sort of bust on 28% of his plays (my count).  I would also note that the individual who replaced him for a limited time seemed to block better in limited PT.
We are talking outright whiffs, failure to sustain blocks in the passing game, poor execution of pulling blocks (repeated offense) and flat out getting beat by the DL on run plays
When pass blocking (just) slowing down a DL on a med/long pass pattern doesn't cut the mustard

Phil, go look at our first three series and note the blocking scheme.  To me it may explain part of the poor OL play.  If we are going to continue that scheme then communication has to improve, drastically.

[Tnphil]

I went and broke down the OL play in the App. State game....not good. Haven't done the VT game. Bad footwork by some and not close to playing as a unit....As you said no communication at all.  No excuse with a unit that has several starts under their belts. Won't be surprised if Kendrick is in the LT spot. If Jack Jones doesn't start a OL coach or coaches need to be shot on site. Hate it....but Richmond has been abused.

Good news....most of our OL issues can be fixed but until we stretch the field (don't hold your breath) the defense will bring more than we can block and I'll faint and fall out if Butch brings in a TE or H-back to help out.

[BanditVol]

Great news on the LBs. Maybe Jumper played so much Saturday because McDowell just wasn't ready to stand in for Kirkland. But if not, it still speaks to the coaches preparation of depth, I think.  Then again, McDowell only proved himself a week ago, so....

Having said that, I watched Jumper closely, and he did make some good plays, but also whiffed a few.  My opinion is that he is fine as a backup for a few plays a game (mostly if we have a big lead though  ).

[PirateVOL]

Great news on the LBs. Maybe Jumper played so much Saturday because McDowell just wasn't ready to stand in for Kirkland. But if not, it still speaks to the coaches preparation of depth, I think.  Then again, McDowell only proved himself a week ago, so....

Having said that, I watched Jumper closely, and he did make some good plays, but also whiffed a few.  My opinion is that he is fine as a backup for a few plays a game (mostly if we have a big lead though  ).

Against a faster team (see UF) he would be a significant liability IMO)
I think the reason you saw him Sat was that they had most likely not practiced other lineups
Given that Butch noted it in his PC yesterday I suspect that while Jumper will start I think we end with a JRM Mike and a CMac Will Saturday
In pass coverage Jumper is a distinct liability IMO based on observations (go back and look at the ASU game)