It is like Fran said about bb players....they know who should be starting. Let it play out,and if an open competition results in Derby being buried on the depth chart,he may opt to move...or not. Playing time is the most precious commodity a coach has to parcel out...and AJ does want to be on the field.
Ferentz on AJ Derby Position Change
- Thread starter JonDMiller
- Start date
RocketHawk
Well-Known Member
If I remember his 40 time wasn't very fast, that will limit what positins you can play at this level.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
A few things to keep in mind...while this will be AJ's second spring, he will be a redshirt freshman last year since he enrolled last spring. So his clock is not ticking too bad and he is not wasting away.
AJ will get a good glimpse this spring of how close he is to JVB. My guess is he is miles away, so he is looking at the next 21 months on the bench as a backup QB. Then this fall, he will get a look at the kind of player Rudock is as a thrower, etc.
I think he will come to the reality that he can be a three year player on defense, or fight it out to be a two year starter at QB with a kid whose passing skills and mechanics might exceed his own right now.
I think he'll wind up changing positions this summer, or after next season. Kirk talked yesterday about special teams, and they felt he could help them there. He has that carrot of playing time dangling in front of him right now as it relates to special teams and defense.
Heck, if he made the move this spring, he could fight for the starting OLB position (the Greenway position) in 2011 and would certainly be on the depth chart and on special teams. He is 6-4/225 and can run.
I will be surprised if he isn't on the defensive side of the ball within the next 12 months.
AJ will get a good glimpse this spring of how close he is to JVB. My guess is he is miles away, so he is looking at the next 21 months on the bench as a backup QB. Then this fall, he will get a look at the kind of player Rudock is as a thrower, etc.
I think he will come to the reality that he can be a three year player on defense, or fight it out to be a two year starter at QB with a kid whose passing skills and mechanics might exceed his own right now.
I think he'll wind up changing positions this summer, or after next season. Kirk talked yesterday about special teams, and they felt he could help them there. He has that carrot of playing time dangling in front of him right now as it relates to special teams and defense.
Heck, if he made the move this spring, he could fight for the starting OLB position (the Greenway position) in 2011 and would certainly be on the depth chart and on special teams. He is 6-4/225 and can run.
I will be surprised if he isn't on the defensive side of the ball within the next 12 months.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
He's listed at a 4.6 on Scout, a 4.88 on Rivals. His 4.88 was run back in January of 2009, so he's had time to improve that (assuming that wasn't just a bad run for him in the first place). He's got athleticism.
RocketHawk
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the information.
iloveyoularrystation
Well-Known Member
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
QTF. WTF?
Updated weights have him in the 230's. He SCREAMS OLB.
QB A.J. Derby - 225 to 232 (+7)
MJSCK
Well-Known Member
I agree with everything you say as well as the majority in this post but football can be a funny thing. It would take just one play for a blown acl or broken ankle/collar bone and Derby would be right in the mix . . . immediately. Regardless, it's a good problem to have.
Why the face?
What if, and I qualify that as what if - Weinke decides after spring ball that he's not ever going to see the field unless Vandenberg goes down, he decides to transfer to a FCS school. Then all of a sudden you have Derby and a true freshman as a backup. Certainly changes the landscape in a hurry.
Seems like TE might be the natural position for him. Ex-QB's tend to make very good receivers as they understand defenses...and where the open spots are likely to be. QB's also tend to have good hands and a general grasp of the offense...so the transition might be simpler to TE rather than LB>
PawkHawk1
Well-Known Member
Yes!!!
finally, it was said.
If JVB goes down, and JW struggles, AJ will get his shot. And you just never know....
dmShortSaledude
Well-Known Member
Derby on special teams, me like.
On another note, he has a chance start at LB this fall. IF he is as good as advertised. I like the idea of him trying both QB and LB in the spring. Letting him get his feet wet at LB. But I would want him to switch back to QB full-time at the beginning of next season. At least until one of the other QBs has some practice under their belts. That said, if he can start at LB then, for the team, he should be at LB.
On another note, he has a chance start at LB this fall. IF he is as good as advertised. I like the idea of him trying both QB and LB in the spring. Letting him get his feet wet at LB. But I would want him to switch back to QB full-time at the beginning of next season. At least until one of the other QBs has some practice under their belts. That said, if he can start at LB then, for the team, he should be at LB.
sergeanthulka
Well-Known Member
OR...
You go ahead & move him this summer & get an impact player on the field. THEN, if an injury or two happen @ QB, you can always move him back...(that's IF Ruddock isn't clearly a better option, which I suspect he MAY be...).
There is a key point, and the coaches understand it. The player has to WANT to make the change. The only way that Derby will reach his potential in ANY position, is if he is sold on teh move. If he does not want to be a LB, he won't be a good LB. I think it will happen, but the coaches cannot do anything to force the issue.
