Ahkello Witherspoon, CB

It's great he volunteered to take ST snaps, but should he really get that much credit for being a team player? He's nowhere near being a star player so the least I would expect from him is to be a team player. He's not a child, he's getting paid. Why do fans have such a soft spot for any struggling player? Winning is the goal, not making sure everyone's feelings are ok.

It's a good thing our D didn't let the game get close. He gave up 7 points in a playoff game all by himself. We can do better than this guy, this year and moving forward. He is the Dante Pettis of the defense.

I thought special teams players are supposed to be able to tackle

Thats a pretty cool article. Spoons biggest issue is aggressiveness and attitude. What better place to cultivate that than special teams. And if it keeps Moseley healthier... heres hoping Spoon becomes an ace special teamer.

We know this guy can play. He has length and speed. He has shown in a stretch of games that he can perform at a high level. I think the recent struggle has to do with the mental aspect. He has a lot of potential, although I don't know if he has the EQ to be a reliable quality CB.

I got to say to the fans here in this forum wanting him to be out of this season and never to play a defensive snap, it is okay if you don't want him to play in the playoff this season, but there is no reason why we shouldn't have him come back this offseason and compete for a starting CB role. I am not really to write him off yet.

Originally posted by bsyde82:

It's great he volunteered to take ST snaps, but should he really get that much credit for being a team player? He's nowhere near being a star player so the least I would expect from him is to be a team player. He's not a child, he's getting paid. Why do fans have such a soft spot for any struggling player? Winning is the goal, not making sure everyone's feelings are ok.

It's a good thing our D didn't let the game get close. He gave up 7 points in a playoff game all by himself. We can do better than this guy, this year and moving forward. He is the Dante Pettis of the defense.

I think he should. Hes been a starter for some time and was a day 2 pick. He could have easily just said f**k it and sat on the bench mailing it in. Plenty of players do it.

Remember, a lot of these guys are used to being the best on their teams. They're used to having things go their way.

But he didn't do that. He didn't wait for someone to tell him to go in, he volunteered himself for it. I think that takes heart.

This is coming from a guy who hated seeing Akhello in there. I'm the furthest thing from a Witherspoon supporter. I just really appreciate the mentality this team has this year and I think we all need to enjoy it because you never know what will happen in the future. The mentality may be completely different.

It would be ironic if for whatever reason moseley struggles then spoon comes in and balls out lmao. I think the starter label is a lot of pressure on him and shanny basically told him if you f**k up im pulling your ass. Imagine having that in the back of your head the entire time.

Originally posted by bsyde82:
It's great he volunteered to take ST snaps, but should he really get that much credit for being a team player? He's nowhere near being a star player so the least I would expect from him is to be a team player. He's not a child, he's getting paid. Why do fans have such a soft spot for any struggling player? Winning is the goal, not making sure everyone's feelings are ok.

It's a good thing our D didn't let the game get close. He gave up 7 points in a playoff game all by himself. We can do better than this guy, this year and moving forward. He is the Dante Pettis of the defense.

He's not pettis cause he still got snaps while struggling. I get what you mean though.

IMO there are the players that have their ego hit and curl up into a ball, just happy to cash paychecks and ride the bench... Pettis. Then there are the guys who actually give a f*ck if they lost their starting role and are there to do whatever they can to get back on the field... Spoon. Also starts to make a little sense why the coaches were so willing to keep going back to him when he is showing that type of attitude of doing anything and everything to get back on the field.

The former rarely ever turns into anything more than a bench warmer for the rest of their career. The latter gives themselves a chance. Who knows, maybe Spoon Mostert's it up on special teams for a year or two and gets another shot at DB due to injury and recaptures that mental aspect. If nothing else though at least we dont have to endanger a starting DB in Moseley on special teams because the guy he replaced was culpable enough to want to take his spot on ST. There arent that many former starters that are willing to do that.

Originally posted by TheRickestRick:
He's not pettis cause he still got snaps while struggling. I get what you mean though.

IMO there are the players that have their ego hit and curl up into a ball, just happy to cash paychecks and ride the bench... Pettis. Then there are the guys who actually give a f*ck if they lost their starting role and are there to do whatever they can to get back on the field... Spoon. Also starts to make a little sense why the coaches were so willing to keep going back to him when he is showing that type of attitude of doing anything and everything to get back on the field.

The former rarely ever turns into anything more than a bench warmer for the rest of their career. The latter gives themselves a chance. Who knows, maybe Spoon Mostert's it up on special teams for a year or two and gets another shot at DB due to injury and recaptures that mental aspect. If nothing else though at least we dont have to endanger a starting DB in Moseley on special teams because the guy he replaced was culpable enough to want to take his spot on ST. There arent that many former starters that are willing to do that.

Bottom line - do you think he's salvageable as a starting corner on this team? It's hard for me to see, he's having SERIOUS confidence issues at the end of year 3. You can't compare him to Armstead or Ward b/c the problem with those guys was they couldn't stay on the field, so we never knew what they were truly capable of. Witherspoon has made some plays in his career, sure, but he's giving up not only catches, but TOUCHDOWNS. I think I saw somewhere he's given up the last 5 touchdowns. That is ridiculous.

He lacks things to me that you either have or not: natural confidence, ball skills, DOG mentality. The reason why I compared him to Pettis is that he's just soft. It's plain to see. I'm a udub alum and was surprised to see us take Pettis, never thought he'd make it in the league despite his college career because he just seemed too soft to withstand NFL physicality.

I'm glad he's not starting. Every point counts at this moment in the season. Can't give up any easy TDs.
I still have nightmares of the Super Bowl. Was it Culliver who gave up that easy TD cause he couldn't play the ball?

Originally posted by BayToBrazil:

I'm glad he's not starting. Every point counts at this moment in the season. Can't give up any easy TDs.
I still have nightmares of the Super Bowl. Was it Culliver who gave up that easy TD cause he couldn't play the ball?

Yep, though to Spoon's credit it's unlikely he will be a SB week distraction by making some dumb homophobic comment.

I don't even want this dude on special teams he has no ball awareness and is scared to tackle. Inactive list is his calling.

Originally posted by susweel:
I don't even want this dude on special teams he has no ball awareness and is scared to tackle. Inactive list is his calling.

its nice he said that to kyle but he deserves the bench

I got respect for what this dude did Saturday. Ahkello came in on a short leash with a bunch of pressure and got yanked. This guy swallowed his pride and personally sought out a way to help the team with a diminished role. This team is so tight this year it really is a family.

Originally posted by cciowa:

Originally posted by susweel:

I don't even want this dude on special teams he has no ball awareness and is scared to tackle. Inactive list is his calling.

its nice he said that to kyle but he deserves the bench

Yeah that's all warm and fuzzy but this the playoffs no time for learning moments.

Originally posted by TheRickestRick:

Originally posted by bsyde82:

It's great he volunteered to take ST snaps, but should he really get that much credit for being a team player? He's nowhere near being a star player so the least I would expect from him is to be a team player. He's not a child, he's getting paid. Why do fans have such a soft spot for any struggling player? Winning is the goal, not making sure everyone's feelings are ok.

It's a good thing our D didn't let the game get close. He gave up 7 points in a playoff game all by himself. We can do better than this guy, this year and moving forward. He is the Dante Pettis of the defense.

He's not pettis cause he still got snaps while struggling. I get what you mean though.

IMO there are the players that have their ego hit and curl up into a ball, just happy to cash paychecks and ride the bench... Pettis. Then there are the guys who actually give a f*ck if they lost their starting role and are there to do whatever they can to get back on the field... Spoon. Also starts to make a little sense why the coaches were so willing to keep going back to him when he is showing that type of attitude of doing anything and everything to get back on the field.

The former rarely ever turns into anything more than a bench warmer for the rest of their career. The latter gives themselves a chance. Who knows, maybe Spoon Mostert's it up on special teams for a year or two and gets another shot at DB due to injury and recaptures that mental aspect. If nothing else though at least we dont have to endanger a starting DB in Moseley on special teams because the guy he replaced was culpable enough to want to take his spot on ST. There arent that many former starters that are willing to do that.

He got my respect for that. He could've hid in the corner but decided to step up and put Emann in the best position to succeed. I hope he finds his way because we need everyone ready to step up.