I will always think of this play when I hear the name James Wilder Jr.
James wilder
- Thread starter Nole4Life25
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I will always think of this play when I hear the name James Wilder Jr.
That big 4th and 1 run at VT in 2012 where he was initially stopped short and just fought his way for a first down is one of the first plays that I think of. We don't win the ACC and go to Orange Bowl if he's not carrying the ball there IMO.
Oh yeah, and trucking over and carrying the entire Clemson defense on his back that same year was pretty epic as well.
Saw this on his Instagram. I hope that he gets a shot. He is a very good athlete and was a great Nole. I thought one of the most underappreciated guys on our championship team.
it limited action I kind of recall him doing well as rb in a few preseason games....too bad he never got a real shot. like if he was on say Tampa bays team when all those rbs went down maybe he could squeezed in and got a game or two with 15-20 carries. We will never know
I always wondered where his Dad was in all this. You would think he could advise his son on what he can do to be successful at the highest level.
He was a good running back for us. Ran the ball hard and was hard to bring down.
2011 - Freshman year
35 carries for 160 yards at 4.6 ypc 1 TD
2012 - Sophomore
110 carries for 640 yards at 5.8 ypc and 11 TDs
19 receptions for 141 yards at 7.4 average and 2 TDs
2013 - Junior
81 carries for 563 yards at 7 yards per carry and 8 TDs
2011 - Freshman year
35 carries for 160 yards at 4.6 ypc 1 TD
2012 - Sophomore
110 carries for 640 yards at 5.8 ypc and 11 TDs
19 receptions for 141 yards at 7.4 average and 2 TDs
2013 - Junior
81 carries for 563 yards at 7 yards per carry and 8 TDs
EDIT - I re-read my post and it did come across as overly harsh, so I apologize for that. My opinion remains (he should've been a LB) but I could have phrased it better.
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EDIT-I re-read my post and it did come across as overly harsh, so I apologize for that. My opinion remains (he should've been a LB) but I could have phrased it better.
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To be fair if we have a different running back in they may have hit the correct a hole and not had to fight for yards that was caused by him not going to where he was supposed to be.
Runs too upright. Doesn't have that natural feel for the position with great vision. Has very little lateral agility.
He can be a straight power guy but there are plenty of NFL people that can fit that role. When you get down to 53 players you're going to keep a guy that can do something other than power the ball.
He should have made it a business decision like Cam Erving or Xavier Rhodes making the switch. He'd be making millions, he was an absolute monster in the LB role. Cost himself a lot of money
Yea, what a terrible guy for chasing his dream, what was he thinking?!?!
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No one said he was a terrible guy. However, refusing to accept the reality of his abilities translation to the NFL was a dumb decision.
Exactly, that's what I meant. It had nothing to do with what he did at FSU, I honestly felt it was sad for him (he could've done much better).
But upon further review the way I stated it initially did come across as unnecessarily harsh.
Completely unnecessary. Having a wrong opinion does not make someone arrogant and stubborn, just look in the mirror.
Yes he was. Guess many missed those seasons and his success. Averaging 7 yards a carry is phenomenal for a guy that allegedly isn't a good running back?
@robbythecat
Read the progression of the thread.
When I viewed this thread the next day, I read my original post and realized it was unnecessarily harsh.
I will battle the whole board yelling at me if I think I'm right. But I realized I was over the top in my initial post and and I apologized.
My opinion stands (he should've moved to LB) but I went overboard in my remarks.
I was going to edit my post but it was already copied several times so I just said my bad later in the thread
Not only that, but he wanted to play running back. Sometimes kids do what they love to do, and not what they are told to do. Can't blame him for that. Now that he has to make money, he is doing what he has to do to survive in the league.
I have no doubt he will succeed. This is a great move that should have been made sooner but I've learned not to question the past because everything happens for a reason. He is still young and with his size strength athlecticism along with his work ethic I certainly wouldn't bet against him. Go attack some running backs James.
He broke an NFL record for consecutive games with a TD to start an NFL career. He just needs to stop smoking blunts and eating little Debbie.
If I remember correctly our coaching staff was one of the few that offered him at RB. Obviously Jimbo saw enough there to let him stay at the position. If he didn't think it was best for the team he probably would have moved him any way and then Wilder would've had the option to transfer. I will admit he wasn't the best RB to ever play for us but he played a lot of critical football for us and was a major contributor in 12/13. Hopefully he finds success at his more natural position.
Oh so he was "dumb" for chasing his dream, gotcha. Hope that's not a lesson you teach your kids...
yes once it's obvious you're dream won't happen then it's dumb to keep up with the pursuit. If my dream was to be an NBA center and I stop growing at 6'1 it's dumb to keep up the pursuit.
He didn't say he was dumb, he said it was a dumb decision. We all make dumb decisions.
At least he is now switching to linebacker instead of baseball...
What I would LOVE to know, is , if this is still a legal gift for Mr. Wilder. I've been waiting for like 3 years now
Stating it was a dumb decision for Wilder to play Rb at FSU is truly open for debate considering how much he meant to FSU in 2013. The fact that he was drafted as rb in the NFL for 3 years shows that the NFL also drafted the 5 star rb for Rivals for that purpose.
https://floridastate.rivals.com/commitments/football/2011
The fact that he wishes to now try to remain in the NFL by playing LB is also another good decision. A dumb decision would be one like Tim Tebow refusing to go to another position who is now out of the NFL for good. IMO
Wilder was an excellent leader that was a valued contributor to FSU's 14-0 NC season. Suggesting that he shouldn't have been a rb for FSU seems very silly and nonsensical. JMO
Suggesting that he would have been a greater LB at FSU is pure speculation based on the facts so far. Now if he turns in a All Pro LB then the experts on the board can make their case of him making a mistake. Hope he does because I wish the best for James.
https://floridastate.rivals.com/commitments/football/2011
The fact that he wishes to now try to remain in the NFL by playing LB is also another good decision. A dumb decision would be one like Tim Tebow refusing to go to another position who is now out of the NFL for good. IMO
Wilder was an excellent leader that was a valued contributor to FSU's 14-0 NC season. Suggesting that he shouldn't have been a rb for FSU seems very silly and nonsensical. JMO
Suggesting that he would have been a greater LB at FSU is pure speculation based on the facts so far. Now if he turns in a All Pro LB then the experts on the board can make their case of him making a mistake. Hope he does because I wish the best for James.
You called him arrogant and stubborn for not listening to the coaches. I get where you're coming from but I think it's messed up to judge players. His dad was a running back in the NFL. Why is it hard to understand that he wanted to do the same?
We've had great success with players changing position and I love that our coaches can see that in players and they pull the switch. But I would never bash a player for chasing his dream. Calling a Nole arrogant and stubborn is doing just that. I don't agree with that, that's all
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