Mario Cristobal talks team, Elija Lofton: “One of the best freshman football players I’ve ever been around”

[DadeCountyLegend]

Just feels different this year. 1-0

 

[JamesQuall]

It’s not like CJ has almost broken one during the game. Had he even returned one past the 30?

He’s still a freshman isn’t he? He’s not bad and will continue to get better.

Also it wouldn’t matter if he got past the 30 because it would be coming back from a penalty on our special team anyway.

 

[TemplarCane]

He's had a few to like the 30-40 yard line & then almost had 1 in a game early where he got tackled by the kicker i believe where he would have housed it had he broke the tackle/juked.... I'm with you though... CJ has crazy straight line speed but is just to tentative & doesn't have the "wiggle" others do.... would love to see lofton back there tbh.... same argument we had last year/some still do about running backs.... would you rather have the two bruisers we have now that never house a 70 yard run but constantly get 5-10 or the opposite, etc

According to the box score, CJ had 5 returns for 115 yards for a 23 yard average, with a long of 31. Or maybe you’re referring to the past several weeks.

I think his problem is he runs tentatively and it seems most successful kickoff returners just hit a hole and run. He may not have many holes to hit.

 

[LyndenCane22]

According to the box score, CJ had 5 returns for 115 yards for a 23 yard average, with a long of 31. Or maybe you’re referring to the past several weeks.

I think his problem is he runs tentatively and it seems most successful kickoff returners just hit a hole and run. He may not have many holes to hit.

Yeah sorry just replying to the overall season in general... but yes agree he appears to run tenatively.... he very well could have no holes to hit etc... if thats the case give me lofton who gives you the chance to break a tackle or 2 & maybe get that avg return up.

 

[ThomasM]

I laughed when Duke squib kicked the ball to him. I just thought "he's a better returner than CJ you fools".

Peak Manny.

You're not alone. I thought, "You just messed up!" Then I realized, oh yeah, Manny is on the other sideline.

 

[TemplarCane]

Yeah sorry just replying to the overall season in general... but yes agree he appears to run tenatively.... he very well could have no holes to hit etc... if thats the case give me lofton who gives you the chance to break a tackle or 2 & maybe get that avg return up.

Yeah, I figured you meant the whole season and not just the Duke game. He’s almost broken a couple.

 

[OldhamA]

Lofton reminds me of Najeh Davenport. He’s not the RB Najeh was, of course, but he just has that “I can do everything” skill Najeh gave us. The wheel route touchdowns from Dorsey were some of my favorite plays.

He reminds me of Ruben Bain - just an incredible athlete and football player in an atypical body for his position.

 

[JHallCanes]

He’s still a freshman isn’t he? He’s not bad and will continue to get better.

Also it wouldn’t matter if he got past the 30 because it would be coming back from a penalty on our special team anyway.

Agreed. CJ is fine and he will be better the more reps he gets

Besides, it’s just more yards for Cam

 

[dudenate]

Lofton reminds me of Najeh Davenport. He’s not the RB Najeh was, of course, but he just has that “I can do everything” skill Najeh gave us. The wheel route touchdowns from Dorsey were some of my favorite plays.

Agree here.

Wasn't it Jason Geathers who also did some of this?...lining up in the backfield some, playing fullback, and lining up to run routes?

 

[TemplarCane]

Agree here.

Wasn't it Jason Geathers who also did some of this?...lining up in the backfield some, playing fullback, and lining up to run routes?

Yes, but Jason Geathers was a player who didn’t have a full-time position. He was a running back who wanted to be a wide receiver with his build at 6-3 210. I don’t think he really ever got a real chance to transition to wide receiver. Or maybe it wasn’t skilled enough to be one. He was more of a utility player. And a good one who made the most of limited opportunities. At least that’s my recollection.

Davenport was a pure running back. And a great running back until his injuries and he lost his status to James Jackson, Clinton Portis, and Frank Gore. Had he not been injured he would’ve gone down as one of the best backs in Miami history. In my opinion.

 

[mr.h]

Mario never stops recruiting. Throwing shout outs to Bishop and Chaminade.

That’s why he was paid 1 billion dollars.