Phil Steel on returning starters.

[MarriedtoStateGrad]

http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/2015/JAN15/DBJan02.html

This is the address, not good at links.

IN SEC, Tenn has most, Ole Miss second and State the fewest.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/2015/JAN15/DBJan02.html

This is the address, not good at links.

IN SEC, Tenn has most, Ole Miss second and State the fewest.

Not only fewest in the SEC.... The fewest returning starters of any team in the power 5.

 

[Wicked Pissah]

If dak doesnt return, we may not even make a bowl.

 

[8dog]

We return enough guys to be just fone on defense. If dak is back we will have more weapons on offense than we have ever had.

Defensively we just need to shore up safety

Not a lot of depth anywhere but wr

 

[57stratdawg]

This list sucks.

1 returning WR? Wilson, Ross, Brown, and Gabe Myles caught a hell of a lot of balls to not be considered starters.

Should be at least two DBs with Redmond and Calhoun.

 

[Dogariffic]

We are fine. Most depth in my lifetime this year. So many guys played got experience and played well. But we need dak to get where we want to be. I even think our online will be good. So many underclass men in the program for 3 plus years learning. Looking forward to another great year. We do need to shore up safety and find or get another corner or two for depth.
Our developmental philosophy put in by Dan will allow us to reload for next year.

 

[Hammer Down]

The list does not lie. But again, it does not tell the whole truth. A bunch of our best players did not start, like Chris Jones. Fred Ross, Joe Morrow and Fred Brown also stepped up, and I am not sure any of them were starters. I do not think this is going to be a problem for us, but I do acknowledge that I do not know the other teams' situations. Our X-factor is obviously Dak Prescott.

Tennessee will be improved, but not past the 8-4 mark. Ole Miss has to find a quarterback, but their defense looks to be good again.

I love this. MSU will be disrespected pre-season yet again, and will blow our lowered expectations away.

 

[kired]

I'm most worried about DL. We only have 5 guys returning with any experience if you don't count Torrey Dale --- who has been basically a 3rd team DE most of his career. Ryan Brown and AJ Jefferson at DE, Chris Jones and Nick James at DT, and Nelson Adams has played a bit of both. We've got to build a second string from two JUCO DEs and redshirt / true freshmen who've never played a down of SEC football.

 

[Shamoan]

dat 1B tho. we have 22 defensive starters with zero drop off.

 

[engie]

Steele can term "starters" however he wants. I think it's a good thing if people sleep on us...

Fact is, we bring back plenty of experience everywhere but TE, the second OT spot, and in the 2nd group on the DL. That said, I'm hoping we get alot "less experienced" at safety this spring...

 

[57stratdawg]

Agreed. We can't afford an injury to a starting DT. Sucks we've missed on some of the JUCO DL targets this year. We could use one more body there. I would think we'll swing Nelson Adams back inside.

 

[engie]

Agreed. We can't afford an injury to a starting DT. Sucks we've missed on some of the JUCO DL targets this year. We could use one more body there. I would think we'll swing Nelson Adams back inside.

Swing him back inside and hope his brother can be an Isaac Gross clone for us...

 

[esplanade91]

The list does not lie. But again, it does not tell the whole truth. A bunch of our best players did not start, like Chris Jones. Fred Ross, Joe Morrow and Fred Brown also stepped up, and I am not sure any of them were starters. I do not think this is going to be a problem for us, but I do acknowledge that I do not know the other teams' situations. Our X-factor is obviously Dak Prescott.

Tennessee will be improved, but not past the 8-4 mark. Ole Miss has to find a quarterback, but their defense looks to be good again.

I love this. MSU will be disrespected pre-season yet again, and will blow our lowered expectations away.

If Fred Brown and Joe Morrow are some of our best players, we're in serious trouble.

 

[121Josey]

If Fred Brown and Joe Morrow are some of our best players, we're in serious trouble.

Joe Morrow will be one of our best returning players. Rojo won't be cutting into his PT next year.

Mississippi State Receiving
	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LG
Joe Morrow	6	117	19.5	0	35
De'Runnya Wilson	9	105	11.7	2	18
Fred Ross	6	102	17.0	1	42

<thead>
</thead><tbody>
</tbody>

 

[esplanade91]

I've always been a fan of Morrow, but he's not even one of our best WR's.

 

[121Josey]

I've always been a fan of Morrow, but he's not even one of our best WR's.

You're no fan of Morrow nor sensible. When is the last time you've seen Morrow drop a pass? And State has so many 6'4 210 receivers.**

 

[CadaverDawg]

You're no fan of Morrow nor sensible. When is the last time you've seen Morrow drop a pass? And State has so many 6'4 210 receivers.**

Esplanade is right...Morrow probably isn't in our top 3 WR's returning.

I would easily put Wilson and Ross above him, and probably Brown and Myles too. And I think Morrow is good. We will be very deep at WR next year.

Him having a good bowl game and being 6'4, doesn't make him one of our top returning players. But the fact that a guy with his talent isn't one of our top targets, is a good thing.

 

[121Josey]

Him having a good bowl game and being 6'4, doesn't make him one of our top returning players. But the fact that a guy with his talent isn't one of our top targets, is a good thing.

Laughable. Welcome back from Alightdawgs. Did they teach you that over there?

How many 17ups and dropped passes did Fred Brown have this year? I know he's only a sophomore but he should have been on the bench the second half of the season.

Let's play name that WR:

2014

18

299

16.6

51

2

<tbody>
</tbody>

2014

17

344

20.2

55

4

<tbody>
</tbody>

2014

22

178

8.1

26

0

<tbody>
</tbody>

 

[BiscuitEater]

Heard good things ...

I'm most worried about DL. We only have 5 guys returning with any experience if you don't count Torrey Dale --- who has been basically a 3rd team DE most of his career. Ryan Brown and AJ Jefferson at DE, Chris Jones and Nick James at DT, and Nelson Adams has played a bit of both. We've got to build a second string from two JUCO DEs and redshirt / true freshmen who've never played a down of SEC football.

about both Cory Thomas and Braxton Hoyett throughout the year. Also heard, Will Coleman improved too.

 

[Southern Law Dawg]

about both Cory Thomas and Braxton Hoyett throughout the year. Also heard, Will Coleman improved too.

After watching him in the Semper Fi game, Fletcher Adams won't redshirt.

 

[KurtRambis4]

Morrow of 2014 is

not Morrow of 2012. The guy has come a LONG way.

 

[esplanade91]

Look, I'm not dogging Morrow. He's a dog. But he's not better than Wilson, Ross, or Myles.

But we do have a lot of size on the bench. A lot. Hammond and Christy come to mind.

And we also have Jackson, Graham, and Gray looking to get significant PT next season.

Who knows for sure, but I don't think Morrow will be on the field all that much. I certainly wouldn't say he's one of our best WR's.

ETA: Brown might need to be moved to CB.

 

[CadaverDawg]

Laughable. Welcome back from Alightdawgs. Did they teach you that over there?

How many 17ups and dropped passes did Fred Brown have this year? I know he's only a sophomore but he should have been on the bench the second half of the season.

Let's play name that WR:

2014

18

299

16.6

51

2

<tbody>
</tbody>

2014

17

344

20.2

55

4

<tbody>
</tbody>

2014

22

178

8.1

26

0

<tbody>
</tbody>

"Alightdawgs"!!!111 Too funny, Man!!111**

im just trying to tell you that you're wrong, but be an *** if you want. Morrow caught most of his passes in garbage duty, except for the bowl game. Fred Brown may have dropped some passes, but no more than Morrow did as a Fr and So. And Brown made a hell of a lot more plays in big games than morrow has to date, even though Morrow is a year older. Gabe Myles was one of our better receivers when we actually threw him the ball this year....and as a True Freshman, his upside is much higher than Morrow's, with only one year left.

Again, not saying Morrow isn't good. But he's not "one of our best returning players", and it's laughable that you would even say something so stupid really. He is definitely below Wilson and Ross, and then your splitting hairs between a bunch of receivers with similar numbers.

Also, you said "one of our best returning players". Think about how stupid that sounds. It doesn't take an "AlightDawg!!111!11" to figure out that the players below are all better players than Morrow...

Dak
Wilson
Ross
Redmomd
Calhoun
Jones
R Brown
Jefferson
B Brown
R Brown

and IMO, I would even put guys like

F Brown
Myles
and several others

above him.

Morrow is a nice second string receiver, and he will never be a stud SEC receiver. It has taken him 3 years in the system to have a 344 yard season. Those other guys you compared him to, are freshman and Sophomores, and they are already targeted far more in our passing game. And that isn't even including our top two returning receivers in Wilson and Ross.

So sorry to upset you, but you're wrong if you think Morrow is "one of our top returning players". Being a Senior, having a good bowl game, and being 6'4, doesn't make one a "top returning player".

 

[CadaverDawg]

not Morrow of 2012. The guy has come a LONG way.

I agree. And I might (but I doubt it) put him at #3 on our WR depth chart. But Josey said "one of our top returning players"....and Morrow is not that caliber of player regardless of how much he has improved. Wouldn't you agree? And I think Morrow is good. It's a great thing that he is as talented as he is and we still have 2-3 guys better at WR. Says a lot about our WR corps.

 

[CadaverDawg]

Look, I'm not dogging Morrow. He's a dog. But he's not better than Wilson, Ross, or Myles.

But we do have a lot of size on the bench. A lot. Hammond and Christy come to mind.

And we also have Jackson, Graham, and Gray looking to get significant PT next season.

Who knows for sure, but I don't think Morrow will be on the field all that much. I certainly wouldn't say he's one of our best WR's.

ETA: Brown might need to be moved to CB.

I agree completely

(except about Brown being moved to DB)

 

[esplanade91]

I agree. And I might (but I doubt it) put him at #3 on our WR depth chart. But Josey said "one of our top returning players"....and Morrow is not that caliber of player regardless of how much he has improved. Wouldn't you agree? And I think Morrow is good. It's a great thing that he is as talented as he is and we still have 2-3 guys better at WR. Says a lot about our WR corps.

WR is by far and away our best position, which is a ridiculous thing for me to say thinking about MSU's short-list of WR's throughout history.

Credit Mullen and Gonzales. Also give credit for Morrow's coming in and fighting for PT over guys their junior. Those types are why we're where we are.

 

[johnson86-1]

Who knows for sure, but I don't think Morrow will be on the field all that much. I certainly wouldn't say he's one of our best WR's.

I think Morrow will be on the field as much or more next year as he was this year. Wilson assuming he makes reasonable progress considering how relatively little he's played, should be our standout next year. Ross, despite a few drops, is a player. Gabe Myles is a player but is a different role from Morrow. We have several other good prospects, but if you had just watched Morrow this year and didn't know anything else about him, you'd think a lot differently about hims. I think Morrow will be solidly entrenched as our number 3 outside receiver, which will get him on the field plenty next year. Even if some of the young guys are good enough to pull even with him, it seems clear Mullen is going to give the benefit of the doubt to a guy like Morrow, who has paid his dues, gotten better each year, and as far as I know not caused a problem in his four years at State.

 

[121Josey]

You list ten guys. If you take R Brown out since you counted him twice and put Shumpert that's my Top 10. But there are 85+ on the roster.

You know good and well that Morrows work didnt all come in garbage time. But if it did it is amazing the numbers he put up playing on a limited basis with the 2nd string QB. And since you brought up garbage time check this out....

REGULAR SEASON-MSST
1 USM 3 50 0
2 UAB 1 10 0
3 @USA 2 44 0
4 @LSU 0 0 0
5 DID NOT PLAY
6 TA&M 3 69 1
7 DID NOT PLAY
8 DID NOT PLAY
9 @UK 3 37 0
10 ARK 1 31 0
11 UTM 2 21 1
12 @ALA 0 0 0
13 VAN 2 31 0
POSTSEASON-MSST
BOWL @GT 1 6 0

In case you missed it Brown is only one year behind Morrow. Morrow is neither a Bear nor a Ross. And neither is Brown. In a big game I want Morrow as the split end and not Brown.

Consider the OB Morrow's coming out party.

 

[CadaverDawg]

You list ten guys. If you take R Brown out since you counted him twice and put Shumpert that's my Top 10. But there are 85+ on the roster.

You know good and well that Morrows work didnt all come in garbage time. But if it did it is amazing the numbers he put up playing on a limited basis with the 2nd string QB. And since you brought up garbage time check this out....

REGULAR SEASON-MSST
1 USM 3 50 0
2 UAB 1 10 0
3 @USA 2 44 0
4 @LSU 0 0 0
5  DID NOT PLAY
6 TA&M 3 69 1
7  DID NOT PLAY
8  DID NOT PLAY
9 @UK 3 37 0
10 ARK 1 31 0
11 UTM 2 21 1
12 @ALA 0 0 0
13 VAN 2 31 0
POSTSEASON-MSST
BOWL @GT 1 6 0

In case you missed it Brown is only one year behind Morrow. Morrow is neither a Bear nor a Ross. And neither is Brown. In a big game I want Morrow as the split end and not Brown.

Consider the OB Morrow's coming out party.

First, I didn't count anybody twice. We have 2 "R Brown's", Ryan and Richie. But thanks for adding Shumpert, he's better too...along with several others.

Second...I listed 10 guys, but I could probably list 25. I will if you'd like.

And I said "most of" Morrow's catches came in garbage time. Not "all". And who said anything about a second string QB?

Morrow was not a primary target this season. He was a contributor, but that's it. "Contributor" is far from "one of our best returning players".

And what's your point about Brown being a year younger? I said that in my post. I also said Myles was 2 years younger. And Ross has already surpassed Morrow as a true Soph.

He may very well break out his Senior year as you say....and if so, that's great. He has clearly put in the work, so I hope it pays off. That being said, no argument you make can justify calling him "one of our top returning players".

As esplanade said, he will have to fight like hell to get on the field next year, because our receiving group is only getting stronger. Luckily, Mullen likes his upper classmen, so morrow will get his chances early.

Wilson
Ross
Myles
Brown
Morrow
Graham
Gray
Christy
Jackson
Mixon

Thats quite a list of potential receivers. Not including Tight Ends like Walley, Dixon, Pierce, Hammond.

Bottom line, if we lost Morrow for next year, I would hate it because I like him, but it would not hurt us. You can't say the same about all the guys listed in the above post, plus guys like Gerri Green, JT Gray, Market, and on and on. Morrow is a solid contributor, but he is nowhere near being one of our best returning players...he just isn't. I would like to let this die, because it's obvious...but if you wish to proceed we can.

And what's your problem with EliteDawgs? Am I not welcome to post here because I'm a member there? If not, that's fine. You're welcome to post over there, so we can move the discussion there if you prefer. Just don't understand the "back from Alightdawgs" comment. Seems silly.