Quote:
Originally Posted by moloch41
Then I got to thinking about how everyone was saying that he really wasn't that good here. Of course, that couldn't have anything to do with the coaching staff or game scheming- could it?
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It wasn't just fans saying it, as Jeff Gordon talked about Hedgecock and his disparity in play as well. But there are plenty of examples of guys playing differently for one team than another, either playing better or worse after a move. There are a number of reasons a player can succeed or fail in a different location, and I'm sure scheme is a large part of it. Linehan wanted a fullback that offered more versatility than Hedgecock could provide.
I don't fault this team for getting rid of Madison Hedgecock because I don't think Hedgecock is a great player. My problem with the move is
when it happened, because I think it's incredibly risky to cut a guy during the regular season and expect someone else who hasn't been with the team to fill that role. If Linehan wanted to replace Hedgecock - which he obviously has for a while now considering they tried to in 2006 with Paul Smith - then bring another body in to go through camp and the preseason. It was a poor personnel move in the end, and I hope Linehan has learned his lesson.
But in trying to move forward and find a true fullback, I have to admit that as a Mountaineer fan I'd love to see the Rams look into Owen Schmitt. He may go too high for us to be able to justify it though.