Dyer's First Big Hit

[BadrabbitAU 0]

Dyer said in after practice interviews that today was the first time he'd ever been hit and held up. His competition in high school always concerned me because it looked like an adult playing a game of tackle with 5th graders. Am I worrying over nothing or is anyone else concerned that he might not have such an easy time being dominant in the SEC?

[Rickys Rants 0]

There is no doubt that there is a BIG difference between the SEC and the competition Mr. Dyer faced in high school!  That is one of the reasons it is so tough to come in as a true freshman and contribute.  Mr. Dyer will do just fine once he gets adjusted to the speed of the game.  WDE!

[gravejd 3,309]

Well anyone who thought he was going to be dominant from the first practice was being a bit silly i'd say. Hopefully he'll have a great career here and even a great year. But he isn't rushing for a thousand yards as a freshman and he will probably have to work for a year or two to get his strength up to the level it needs to be. I wouldn't be too concerned right now, its the icing the knee down after every practice that makes me iffy. But for know I have just as high hopes as ever for Dyer.

[AU Counsel 64]

This happens to every one.  Dyer will be fine. Will he put up numbers like in high school? Of course not, at least not yet.  He'll be fine.

[Bunn1 0]

I don't even think its a size/strength thing, if you listen to his interview last night, Dyer is having some slight confidense issues. He'll get through those soon enough. He's probably just a bit overwhellmed by the complexity of the Offense, the ramp up in talent etc... Once he comes around to knowing that he is one of the most athletic guys on the field, watch out! This is just a mental hurdle, one that I feel confident that he will overcome in time.

[Wegle 0]

I haven't seen the interview, but it sounds more like a compliment to the defense than anything.  He's a competitior.  Tomorrow we will be hearing the linebackers saying that Dyer is a force to be reckoned with.

[wellsheit 0]

Gosh I don't know what in the world you folks are worried about.  Dyer is going to be just fine.  He's adjusting to a new game.  Anyone who expected him to come in and win the Heisman as a freshman had way too much Kool-aid.  He may be a little insecure with his game right now, but as he adjusts and starts busting plays open, he'll settle in nicely.  These things take a little time.

War Eagle, Michael!  Keep the pimp hand strong!

[kingofhill1 2]

I believe there is a good lesson in this. A lot of people have been saying things like "we're going to run the table"

this year. A lot of that is based on an incoming class of freshmen. None of these have played a down of SEC football. These guys will all be great players one day. It just takes a while for high school players to turn into great college players.

[wardamnpjm 0]

I don't even think its a size/strength thing, if you listen to his interview last night, Dyer is having some slight confidense issues. He'll get through those soon enough. He's probably just a bit overwhellmed by the complexity of the Offense, the ramp up in talent etc... Once he comes around to knowing that he is one of the most athletic guys on the field, watch out! This is just a mental hurdle, one that I feel confident that he will overcome in time.

This!!!  Dyer will be fine once he makes some adjustments. Even in high school his freshman year at his first practice I am sure he came in and had to learn the plays,adjust to the speed difference from Jr high to high school and BECOME the man. The same process has to take place at Auburn and it will,he just has to settle in and learn the O and adjust to the speed and size of the college game.

[AU1941 6]

It's comments made to the media by a "true-freshman" that gets folks all worked up and worried.   

I wish coach would keep the freshmen away from the media all together until the whole pre-season practice is over.  A lot of things change and improve from one practice to another.  These guys are young and clueless right now, they'll blirt out the first thing that comes to their mind.

[TerritorialTigers 0]

Dyer is anxious about his new role and really wants to do well and I believe he's finding that out now.  He probably has a lot going through his mind right now.  Like a poster previously stated he's mentally occupied, only time and experience will help him gain more confidence.  BUT when he does get it, he will give some people and teams he**!!!  War Eagle MD!!

[CRuthven 0]

let him get acclimated to the SEC style of play and he will be fine. he has all the tools needed!

[AUwig41 0]

He was laughing the whole time he was telling the media and he told reporters that he was coming off a block didn't have his feet set and got hit. He is just a freshman and i would rather he get his licks in at practice rather than in a game. Some people freak out like its the end of the world that a freshman got lit up at practice it happens everywhere I promise.

[wadechristopher 0]

Hey, I remember my first beer. It didn't go down so smoothly and I couldn't drink many, but now I'm GAMEDAY ready and am a force to be reckoned with. He'll be fine people.

[wellsheit 0]

Hey, I remember my first beer. It didn't go down so smoothly and I couldn't drink many, but now I'm GAMEDAY ready and am a force to be reckoned with. He'll be fine people.

Best post.

/thread

[LakeBum 187]

Hey, I remember my first beer. It didn't go down so smoothly and I couldn't drink many, but now I'm GAMEDAY ready and am a force to be reckoned with. He'll be fine people.

Let Mr. Dyer get adjusted....it takes some time for anyone to handle the jump to college football.  We are in the first week of practice!

BTW, I can remember my first beer too.....it is the last one I can't remember!

WDE!

[17-16 21]

If he comes in first day in pads and runs all over the "D", we have far worse problems.

[bkaufan 0]

If he comes in first day in pads and runs all over the "D", we have far worse problems.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[WinForAuburn 134]

We have two choices the way I see it;

A.  Recruit players like M.D., or;

B.  Don't.

[GoCrazyAuburn 0]

Hey, I remember my first beer. It didn't go down so smoothly and I couldn't drink many, but now I'm GAMEDAY ready and am a force to be reckoned with. He'll be fine people.

yea, my parents tried to scare me off of it real early and gave me one when i was pretty young.........and i liked it 

[Tiger Growlin 0]

Hey, I remember my first beer. It didn't go down so smoothly and I couldn't drink many, but now I'm GAMEDAY ready and am a force to be reckoned with. He'll be fine people.

[Holland's Fro 0]

When was the last time a freshman RB came into his first two-a-days practice and trucked the starting linebackers? Nothing to worry about, he's a stud

[aurules16 0]

I hope people aren't trying to compare this kid to Trent Richardson. As in playing awesomely your first year.

[Holland's Fro 0]

I hope people aren't trying to compare this kid to Trent Richardson. As in playing awesomely your first year.

I'm not. I see him playing the same role Bryce Brown played at Tennessee last year. Both have great talent and potential, but sit back and learn from a stud starting RB (Hardesty, Fannin)

[imsoauburn 0]

I hope he does a little more than Bryce Brown did though...

Funny thing, me living in Knoxville this time last year i remember reading the sports page on the first day of full pads for Tennessee and Bryce Brown had gotten popped and if im not mistaken actually got a concussion from it.