LB C.J. Hicks (Official Thread)

[Jaxbuck]

It happened right in front of me and it sure seemed pretty bad. He was in a lot of pain and couldn't put any weight at all on it.

 

[sg86]

Looks like he hyperextended it and probably has a bone bruise. I doubt whatever happened is going to have long term effects.

 

[Bestbuck36]

It seems he's been back practicing and showing out in limited reps. I wish we got more of this kind of info during bowl practices

 

[cdiddy70]

Great news.
Was worried it was ACL/MCL.

Instead he will be a full participant in winter workouts/spring ball/summer conditioning/fall practice.

 

[scarletngray]

Curious to see where he fits into plans this year.

 

[bucknut502]

Curious to see where he fits into plans this year.

I heard Austin Ward mention the possibility of having him in the LEO position. Sawyer will move down to replace Harrison. So the only other LEO is coming off of an ACL tear. Might not be a bad idea!

I get giddy at the thought of JT, Hall, Jack, Tommy, Steele, CJ, Styles, Ransom, Ja’Had, Burke, Hancock.

That seems good, right?

 

[scarletngray]

Yeah, I think Hicks and/or Melton might be good in the Jack position. Having Sawyer replace Harrison makes the most sense. Gotta find a way to get Hicks on the field.

 

[pnuts34]

Yeah, I think Hicks and/or Melton might be good in the Jack position. Having Sawyer replace Harrison makes the most sense. Gotta find a way to get Hicks on the field.

I wouldn’t put much stock into Melton, tbh. I can see Curry as the other LEO. I wonder if Hicks turns into a pass rusher in the vein of Baron Browning in this defense as opposed to a true LB

 

[CMic]

For next year, I hope CJ plays his way into significant PT at LB.
Last year, we really just played Eich and Steele. Three LBs can share the load and, hopefully, keep fresh for the year end.

 

[pnuts34]

For next year, I hope CJ plays his way into significant PT at LB.
Last year, we really just played Eich and Steele. Three LBs can share the load and, hopefully, keep fresh for the year end.

Agreed. But in Knowles' system it doesn't seem like he likes to sub much. Hopefully it changes next season, because it'd benefit guys like Hicks long term to get meaningful reps in games

 

[Abenaki]

Maybe I'm dumb, but I feel like there's benefit to moving Sawyer back to a true DE and giving Hicks some play at Jack.

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Maybe I'm dumb, but I feel like there's benefit to moving Sawyer back to a true DE and giving Hicks some play at Jack.

Him or Curry.... I didn't realize Hicks was so tall. Would be perfect at the jack position.

 

[CMic]

If we are going to stick with a 4-2-5 with our current roster, we should keep 2 true DE and dump the "Jack".
That's mostly what we did last year.
2 DE should mostly be: JT, Sawyer, Curry.
2 LB: Eich, Steele, CJ

Sawyer and Curry aren't mobile enough to put is space and CJ isn't large enough to put on the line.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Maybe I'm dumb, but I feel like there's benefit to moving Sawyer back to a true DE and giving Hicks some play at Jack.

You could be dumb, I have no idea, but I agree with you on this one regardless.

 

[RB07OSU]

Maybe I'm dumb, but I feel like there's benefit to moving Sawyer back to a true DE and giving Hicks some play at Jack.

I have thought the same thing. Putting Jack at the Jack spot, though phonetically pleasing, is putting a round object in a square hole. Jack is a great athlete but not suited for that position, he is a true DE. I'm not sure about CJ playing the position but he is probably better for it if Knowles insists on keeping that position...CJ has a great frame, he can rush a QB and play in coverage on about anyone.

I think the better course is to abandon the position and have CJ rotate in at LB, and keep Jack at DE. As good as Eich and Chambers are, CJ is just too talented to keep off the field. But I am not paid millions to coach, so tifwiw.