Ben Tate - Best RB In The Draft?

RWS · « **on:** February 26, 2010, 07:15:54 PM »

http://blog.al.com/tide-source/2010/02/auburns_ben_tate_still_thinks.html

Quote

INDIANAPOLIS - Deep into the 2009 college football season, Alabama sophomore Mark Ingram was emerging as a Heisman Trophy front-runner, but Auburn senior Ben Tate raised some eyebrows and ruffled a few feathers with a bold statement.

He said he thought he was the best running back in the state.

"I still believe that," Tate said Friday from Lucas Oil Stadium, where he is participating in the NFL Scouting Combine.

Really? Even though Ingram did go on to become the first Heisman Trophy winner in Crimson Tide history?

"If you go back and break down film, he's a great running back," Tate said. "Don't get me wrong.

"But I just feel I'm a better running back. Of course you're going to get more publicity. That's the way it is when you're on an undefeated team, a team's that's been undefeated for the last few years."

Tate is rated as the No. 9 running back in the NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.com, but he believes he is the most complete running back available.

Read more about Tate on Saturday on AL.com and in The Birmingham News.

It appears that ESPN didn't take him out of context in regards to his comments about Ingram, as some here insisted.

Birmingham · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2010, 07:21:53 PM »

Until they are running behind the same O-line he's no more wrong than he is right.

Birmingham · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2010, 07:48:42 PM »

Quote from: Birmingham on February 26, 2010, 07:21:53 PM

Until they are running behind the same O-line he's no more wrong than he is right.

With that being said, it is easy for him to say those things knowing he'll never have to run behind the same O-line and prove it.

jadennis · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2010, 09:37:11 PM »

Quote from: Birmingham on February 26, 2010, 07:21:53 PM

Until they are running behind the same O-line he's no more wrong than he is right.

Interesting....you just made sense.

And again RWS, would expect any of the top 10 backs available to NOT think they are the best available in this draft?

He can run, he picks up the blitz and blocks very well. He can catch it out of the backfield. He's durable. He's faster than most thought. He's a good all-around back, please move on from the quote. You're pulling junk off of al.com to start a discussion?

jmar · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2010, 10:06:04 PM »

I think Tate holds up better in the long run regardless of ranking. Ingram catches the ball well which adds to his value but I am not convinced that he is as hardnosed as Richardson for the NFL. Alexander was your best overall and a complete player.

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2010, 10:20:33 PM »

Tate never quit in a game. Can't say the same for that other guy.

RWS · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2010, 10:29:39 PM »

Quote from: Pell City Tiger on February 26, 2010, 10:20:33 PM

Tate never quit in a game. Can't say the same for that other guy.

If somebody is injured, I would rather them come out. In a close game, when you are injured, at what point are you hurting the team when somebody uninjured could come in? Should we just label anybody who comes out of a game due to injury a quitter? Or is that just a fitting title when you guys are trying to make something look a certain way?

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2010, 10:35:13 PM »

Yeah, he was hurt. I forgot about that. Hip pointer, wasn't it? Walked off the field holding his arm, right? Played "lights out" a week later.

RWS · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2010, 10:52:09 PM »

Quote from: Pell City Tiger on February 26, 2010, 10:35:13 PM

Yeah, he was hurt. I forgot about that. Hip pointer, wasn't it? Walked off the field holding his arm, right? Played "lights out" a week later.

If you want to see a game where he played lights out, check the South Carolina game. He essentially won that game. 272 all purpose yards. He had his third lowest YPC game in the SECCG. If we're going to judge Ingram based on one game, then I get to pick the game we base Tate on as well. What do you say?

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2010, 10:57:03 PM »

He played "lights out" for a guy "suffering" from a "hip pointer".

As Steve Perry sang in a popular 1980's ballad, "Don't stop believing".

RWS · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2010, 11:03:40 PM »

Quote from: Pell City Tiger on February 26, 2010, 10:57:03 PM

He played "lights out" for a guy "suffering" from a "hip pointer".

As Steve Perry sang in a popular 1980's ballad, "Don't stop believing".

If he was just faking it, why would he wait until Alabama's final drive? The drive where we needed him the most? It just doesn't make much sense to wait and fake an injury in the final 5 minutes of the game when you have to get a TD.

jmar · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2010, 11:28:03 PM »

Josh Bynes had a Heismanlike performance. Ingram is a terrific back but I was at the Iron Bowl where Sullivan threw 5? INTs against Bama in a 31-7 loss in his Heisman season. Valliant effort- just too much defense.

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2010, 11:30:50 PM »

Quote from: RWS on February 26, 2010, 11:03:40 PM

If he was just faking it, why would he wait until Alabama's final drive? The drive where we needed him the most? It just doesn't make much sense to wait and fake an injury in the final 5 minutes of the game when you have to get a TD.

Hell if I know. Ask him. He's the one that pussed out then was "cleared to play" 2 days later.

It must have been a miracle.

Birmingham · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2010, 01:07:43 AM »

Just so we're clear the player being labeled a quitter for not having a good game against Auburn has a Heisman trophy, SEC Championship ring and a National Championship ring. Not many "quitters" get any of those, let alone all.

Alright, sorry to interrupt.

Jumbo · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2010, 06:57:30 AM »

Quote from: Pell City Tiger on February 26, 2010, 10:20:33 PM

Tate never quit in a game. Can't say the same for that other guy.

The Prowler · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2010, 11:49:52 AM »

Here's my Top 10 RBs in the 2010 NFL Draft:

1. C.J. Spiller, Clemson 5'11" 195lbs. 4.4 40

2. Toby Gerhart, Stanford 6'1" 232lbs. 4.58 40

3. Ben Tate, Auburn 5'11" 214lbs. 4.5 40

4. Jahvid Best, California 5'10" 195lbs. 4.43 40

5. Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State 6'1" 245lbs. 4.55 40

6. Joe McKnight, USC 6' 200lbs. 4.4 40

7. Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech 6' 235lbs. 4.44 40

8. Montario Hardesty, Tennessee 6' 215lbs. 4.5 40

9. Ryan Mathews, Fresno State 5'11" 220lbs. 4.45 40

10. LeGarrette Blount, Oregon 6'1" 245lbs. 4.55 40

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2010, 12:09:16 PM »

Quote from: Birmingham on February 27, 2010, 01:07:43 AM

Just so we're clear the player being labeled a quitter for not having a good game against Auburn has a Heisman trophy, SEC Championship ring and a National Championship ring. Not many "quitters" get any of those, let alone all.

Alright, sorry to interrupt.

OK Lenny, try and keep up.

Tate says he's the best running back in the state. Head-to-head, he backed it up. Your boy, the quitter, ran for whopping 30 yards against the worst defense in Auburn history. 3 Ball State players outperformed the crybaby, for Christ's sake. The bottom line is the best never quit. Your boy quit.

Annnnnnnd, Tate never took an illegal fishing trip. He trumps your boy in character as well.

jmar · « **Reply #17 on:** February 27, 2010, 12:09:46 PM »

Quote from: The Prowler on February 27, 2010, 11:49:52 AM

Here's my Top 10 RBs in the 2010 NFL Draft:

1. C.J. Spiller, Clemson 5'11" 195lbs. 4.4 40

2. Toby Gerhart, Stanford 6'1" 232lbs. 4.58 40

3. Ben Tate, Auburn 5'11" 214lbs. 4.5 40

4. Jahvid Best, California 5'10" 195lbs. 4.43 40

5. Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State 6'1" 245lbs. 4.55 40

6. Joe McKnight, USC 6' 200lbs. 4.4 40

7. Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech 6' 235lbs. 4.44 40

8. Montario Hardesty, Tennessee 6' 215lbs. 4.5 40

9. Ryan Mathews, Fresno State 5'11" 220lbs. 4.45 40

10. LeGarrette Blount, Oregon 6'1" 245lbs. 4.55 40

#11???

jmar · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2010, 12:21:36 PM »

I like your 2-5 Prowler but can't agree with Spiller as the best overall. And I certainly like Ingram over McKnight. Are these speeds legit?

Birmingham · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2010, 12:30:19 PM »

Quote from: Pell City Tiger on February 27, 2010, 12:09:16 PM

:vn:OK Lenny, try and keep up.

Tate says he's the best running back in the state. Head-to-head, he backed it up. Your boy, the quitter, ran for whopping 30 yards against the worst defense in Auburn history. 3 Ball State players outperformed the crybaby, for Christ's sake. The bottom line is the best never quit. Your boy quit.

Annnnnnnd, Tate never took an illegal fishing trip. He trumps your boy in character as well.

Again, you and I think "head to head" is something entirely different. They were never head to head, they were never on the field at the same time, they were never running against the same defense nor were they running behind the same oline. Ingram had a bad day, in the end he had a lot more good days than bad and at critical times had great days. He couldn't give a backwards spinning phuk if you as an Auburn fan doubt what he was able to do through the entire year and into the post season. Btw, have you taken into consideration that by your standard, the toughest men in the world are all quitters for having become injured and then uncustomarily playing shortly thereafter.

To recap: 2 rings, one a conference and the other national, a Heisman trophy and a bakwards spinning phuk that he nor I would give to you for your lame attempt to play down Ingram's accomplishments in 2009.