Scales on Top

Sure....one was a redshirt year and he had 2 knee ops...

You tell me when the last time we had a "wow" moment from any running back....Ennis Haywood? How can you be a Stevie Hicks fan and come out and bash Scales. Its hard to convince you he is the best at this point? How many practices have you been to? How much film of practices have you watched?

I have watched no film or done any indepth research on the matter. All I am saying is that so far, on the field, what Jason has done is not real impressive. I realize he has been hurt, but he has had some playing time too. For the record, I was not a great fan of Stevie. I did appreciate that he was always working his hardest, always trying, but the guy was just plain too slow. I was really hope that Scales would be the guy to replace him last year.

Obviously you have watched lots of pracitces and film of Scales, so tell me why he is the number one guy. All I have seen is the highlights posted on the Iowa State site, and his name never seems to be on there. Maybe the guy that writes those highlights has something against Scales.


I have not seen any practices or film. I am baseing my opinion on what the depth chart is....the one the coaches put together by seeing those things. And if GC says Scales is the starter at this point....then to me, at this point, Scales is best guy, but I am rooting for him. And I am not disapointed or look at it as a bad thing that he is the #1.
 
I said he had a 1000 yard rushing season, I didn't say last year. It was 2004.

Scales certainly is a divisive figure... I mean it seems like people around here love him or hate him. I just don't know what to think of him. No offense RedStorm... have you been to practice and watched Scales? Chizik's quote of:



Doesn't exactly tell me he's been blowing people away or he's the most physically gifted player on the field. He's never been mentioned in the practice highlights on Cyclones.com. He might be out there chugging away getting 5 per carry like Emmitt Smith for all I know and that would be outstanding. We just don't know, so people are making assumptions based off of what we know. I just don't know why you need to bring the thunder all the time when it comes to Scales.

We all know he's a good guy and we all want him to succeed. I highly doubt there is a guy on this board that isn't DYING for a running back to step up and have Chiz say, "We've got a #1 and we're confident they can get it done in the Big 12."


Once agian....no I have not seen film or practices, but he is the #1 and worked for it, and deserves to be there. Everyone is trying to make is sound like it is a bad thing that Scales is number 1, which is not fair, everyone had JJ BASS penciled in at #1. People at the begining of this string were bashing him and think all the JC's are busts because they are not all #1's after 16-days of practice. The coaches are being very tight lipped about what they realease to the press and are controlling the info being released. They are not tooting anyones horn or giving ringing endorsements. I bet late next week or early game week you will get your wish...there will be a true 2-deep. but this early there is no reason to panic or throw Jason Scales under the bus. The guy rushed for 6,000 yards and 78 TD's in high school....he is healthy and has the tools. People are all freaked out because they expected JJ BASS to step in an be #1 without even practiceing. I think GC is keeping some of the guys burried in the depth chart on purpose....to quell all the hype about the JC's and let them know they have to earn there spots.....
 
I was no Stevie fan, but he had a 1000 yard rushing season and he averaged 4.9 ypc last year. I'd be thrilled if he had a guy average 4.9 a carry this year.

None of us should be "thrilled" with that kind of performance. Last year Stevie had only 523 yards rushing and that included a meaningless 58 yard run against Texas as the first half expired. Take that away and Stevie averaged only 4.3 ypc.

Stevie's 4.9 ypc was good enough for 14th best in the Big 12 last year. Every team in the Big 12 except Baylor has had a better running back than ISU for the last 5 years. I really hope Chizik can find someone to change our mindset about what a good running back looks like. In college football, the top tailbacks average 6 ypc. ISU has not had one of those kind of backs since Ennis graduated.

1.Mike Goodson, Texas A&M 6.7
2.Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma St 6.5
3.Shannon Woods, Texas Tech 6.1
4.Keith Toston, Oklahoma St 6.0
5.Jon Cornish, Kansas 5.8
6.Leon Patton, Kansas St 5.6
7.Mike Hamilton, G Okla St 5.6
8.Hugh Charles, Colorado 5.6
9.Tony Temple, Missouri 5.5
10.Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma 5.4
11.Jamaal Charles, Texas 5.3
12.Brandon Jackson, Nebraska 5.3
13.Marlon Lucky, Nebraska 5.2
14.Stevie Hicks, Iowa St 4.9

FWIW - Reggie Bush averaged 8.7 ypc his last season at USC.

ESPN.com: Big 12 Statistics
 
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Once agian....no I have not seen film or practices, but he is the #1 and worked for it, and deserves to be there. Everyone is trying to make is sound like it is a bad thing that Scales is number 1, which is not fair, everyone had JJ BASS penciled in at #1. People at the begining of this string were bashing him and think all the JC's are busts because they are not all #1's after 16-days of practice. The coaches are being very tight lipped about what they realease to the press and are controlling the info being released. They are not tooting anyones horn or giving ringing endorsements. I bet late next week or early game week you will get your wish...there will be a true 2-deep. but this early there is no reason to panic or throw Jason Scales under the bus. The guy rushed for 6,000 yards and 78 TD's in high school....he is healthy and has the tools. People are all freaked out because they expected JJ BASS to step in an be #1 without even practiceing. I think GC is keeping some of the guys burried in the depth chart on purpose....to quell all the hype about the JC's and let them know they have to earn there spots.....

:skeptical: I'm rereading the beginning of this thread to try to figure out what got you all wound up. I think you're putting words into people's mouths ... noone seems overly "freaked out" or is "bashing" Scales.

the worst of it is one comment about how "we might be in trouble" and one comment about Scales being easy to arm tackle. Neither one is really a stretch (noting that he was likely injured at the tiem he was easy to tackle). I, myself, commented on he fragile history at ISU - which isn't bashing, its the truth.

Imho Scales is better that Hicks already, but I have a very low opinion of Hicks. Let's not get too rilled up about things that I don't think have been said.
 
HUH?

I guess you never saw him play at Valley. Anything I've seen to date of him at ISU is moot, he's never been healthy. Finally, he is.

I did and was VERY immpressed, but for some reason it seems any contact and he's down. I am a fan of his because I want all native Iowans to do well, but sometimes it is not meant to be.
 
Sorry...but to hear people trashing Scales pisses me off. The guy has done nothing but work hard on and off the field....stay out of trouble and be a good teammate. Injury's happen, I don't see anyone trashing Carper and they shouldn't, I think it is great Jason Scales is #1. He has shown allot of sdversity with his injuries and fought through them. He has done nothing but work hard in the Spring, Summer, and Fall Camp. I hope he has a good season and shuts all the "Scales" Haters" up.....

I hope we have 22 starters with Jason Scales' heart this season.....

I honestly hope he shuts me up. If he turns into a starter I will be the first to admit I was wrong. Will you do the same if he doesn't see the feild?:wink:
 
I think I remember reading somewhere, either last spring or last year, that some of our defensive players were talking about how hard Scales is to tackle. Does anyone else remember that? I thought that last year he showed some promise. He just wasn't able to get enough plays. Maybe running backs have to get in a rhythm before they can really show their stuff. I'm guessing that if the o-line can open some holes, he'll get through them and be tough to bring down.
 
This spring players were saying Scales was a load to bring down. I really hope he does good this year, but all I really care about is someone running the ball good so Iowa State has a good chance to win games.
 
I honestly hope he shuts me up. If he turns into a starter I will be the first to admit I was wrong. Will you do the same if he doesn't see the feild?:wink:

Sure will...

I am not saying he will hold the position all year, what I am saying is it is his spot to lose...

But he is going to play allot this year regardless....

Well....of coure...he gets hurt, but I think he is in much better playing shape....up to 220 Lbs....
 
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:skeptical: I'm rereading the beginning of this thread to try to figure out what got you all wound up. I think you're putting words into people's mouths ... noone seems overly "freaked out" or is "bashing" Scales.

the worst of it is one comment about how "we might be in trouble" and one comment about Scales being easy to arm tackle. Neither one is really a stretch (noting that he was likely injured at the tiem he was easy to tackle). I, myself, commented on he fragile history at ISU - which isn't bashing, its the truth.

Imho Scales is better that Hicks already, but I have a very low opinion of Hicks. Let's not get too rilled up about things that I don't think have been said.

ISUAlumm22:
"We could be in for trouble, it sounds"

Clone_jer
Quote:
Originally Posted by brianhos
That's a bad job outta you...
We have not seen Scales healthy once. If he stays healthy, it will be nice to have 2 capable backs for the first time....well... ever.

If (That's a big "if")

Cygator 641:
"Yeah, Bass and Robinson. Scales is brittle and slow, not a good combo."

Re: Scales on Top
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We need a guy that cannot be arm tackled. That is why I think he will be 4th when it is all said and done.

Not really ringing endorsements or good show of support...lol.
 
Sports fans - we're an amusing bunch. Many always need to have a whipping boy. Now that the old staff and Stevie Hicks are gone, someone needs to fill that spot.

Enter, Jason Scales.

I hope after he climbs this steep hill of injuries he's battled and whips up on the competition, he's able to look around and say "I told you I could do it" to all doubters.

I've never doubted his abilities, I have wondered if he could ever recover and be a player for us. At this point, he seems to have gotten his health back. As long as he stays healthy, there's no doubt in my mind the next two years of #6 in the backfield will be fun to watch.

And as Red stated, Scales has a huge heart - if he didn't - he would've quit by now or at least wouldn't be the current #1 back in Ames.
 
great person but

Where are you guys getting that he has never been healthy? I would hope that he wouldn't have played in the spring if he was not healthy. People don't play when they have major injuries. They also don't play if they are rehabbing and might get injured again.

Minor injuries do not count. Every football player puts up with minor injuries.

As with Hicks, I like Scales. He is a great representative of ISU. He gives you everything he has and does it in a classy way. I think he will see reps because he is intelligent and appears to run hard on inside run plays. His legs keep moving.

Now, here is what Scales is not. He does not have good speed. His speed is average at best (injured or not). He does not have overly quick feet. These things are obvious. They were just as obvious with Hicks and his 4.9 forty yard dash.

Just because a poster doesn't believe that Jason Scales is the answer at tailback does not mean he or she is running him down. Some of you guys remind me of people who think performance should not be a gauge of how well they do their job. After all they are good people, shouldn't that be enough?

I believe ISU needs a deep threat at running back. Plays that should go for 25 yards should not end up going for 8 yards like they did for Stevie. I'm guessing many of you don't realize how much worse Stevie made the offensive line look because he was so slow.

In the end Chizik will choose who he thinks is best for the position. I just hope that he realizes that you need some type of big play threat there or defenses will play pass all day long. (Mac evidently didn't get it.) Sorry, fellas, but I will continue to be amazed that ISU played Stevie Hicks as the primary running back. As a freshman you could tell he was not fast enough.

I expect Scales to start and then get fewer carries than one of the other backs in the first game. He will see fewer carries as the year goes on. I still like him though.
 
Just because a poster doesn't believe that Jason Scales is the answer at tailback does not mean he or she is running him down.

That's exactly what I've been trying to say, thanks D UP.
 
"I expect Scales to start and then get fewer carries than one of the other backs in the first game. He will see fewer carries as the year goes on. I still like him though."

This I would not doubt. If JJ Bass can pick up the system and blocking assignments he may pass JS on the chart. It sounds like JJ is a better receiver out of the back field and he is faster. But, I think we will still see allot of quality play out of Scales and he will be a big part of the offense this season....a work horse....a "lunch pail guy." We will bang away with Scales and then bring in JJ. JS is a team player and if the coaches swithc Scales and Bass on the chart I am sure JS will take it in stride and do everything that is asked of him and do it well. I just think it is crazy that people were like "What the hell is going on over there in Ames that JS is #1?" Plus I think Alexander Robinson is going to continue to improve and be a pleasant surprise.
 
Quote:
Just because a poster doesn't believe that Jason Scales is the answer at tailback does not mean he or she is running him down.

That's exactly what I've been trying to say, thanks D UP.


I would agree if people were just disagreeing and saying "I don't think he is the answer", but some were really throwing the kid under the bus, that is why I was trying to defend him....
 
This spring players were saying Scales was a load to bring down. I really hope he does good this year, but all I really care about is someone running the ball good so Iowa State has a good chance to win games.

I also could care less who carries the ball. It would be nice to see the local kid who has had some hard luck get the call. But if they need somebody else, or all 4 guys, or Rubin (I like that pick) just to get 150 yards of rushing (at least) a game would make me happy.
 

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