Rodgers Says Darks Will Play

[CYVADER]

Right.

I think as the season wears on, we'll see RJ move into the #3 and even #4 receiver role.

i find this to be a sad, dissapointing, yet very true statement. i always expected a lot more out of RJ.

[The_Architect]

IMO, our group of receivers will be better than last year. I don't think it will be subtle either.

I agree, as long as Bates or Arnaud can hit them in stride.

[cylen]

i find this to be a sad, dissapointing, yet very true statement. i always expected a lot more out of RJ.

He was only a 2-star prospect with a Rivals Rating of 5.0.

R.J. Sumrall Profile - Football Recruiting

And according to Rivals:

5.4-5.0 Division I prospect; considered a mid-major prospect; deemed to have limited pro potential but definite Division I prospect; may be more of a role player

[The_Architect]

He was only a 2-star prospect with a Rivals Rating of 5.0.

R.J. Sumrall Profile - Football Recruiting

And according to Rivals:

I still have nightmares of RJ being caught from behind by the linebacker at Nebraska in '05.

[bmuff]

i find this to be a sad, dissapointing, yet very true statement. i always expected a lot more out of RJ.

I agree. I've always rooted for RJ. I always thought that he was a good route runner and by all accounts a great teamate. But even though he has run track and did well there, he never translated that speed to the field. I don't think that anyone would call him a burner. I'll never forget him being run down by a LB at Nebraska...angle or not, that is not good.

I'd say the RJ is solid, but he's never been a great WR. What does he really excell in? Probably route running and making the occasional tough grab. I think that guys like Darks and Houston Jones are gunning for his spot and if they can get their route running and blocking up to par, they are going to take it.

[ISUFan22]

I agree. I've always rooted for RJ. I always thought that he was a good route runner and by all accounts a great teamate. But even though he has run track and did well there, he never translated that speed to the field. I don't think that anyone would call him a burner. I'll never forget him being run down by a LB at Nebraska...angle or not, that is not good.

I'd say the RJ is solid, but he's never been a great WR. What does he really excell in? Probably route running and making the occasional tough grab. I think that guys like Darks and Houston Jones are gunning for his spot and if they can get their route running and blocking up to par, they are going to take it.

I agree.

I really don't take much away from RJ because of that one play at Nebraska. It was disappointing to see what is supposed to be one of our speed guys get run down, but it's much bigger than that.

When we had all those injuries at receiver in '06 - I thought we'd see RJ excel a bit more. He didn't - or at least as much as I thought he would.

Last season, he was just very quiet in a year once again, I though the door was open for him to do a lot now that Flynn and Davis had graduated.

Maybe he'll shock us in his senior campaign - that would certainly rock. But it won't disappoint me to see some of our younger talent that certainly seem to have much greater upside potential on the field this year.

[Stormin]

While I always thought Blythe was a great weapon and made some great catches, it seemed to me that he did take a few plays off and didn't run his routes if he wasn't the primary receiver. Maybe he knew Meyer was locked in on the primary. Also, I didn't think that Blythe was a very good blocker. I really think the guys coming in can more than pick up the slack. I remember back in the good old days of the Bruce era. We had a slot receiver named Ray Hardee. That guy was tough. Fast and strong. Good hands and good blocker. And having a strong slot man like that really opened things up for WR Luther Blue and then later Stan Hixon. Of course it also helped having Dexter Green too. We did have some weapons back then. I think we might have some weapons again.

[ISUFan22]

While I always thought Blythe was a great weapon and made some great catches, it seemed to me that he did take a few plays off and didn't run his routes if he wasn't the primary receiver. Maybe he knew Meyer was locked in on the primary. Also, I didn't think that Blythe was a very good blocker.

Not a ton of think to that. It's all pretty much fact.

I dream of a day where Todd began his career at ISU in '07 or '08 - under the current staff.

[Clone9]

Not a ton of think to that. It's all pretty much fact.

I dream of a day where Todd began his career at ISU in '07 or '08 - under the current staff.

Yeah, imagine his pass catching ability with better fundamentals and better strength training. Look out. Hopefully SJ, Darks, and company will make this wish come true.

[cloneu]

I like RJ and hope he has a great season this year. Most likely he will finish in ISU's top 5 for career receptions maybe even top 3. But 1 thing I never knew was that he has 0 TD's in his career. I hope he can get one this year.

[ISUFan22]

Yeah, imagine his pass catching ability with better fundamentals and better strength training. Look out. Hopefully SJ, Darks, and company will make this wish come true.

Right. The fact that he put on 10-15 pounds from Jan-July last season and decreased his body fat % should tell ya much was lacking there prior to that.

IMO, he's at worst a 2nd round draft pick last April with someone there kicking him in the *** his entire college career. Of course, that's assuming he'd respond well to it...which I think he would have.

[Cyclonestate78]

IMO, our group of receivers will be better than last year. I don't think it will be subtle either.

Agreed. It sure seems like we are stockpiling quite a good group of speedy playmakers at the wide receiver spot. It's not like we were hurting too badly at that position either. Increasing our ability to shuffle players in and out during the game will create some serious mismatches and a ton of confusion for defenses. Imagine a d-back looking over and seeing a 5 wide receiver set and not having a clue who the guy is lined up across from him. Or staring across the line and seeing different guys matched up with him every couple of plays. The guy will have so much stuff running through his head about how to defend the guy and scouting reports that his head will probably just explode.

This exciting young group of receivers is going to open up a lot of running room for our qb's and backs with their speed and playmaking ability. Seems like everytime we hear more about these new guys on the team and their progress the sun starts to shine a little brighter in Ames.

[ISUFan22]

The guy will have so much stuff running through his head about how to defend the guy and scouting reports that his head will probably just explode.

The day this happens is the day I double our donation. There's nothing quite like viewing brain matter under the lights.

Or maybe, that's just a sign that we're playing against a bunch of Fembots.

[cyclonedcm]

Our quarterback position is in very good hands.

[Bracker]

RJ catches everything thrown his way - he's a great 3rd down receiver and I agree that we've got to get him a TD this season.