We have our next Darrell Henderson lined up to start next season in Asa Martin, with 3 years of eligibility left. #3 ranked RB by Rivals in the 2018 class. Hopefully Taylor carries the load this season.

https://memphis.rivals.com/news/memphis-...at-memphis

(08-26-2019 02:34 PM)EarthBoundMisfit Wrote:  I don't expect him to try to beat someone else's numbers.
I think Taylor can give us 1000+ yards this year rushing...that should be the goal.
Everything else...draft stock will take care of itself, if he takes care of rushing, catching, and blocking for his QB on pass plays.

Guess we need to Call Coach Jones up and let him know he overestimated what he knows about Taylor, one of his players that few people know more about.

It’s not about beating Henderson’s numbers. It’s about being the most productive back he can be. Norvell plans on riding his number 25 times a game and Jones believes he’s as good a back as Henderson, just different.

Taylor should be a great back for us this season. Well over a 1000 yds. But I'm afraid the difference is that Henderson could score on virtually every play. Don't think PT can out run most DBs, so Memphis will have to find other ways to get in the end zone from close - this will require a power game in the red zone that we have not had in the past. If this is true, we'll score less points. Hope we have a more effective passing game to take up the slack.

He's been one of my favorites in recent times. Can't wait to see what he does out of the shadow of DH.

(08-27-2019 09:22 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  He's been one of my favorites in recent times. Can't wait to see what he does out of the shadow of DH.

DH is a small back who can dish it out like a big back sometimes. Taylor is a big back who dishes out punishment and can still make a small back's move sometimes.

He might well be our next Tiger alum running back in the NFL.

(08-27-2019 07:47 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  Taylor should be a great back for us this season. Well over a 1000 yds. But I'm afraid the difference is that Henderson could score on virtually every play. Don't think PT can out run most DBs, so Memphis will have to find other ways to get in the end zone from close - this will require a power game in the red zone that we have not had in the past. If this is true, we'll score less points. Hope we have a more effective passing game to take up the slack.

That is the opposite of reality. He HAS been our power back that scored from in close. Not to mention that he has multiple runs/receptions over 40 yards.

I don't think you understand the talent level that will be playing for Memphis this season, but I will let them surprise you.

I think part of the key to all of these gentlemen's success has been calling plays that allow them to exploit their strengths. I don't think that is going to change. So I expect big years from 3 to 4 guys on the offensive side of the ball.

(08-27-2019 10:14 AM)tigernole79 Wrote:  

(08-27-2019 07:47 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  Taylor should be a great back for us this season. Well over a 1000 yds. But I'm afraid the difference is that Henderson could score on virtually every play. Don't think PT can out run most DBs, so Memphis will have to find other ways to get in the end zone from close - this will require a power game in the red zone that we have not had in the past. If this is true, we'll score less points. Hope we have a more effective passing game to take up the slack.

That is the opposite of reality. He HAS been our power back that scored from in close. Not to mention that he has multiple runs/receptions over 40 yards.

I don't think you understand the talent level that will be playing for Memphis this season, but I will let them surprise you.

I don’t think Atlanta watched our football games last year because 7-8 times out of 10, Patrick was put in when we were inside the 10.

(08-27-2019 05:46 AM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  

(08-26-2019 02:34 PM)EarthBoundMisfit Wrote:  I don't expect him to try to beat someone else's numbers.
I think Taylor can give us 1000+ yards this year rushing...that should be the goal.
Everything else...draft stock will take care of itself, if he takes care of rushing, catching, and blocking for his QB on pass plays.

Guess we need to Call Coach Jones up and let him know he overestimated what he knows about Taylor, one of his players that few people know more about.

It’s not about beating Henderson’s numbers. It’s about being the most productive back he can be. Norvell plans on riding his number 25 times a game and Jones believes he’s as good a back as Henderson, just different.

the player himself admitted that he has some things to improve on...namely pass blocking...and other 'little' things...


Taylor had heard back from the NFL draft’s advisory board and his grade was the exact same as Pollard’s. After Taylor shared the load with Henderson and Pollard for three years and became just the fourth 1,000-yard rusher in program history last season, NFL scouts predicted he could be selected in the fifth through seventh rounds.

There was a distinct possibility three Memphis running backs would leave school early for the NFL.

Which, obviously, created a dilemma.

“With the draft grade, it could have went either way,” said Taylor’s father, Patrick Sr. His son would have to “kind of go out there and take a chance.”

It could have gone the way it did for Pollard, who ended up getting chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round. Or it could have gone the way it has for so many others — undrafted and clawing just to make an NFL roster.

So Taylor weighed the options with his family and coach Mike Norvell.

They all knew there were parts of Taylor’s game that could benefit from another year in college, that his draft stock was more likely to rise than fall. He could be a better blocker and receiver on third down. He could better show his ability to make people miss in small holes. He could become the home run threat Henderson became.


https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/s...992860001/




As I said before...he's capable of 1000+ yards...no need to concentrate on someone else's numbers.
If he takes care of what he needs to take care of football wise...the rest will take care of itself.

(08-27-2019 11:05 AM)WiseMan Wrote:  

(08-27-2019 10:14 AM)tigernole79 Wrote:  

(08-27-2019 07:47 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  Taylor should be a great back for us this season. Well over a 1000 yds. But I'm afraid the difference is that Henderson could score on virtually every play. Don't think PT can out run most DBs, so Memphis will have to find other ways to get in the end zone from close - this will require a power game in the red zone that we have not had in the past. If this is true, we'll score less points. Hope we have a more effective passing game to take up the slack.

That is the opposite of reality. He HAS been our power back that scored from in close. Not to mention that he has multiple runs/receptions over 40 yards.

I don't think you understand the talent level that will be playing for Memphis this season, but I will let them surprise you.

I don’t think Atlanta watched our football games last year because 7-8 times out of 10, Patrick was put in when we were inside the 10.

You guys obviously lack critical thinking capacity. DH could score on any play potentially, PT does not have that same ability. Yes he had some long runs but nothing like DH & PT was caught on several long runs unlike DH. But without the 'score on any play' ability that DH had, our drives will likely consist of more plays if we approach the offense like was done with DH in the game. More plays mean more chances for TOs & penalties, fewer points...... unless the passing game can take up the slack.

(08-28-2019 08:37 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  

(08-27-2019 11:05 AM)WiseMan Wrote:  

(08-27-2019 10:14 AM)tigernole79 Wrote:  

(08-27-2019 07:47 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  Taylor should be a great back for us this season. Well over a 1000 yds. But I'm afraid the difference is that Henderson could score on virtually every play. Don't think PT can out run most DBs, so Memphis will have to find other ways to get in the end zone from close - this will require a power game in the red zone that we have not had in the past. If this is true, we'll score less points. Hope we have a more effective passing game to take up the slack.

That is the opposite of reality. He HAS been our power back that scored from in close. Not to mention that he has multiple runs/receptions over 40 yards.

I don't think you understand the talent level that will be playing for Memphis this season, but I will let them surprise you.

I don’t think Atlanta watched our football games last year because 7-8 times out of 10, Patrick was put in when we were inside the 10.

You guys obviously lack critical thinking capacity. DH could score on any play potentially, PT does not have that same ability. Yes he had some long runs but nothing like DH & PT was caught on several long runs unlike DH. But without the 'score on any play' ability that DH had, our drives will likely consist of more plays if we approach the offense like was done with DH in the game. More plays mean more chances for TOs & penalties, fewer points...... unless the passing game can take up the slack.

That is not what you said. There is a difference in critical thinking and then trying to fill gaps in logic that are unaccounted for, not to mention that you make several strong assumptions even in your statement.
1. IF we approach the offense like was done with DH in the game. Of course there will be adjustments, just like there was last season when DH wasn't in the game. We still scored more TD passing than DH had rushing... and even scored more TDs rushing than DH had.
2. Like I said, you are not accounting for any backups being able to break long plays, nor giving PT6 the same benefit of increasing his ability from last season the way the DH did from Soph to Junior season.
3. "More plays means more chances...." It doesn't guarantee, nor does it necessarily limit total scoring. Because...
4. You totally don't account for changes in defense. Much like the 2018 defense was better statistically than the 2017 defense, I predict even bigger changes in this years defense than last years. If the defense doesn't give up as many long drives, then the offense gets more scoring chances.

But to address the flaws in your original statement that I applied my critical thinking to... Red zone scoring and our "lack of a power game". That was PT6's specialty. And since we finished 27th in the nation overall in red zone, but were even higher in TDs scored, I don't think it was a weakness the way you expressed it.
Outrunning and not being able to be tackled by most DBs one on one were what separated DH and PT6. While few could catch DH (some did unlike your statement) just as few could stop PT6 unless they pulled him down from behind, which didn't happen that often on his break away runs.
Even in your first statement, you hedged with "if that is true". That defeats your logic by saying that if your initial supposition is correct, but they simply aren't given last years statistics.

I think he's the best back returning in the conference, but no, DH was a monster.

Tigers will have to 'settle' for 1200 yards.

(08-28-2019 11:00 AM)SMUleopold Wrote:  I think he's the best back returning in the conference, but no, DH was a monster.

Tigers will have to 'settle' for 1200 yards.

We don't have to settle.

DH was something special. 8.9 yards per carry with over 200 touches. Injury kept it from being higher.

PT was 5.4 per carry on over 200 touches (under 15 carries per) as a backup and short yardage.

He will be the goto back this year. CMN says he will get 10 more carries a game this year. He is faster and stronger than last year as pretty fast and strong big back.
Not a yard under 1,500 for the season. It would be more but I think we have some young backs who will blossom and you will see a more confident strong White at QB this year. The only ? will be how long it takes for the OL to mature and gel. The talent is there only needing downs.

I think he gets 1500 if he stays healthy.
I also heard Norvell say 10 more carries which will put him at 25 per game.
I do not believe he will carry 25 per game (blowouts, depth, risk of injury, heat, etc.).

(08-28-2019 11:00 AM)SMUleopold Wrote:  I think he's the best back returning in the conference, but no, DH was a monster.

Tigers will have to 'settle' for 1200 yards.

So, you think that becoming the feature back, he only rushes for 78 more yards than he did last season? Very interesting.

From what I've read it sounds like PT is a great person and for that alone I'm a fan. The fact that he is also talented has me excited to watch him play. Our OL has less experience this year so it will be interesting to see how they gel and if they can open holes. Hopefully the passing game will keep us balanced and allow him to operate. Personally, I'm not worried about him matching DH #s. Different backs and different teams. PT sounds like a player every fan base would want on their team.