Mardy Gilyard

• Little Danny

  

  I recall a few posters a few weeks back commenting that Mardy Gilyard is a thug. I think Mardy Gilyard represents UC just fine. I have attached an ESPN article that discusses more about Gilyard and what he means to the football program.
  
  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls09/news/story?id=4774719
• vball10set

  okay--he's a nice thug
• ohiobucks1

  

  thug
• se-alum

  

  I'm not sure that article shines a better light on him?
• tcby99

  still a thug...lol
• Little Danny

  

  Alright... try this one.
  
  http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091229/COL03/312290034/1007/For%20Mardy%20Gilyard%20%20it%20s%20always%20fami%20ly%20first/For-Mardy-Gilyard-it-s-always-family-first
• ghosthunter

  

  Interesting. No doubt the young man is talented and in all likelihood, will be playing on Sunday's next year. That being said, when I first saw/listened to him a few weeks ago, thug is what came to my mind also. Mr.Gilyard needs to understand that how you carry yourself as a person, and the image that you present is where many first impressions are made. The impressions, are also many times lasting one's.
  
  I'm not saying the article is true or false, but if Mardy Gilyard wants to be taken seriously as a man, than he needs to lose the "hood rat" persona that he so eloquently portrays.
• vball10set

  okay--he's a real nice thug :rolleyes:
• sleeper

  

  There's a reason he got into Cinci and not Ohio State, and its not athletic ability...
• derek bomar

  

  sleeper wrote: There's a reason he got into Cinci and not Ohio State, and its not athletic ability...

  this
• goosebumps

  

  omg, this is getting so old. OSU wasn't even a college of interest for Gilyard, so he couldn't have been shut out of a school he had no interest in. The world doesn't revolve around OSU no matter how much you think it does.
  
  
  Back to the topic.
  Gilyard came from a rough area and has really done well for himself. He made some mistakes (not criminal) and has worked very very hard and come out on top. Congrats to him for his career and I can't wait to see him on sundays.
• sleeper

  

  goosebumps wrote: omg, this is getting so old. OSU wasn't even a college of interest for Gilyard, so he couldn't have been shut out of a school he had no interest in. The world doesn't revolve around OSU no matter how much you think it does.

  Why would you be interested in a college where you need more than a pulse to be academically eligible?
  
  He's going to the NFL either way, but why struggle to get a prestigious degree when you can coast your way through a glorified community college?
  
  Moron.
• goosebumps

  

  yawn. Ok, I get it, OSU is only surpassed by Harvard, Yale, and God.
• Little Danny

  

  According to Sleeper (and some others around here) OSU surpises your list Goosebumps. Not is OSU better in academics, they are better football players too.
• charliehustle14

  I think it's hilarious that still posters get all up in arms over statements made by sleeper.
• Cleveland Buck

  

  charliehustle14 wrote: I think it's hilarious that still posters get all up in arms over statements made by sleeper.

  +1
• rock_knutne

  I bet the Gilyard detractors on here would love him on their team. I watched him up close at Pitt and the kid's a stud and was pure business on and off the field.
• september63

  

  I think in the NFL his impact will be mainly on special teams. Could develop into a Josh Cribbs type of player?
• ghosthunter

  

  september63 wrote: I think in the NFL his impact will be mainly on special teams. Could develop into a Josh Cribbs type of player?

  That's where I also envision him making the biggest contribution. I have no idea what his route running abilities, or how good he is at creating seperation for himself, but if he gets hooked up with a good receivers coach, and has a solid veteran WR mentoring him, the kid could really contribute on Sundays.
  
  How well he handles critcism and physical corners will play quite a bit in his development. Can he handle going from the "golden boy" to special teams / 3rd choice in the pattern? Some players are unselfish and just want to contribute, others have to be in the limelight.
• 3reppom

  

  Gilyard is an excellent route runner. He understands coverage schemes very well having been a defensive player starting out in college. That helps him a ton when it comes to reading coverages. There is a great example here at 1:39 of Gilyard using leverage to shield his man from the ball by slowing up a bit to keep his man on his back so he can make catch. That is one example of the instinctual little things he does that will endear him to coaches that most people don't usually pick up on. I don't think he will ever be a true number 1 in the NFL, but he should have a decent career as a slot receiver and return man.