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TJ Heading to the NFL
- Thread starter MLEagle
- Start date
Well I sure do wish him the best of luck. He will do fine, even if he has to spend his first year on the practice squad. He has accomplished all that he can at this level, and if he is projected 3rd round this year with his history of injuries you go take the money and run.
I'm sure the rest of the Big Sky is not sad to see him leave and only wish him the best at the next level.
I'm sure the rest of the Big Sky is not sad to see him leave and only wish him the best at the next level.
FrontFive4Life
Active member
I know Taiwan not only has a good head on his shoulders but a good support system around him as well. I promise he didn't make this decision lightly, but I agree that how he is projected in addition to winning the NC means that this is a good time to go. Whoever picks Taiwan will be getting an absolute STEAL.
Really hope this is true. I think he'd be a good fit, and a 1-2-3 punch between him, Brown, and Beumonte would give some folks fits.
Interesting that MSU announced a Nebraska RB coming to their program around the same time that Davis was declared ineligible by the NCAA - so perhaps EWU saw this coming with TJ departing for the draft and there could be some merit in this rumor.
I don't have time to look, but I am fairly certain we have some other players from Kentwood HS, which is where Bronson went.
As rough as it is to see TJ go, this could play out as a win-win for EWU. It certainly won't hurt the school to have another high profile player in the NFL. Hmmm......the Inferno at Roos-Jones Stadium?
Interesting that MSU announced a Nebraska RB coming to their program around the same time that Davis was declared ineligible by the NCAA - so perhaps EWU saw this coming with TJ departing for the draft and there could be some merit in this rumor.
I don't have time to look, but I am fairly certain we have some other players from Kentwood HS, which is where Bronson went.
As rough as it is to see TJ go, this could play out as a win-win for EWU. It certainly won't hurt the school to have another high profile player in the NFL. Hmmm......the Inferno at Roos-Jones Stadium?
I wish I thought this was a good idea, but I don't. It hurts Eastern, obviously, but I think it hurts Taiwan worse.
NFL coaches are going to be scared about his breakability. If his body had problems with the guys hitting him this year, he's going to have a hell of a time getting hit in the bigs. They say he weighs 200 pounds, but there's absolutely no way. Unless he goes on a massive eating binge, I'll bet he gets pegged at 185 on draft day.
NFL coaches are going to be scared about his breakability. If his body had problems with the guys hitting him this year, he's going to have a hell of a time getting hit in the bigs. They say he weighs 200 pounds, but there's absolutely no way. Unless he goes on a massive eating binge, I'll bet he gets pegged at 185 on draft day.
Go Cats Go!
Member
Good luck on draft day Mr. Jones! While it was fun watching you, I think I speak for most other BSC fans when I say that we won't miss you!
On a personal note, I kind of think this might be a mistake for Taiwan. True, he has achieved an awful lot in his career at EWU, with a national championship being the icing on the cake. But let's face it -- we are still FCS. The best talent on our level still lags behind the "big boys." And keep in mind, his durability seems to be a question mark. I still think he should stick around another year, maybe win a Peyton award, maybe even another chipper, and his stock will only that much greater. But with that said, there are success stories from small schools (see: Danny Woodhead, NE Patriots), so it's not beyond reality that he will get drafted and make an NFL roster. I'll be rooting for him!
On a personal note, I kind of think this might be a mistake for Taiwan. True, he has achieved an awful lot in his career at EWU, with a national championship being the icing on the cake. But let's face it -- we are still FCS. The best talent on our level still lags behind the "big boys." And keep in mind, his durability seems to be a question mark. I still think he should stick around another year, maybe win a Peyton award, maybe even another chipper, and his stock will only that much greater. But with that said, there are success stories from small schools (see: Danny Woodhead, NE Patriots), so it's not beyond reality that he will get drafted and make an NFL roster. I'll be rooting for him!
marceagfan5
Active member
Taiwan meant a lot to our program and he will be greatly missed, he has some big shoes to fill. I was really looking forward to watching him next year, I will just have to do it on Sundays now.
I can't help but be bummed, but we did beat Weber, Villanova, and Delaware without him so we have the Horses to move on and have a great year. Super Mario will have to step up, but I believe he will.
WIshing TJ nothing but the best come draft day and at the next level...he is a great guy on and off the field.
I can't help but be bummed, but we did beat Weber, Villanova, and Delaware without him so we have the Horses to move on and have a great year. Super Mario will have to step up, but I believe he will.
WIshing TJ nothing but the best come draft day and at the next level...he is a great guy on and off the field.
WOW is the first thought that comes to mind. IMO he is considered fragile at best and that is in in the Big Sky, now add 10% more weight and 10% more speed to the defenders hammering on him and I don't see Taiwan lasting long. No idea how a scout would see it but if it were my money Taiwan is not a good bet at this time.
I sincerely say Good Luck, you may need it.
I sincerely say Good Luck, you may need it.
I am surprised that he is leaving early myself and that he projects as a 3rd rounder now. He is the most electrifying FCS player I have ever watched, but he seems too frail to take the punishment that an NFL back has to take. Maybe the scouts project him as a Marshall Faulk or Reggie Bush type that is thrown to as much as he runs the ball out of the backfield to save him from the pounding.
When Rodney came out early, there was no doubt about him having an NFL body. I just hope some agent didn't fill TJ with a bunch of half truths and inflated draft status. There is nothing more then I would like to see then him getting drafted high and being successful at the next level, but I just wish all that success came after TJ won the Payton Award next year.
When Rodney came out early, there was no doubt about him having an NFL body. I just hope some agent didn't fill TJ with a bunch of half truths and inflated draft status. There is nothing more then I would like to see then him getting drafted high and being successful at the next level, but I just wish all that success came after TJ won the Payton Award next year.
Keep in mind, folks, that TJ doesn't necessarily have to play RB at the next level. He's one of the best (if not the best) athletes at the FCS level, period. There's a number of different positions he could play and be succesful. The comments about him not being an every down back may be correct, but he could play in the slot, return kicks - hell, he could even play in the defensive secondary. We'll just have to see what happens, but his raw talent alone is going to take him places. Like I said before, it sucks that he's leaving and I would have loved to watch him for another year, but I do wish him the best and am looking forward to watching another Eastern player on Sundays.
flyingnail
Active member
A year with the NFL strenght and conditioning coaches, personal nutrionist, and a guaranteed late second or early third round million dollar signing bonus nothing to prove at the FCS level! go TJ and make Eastern proud!EWUeag said:
JoinTheEAA
Active member
http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink/2011/jan/15/eagles-nfl-make-jones-decision-easier/
From Saturday Spokesman-Review
From Saturday Spokesman-Review
I think one of the considerations that often gets overlooked when NFL prospects find themselves at FCS level schools (or lower) and have to decide whether to leave early is the level of nutritional, conditioning and medical support that is not available to them here. It's unfortunate, but the stark truth is that our players eke by on the typical college kid grub (no training tables like the "big boys") and, while I think our strength and conditioning coach is this year's MVP, the other support systems are lacking when compared with what is available at the FBS level. A team like EWU with a budget that is small even in comparision with our Big Sky competition (let alone the CAA), makes it hard to argue that it's better to risk another year playing when even the tape budget is limited! It's not like he could probably afford the premium for the insurance policy against getting hurt next year either.
I wish TJ all the best in the future. Hope he blazes a path for himself and pulls a little glory for EWU along the way. In the meantime, (and I know I'm preaching to the converted here), the rest of us need to continue to support the athletic department and the team so that it's not quite so difficult when the next guy needs to make the decision.
I wish TJ all the best in the future. Hope he blazes a path for himself and pulls a little glory for EWU along the way. In the meantime, (and I know I'm preaching to the converted here), the rest of us need to continue to support the athletic department and the team so that it's not quite so difficult when the next guy needs to make the decision.
kalm said:All is not lost!
Agreed. I've been saying all along this year that Mario Brown is going to have a very nice career at Eastern. He's elusive, has good speed, and follows his blocks well. He really shined in the Nova game when he had to step up. Had a rough go against UD's defense, but did have that 35 yard reception which sparked our first TD. If the rumors about Bronson coming to EWU are true, we could have a very dangerous 1-2-3 punch next year. We also will have Daniel Johnson, who was a Freshman this year. Not sure if he played much. I think we also have another couple younger guys that sat out this year. Trenton Pinson and Andre Williams - although I think those two might end up playing WR. We'll have to see.
