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Baylor Football

Injuries don't feel good now but has jumpstarted the program's future

November 22, 2017
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First Taylor Young went down (and won’t play Friday at TCU). Then Mo Porter fell. Two of the seniors Matt Rhule has sung the most praise about since he first landed in Waco gone for the rest of the Senior Week as Baylor stumbled 23-13 against Iowa State.

“Personally, it’s just a big blow. I think I’ve spoken about how I feel about [Taylor],” Rhule said. “Not to see him play, to finish that game was disappointing just ‘cause everything he’s meant to the program.”

Cornerback Grayland Arnold seconded that feeling, especially for Young who he’s developed a strong bond with as leaders on defense. Other seniors like K.J. Smith weren’t even able to suit up to begin, another blow for Rhule.

“Those young men are winners,” Rhule said Saturday after the last home loss. “They try to do things right.”

Despite the disappointment, Rhule said these are all accidents that can only continue to build the program. It may even expedite the process.

PREMIUM: Young players continue to show flashes of future

“The way that so many of those guys have held this team together,” Rhule said. “Through injuries and adversity, we’ll get good fast. And we’ll improve quickly. And that’s really a credit to them.”

It’s no secret that injuries have been a major part of this season. The receiver corps was probably hit the hardest, having to move Blake Lynch back and evening push Trestan Ebner to the backfield after injuries piled up there, but it’s affected virtually the whole team. So when the rock of the defense fell down with a serious quad injury, it signaled more depth the team has to work with next season yet again.

Rhule said while “injuries are never good” you do cultivate depth. Lenoy Jones Jr. was the latest that started to plant his roots sooner than expected.

“Lenoy [Jones] was the third-team Mike four games ago. He was running down a kickoff then he was the starting Mike all [Saturday],” Rhule said. “So as we move into the next season Lenoy’s play — he’s made good plays, made bad plays — will continue to move forward.”

Ultimately, while not every injury has been caused by being too small or weak, Rhule said that was the cause for a good portion of them. The injuries have caused the team to take a look in the mirror and realize it’s “just not a big and strong enough team yet.”

It was the first press conference Rhule really ever spoke about the future. Since the light at the end of the season is emerging, it’s more than appreciated. He also hopes that the team can appreciate what’s happened in hindsight, that one day the seniors that have been through such turmoil will wake up one day to see the team on TV and say “I helped build that.” 

“None of it feels good right now but I do feel the depth will benefit us in the long run,” Rhule closed.

Discussion from...

Injuries don't feel good now but has jumpstarted the program's future

14,336 Views | 28 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by MilliVanilli
geewago
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Well I've been hoping something would "expedite THE PROCESS". Not sure I agree, but this article explains that "through injuries we'll get better much faster". I guess so. ???????
Sip 'em Beers
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Bull**** they do
Pale Rider
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One has to grab whatever perspective one can cling to at this point.
Wikstr9
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Holy smokes. Seriously. More injuries equals faster progress? I'm from the North and I'm embarrassed by this morons logic. This explanation might work on a bunch of East Coasters but this Texas where even 5 year olds can draw up offensive plays.
hOwley88
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From an outsider looking in... you people are idiots... the only way for the team to grow is for the youth of the team to get better... by having more PT available it is allowing those young men to develop... therefore they are getting better faster... but you people wouldn't know that since none of you has ever played football in your life and madden doesn't count
engja123
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hOwley88 said:

From an outsider looking in... you people are idiots... the only way for the team to grow is for the youth of the team to get better... by having more PT available it is allowing those young men to develop... therefore they are getting better faster... but you people wouldn't know that since none of you has ever played football in your life and madden doesn't count


A team can grow and improve through many different scenarios. I'll give you just one example. (there are many)

Some kids will absolutely benefit from the early playing time. On the other hand, it's impossible to predict who might have benefited more from redshirting.

If I'm not mistaken, Jason Smith redshirted his Frosh year... then went to tight end before swapping over to tackle... Seemed to work out ok for him?
Wikstr9
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Kids can get playing time when you are winning games and up by 30 going into the 4th Q. Another sad excuse by a sad coach.

And yes, I played football so stick it.
RioRata
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Should we be hoping for 65-70 season ending injuries next season?
Timbear
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"Injuries help us get better faster" is the weirdest statement Rhule's made so far. I guess Rhule's glad for all the horrible season ending injuries. Holmes, Sneed, Platt, Young, etc. because ultimately it helps the team? Heck, experience must be overrated. Seniors and juniors are just getting in the way of our future success. If I was a Senior next year, I'd be very careful. Rhule would see my potential injury as a benefit to the team. Have you ever heard another coach in your life say that injuries help you get better? Wow.
Limited IQ Redneck in PU
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The man doesnt think out what he says.
Jacques Strap
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When a senior like Taylor Young gets hurt and a younger player takes his spot then you could argue that the experience for the younger player will be beneficial next season. Since this year is already an epic disaster - excuse me a rebuilding year - losing Taylor Young could perhaps help in the long run. When Clay Johnston gets injured it is a different story. Clay will be back next year so he is losing experience he may have gained in this new incredibly complex system that it takes years if not decades to master. Furthermore Clay's injury may impact his ability to perform next year if it is nagging or easily re-injured (think Sean Lee Cowboys). So while injuries may benefit a team for future seasons it can also set a team (or player) back.

With all that said it is good policy to reshirt freshmen becuase they will be better players at age 23 than they are at age 18. Redshirting players is a better more reliable long term path to success than hoping for injuries that force not yet ready freshmen into playing time. Duh.

I think the team will be better next year. I hope so anyway.
geewago
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hOwley88 said:

From an outsider looking in... you people are idiots... the only way for the team to grow is for the youth of the team to get better... by having more PT available it is allowing those young men to develop... therefore they are getting better faster... but you people wouldn't know that since none of you has ever played football in your life and madden doesn't count
Hey you sound a lot like an old poster called Hambone420. He knew it all, and he kept all us igmos straightened out. But when he finally saw that he couldn't fix stupid he took off to the premium boards where all the Einsteins dwell. So why don't you hang around and keep us lined up. Once he left we became like sheep without a shepherd .
Pale Rider
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geewago said:

hOwley88 said:

From an outsider looking in... you people are idiots... the only way for the team to grow is for the youth of the team to get better... by having more PT available it is allowing those young men to develop... therefore they are getting better faster... but you people wouldn't know that since none of you has ever played football in your life and madden doesn't count
Hey you sound a lot like an old poster called Hambone420. He knew it all, and he kept all us igmos straightened out. But when he finally saw that he couldn't fox stupid he took off to the premium boards where all the Einsteins dwell. So why don't you hang around and keep us lined up. Once he left we became like sheep without a shepherd .

gee made me laugh.

And BTW, no injuries is the very best policy for successful football.

You want to gain experience for the third teamers, then get a huge lead and let them take over the fourth quarter.

Remember at Kansas a couple of years ago when most all of the starters on offense took off their pads at half-time. Was amazing.
blackie
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Jacques Strap said:

When a senior like Taylor Young gets hurt and a younger player takes his spot then you could argue that the experience for the younger player will be beneficial next season. Since this year is already an epic disaster - excuse me a rebuilding year - losing Taylor Young could perhaps help in the long run. When Clay Johnston gets injured it is a different story. Clay will be back next year so he is losing experience he may have gained in this new incredibly complex system that it takes years if not decades to master. Furthermore Clay's injury may impact his ability to perform next year if it is nagging or easily re-injured (think Sean Lee Cowboys). So while injuries may benefit a team for future seasons it can also set a team (or player) back.

With all that said it is good policy to reshirt freshmen becuase they will be better players at age 23 than they are at age 18. Redshirting players is a better more reliable long term path to success than hoping for injuries that force not yet ready freshmen into playing time. Duh.

I think the team will be better next year. I hope so anyway.
Who said anything about hoping for injuries?
Jacques Strap
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If something is indeed helpful would you not hope and wish for it? If you don't hope for injuries then perhaps they are not helpful after all.
YoakDaddy
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Subject-verb agreement in title is not correct.

Article is about as stupid as losing breeds toughness.
RioRata
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Which is "tougher" season or career ending injuries?
robby44
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I have never heard of this
Ever
SicThe12
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What.The.****.
RealLarryDon
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geewago said:

hOwley88 said:

From an outsider looking in... you people are idiots... the only way for the team to grow is for the youth of the team to get better... by having more PT available it is allowing those young men to develop... therefore they are getting better faster... but you people wouldn't know that since none of you has ever played football in your life and madden doesn't count
Hey you sound a lot like an old poster called Hambone420. He knew it all, and he kept all us igmos straightened out. But when he finally saw that he couldn't fix stupid he took off to the premium boards where all the Einsteins dwell. So why don't you hang around and keep us lined up. Once he left we became like sheep without a shepherd .
OK, this post made me giggle.
blackie
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Jacques Strap said:

If something is indeed helpful would you not hope and wish for it? If you don't hope for injuries then perhaps they are not helpful after all.
Get off your agenda for a bit and see how ridiculous you sound. Injuries are something that happened. Nobody wished for them or wanted them. Heck without them, this team probably could have been a bowl team this year. That said, it has given a chance for gaining experience for the people we will depend on in the next few years.

Some of you are worse than politicians......spinning stuff to fit your agenda, when what was stated is simple reality. Some players that we will depend upon in the next few years have benefited because they have been able to play and gain experience, because those in front of them couldn't play. That in no way wishes for injuries or says they are good. It is simply a case of making chicken soup out of chicken sh**.

Jacques Strap
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NM Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful these injuries have jumpstarted the program's future.
CorsicanaBear
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What injuries were the proximate cause of the loss to Liberty?
Illigitimus non carborundum
robby44
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Jacques Strap said:

NM Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful these injuries have jumpstarted the program's future.

Right
Otherwise how would all the young players get any experience
hOwley88
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blackie said:


Get off your agenda for a bit and see how ridiculous you sound. Injuries are something that happened. Nobody wished for them or wanted them. Heck without them, this team probably could have been a bowl team this year. That said, it has given a chance for gaining experience for the people we will depend on in the next few years.

Some of you are worse than politicians......spinning stuff to fit your agenda, when what was stated is simple reality. Some players that we will depend upon in the next few years have benefited because they have been able to play and gain experience, because those in front of them couldn't play. That in no way wishes for injuries or says they are good.

It is simply a case of making chicken soup out of chicken sh**.


I agree... but I'll add this to the injuries... if Baylor still had Stidham, Cannon, Zamora, Blanchard, and all the others that defected or transferred this team would be a whole lot better early on in the season... really if they had those four and a healthy roster they could've beat OU, KSU, TT, WVU, and ISU plus the 2 of 3 to start the season, I thought they would lose to either UTSA or Duke... Having a deeper roster with upper classmen, with experience, will ultimately benefit the teams growth.

oh and lol to all your replies, proves my point how clueless you all are... its funny the lack of faith and hope some of you have... keep spinning folks! it is what it is!
Limited IQ Redneck in PU
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Faith? Lol. Gtfo
hodedofome
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hOwley88 said:

blackie said:


Get off your agenda for a bit and see how ridiculous you sound. Injuries are something that happened. Nobody wished for them or wanted them. Heck without them, this team probably could have been a bowl team this year. That said, it has given a chance for gaining experience for the people we will depend on in the next few years.

Some of you are worse than politicians......spinning stuff to fit your agenda, when what was stated is simple reality. Some players that we will depend upon in the next few years have benefited because they have been able to play and gain experience, because those in front of them couldn't play. That in no way wishes for injuries or says they are good.

It is simply a case of making chicken soup out of chicken sh**.


I agree... but I'll add this to the injuries... if Baylor still had Stidham, Cannon, Zamora, Blanchard, and all the others that defected or transferred this team would be a whole lot better early on in the season... really if they had those four and a healthy roster they could've beat OU, KSU, TT, WVU, and ISU plus the 2 of 3 to start the season, I thought they would lose to either UTSA or Duke... Having a deeper roster with upper classmen, with experience, will ultimately benefit the teams growth.

oh and lol to all your replies, proves my point how clueless you all are... its funny the lack of faith and hope some of you have... keep spinning folks! it is what it is!


Shoot, if we never lost a kid and had our old coaching staff, we might be heading for the playoffs this year.
MilliVanilli
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hodedofome said:

hOwley88 said:

blackie said:


Get off your agenda for a bit and see how ridiculous you sound. Injuries are something that happened. Nobody wished for them or wanted them. Heck without them, this team probably could have been a bowl team this year. That said, it has given a chance for gaining experience for the people we will depend on in the next few years.

Some of you are worse than politicians......spinning stuff to fit your agenda, when what was stated is simple reality. Some players that we will depend upon in the next few years have benefited because they have been able to play and gain experience, because those in front of them couldn't play. That in no way wishes for injuries or says they are good.

It is simply a case of making chicken soup out of chicken sh**.


I agree... but I'll add this to the injuries... if Baylor still had Stidham, Cannon, Zamora, Blanchard, and all the others that defected or transferred this team would be a whole lot better early on in the season... really if they had those four and a healthy roster they could've beat OU, KSU, TT, WVU, and ISU plus the 2 of 3 to start the season, I thought they would lose to either UTSA or Duke... Having a deeper roster with upper classmen, with experience, will ultimately benefit the teams growth.

oh and lol to all your replies, proves my point how clueless you all are... its funny the lack of faith and hope some of you have... keep spinning folks! it is what it is!


Shoot, if we never lost a kid and had our old coaching staff, we might be heading for the playoffs this year.
Nah, we always found a way to drop a game we shouldn't.
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