Vaught's Views: Little and Dixon both need to play

[Los Gatos]

Good read:

http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=20426&format=html

[Matt Dillon]

Nice article. I'm really getting excited about spring practice.

[The Old School JPS]

Neither has the prototypical build or physique to be an every down back. Moving them in and out of a game at least some would make sense in that regard.

Having them both in together (especially if sometimes only one of them is there) might be tough for a defense to adjust to, especially if one or both, varying, is often used as a receiver out of the backfield as they have been or as Anthony White and Artose Pinner often were (with a lot of success).

[poodoo]

Good read. Thanks for the link, Los Gatos.

[sardiscat]

If they're on the field at the same time, one of them needs to be at a receiver position. I remember when Fran Curci had a full house backfield of three small backs, Chris Hill, Randy can't-remember-his-last-name and Freddy Williams, and they weren't real effective. Needed a 230 pounder in place of one of them. Derrick Ramsey always had to keep the ball on third and three.

[SouthBeachWildcat]

you mean Anthony White and Derek Homer?



The Old School JPS wrote: Neither has the prototypical build or physique to be an every down back. Moving them in and out of a game at least some would make sense in that regard.

Having them both in together (especially if sometimes only one of them is there) might be tough for a defense to adjust to, especially if one or both, varying, is often used as a receiver out of the backfield as they have been or as Anthony White and Artose Pinner often were (with a lot of success).

[The Old School JPS]

SouthBeachWildcat wrote: you mean Anthony White and Derek Homer?



The Old School JPS wrote: Neither has the prototypical build or physique to be an every down back. Moving them in and out of a game at least some would make sense in that regard.

Having them both in together (especially if sometimes only one of them is there) might be tough for a defense to adjust to, especially if one or both, varying, is often used as a receiver out of the backfield as they have been or as Anthony White and Artose Pinner often were (with a lot of success).

No, I meant White and Pinner, because I think they were the most effective at this. I know White and Homer played together and Homer caught his share of passes out of the backfield for gains and I'd be happy to see these guys emulate him too, but even happier if they emulated White and Pinner and the way they played.

[Caveman Catfan]

It will also be interesting to see how Grinter and Smith do this spring. Both have potential to get on the field next season.

[johnkyblue]

I don't think enough credit is given to Homer above.

[gerntz]

I wouldn't gear the O to have both on the field most of the time. Then if one gets hurt - odds are - you have to change it. Not good.

Net, one's first string & one's 2nd with a few plays where both play. It's a problem good SEC face all the time. It's about time we start facing it too.

[Mark Blueblood]

Randy Brooks is who you are thinking of sardiscat.

As for not being very effective - well, they clobbered North Carolina in the Peach Bowl in 1976 and went 10-1 in 1977. I recall them as not being too shabby.

[Brian McCat]

Having Dixon taking more snaps would also allow Little to do some things that he's very dangerous at, such as kickoff and punt returns.

I just get the feeling that if he has the chance, Raffycould break Abney's records. I'm all for that! :thumbup

[gerntz]

With the punt receiver clearance distance having been reduced since Abney played, doubt anyone will have so many long returns as he did.

[sardiscat]

"As for not being very effective - well, they clobbered North Carolina in the Peach Bowl in 1976 and went 10-1 in 1977. I recall them as not being too shabby."

They had Rod Stewart in the Peach Bowl. He was a big back. Even in that game, though, UK went 3 and out time after time. The three touchdowns were the only sustained drives they had the entire game, even with UK's defense forcing a bunch of turnovers. 1977 was more of the same. The offense would go 3 and out, then the defense would force a 3 and out. Somewhere during the course of the game, the offense would scrape together a few points, usually with thehelp ofthe defense's forcingsome turnovers,and UK's defense would keep the lid on the other team. There were two games where UK put it all together and blew out Georgia and Florida. They were both away games that weren't televised, so I've never seen what it was that worked those games.

[The Old School JPS]

In that Peach Bowl, didn't UK have at least two other deep drives near the UNC goalline that stalled inside the 10 or 20 without a score?

Also,Rod Stewart missed most of the1977 season with a broken leg. I think it happened in the second game of the season, at Baylor.

[poodoo]

Brian McCat wrote: Having Dixon taking more snaps would also allow Little to do some things that he's very dangerous at, such as kickoff and punt returns.

I just get the feeling that if he has the chance, Raffycould break Abney's records. I'm all for that! :thumbup

FWIW, I recently read a quote from one of the UK coaches, the running backs coach, I believe, that Little would be used on punt returns, but probably not on kickoff returns because of the greater chance of his getting injured on those. Of course, the coaches could change their mind on that.

[UedK]

I know this about Tony Dixon, in 2004 when he popped that67 yard TD run early against IU, I was so thirlled I almost started balling like a baby. You keep Tony healthy and work him in and out and in tandum with Little, including those set up running back passes and we will all be thrilled.