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. ???????
Photo by Jim Black
Baylor Football
Injuries don't feel good now but has jumpstarted the program's future
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.
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“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.
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