Monangai > Berger

Ray6232010

Senior
Jun 23, 2001
4,418
702
57
Ru went after Berger twice. He opted the second time for the Mel Tucker pitch.

Monangai to my understanding was in the recruiting mix to help get Berger. Gald GS kept with it and offered and honored evben after Berger chose Wisc. With Saquon Taylor and rb near misses, so nice to catch a break!

Seems like a great kid and has been a monster all year and today when he was needed. Kudos to KM!
One back is having a wonderful college career and the other🤔🤔🤔
 

kupuna133

All-American
Jul 13, 2015
6,074
6,713
113
Love how every d1 oach was wrong and our astute posters knew all along the better player Absolutely beautiful message board work- stellar
You can go back and see when monangai committed many people were happy. I know multiple people said that we got the right guy. This is not revisionist history. Don’t think d1 coaches got it wrong. Think we got it right. Can’t always be overly impressed with results from combines. More impressed when pads are on. As I said earlier I was more impressed seeing Monangai in person than I was with Berger. Not taking anything away from Berger. But he disappeared in big games and was more of a 3rd down back. And Monangai was the feature back in the bosco running game.
 

Kbee3

Heisman
Aug 23, 2002
43,724
35,255
0
Love how every d1 oach was wrong and our astute posters knew all along the better player Absolutely beautiful message board work- stellar
If "the experts" were never way off Dan Marino wouldn't have lasted so long in the 1st round of the 1983 NFL draft and Tom Brady wouldn't have lasted until the 6th round the year he came out.
Listen, I don't pretend to be an expert or more astute than college recruiters, but you'd have to ask them why they whiffed on Monangai. I'm guessing it was size.
I just know that every time I saw Don Bosco play back when he and Berger were on the team Kyle was the one I thought more likely to make a big play...more explosive. And I was happy to see Rutgers give him a chance.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: shields

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
46,409
56,323
113
our offense took a big hit last year after Brown went out with his injury. Is he still not fully recovered or is KM just playing that much better this year?

I think a combination of both. Brown may be back 100% (we'll never know) but may not trust himself yet.
 

greenknight

Heisman
Sep 1, 2001
20,550
12,259
113
He’d be an idiot if he left. KM is a junior. Would not be surprised if he tests the waters in the draft.
He is not testing draft waters coming off a foot injury that's not 100% He needs a body of work to go on
 

ru109

All-American
Sep 18, 2011
6,759
5,249
113
He is not testing draft waters coming off a foot injury that's not 100% He needs a body of work to go on
I think he meant KM will test the waters, which I also don't see. KM is not getting drafted in the first 3 rounds so he'll be back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimpeg

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
Ray Rice was not a punishing runner? He had a much better offensive line to run behind but he gave out as much punishment as took.
Trust those who know Rice. Shifty , quick yes, top speed not so much so but sorry he was a powerful RB . Don’t remember anyone not saying otherwise. He is , as is Ja Benjamin , as is Guerreri the Florida recruit . I love them since they literally hide behind the B1G uglies. One thing more … seeing him go over to Center Zelinsksis after his TD run and tell him great block tells you Kyle is a special player.
 

ashokan

Heisman
May 3, 2011
25,325
19,686
0
Trust those who know Rice. Shifty , quick yes, top speed not so much so but sorry he was a powerful RB . Don’t remember anyone not saying otherwise. He is , as is Ja Benjamin , as is Guerreri the Florida recruit . I love them since they literally hide behind the B1G uglies. One thing more … seeing him go over to Center Zelinsksis after his TD run and tell him great block tells you Kyle is a special player.

Rice had legs like trees (had to see him up close in person since high TV didn't show it) and his calfs were bigger than lineman's. Rice used to be able to run very low - often using his arm as a third leg to get him extra YAC. Opposing players (who were always comitted #1 to stopping Rice) always complained how bad their shins hurt after playing Rice.

The Raven's GM (Ozzie Newsom) said he drafted Rice because he saw that he always came out the other side of piles he ran into. Ray also had a wicked stiff arm that could devestate tacklers. Ray didn't have long speed with the short pistons but nobody had more explosion the first 10-15 yards. It took Revis to tackle him from behind when Ray went on a 60 yd romp vs Pitt in 06.

Rice wasn't a bad blocker but not a killer like Monongai. However as an All State DB Rice made almost every tackle on RU turnovers. Rice also had some tricks like hiding behind big OL and grabbing their shirts to be pulled along. Rice was a magician at getting lost in the wash and opposing players complained they often couldn't see him until he was running past them,
 
Last edited:

dontestrond

All-Conference
Jun 27, 2011
944
2,533
0
It is his blocking that separates him. The hesitation by some linebackers is funny when they blitz lol watch the tape.
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
85,694
83,251
113
You can go back and see when monangai committed many people were happy. I know multiple people said that we got the right guy. This is not revisionist history. Don’t think d1 coaches got it wrong. Think we got it right. Can’t always be overly impressed with results from combines. More impressed when pads are on. As I said earlier I was more impressed seeing Monangai in person than I was with Berger. Not taking anything away from Berger. But he disappeared in big games and was more of a 3rd down back. And Monangai was the feature back in the bosco running game.
Yep- happy fans:

 

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
Rice had legs like trees (had to see him up close in person since high TV didn't show it) and his calfs were bigger than lineman's. Rice used to be able to run very low - often using his arm as a third leg to get him extra YAC. Opposing players (who were always comitted #1 to stopping rice) always complained how bad their shins hurt after playing Rice.

The Raven's GM (Ozzie Newsom) said he drafted Rice because he saw that he always came out the other side of piles he ran into. Ray also had a wicked stiff arm that could devestate tacklers. Ray didn't have long speed with the short pistons but nobody had more explosion the first 10-15 yards. It took Revis to tackle him from behind when Ray went on a 60 yd romp vs Pitt in 06.

Rice wasn't a bad blocker but not a killer like Monongai. However as an All State DB Rice made almost every tackle on turnovers. Rice also had some tricks like hiding behind big OL and grabbing their shirts to be pulled along. Rice was a magician at getting lost in the wash and opposing players complained they often couldn't see him until he was running past them,
I’ll tell about Ray Rice the actual size and build in 2004-2005-2006… He was at most 5-7” 190-195 lbs and then in 2006/came at 205lbs. You are correct his legs were abnormal ( thighs - calfs and butt ) similar to Monangai . Kyle , Benjamin and prior Salaam do the same hide behind a much bigger line than even back then In mid 2000’s .
what you say is exactly what I and others see as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ashokan

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
Top speed not so much but the initial 10 yard burst was outstanding
Quick for the first 10-20 but top end was nothing overly special . Great RB and legend who luckily found his way to Rutgers. Thank You Greg Schiano and Paul Pasqualoni.
 

ashokan

Heisman
May 3, 2011
25,325
19,686
0
I’ll tell about Ray Rice the actual size and build in 2004-2005-2006… He was at most 5-7” 190-195 lbs and then in 2006/came at 205lbs. You are correct his legs were abnormal ( thighs - calfs and butt ) similar to Monangai . Kyle , Benjamin and prior Salaam do the same hide behind a much bigger line than even back then In mid 2000’s .
what you say is exactly what I and others see as well.

LOL - when you saw Ray's legs in person you could be surprised he could break a 4.8 40 nevermind 4.4.
Ray was a local and I was following him and New Rochelle in HS - its a reason I ended-up here.
Ray was mostly an All State DB before a senior RB - and he was also the NewRo FG kicker - no soccer style lol
 

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
I think he does get a look … yes he is smallish but if he tests well I have to believe he can play
 

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
Kyle is an overall very good back … if Avery is healthy he also will maybe get a chance. I would love all our RB’s to return next season.
 

ashokan

Heisman
May 3, 2011
25,325
19,686
0
With SO MANY bad lines in NFL a good blocking back is a gem
Even Saquon was a bad blocker

As far as RU running backs go the guy who really impressed me after Rice was Paul James.
That guy was phenomenal and sad to see he couldn't stay on the field
 
  • Like
Reactions: yesrutgers01

sct1111

All-American
Nov 30, 2014
6,054
8,245
113
Kyle is an overall very good back … if Avery is healthy he also will maybe get a chance. I would love all our RB’s to return next season.
Aaron Young. Avery is his brother who played DB, graduated last year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RUBOB72

Ru-baby

All-Conference
Aug 11, 2001
6,547
2,840
66
Yes some may have been happy when KM was coming to RU- but that is far different from declaring him the better prospect. By indicating MOST saw him as preferable to Berger is declaring that GS (and ALL rating services and ALL other coaches) were wrong when he(they) sought berger and not KM.

The relevant point is ALL other coaches found Berger preferable as KM had two offers and RU was a last minute one. So the statement that MOST thought KM better is absolutely false, and just comical to say if wanting to be taken seriously.

If certain posters want ot indicate their blind squirrel find then great and kudos. I have no opinion on their hs play. The only point was the MOST did not believe that and it's outlandish to assert that, and kudos to Km. Just because someone is happy KM coming to RU does not mean MOST saw him as the better prospect as all objective data says otherwise.

This thread is praise for KM and his excellent career and has been drawn into message board I told you so. Congrats some claim they spotted an error no one else did.

Now diamond in the rough finders pray tell who is the next prospect with two offers that will be a Big 10 solid performer as that is a more relevant point??
 

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
Why was Berger considered the better product ? Taller… physically slightly bigger… came into high school with the better resume ir Pop Warner hype. Glad Kyle Monangai is in our backfield.
 

Kbee3

Heisman
Aug 23, 2002
43,724
35,255
0
With SO MANY bad lines in NFL a good blocking back is a gem
Even Saquon was a bad blocker

As far as RU running backs go the guy who really impressed me after Rice was Paul James.
That guy was phenomenal and sad to see he couldn't stay on the field
I agree. Paul James was the real deal when he could stay healthy.
A real bummer when I think of what his career could have been if he could only have avoided some of those injuries.
 
Last edited:

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
29,909
21,813
113
There was a stretch in the game where Greg was playing more Brown and Young back there. And I was saying out loud that was a mistake.
RU had 66 offensive plays. Monangai was on the field for 50 of them. That's 76%. Very few RB's, college or pro, play a higher percentage of a team's snaps than that.

Of the remaining 16 plays, Brown had 10 and Young had 6.
 

4rubrat1

Redshirt
Nov 12, 2022
20
22
0
Monongai is a punishing runner more than he is elusive. Rice was the opposite. Not a good comparison.
A fair comparison, imo, when you watch KM carry the team in the 4th quarter. Like Rice, everyone knew who the ball was going to and still couldn't stop him from moving the chains. In that regard, feels similiar to Rice.
 

Shelby65

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2008
7,895
4,357
66
Didn’t Rice’s entire OL make the NFL ? Get my drift ? Not knocking either one, but my recollection is that KM runs harder. But, all these years later I could be wrong. Not important.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
121,599
37,253
113
Didn’t Rice’s entire OL make the NFL ? Get my drift ? Not knocking either one, but my recollection is that KM runs harder. But, all these years later I could be wrong. Not important.
Pretty close t it- Zuttah - long career. Stapleton, short career but SB win, Stephenson a handful of years, Fladell, a few different camps but never an active roster and Sosa had an injury and his size may have kept him from playing much.
The backups were Ryan Blaze who was in a couple of camps but played in some different pro leagues, Haslam who got a number of NFL starts and AD who got good play.
With all that said- RR was as special a football player as they come. When you realize that if he had stayed a Senior season- 90% chance he would have been college football all time leader in rushing yards.