Your thoughts on Elam this season
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He played... but could have used a RS... in hindsight...
But thought he did okay... He wasn't a game-changer by any stretch. Held his ground or got a push....
He's a guy that could dictate a play call or a change to another play but he'll need to be on the field more before any of us knows how his presence factors.... I don't know the kid but he sure seems like he'd be a guy I'd like to play along side...
Bet he's good chemistry and sets a positive tone... Never heard anything negative about the young man as a person...
But thought he did okay... He wasn't a game-changer by any stretch. Held his ground or got a push....
He's a guy that could dictate a play call or a change to another play but he'll need to be on the field more before any of us knows how his presence factors.... I don't know the kid but he sure seems like he'd be a guy I'd like to play along side...
Bet he's good chemistry and sets a positive tone... Never heard anything negative about the young man as a person...
He could have really used a redshirt, but that was probably a recruiting pitch my CMS. If he has worked hard during the off season and dropped quite a bit of weight, around 50# i would think, or rearranged it he can be a real player. But if he has not improved his body he won't see much playing time this year either. One because he can't physically stay out there very long and two because his technique and pad level will be very bad. I am sure last season was a real eye opener for him because it was the first time he ever lined up across from someone he couldn't manhandle with ease and he has refocused himself to getting fit enough to play at the SEC level. If not, well you might see less of him this season than last because other guys will pass him and he will become a blocker for extra points and FGs.
Ditto. He's going to be better and a factor and the last picture I saw of him the weight loss was obvious.
He's a one tech, so the way to judge how well he does this year is to see how well the linebackers are able to stop the run. If the linebackers are making plays close to the line that mean Elam is probably doing a good job. A great one tech never puts up big numbers himself.
Exactly, its extremely important for him to keep his pad level low forcing double and triple teams. He pops up like this past season and he is a liability. Crucial he learns technique and gets himself in better condition, some have said they have seen he is working on the conditioning part. But just watching him, I think he had some flexibility issues too, Butch Wilfork makes Elam look slender but his flexibility was excellent.
Agree that Elam really could have used a year to develop and condition himself before stepping on to the field. Would have been great to get an extra year out of him.
I thought he was still a bit heavy and not as in shape as he could have been.
He's a big ole boy and the only thing that will get in the way of him reaching his potential will be himself. His weight on the depth chart this season was listed as 375lbs...I know he is naturally a big dude, but to me that is probably a bit too much...
I think it would do him well to lose about 35-40lbs this offseason, and then gain 12-15 back in good muscle by the time the first SEC game rolls around.
I'm sure the coaching and strength staff have a plan for him, and I hope they really stay on it.
Size is a great thing, but he needs to be able to move quickly and somewhat athletically...as well as not be worn out after a couple of snaps...
Anyone who has ever played football, especially offensive linemen, will tell you that offenses salivate when they know they have a big out of shape boy on defense who's sucking wind and slow to begin with...o-linemen pray they get some oversized lug that they can quickly and easily get leverage on...
All in all the staff has something special in making with Elam. He along with some of the defensive talent coming in could really be something in a year or two. I really hope they don't "butt-fumble" the opportunity.
I thought he was still a bit heavy and not as in shape as he could have been.
He's a big ole boy and the only thing that will get in the way of him reaching his potential will be himself. His weight on the depth chart this season was listed as 375lbs...I know he is naturally a big dude, but to me that is probably a bit too much...
I think it would do him well to lose about 35-40lbs this offseason, and then gain 12-15 back in good muscle by the time the first SEC game rolls around.
I'm sure the coaching and strength staff have a plan for him, and I hope they really stay on it.
Size is a great thing, but he needs to be able to move quickly and somewhat athletically...as well as not be worn out after a couple of snaps...
Anyone who has ever played football, especially offensive linemen, will tell you that offenses salivate when they know they have a big out of shape boy on defense who's sucking wind and slow to begin with...o-linemen pray they get some oversized lug that they can quickly and easily get leverage on...
All in all the staff has something special in making with Elam. He along with some of the defensive talent coming in could really be something in a year or two. I really hope they don't "butt-fumble" the opportunity.
I had my binocs trained on him most all of his plays against Georgia. They simply manhandled him. Put him in the dirt. made him irrelevant to the play. Of course their line was one of the best and he was an out of shape freshman.
I still believe with proper diet,conditioning, and learning the proper technique he can be a special player . All American and eventually All Pro. But he has to have the desire , discipline and be willing to pay the price.
If he wants to eat cheeseburgers all day and walk through the drills he will never make big time.
He really does a good job with his hand placement and then extending his elbows. reviewed the Missouri game and he controlled the middle. IZ gained no yards on the snaps he was in the game. Too often our linebackers fill the wrong gap or no gap and whoever was playing the boundary corner simply was exposed and piacked on the entire game. As soon as the defense attempted to reinforce him, Missouri would attack the area where the reinforcement came from.
Huge size. Great feet, especially for his size. Very strong. But at times played way too high, practically standing up at times. Him not being in the best shape contributed, because as he got fatigued hed play much higher.
He needs to improve his conditioning, which I think he will. Work on technique, because Im sure in HS good technique wasnt required due to mammoth size. This will lead to him playing lower, for an increased number of snaps. If so, it will be a noticeable improvement.
When he played high, he was pancaked fairly regularly. When he played lower, he wasn't a force; but was immovable even by double teams - still basically a win considering how much space he takes up. But If he learns to play low - he'll be unstoppable.
He needs to improve his conditioning, which I think he will. Work on technique, because Im sure in HS good technique wasnt required due to mammoth size. This will lead to him playing lower, for an increased number of snaps. If so, it will be a noticeable improvement.
When he played high, he was pancaked fairly regularly. When he played lower, he wasn't a force; but was immovable even by double teams - still basically a win considering how much space he takes up. But If he learns to play low - he'll be unstoppable.
If he doesn't get his act together he very well might be at UK 5 years. The pros are not looking for out of shape DL that can only play one or two plays and must come off the field. They do not like players that do not have the where with to get in shape in college. The truth is he should have redshirted last year, worked on his technique, and got into shape to play this year. He is a big dude with some quickness for his size but he must get in football shape.
Get his act together? He was a freshman for god's sake
I really haven't understood some of the comments in this thread about his conditioning. The guy, by all accounts, is working hard and has lost weight and improved his conditioning. Our fans bewilder me sometimes with stuff they come up with.Originally posted by TransyCat09:
Get his act together? He was a freshman for god's sakeOn top of that he lost 45 pounds from HS, so there's absolutely no reason to believe he is not taking his conditioning seriously
Well to be fair to Elam all our OL have been in the program at least 2 years and they played as well as any OL UGA has put on the field in at least 10 years. But the really odd thing is about 4 years ago we had the largest OL around, averaged about 335 and weren't very good, this year we averaged 294 per man and was pretty good. But have to replace our center which is always tough because they are the leader on the OL, but the other 4 starters return so we are hopeful they will come together early in the year.
I agree, Elam is competing against himself as much as anyone to reach his potential, Stoops and the S&C staff can lay it out for him what to do, what to eat, but as the old saying goes the ball is in Elam's court as for following those plans, they cant follow him around and slap that pizza and cheeseburger out of his hand.
He certainly hasn't taken his conditioning seriously in the past. If he lost 45 pounds from HS he weighed 420 pounds in high school because he weighted 375 at UK last fall. IMO that is still a good 35 to 40 pounds or more over what he should weigh.Originally posted by TransyCat09:
Get his act together? He was a freshman for god's sakeOn top of that he lost 45 pounds from HS, so there's absolutely no reason to believe he is not taking his conditioning seriously
Really really need for he and Hatcher to live up to their HS hype this season. I expect them both to play well this fall, they have the ability. Honestly, I thought Hatcher should have been on the field a lot more last year, needed to find a place for him to play.
I'm glad someone knows truth while the rest of us just give opinions.
If he should have RSed, then he should have picked AL vs. KY. UK's D was better because of him on it and will be better this year because he played last year. Unless he has an eligibility problem, he can't be here 5 years unless he now takes a voluntary RS. You predicting that?
I do not believe I inferred that my opinion had any more weight than yours or anyone else's. You seem to be the touchy one when ever anyone questions your post. It is a matter of opinion if UK was better because he played last year. IMO he will be little better this year unless he has gotten into better football shape and he definitely can still be at UK five years under several circumstances but I will not explain it to you I will just let you figure it out yourself. I definitely do not see him as a sure fire 3 and out man. He needs to improve his technique and get into better shape or he might never smell the pros. Him being a five star by some recruiting service does not guarantee that he will be a success either in college or the pros. It is up to him to work hard and do what he needs to do The UK conditioning program can offer its service but can only help those that want help. I am not saying whether the kid is or is not doing what it takes and whether he is following the recommendations of the conditioning program because frankly I do not know. We will know when he takes the football field next season.
Well I'm glad you asked.
I think he should exercise
And maybe cut down on the beer and pizza
Maybe watch a little tape an improve his technical
Just focus. Focus on getting better
Sorry for the pompous reply. I guess I should have red shirted it.
I think he should exercise
And maybe cut down on the beer and pizza
Maybe watch a little tape an improve his technical
Just focus. Focus on getting better
Sorry for the pompous reply. I guess I should have red shirted it.
Quote me on this..he's going to have a breakout year..defensive tackles take longer to develop than skill players..the fact that he played as much as he did as a true freshman on the d-line in the SEC (basically playing with pure talent and baby fat) gives you a glimpse of his unlimited potential..he's going to have a breakout year..I would bet money on this year, but if not this year than next year at the latest..he's going to be a force in the middle, and IMHO, will end up being one of the best defensive linemen to ever play at UK..go look at how the top defensive tackles in college and the NFL performed their true freshman year of college..I'd bet money that most of them didn't even play their true freshman year because the defensive line is a position that requires a strength and toughness that 18 year olds RARELY have
I expect improvement. Some on here are just plain critical.He was a freshman and this is football!not basketball..Lewis and Elam along with johnson will be a very good DT combo this year..
Football take time to develope guys.Basketball most can be competitive in there freshman year,but football is a different animal..
There will be surprises and improvement across the board,which in turn will make everyone look better including coaches..
Football take time to develope guys.Basketball most can be competitive in there freshman year,but football is a different animal..
There will be surprises and improvement across the board,which in turn will make everyone look better including coaches..
Yeah, of course in a perfect world everyone red shirts. Even Boom red shirts in a perfect world. But in a practical world, playing was best for Elam and the team. He helped win that game against south Carolina. And playing had to help motivate his off the field training for the next year. As for changing his body. Red shirting is great for gaining weight. You can concentrate on upping calories and lifting every day with out worrying about being sore for game day or too beat up to lift. Losing weight? Hell might as well play the game and kill two birds with one stone. Redshirting just to improve stamina and lose weight would be a waste.
I know we would love to squeeze every drop of productivity from a player over the course of five years. But playing Elam this year was the right call. I expect bigger things. I'm expecting him to come in fifteen pounds lighter. He was born to be a big guy. I don't see him losing forty pounds unless he starves himself. That's not what he needs. Build up power in his legs and arse and let some pounds drip off the torso naturally.
I know we would love to squeeze every drop of productivity from a player over the course of five years. But playing Elam this year was the right call. I expect bigger things. I'm expecting him to come in fifteen pounds lighter. He was born to be a big guy. I don't see him losing forty pounds unless he starves himself. That's not what he needs. Build up power in his legs and arse and let some pounds drip off the torso naturally.
The staff did not/do not expect him to be around 5 years, therefore no RS is smart...what good would a RS be if he left as a RS SOPH/JR?? They want to get as many years out of him as possible.
Had nothing to do with "recruiting pitch"
Had nothing to do with "recruiting pitch"
Elam's success will depend on what he is doing right now in the weight room and dinner table. The talent is already there. Matt needs to be even more motivated than others right now. He needs to eat, live, and breathe the weight room and proper nutrition this offseason. I like the fact it has been quiet on the conditioning front. Hoping when next August comes we are seeing photos of Matt and being amazed of his transformation.
he will either go pro in 4 years or he's not as good as we hoped he was. rs'ing does nothing for either one of those things. if we rs him and he leaves his rs jr year then you gain nothing over him leaving his true sr year. the experience he gained will let him know how hard he has to work this off season. he will be better this year and then be really good his jr and sr years.
Matt Elam would not be playing here as a 5th year senior, that is why they played him this year. Had nothing to do with recruiting promises or anything else.
Should we have RS'd Bud Dupree? He tallied 21 tackles as a freshman...you think he'd be coming back this year with another year of eligibility?
Avery Williamson is a closer call...he played in all 13 games as a freshman, recorded 10 tackles...left after a true senior year, 5th round draft pick and became AFC south rookie of the year. He MAY have come back for a 5th year, although looking at his rookie year he was ready for the league after 4 years...
Should we have RS'd Bud Dupree? He tallied 21 tackles as a freshman...you think he'd be coming back this year with another year of eligibility?
Avery Williamson is a closer call...he played in all 13 games as a freshman, recorded 10 tackles...left after a true senior year, 5th round draft pick and became AFC south rookie of the year. He MAY have come back for a 5th year, although looking at his rookie year he was ready for the league after 4 years...
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