On Dean
Asked if Aundre Dean would get some carries this week, Rick Neuheisel said: ``Those are questions I hate to answer,'' Neuheisel said. ``I'd love to say yeah, but if it doesn't happen I make the Deans wonder what the heck is going on. We just have to play it by ear. I'd love to have everybody get carries, but that just hasn't been our kind of season. To suggest that will change this week is the wrong mindset. Hopefully, we'll get everybody an opportunity but to predict it would be the wrong thing to do.''
Asked if he was healthy, Neuheisel said: `` I still think he's a little nicked, but I'm not the expert in that category.''
rn seems to be a very honest coach, not saying things that would compromise game plans or cause trouble for his student athletes, but still getting the message across. there is a certain amount of coachspeak that is a given, but rn just seems to give info as freely as possible, and in a way which is full of consideration.
Play him. Bell's not 100% and Coleman is more of a hybrid FB/TB. Give Dean 6-7 carries.
Seriously, give the kid some carries. If his shortcoming is blocking, then just put him in for run plays and take him out for passes.
The only problem with that is that when other teams see him in the game...they know a running play is coming and can stack the box...and Dean will get stopped for a loss. In a sport where you need to keep the other team guessing, RN might as well hold up a big sign that says "RUNNING PLAY" by putting Dean into the game.
Why waste 6-7 plays in a game we have a real shot at winning just to pacify a whiny freshman?
When did he whine?? He was asked a straight question and gave a straight answer. Yeah, the kid absolutely does need to work on his blocking, especially where that extra blocker is crucial this year, but he has(In practice)shown great potential in the more important aspects of being a running back: running the ball. I'd hate to see Aundre go; he's a fine ambassador for the face of the football program and he really has a great relationship with his teammates (Especially Jet). Those types of relationships promote teamwork and continuity and that teamwork then evolves into a successful and healthy program down the road.
His pass blocking will not get better unless he plays.
But he will likely transfer after the season anyways.