Also the KO rule changes. Blockers can no longer form a joint-wall and made the kickoff closer to end zone.
It's crazy. Or just coincidental. That same day (maybe night before as well) I was asking TGG if outside of Dri Archer and Tim Dwight have there ever been an NFL RB (my generation) who's played at a lighter weight than that of Trenton Cannon @ 185 lbs? And on that same exact day there were training camp reports that came out letting us know that Cannon looks to be hurt and now off the field. I felt like a jinx. I'm just glad that it seems like only a scare, because I haven't heard anything else on his injury ever since and as they say, no news on an injury report is to be considered as being good news. But the answer to my question. I had to dig a little bit deeper. Dexter McCluster. 5'8. Only 170 lbs. Crazy right. Can't believe he slipped my mind either. I used to watch some of his H.S games live (especially when he played against Northeast Vikings) while he played for Largo High Packers. Less than 10 minutes away from where I stay down here in St.Pete (15 at the most with traffic on 19). Same county (Pinellas County) just different cities (Saint Petersburg/Largo). H.S Football is big time down here in Florida. Tampa Bay area (especially St.Pete, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Bradenton County & Tampa etc) from Miami to Tampa; Florida college recruiters call it "aligator alley". It's pretty rare that the Hurricanes recruit anything North of St.Pete/Tampa. Or at least it used to be. We produce so many local H.S players for Miami, Florida, FSU & now USF/UCF. Very fun games due to there always being a Bay area star to follow who's making county wide noise. Dex was only 150 maybe 160 lbs soaken wet back then. And could freaking fly too. He was a PPV watch in H.S. He defined the odds against him and went on to play & lined up as an R.B on an NFL level. Although he only had (let me check) 250 career NFL rushing attempts, 1,042 rushing yards and 2 rushing TD's throughout a 7 year career. Not really used often as an RB especially up the middle of the gut. Now, think back to K.C he was a lot more dynamic as a pass catching HB out of the backfield and very explosive as a slot receiver ala 236 receptions, 1,993 receiving yards and 7 TD receptions. Nice change of pace. You really had to get him into open space though, that's what he was best at, in H.S too which is why he was a down right nightmare waiting to happen as as an NFL return specialist @ only 170 lbs those were his best traits, KR & PR. As a return man put up 133 Punt Returns for 1,388 PR yards (long of 94) and 3 PR TD's along with another 74 Kickoff Returns for 1,554 KR yards. Not bad. Excellent article (below) about Trenton Cannon heading into our Friday preseason game. how_jets_trenton_cannon_thinks_he_has_surprised_hi.amp Yes. I'm pulling for him the same ways I pulled for Leon Washington, Bilal Powell & Elijah McGuire or Dalvin Cook as an FSU Seminole. How could you not. All underdogs. I just can't put any stock in him as ever becoming more of a featured scatback, not until he's first able to gain an extra 10-15 lbs of muscle (without losing his blazing fast speed or his insane cat-like quickness). I just can't. Now as our next KR/PR? I want him automatically pencilled in as our rookie starter back there. I think he's going to be very electric on returns while adding an element of electricity to our 2018's special teams unit. It's been a long time coming.
JethroTroll would've made a good thread if the title was "Trenton Cannon has the best name of the RBs on the team"
We let a guy like Danny Woodhead go who was 5"8" in Thick socks and heels.. and we're talking about "Too Small"? ayfkm? If he can play, He plays. EOS//
Danny Woodhead was 5'8 204 lbs. We're not talking height. We're talking weight. Trenton Cannon is 5'11 only 185 lbs. I'm a believer in Cannon as a return specialist. But as an NFL RB @ only 185 lbs, I'm sorry, but I'm not. The three players who've tried to play the RB position on an NFL level who were also lighter than Trenton Cannon were Dri Archer, Tim Dwight and Dexter McCluster. All were good in open space but not could handle the grind of an NFL RB position. I think he can be electric on special teams as our KR/PR specialist and bring electricity to our special teams unit but I just can not put any stock into him as an NFL RB until 1st gaining another 10-15 lbs of muscle while still maintaining his blazing fast speed and lighting quick acceleration. I hope I'm wrong. As an FSU fan there's always Warrick Dunn to use as a positive example. Was only 5'9 187 lbs and ended up running the football on an NFL level 2,669 times for over 10,000 rushing yards and 49 TD runs. Also caught the ball a little over 500 times for over 4,000 receiving yards and 15 TD catches. And played 12 years with 181 career regular season games played (missed a career total of only 11 ball games). So. It is possible for Trenton Cannon. If he's able to stay as durable as Warrick Dunn I'll be shocked. Outside of Darnold, Cannon may be the individual player I'm most looking forward to come preseason game #1. And I hope he dominates as an RB too. I'm just skeptical is all.
They need to use him the right way and many good passing teams know how to work with undersized explosive guys like this. Crowell should be our 1st - 2nd down back with Canon on 3rd downs. Powell should be used as the change of pace back for any given down and should take load off the other two to prevent injuries, fatigue, etc. Cannon should basically be an explosive threat that whenever he is on the field defenses have to worry about him. At the same time given his size he shouldn't be out there too often as he isn't a bruiser or a back used to grind down the defense.
I'm anxious to see Trenton Cannon take the field tonight. Very excited too see him on special teams and hope I'm dead wrong about his playing weight @ 185 lbs not being able to play RB. Heck. I hope he's the next NFL's version of Warrick Dunn reincarnated.
Cannon played rb behind nothing but backups. just want to see him a couple times with the starters before i agree with the doofuses.. dont want to see him returning punts, Cmn is right
He did return one kickoff for 26 yards. I feel he had the jitters back there tonight. Has not muffed or fumbled one punt throughout training camp, but then cough's up two during his 1st preseason game; jitters. He deserves another chance throughout preseason come game #2. Tiki Barber was never quit on because of fumbles early on in his career and I feel Cannon should be back there fielding punts next week too. Jitters. For a rookie playing 1st game. It's natural.
He looked good tonight, but if Eli McGuire comes back by week 1 then Cannons best bet to make the team is on special teams. Thats not to say they wouldn't also use him in the running game, but hes got to be competitive in all aspects to stick here.
One thing im concerned about for Cannon and McGuire is there lack of leg power/size. Cannon does allot of arm curls but those legs looks like he is on a diet. When i watch running backs i pay attention to run after contact and their ability to make defenders miss. I didnt see either last night...at least not consistently enough to annoint him as the best rb on the team. Cannon went down too easily on allot of shoe string tackles.
Well this means he will be a sure-fire success story now, what with your record with player predictions