http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/...orts02.txt
Viewpoint: Me'co the magnificent shows skills

By John Sahly - jsahly@daily-chronicle.com
Aug 10, 2008

Quote:The myth of Me'co Brown continues to grow.

The freshman running back from Moss Point, Miss., has wowed coaches and players in his first week at Northern Illinois football practices, culminating in what happened Saturday.

...Click link above to read the full story

It's the same stuff they said about Chad Spann last year. Man, do we have some unbelievable depth at running back. Hopefully Brown or Tommy Davis can be the home run threat we've lacked in the return game the last few years.

So much for red-shirting him this year.

The reviews on Mr. Brown sound awfully similar to the reviews a certain running back of similar stature from Chicago was getting in 2003. Unfortunately, he had some academic problems that didn't allow him to play that season, and obviously Me'co Brown probably won't ever be as good as the man I'm talking about, but you see my point. Me'co will have to keep it up though if he wants any burn this season with the depth at RB, but he sounds if nothing else like a great candidate for punt/kick return duties, and the team need one of those. I wouldn't be surprised if two true freshman (Tommy Davis and Me'co Brown) are the deep men the first time Minnesota kicks off at the Metrodome.

I'm not happy to hear that it sounds like Anderson is going to automatically be the starter. I think it would send a good message if the new coach comes in and plays the players that he feels gives the team the best chance to win that week. I hate when loyalty to a "starter" keeps better players on the bench.

Justin Anderson did rush for over 1200 yds and 8 TD's last year, so I'm sure that Coach Kill is not just "automatically" giving him the starting spot, Anderson is a good back, I'm sure Kill has good reasons to pencil him in as the starting RB for now.

As for Meco Brown, I have heard that he runs hard and fast and shows a lot of effort and heart running thru drills, but he has been getting knock around too much because of his size. My source is fairly reliable, and I will actually get a chance to see practice for myself sometime this week so I'll have a better idea of what he is talking about.

there's a reason anderson is starting...incase you didn't notice he was our offense this last season. When you get 1200 + yards on a 2-10 team that says a lot. You can't be mad at the coaches for not putting in Brown automatically as a featured back...what has he done so far? burnt a couple niu linebackers??? uuuuuuu...let him show what he's got against minnesota and Tennessee before we make any decisions. And you're right if the coach would have sat anderson down on the bench it would have been sending the message that he didn't know what he was doing.

NIUHuskie4life Wrote:there's a reason anderson is starting...incase you didn't notice he was our offense this last season. When you get 1200 + yards on a 2-10 team that says a lot. You can't be mad at the coaches for not putting in Brown automatically as a featured back...what has he done so far? burnt a couple niu linebackers??? uuuuuuu...let him show what he's got against minnesota and Tennessee before we make any decisions. And you're right if the coach would have sat anderson down on the bench it would have been sending the message that he didn't know what he was doing.

I agree, plus Anderson is a great receiving back too. He's very versatile. I don't see why we can't get Brown out in the slot or in two-back sets if he's that good. Put as many weapons on the field as possible.

How would Anderson not be given the starting job? The guy killed for a god awful team with nothing around him, he had no line, no passing game, they knew he was coming and he still did well. He can catch out of the backfield, he's big, strong and fast enough, the guy can carry a team. We wouldn't put Larry English job up for grabs.

It has nothing to do with loyalty, it has to do with the fact these two guys outplayed everyone else on the team so they will be on the field as much as possible.

The glass is half full or half empty in scrimmage games. What's wrong with our linebackers, that they let a freshman RB burn them?

Huskie_Jon Wrote:The glass is half full or half empty in scrimmage games. What's wrong with our linebackers, that they let a freshman RB burn them?

Just remember, this is a one on one drill. When it is 11 v 11 it is a totally different environment. Meco will not have the option of going left and/or right. There are other defenders on the field. If he does it consistantly in practice when they are scrimmaging, then we have something. Open field he gets an "A" between the tackles, ??????

NIU1981 Wrote:It's the same stuff they said about Chad Spann last year.

Has anyone heard any news on Chad Spann??? I thought he looked great in the few opportunities he got early in the season.

its too bad we dont have this same problem at QB :) ..

Remember they can play at the same time, Meco can be used in the slot or several ways in conjunction with Anderson and I'm sure Kill will be trying to put as many playmakers on the filed at the same time as he can

the quote i like in the article is talking about getting them both on the field at the same time. Some different thinking than the old regime, gotta love some new fresh thoughts

mrfdog558 Wrote:the quote i like in the article is talking about getting them both on the field at the same time. Some different thinking than the old regime, gotta love some new fresh thoughts

....against IOWA Anderson was in the slot w/ Spann or Clayton @ RB....not a new thought... Threaten the defense w/ as many effective weapons @ the same time as possible...make them defend the whole field.... Anderson is an excellent receiver....

unfortunately we didnt see it all too often throughout the course of the season, maybe had to do with injuries. I guess I dont remember all the way back to Iowa, maybe I dont remember Iowa at all :)

Meco looked alright yesterday. The defense as a whole had its way with the offense, particularly on the goal line. Montell Clanton (remember him?) showed some nice burst. Anderson continues to be a nice receiving option out of the backfield. Anthony Antonacci looked tough as the fullback. We have lots of linebackers who can play.

I've got other stuff, but I don't want to give up too much, lest the practices become closed to schleps like me. PM me if you want a little more.