Which would you prefer - speed or skill?

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by NJ-Buckeye

I must admit... I am surprised... I didn't think it'd be close... interesting...

Check it out, NJ...as of this post, it's exactly 25/25. Great thread you started...

[BuckWrestler141]

In college, speed. Skill isn't as importent because there are so many matchups and often a few athletes who don't deserve to be on the same field.
In the NFL everyone has enough skill, you can't bully them with your speed.

Edit: Obviously though, you can't rely on every speed freak to get caught up with skill. Thus, teams need to take both types of players to even each other out.

[madvillebuck]

OSU 34-ND 20. Nuff' said. No doubt the Domers were supremely skilled, but AJ, Troy, Santonio, Youboty,Pittman, Kudla and Teddy amply displayed that speed kills. Troy and Teddy are still evolving their skills, but their speed is what give DCs fits. Is there going to be a more electrifying duo in college football next year?

[osugrad21]

Tough call...

When you say "average" speed, are we saying 4.5-4.6 for skill positions? I'd want my defenders to be pure burners who can just wreak havoc..but offensively, you need that skill.

[osustamm]

Great Question... I chose Skill thinking of a good Reciever. I would rather have a guy who could run great routes and had awesome hands than a guy that would drop a third and long every once in a while. We are pretty blessed at not to have to choose.

At QB i would want Skills more than speed but i'll still take the Troy Smith option.

[NightmaresDad]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

You can't teach instincts or vision, which are part of the skills "package". I think the poll question should have been more specific and said "natural" speed or skills.

"Instincts" is simply a deeper, quicker understanding of the game that allows a player to "see" what will happen before it does. It makes it seem like their reactions are quicker. Obviously Spielman comes to mind in football, and I think of Larry Bird in basketball. Players talk all the time about the game "slowing down" for them once they've gotten alot of game experience. I think some guys definitely are on a different level in their ability to "read" what's happening on the field, just as some are obvioulsy on another level in regards to speed.
The guy with higher skill level does not need as much speed due to his quicker reaction time, see Larry Bird. And the guy with more speed can make up for a lower skill level with physicality - see Chris Gamble.

There are plenty of guys like Spielman and Bird and Magic Johnson whose skill level is so far off the charts that they are still best even without being the best athlete out there.

I just think it's easier to Darrell Green into Lester Hayes than it is to turn Fred Puguc into Katzenmoyer. (OK - that wasn't fair!)

It's when the guy has BOTH - like Michael Jordan or A.J. Hawk - that they are that truly special once in a generation player.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Based on the results of the poll so far, its almost split down the middle....

Personally, I would take the speed and then coach them up once they get on campus.

[BuckTwenty]

Who would you rather have had play as our 3rd corner this past year? Malcolm Jenkins or Michael Roberts?

Skill. Speed is great, but if you don't have the football skills to go with it, you might as well transfer back to the track team.