Ford is looking huge

[BULLfreak]

[crambone]

They had better put him in a LOT more this year...seriously.

[twillybull]

He better hold on to the ball a LOT better this year... seriously.

[Held_AccountaBull]

He better hold on to the ball a LOT better this year... seriously.

you act like he was tiki barber with the ball or something. he didnt even fumble a lot

[Ruger7mmmag]

He better hold on to the ball a LOT better this year... seriously.

you act like he was tiki barber with the ball or something. he didnt even fumble a lot

Early on he did, but he got better as the year went on.  I attribute that to rustiness and not being hit in awhile.  I'm sure with those guns and more practice, being more confident etc that those fumbling issues won't be there this year.

[BULLSHTR]

i couldn't agree more. he got much better later in the season with his ball control. I'm sure the coaches have been focusing on that the entire time. he is the number one back on the projected depth chart, i hope we use him like a number 1 back.

[twillybull]

I'm just saying that he didn't play more last year because of those early fumbles and I don't necessarily disagree with the coaching staff for spreading it out to the other backs.  Certainly we need a featured back to be the go-to guy.  From my view, his ball-handling technique did not show that much improvement as the year went on.  Even in the Sun Bowl he was holding that ball out too far like some sort of "hot potatoe".  I think he got lucky later in the year with some very fortunate bounces too. 

No doubt Mike Ford will be the key to improving our offense this year, if he holds on to the ball and shows the stamina to play week in and out for a full 60 minutes.  I think Ruger is right, he went from out of the game for over a year to right into the fire as a true freshman.  Not an easy thing to do.  We should expect to see a drastic improvement this year in ball handling and stamina.  Certainly the photo above shows the work he has been putting in, let's hope he keeps it up and it pays off.  However, if he comes out of the gate with a fumble or two, expect the coaches to turn to the next guy quickly. 

[Carolina_Bull]

I read he dropped fat and gained muscle.  The picture of him looks awesome.

The biggest beneficiary of this is MG and the passing game.

Also, Coach Gregory stated in his pre-sun bowl press conference that Ford's inability to pass protect prevented him from getting more playing time.  Gregory said he thought Ford would get pass protect issues worked out before next year. . . . I hope that is the case.

[gobulls83]

Eh, I could take him.

[Jake_Ryan]

Ford will be ready to go this year.  Everything should be improved, fitness, speed, ball security, understanding of pass protection, and expectations in the classroom.  I expect him to rush for 1000 yards and be the feature back.