Kansas Football: Thoughts On Freshman Sensation RB James Sims And QB Kale Pick

James Sims is not LaDainian Tomlinson.  He's a true freshman at the University of Kansas who has played in one game, and who happened to play it well.

Not to knock on his performance, of course, which was both extremely promising and entertaining, but last Saturday is the only time we've ever seen the kid play.

Turner Gill's opening day loss didn't prove to be indicative of a poor future, did it?  In fact, thanks to last weekend, we still have only a minimal idea of what we're getting from Gill.

All I'm saying is that time and time again we "learn our lesson" about making quick judgments yet continue to faithfully leap into early conclusions.

I do understand, University Daily Kansan, that the comparison between Sims and Tomlinson was only made only upon similar running styles as a small part of a larger (and otherwise enjoyable) article.

Sims is good at breaking arm tackles, but that doesn't make him a 'power' runner like Angus Quigley.  I'd take Sims over Deshaun Sands anyday in a straight-line race, but comparing their distinct types of footspeed does Sands' lightning-quick laterals no justice.

Isn't saying things like this a bit like saying because he jumped over a single defender that he's as athletic as Knowshon Moreno?  They're physically similar, so it's very plausible, but also ambiguous.

Mostly, it's dangerous to mention Sims and Tomlinson in the same sentence because even these quasi-comparisons can attract the wrong kind of expectations from casual fans and readers.

I also wouldn't encourage Tomlinson's straight-backed manner of running.  He gets away with it, but the general consensus prefers a lower pad level and center of gravity for the sake of Sims' health.

Sims has immense potential and seems to be the real deal.  He won the starting job for week three and I can't wait to see what he does with the ball in his hands more often. 

I just don't want to drop all of that pressure on him just yet.

Speaking of poor comparisons and the University Daily Kansan, people seem to be having an issue distinguishing between quarterback Kale Pick and a dead duck.

Pick is the backup quarterback, and I couldn't be happier that Jordan Webb found a groove.  He's had my vote of confidence since his performance in the 2009 spring game as a first-semester freshman.

Still, the quarterback spot is far from etched in stone.  All it takes is one bad game from Webb against Southern Miss and we could start the whole ordeal over again.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but doesn't saying that the a Wildcat offense "may have breathed new life into the career of backup quarterback Kale Pick" infer slightly that he has been deemed forever a backup?

Webb has to keep playing well if he expects to keep playing.  Pick may have had a poor opener, but as Gill said several times, many other players did as well.  Pick is very athletic and very competitive.

And I'm surprised that so few of us, even I, were surprised to see Pick enter the game so quickly with Webb getting into a rhythm.

Even if the timing was questionable, don't good coaches always find ways to get their best backups game experience and utilize their unique talents?  Won't it be nice to have Quigley, Sands and Sims all back at our disposal?  Isn't it nice to have a deep, talented and young group of receivers to use?

I'd be upset if I find out Gill was only playing Pick to keep him happy: that's not the kind of football player or coaching I like.  Pick was played because, as Matt Galloway and Tim Biere both go on to say, he brings extra dimensions and positive potential to this offense.

Sims' excellent debut does not an astounding career make, and neither must Pick's poor premier a career backup make.