So is Hatcher a game changer?
- Thread starter bssparks
- Start date
Hatcher is now playing behind Johnson at the Sambacker spot. He'll see time, but not as a starter.
No. He's not a game changer. He is a solid player though that will be important on passing situations to generate a pass rush.
i think starting is settled but finishing will depend on how each play. if hatcher comes in and does well then he'll get snaps... he's a better all around athlete.
Disagree. Any player that is considered to be your best pass rusher is a game-changer. Staff believes he is, I believe the staff.
Depends on who you listen to. Buh called him the real deal but Stoops is reluctant to praise him probably a trust thing. Hatcher had a perfect sparq score at 250 pounds the dude has the quick twitch to create pressure Key is technique.
He's certainly a physical specimen, but if we're judging him based purely on his on-field abilities, Buh is the guy that I think we should listen to. Been a linebacker coach for his entire career, really, and he isn't able to judge Hatcher for his off-field shenanigans to this point. He's looking at him purely as a football player, and Buh feels that Hatcher is our best linebacker.
That said, Stoops has acknowledged that Hatcher is ahead of the curve on the field, it's just the off-field stuff that has him wary of Hatcher.
Ultimately, like Stoops said, Hatcher has to "earn" his way back onto the team, but being in the 2 deep isn't bad for a guy that has to earn his way onto a team. Staff just doesn't feel good about taking out Ware or Johnson and putting in Hatcher because they've been out there winning games, and Hatcher is coming back from an academic issue.
He's going to get a ton of reps in this game though, I think it's a safe bet to say that, and I believe he'll be very good when he does get those reps.
He's an immediate upgrade to true freshman playing now, which relieves pressure off them and will let them play more freely. Also a lot more athletic than Jabari Johnson where Johnson is more of a run stopper. He has showed signs of big time play making and I have high hopes for him this season.
Hatcher will play in the NFL. He has exceptional quickness. He is a crucial player this season to help shore up our defense. I hope he can be more mature and stay more consistent. He has a lot of ability.
Love people saying how he isnt a playmaker. Funny. Stoops wants him to earn his spot back. Thats exactly what he said. Tbats why he isnt starting. Youll hear Hatchers name alot Saturday.
From all indications the "Maturity" thing has been his issue.Hope it is changing for him, very very talented.
Hatcher won't even start. Until I see what kind of shape he is in, and how well he is prepared, I won't place too many expectations on him. But if he just makes a couple of plays, that could effect the outcome of a close game. I just want to say that Denzil Ware and Jabari Johnson have played well. Ware is a star in the making. Hatcher has a fight on his hands for playing time. The supposition that he is our best pass rusher is not based on any facts. It might be true, but I have to see it. I hope he plays well, but he is just 1 talented guy on an improving defense with a lot of young talent.
Jason has shown and has ability to be an elite pass rusher! No better time to display that ability than this weekend!
He will add depth. Getting him back and Flannigan in our D will be huge. We need to break this streak!
I could swear the coaches were raving about him as our best edge rusher this summer. Either way its great to have him back.
Hatcher gives us the ability to do more things on defense. He is definitely a game changer in that regard. A hungry healthy Flannigan and Hatcher will give the defense a shot in the arm. We will be at full strength with those two.
Yes it is... It's based on what Stoops said..... Plus, he was a back up to a great DE last year and he still played....
Whether he is or isn't a game changer isn't the real question IMO. The fact that he's back is huge. He's going to play situationally but him being back and playing with Jabari Johnson isn't a huge upgrade from Jabari Johnson, but it is no question a huge upgrade from a true freshman who would likely have been redshirted if our LB's were healthy and not suspended. More snaps for experienced talent and less for inexperienced talent is a big deal.
Think a few of you are taking this whole not starting thing a little too seriously, I expect Hatcher to have a pretty big impact Saturday.
So like I said, it isn't based on fact. There is a difference between heresay and fact. Coaches say things like this for a lot of reasons, not always because they are facts. I want to see what he can actually do before I form conclusions. And if Hatcher is as good a player as Ware has been, then we are in business.
Hatcher is good and has been practicing well. Tough guy. Played as an undersized freshman with a broken hand and cast. Just has to turn it loose
