Andre Sam, Tulane nickel

[gogeta4]

James Williams is a good football player.

Unfortunately, he's kind of positionless player right now and his weaknesses get exploited a lot. His tackling is incredibly bad...all arms are attempts to hit stick (but this can be a by product of HS and college coaching...South Florida tackling is coached poorly and our tackling in-house has been coached poorly, bad tackling is a team flaw right now). His angles are like a guy that is just going out there and playing (he just runs to the football). I think he can play in the NFL because he's got talent, but like Ray Ray Armstrong or Hamsah Nasirildeen (shouts to Memnon for this comp before he stepped on the field), is really an untrained linebacker masking himself as a safety and on the field he looks like he's just going out there and playing...not presenting the game of a player that works on his craft. He hasn't gotten better at all since HS.

We could use a guy like Sam in the defensive backfield because maybe being on the field - say in a nickel role - could help a guy like James Williams know wtf is going on pre-snap and help him get into position.

You hit on alot in this.

Me probably watching JAMES play the most on the board...i always knew tackling would be an issue because of leverage (hes 6'4-6'5) and him always being a db and being able to hit skill guys down here with poor tackling n becuase of his size difference in hs it working.

@Coach Macho also hit on his tackling prior to him coming here as well. James is a guy that would sting/strike you if you dont see it coming. THE SHOULDER STUFF. Hes not exactly Brandon Merriweather/Sean Taylor and those guys tat want to run through you.

Where your wrong i believe is the pre snap stuff....he has a pretty good football iq...and if you watch our defensive snaps he is usually telling someone where to line up or calling out a play of the other team all while not doing his gig or costing him to be slow to react to a play.

 

[SWFLHurricane]

You hit on alot in this.

Me probably watching JAMES play the most on the board...i always knew tackling would be an issue because of leverage (hes 6'4-6'5) and him always being a db and being able to hit skill guys down here with poor tackling n becuase of his size difference in hs it working.

@Coach Macho also hit on his tackling prior to him coming here as well. James is a guy that would sting/strike you if you dont see it coming. THE SHOULDER STUFF. Hes not exactly Brandon Merriweather/Sean Taylor and those guys tat want to run through you.

Where your wrong i believe is the pre snap stuff....he has a pretty good football iq...and if you watch our defensive snaps he is usually telling someone where to line up or calling out a play of the other team all while not doing his gig or costing him to be slow to react to a play.

Pagano would've had James All-ACC within 2yrs....

 

[JHallCanes]

You hit on alot in this.

Me probably watching JAMES play the most on the board...i always knew tackling would be an issue because of leverage (hes 6'4-6'5) and him always being a db and being able to hit skill guys down here with poor tackling n becuase of his size difference in hs it working.

@Coach Macho also hit on his tackling prior to him coming here as well. James is a guy that would sting/strike you if you dont see it coming. THE SHOULDER STUFF. Hes not exactly Brandon Merriweather/Sean Taylor and those guys tat want to run through you.

Where your wrong i believe is the pre snap stuff....he has a pretty good football iq...and if you watch our defensive snaps he is usually telling someone where to line up or calling out a play of the other team all while not doing his gig or costing him to be slow to react to a play.

He’s a safety that doesn’t really like contact and people always want to move him to LB

He’s got a lot of talent no doubt I expect him to make a jump this year with Guidry. Great situation for him I think

 

[BoxingRobes]

You hit on alot in this.

Me probably watching JAMES play the most on the board...i always knew tackling would be an issue because of leverage (hes 6'4-6'5) and him always being a db and being able to hit skill guys down here with poor tackling n becuase of his size difference in hs it working.

@Coach Macho also hit on his tackling prior to him coming here as well. James is a guy that would sting/strike you if you dont see it coming. THE SHOULDER STUFF. Hes not exactly Brandon Merriweather/Sean Taylor and those guys tat want to run through you.

Where your wrong i believe is the pre snap stuff....he has a pretty good football iq...and if you watch our defensive snaps he is usually telling someone where to line up or calling out a play of the other team all while not doing his gig or costing him to be slow to react to a play.

Brother, I am not insulting his IQ - but I can see how you thought that is what I meant, my b...I know its there, but its very rough around the edges (see his tackling angles, etc) and it comes at a cost. He's a "player" (things do seem natural to him...but there are lots of good natural ball players in CFB) and you are right, he is there trying to get dudes into place, but that comes with the flaw that he then is out of place or slow to react. You don't want that guy with that responsibility on the field, IMO. My point was that there needs to be someone else on the field to do that because if he's the best guy on the field doing that...you are getting the results you asked for. He is the kind of player that IMO, needs to focus on himself and his responsibility on the field.

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

He’s a safety that doesn’t really like contact and people always want to move him to LB

He’s got a lot of talent no doubt I expect him to make a jump this year with Guidry. Great situation for him I think

If anyone is going to get him to take the leap we think he’s capable of, it’s a pressure-filled, yet calculated defense like Guidry’s.

 

[JHallCanes]

If anyone is going to get him to take the leap we think he’s capable of, it’s a pressure-filled, yet calculated defense like Guidry’s.

Not to make too many broad generalizations but the secondary was better last year than we really gave them credit for. We had a lot of sacks last year that were coverage sacks. I expect/hope that Guidry will shift some of these guys into playmaker mode.

I really like what we’ve done this off-season from a secondary standpoint even though we missed McClain and perhaps the most talented kid we have is a true freshman (Brown). I’m cautiously optimistic

 

[COCane4Life]

Judging him on what he’s put on tape since he’s been here is disrespect? I’ll be happy to gas him up when he actually does something really good but so far he’s been very meh. He’s been bad in space. That’s just the truth. Tape doesn’t lie.

If he wasn’t a five star south Florida kid the board would view this take as a consensus.

As for Sam he’d likely start at star where couch played last year. He has no affect on JW.

I’m not saying we should gas him. If James were at Bama or Georgia he wouldn’t be a two year starter. He would have time to grow into the player we will see this year without crazy criticism.

Kam Kitchens comes out and says fans were gassing him after North Carolina because he had a pick but fans didn’t know he gave up 3 TD’s that game and almost got benched. Kam who everyone respects as one of the best safety in America said out of his mouth James was constantly covering for other players mistakes. James was the one trying to get everyone lined up and chasing down mistakes from other players.

His tackling was an issue. No sugar coating it. Blame it on injuries or technique regardless of why it was unacceptable. He was very good in coverage and made some great plays in that regard.

James is a beast! Miami fans want every top recruit to be an All-American as soon as they step foot on the field or else they’re a jag. We should be grateful James Williams has stuck with us. James could transfer and start any where in the country. Fans that wanna toss James to the side are fools. I can confirm he will play all over the field in Guidry’s scheme. I’m expecting a monster year from him.

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

I’m not saying we should gas him. If James were at Bama or Georgia he wouldn’t be a two year starter. He would have time to grow into the player we will see this year without crazy criticism.

Kam Kitchens comes out and says fans were gassing him after North Carolina because he had a pick but fans didn’t know he gave up 3 TD’s that game and almost got benched. Kam who everyone respects as one of the best safety in America said out of his mouth James was constantly covering for other players mistakes. James was the one trying to get everyone lined up and chasing down mistakes from other players.

His tackling was an issue. No sugar coating it. Blame it on injuries or technique regardless of why it was unacceptable. He was very good in coverage and made some great plays in that regard.

James is a beast! Miami fans want every top recruit to be an All-American as soon as they step foot on the field or else they’re a jag. We should be grateful James Williams has stuck with us. James could transfer and start any where in the country. Fans that wanna toss James to the side are fools. I can confirm he will play all over the field in Guidry’s scheme. I’m expecting a monster year from him.

 

[gogeta4]

He’s a safety that doesn’t really like contact and people always want to move him to LB

He’s got a lot of talent no doubt I expect him to make a jump this year with Guidry. Great situation for him I think

I always try to tell ppl the bolded and ive been watching him play since like 12-13.

When he was younger i use to joke and tell him hes a DE, because honestly he does have some pass rush skills and his body frame was wiry then with the arm length and he would basically have a stroke about it.

Hes not a guy that just likes to mix it up...but if he catches you slipping he will.

With a real technical coach who can coach him up he will do well because the skill set is there and having them coach out going for the "oooh" south florida shoulder hit isnt all that and getting guys to the ground with good form is just as good.

I honestly think the current dc could get the most out of him..hes coachable majority of the time.

Hes a swiss army knife....playing him closer to the line,...have him in the flats...lined up over a te...blitzing a gaps at times. All those things would keep him engaged and maximize his strengths in my opinion.

I think hes dumped on the board...even the plays where he got a personal foul like him tackling against tx am (bs call) it was because of him trying and pressing. Theres some good plays left in him for the next 2 years

 

[gogeta4]

Brother, I am not insulting his IQ - but I can see how you thought that is what I meant, my b...I know its there, but its very rough around the edges (see his tackling angles, etc) and it comes at a cost. He's a "player" (things do seem natural to him...but there are lots of good natural ball players in CFB) and you are right, he is there trying to get dudes into place, but that comes with the flaw that he then is out of place or slow to react. You don't want that guy with that responsibility on the field, IMO. My point was that there needs to be someone else on the field to do that because if he's the best guy on the field doing that...you are getting the results you asked for. He is the kind of player that IMO, needs to focus on himself and his responsibility on the field.

All what you just said i agree.

Naw i dont think you were insulting his iq all the way.
But i guess its based off alot of what i seen posted about him by others..but just football knowledge he is very high with that honestly.

Ive seen him help JO JO alot pre snap and we all know that kid has smarts that led to him being an all american.

If he has the guidry defense down...and can just focus on hisself and his gig....**** play more loose an freely.

Its part of the reason i want the SAM kid to transfer badly becaus he knows the ins n outs of Guidrys defense and him coming in would allow for JW to be used differently. F*CK tULANE

 

[COCane4Life]

100% Miami has failed James more than James has failed Miami. We are the problem. James will be fine. I’ll be happy to come back if I’m wrong but I have a feeling there will be way more people apologizing once he balls this year.

If James was in the portal same exact player transferring from insert any school y’all would be nutting in your drawers if he was coming here

 

[Gru]

 

[Cribby]

I’m not saying we should gas him. If James were at Bama or Georgia he wouldn’t be a two year starter. He would have time to grow into the player we will see this year without crazy criticism.

Kam Kitchens comes out and says fans were gassing him after North Carolina because he had a pick but fans didn’t know he gave up 3 TD’s that game and almost got benched. Kam who everyone respects as one of the best safety in America said out of his mouth James was constantly covering for other players mistakes. James was the one trying to get everyone lined up and chasing down mistakes from other players.

His tackling was an issue. No sugar coating it. Blame it on injuries or technique regardless of why it was unacceptable. He was very good in coverage and made some great plays in that regard.

James is a beast! Miami fans want every top recruit to be an All-American as soon as they step foot on the field or else they’re a jag. We should be grateful James Williams has stuck with us. James could transfer and start any where in the country. Fans that wanna toss James to the side are fools. I can confirm he will play all over the field in Guidry’s scheme. I’m expecting a monster year from him.

The questions I had with him and others who were much closer was him tackling in space and fluidity. Both have been an issue since he’s been here. The best way to use him is as a Swiss army knife like @gogeta said. He should never be a full time safety. Maybe back in 90’s - 2000’s but not now. He needs moved around and used strategically by down and distance. The closer to the los the better. Which would allow Markeith and Sam ( if he commits ) to get on the field. I like James as a football player just not playing safety full time. There’s too much passing and space nowadays.

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

Brad trying to jump the gun? Perfect, Miami lock

 

[mirvin88]

Hey Tulane

 

[The U is back to work]

So he’s LSU bound?

 

[mlw352]

The questions I had with him and others who were much closer was him tackling in space and fluidity. Both have been an issue since he’s been here. The best way to use him is as a Swiss army knife like @gogeta said. He should never be a full time safety. Maybe back in 90’s - 2000’s but not now. He needs moved around and used strategically by down and distance. The closer to the los the better. Which would allow Markeith and Sam ( if he commits ) to get on the field. I like James as a football player just not playing safety full time. There’s too much passing and space nowadays.

So sams isn’t out of the fold yet lsu is more stacked at db then we are why would he go there he can come help us tremendously immediately

 

[TheOriginalCane]

Pagano would've had James All-ACC within 2yrs....

I knew this was coming, and I agree.

I actually thought about this idea last night when I was reading posts about Hester being under-utilized. We used to have coaches in past years who weren't stuck on "but he's too tall" or whatever. They'd figure out a way to teach a guy coverage skills, even if the guy wasn't the smartest or the fastest or not the best overall physical body-type fit for the position.

Chuck got it done in the secondary.

 

[grover]

All what you just said i agree.

Naw i dont think you were insulting his iq all the way.
But i guess its based off alot of what i seen posted about him by others..but just football knowledge he is very high with that honestly.

Ive seen him help JO JO alot pre snap and we all know that kid has smarts that led to him being an all american.

If he has the guidry defense down...and can just focus on hisself and his gig....**** play more loose an freely.

Its part of the reason i want the SAM kid to transfer badly becaus he knows the ins n outs of Guidrys defense and him coming in would allow for JW to be used differently. F*CK tULANE

100% with you on this part. If Sam goes to LSU, that's a lose/lose/lose. Sam is better off here, Guidry really needs him, and JW would be able to play his best and most favorite role if he were here. ... really hope Markeith is ready if Sam stays in Louisiana.

 

[aelmiami]

I’d trust Sileo Jr before this dude.