For some reason, I don't have a Gamecock-type of "emotional attachment" to Mike Davis as I have others who have gone on to potential pro careers. I'm not sure why.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but....
- Thread starter Rod Dangerfield
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He was a great player for us but seemed like he spent a lot of time off the field "hurt." I think back to some of Lattimore's best games and he had 35+ touches, but Davis didnt seem to get more than 20 very often.
Where Lattimore seemed to thrive on running between the tackles, Davis especially when he started becoming well known trended to run outside to try and hit homeruns instead of keep the chains moving. I think you also look at the games that Lattimore took over by himself like the Georgia games and the 2010 Florida game where he put the team on his back to go win. Davis did that against UCF, but I cant think of many other games he did.
Like I said, Mike Davis was a beast of a player but his running style probably didnt make him the fan favorite Lattimore was.
This post was edited on 4/20 12:32 PM by gamecockengineer2011
Where Lattimore seemed to thrive on running between the tackles, Davis especially when he started becoming well known trended to run outside to try and hit homeruns instead of keep the chains moving. I think you also look at the games that Lattimore took over by himself like the Georgia games and the 2010 Florida game where he put the team on his back to go win. Davis did that against UCF, but I cant think of many other games he did.
Like I said, Mike Davis was a beast of a player but his running style probably didnt make him the fan favorite Lattimore was.
This post was edited on 4/20 12:32 PM by gamecockengineer2011
Good points. I think the fact that Davis wasn't available for every play, was a big part of it. I feel guilty saying that he took too many plays off. If he was legitimately hurt, then I can accept it. But it seemed at times like he would have to be helped up and looked like he didn't know where he was. Then he would be back on the field for the next series of downs. He also had a lot of negative carries, but he compensated with his big play potential. Bottom line, he didn't have enough carries and he was inconsistent when we desperately needed 3 yds.
I can't deny his unique talent as a RB. He had the ability to accelerate to top speed in no time and he could run away from defenders. Davis might have been the most powerful, explosive, big play back we've ever had, but he was far far from the best. Not even the same class as Rogers and Lattimore.
I don't know that Mike has any signature games. When you think of Lattimore, UGA and UF in 2010 come right to mind. UGA and Navy in 2011.
But Mike was everything Lattimore ever was in 2013. UNC, UGA, UCF, Arkansas, Tennessee, Miss State... dominate. Perhaps he's best remembered for the screens he caught against Missouri, in a game he gave up big fumbles. Terrific SEC back who picked up nicks through a tough running style. Everyone should be hopeful he does well. When you recruit a back, you hope for just one great season, and USC got that with Mike.
But Mike was everything Lattimore ever was in 2013. UNC, UGA, UCF, Arkansas, Tennessee, Miss State... dominate. Perhaps he's best remembered for the screens he caught against Missouri, in a game he gave up big fumbles. Terrific SEC back who picked up nicks through a tough running style. Everyone should be hopeful he does well. When you recruit a back, you hope for just one great season, and USC got that with Mike.
To the poster above, that is why Davis is going to make millions in the NFL and Lattimore never got a carry. I do not blame Davis for picking his spots and preserving his body, which everyone knew that he was doing. He was a good player at Carolina, and was smart enough to keep himself healthy for the NFL.
I never understood the venom that Davis got from many on this board throughout his career here (I am not speaking of anyone in this thread, just what I read so many times on this site).
Davis ran with everything he had, every single time he touched the ball. Some say he was lackadaisical, IMO that just isn't true, and in fact is why he got dinged so often.
I'm not sure how many of you played FB at a higher than the highschool level, but I did, and let me tell you a guy can get hit, tackled, so damn hard that he doesn't know where he is, who he is, or what he is! Most of the time a guy only needs a play or two off and he's good as new. I saw this with Davis. No, he wasn't George Rogers or Latty, but he gave all he had to give IMO in every game. I personally loved his running style. Tough, and fast. (With room for improvement of course).
PS, coaches usually tell players at certain positions to come out on their own for a play or two if they feel dinged...RB, WR for the most part. You do no good for your team if you're shaky out there, take a play off and come back.
Davis ran with everything he had, every single time he touched the ball. Some say he was lackadaisical, IMO that just isn't true, and in fact is why he got dinged so often.
I'm not sure how many of you played FB at a higher than the highschool level, but I did, and let me tell you a guy can get hit, tackled, so damn hard that he doesn't know where he is, who he is, or what he is! Most of the time a guy only needs a play or two off and he's good as new. I saw this with Davis. No, he wasn't George Rogers or Latty, but he gave all he had to give IMO in every game. I personally loved his running style. Tough, and fast. (With room for improvement of course).
PS, coaches usually tell players at certain positions to come out on their own for a play or two if they feel dinged...RB, WR for the most part. You do no good for your team if you're shaky out there, take a play off and come back.
More like lucky. First knee injury to Lattimore was just terrible luck. The second one that finished him off was somewhat a dirty shot by the UT defender.
picking his spots??? how bout quit defending him and say what he really is a drama queen with no heart in my eyes!
He has his fans and supporters. I'll glad to be one just don't post all the time.
I'd love for him to go to the Falcons. However, the buzz is that his workouts have gone so well he'll go too high for them to pick him in a spot that makes sense given their needs.
I'd love for him to go to the Falcons. However, the buzz is that his workouts have gone so well he'll go too high for them to pick him in a spot that makes sense given their needs.
My son works at ChickFilA and Mike Davis came through the drive thru about 3 weeks ago. My son talked with Mike for a few minutes and wished him well in his future career in the NFL. Mike asked my son if he was working tomorrow and my son said yes sir 5-10. Mike said "I'll be back" and drove off. My son went to work the next day and Mike Davis came back through the drive thru at 7:30 and handed him an autographed GC mini helmet. It is one thing to say you are coming back to see a 17 y/o kid, but it is another thing to go out of your way and actually do it. I am a huge Mike Davis fan. He is a class act.
We just didn't used him enough... We could have put the game on his back to more victories last season...
He will be missed... Maybe David Williams can have a break out year...
perhaps, because when we needed him most, like several times this
season, he was on the sideline instead of running out the clock
season, he was on the sideline instead of running out the clock
After a night of insomnia I watch highlights of our 2012 and 2013 season. I paid close attention to Mike Davis. It's obvious that he was told to protect himself. He took some vicious head shots in several games those particular seasons. I think he did the right in doing so. Now he's going to be making money in the NFL.
Good post. I can accept that. Look we're all speculating about why he didn't do more and why he didn't get more credit. Davis also didn't look to be in great shape this season, at least early on. I still think he had too many negative yardage plays and wasn't on the field enough.
But I digress. He certainly did have a tough, explosive running style and was a monster in 2013. I don't think the read option fit his style of running. He needed to build up momentum and explode through the line. If he had to stop at the LOS, he was ineffective. Davis was a unique talent who was a HUGE part of the team's success in 2013. What a game he had against UCF!!
Fair enough, Cutlass. The Davis running style certainly required a lot of energy. A 50 yd gain would be followed by 2 plays off. I suppose I can buy that. Sprinters are the same way. Completely worn out at the end of a race, but reenergized in 10 min. I guess the fact that Rogers and Lattimore had so many touches, fewer negative plays and rarely came out of the game in crunch time, has influenced my opinion of the overall value of Davis to the team. Maybe it's a little unfair to Davis.
According to many on here, he was "going to be the best thing we ever had". I personally think he played smart and by doing that, he will have a chance to earn millions in the NFL. Probably advice he took from his older brother. And wise advice it was.
Always thought he had a chip on his shoulder, but never understood why. One of the most powerful backs with a burst of speed that we have not seen very often.
Always thought he had a chip on his shoulder, but never understood why. One of the most powerful backs with a burst of speed that we have not seen very often.
Re: perhaps, because when we needed him most, like several times this
The next level may tell us that. In the meantime my judgement is reserved.
I was never sure about being 'misused', nor was I sure if he was malingering.Originally posted by DarkCock:
Can't blame MD that he was misused.
The next level may tell us that. In the meantime my judgement is reserved.
I do think our O line underacheived but I also think Davis was out of shape and couldn't run the ball as well as he could have.
That being said, a lot of our guys are / were out of shape and our S&C coach hasn't taken near the blame that other fan bases would have put on him.
That being said, a lot of our guys are / were out of shape and our S&C coach hasn't taken near the blame that other fan bases would have put on him.
Good God the stupidity on this forum never stops! The OL was Not terrible. Geez! No at times they didn't play well.Some of that on stupid play calling. Elliot is a good coach and recruiter. Can we upgrade at that spot, maybe so.
All I can picture is him tapping his helmet to come out in key situations.
Meanwhile the UK running back runs the wildcat to the point that he needs to be put on oxygen.
It was clear this past season that Mike wanted to get his yards and then hit the locker room despite how much time was on the clock.
I won't miss him.
That is also why Lattimore is a record holding LEGEND and Davis is... That guy who used to play for us. Lattimore gave it everything he had every time he touched the ball and LITERALLY LEFT IT ALL ON THE FIELD. Davis tried hard sometimes, did some really good things for us, but it isn't about the stats it is about the way they did it. I have nothing against Mike Davis- I fully appreciate him, his talent and I am thankful he came to play here! but... There is no comparison between the two.
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