Parting Words on Milton's Career...

[KnightVision82]

There was a nice article written in the OS on Milton a few days ago entitled "Insights on Milton's Career". I've been a UCF fan for many years and there are a handful of players that really stood out as a special treat to watch as a major fan of football. I'm curious what your take-away of the Milton age was as a UCF fan if you would like to share.

At the QB position we have a pretty high standard set by Daunte Culpepper for QBs. Nonetheless, to me Milton was in the mold of a Doug Flutie type and set another high standard. We know that Doug Flutie had a better arm but like Flutie, Milton had a way of using everything in his small package to get what needed to be done accomplished on the playing field. He was great fun to watch like Daunte (and Kevin Smith at RB). These 3 offensive players could consistently carry the team on their back.

KZ's first year was such a mixture of his potential being displayed and his need for a better OL and a better understanding of college ball. I love the stories of a big heart overcoming the odds and Milton was a major WINNER in that category. He was able to pull off miracles for UCF but unfortunately couldn't muster up the strength required to lead a team to big victories after his knee injury...BUT what an inspiration and maybe one day he can lead UCF again to victories as its Head Coach?

 

[Shark19]

While there is no evidence yet whether he would succeed as a coach at this level, he probably makes the Mt Rushmore version of UCF football players:

1. Culpepper
2. Milton
3. Smith
4. Bortles *

*Certainly up for debate

 

[knight_01]

While there is no evidence yet whether he would succeed as a coach at this level, he probably makes the Mt Rushmore version of UCF football players:

1. Culpepper
2. Milton
3. Smith
4. Bortles *

*Certainly up for debate

No debate about Bortles. He was great here. He may not have blown up in the NFL but what he did here was outstanding.

 

[80'sKnight]

Nothing against Bortles, but if you can only have 4 the 4th has to be Shaquem Griffin.

And regretfully because of the exit, Frost has got to be there somewhere.

 

[Knight Strength]

There was a nice article written in the OS on Milton a few days ago entitled "Insights on Milton's Career". I've been a UCF fan for many years and there are a handful of players that really stood out as a special treat to watch as a major fan of football. I'm curious what your take-away of the Milton age was as a UCF fan if you would like to share.

At the QB position we have a pretty high standard set by Daunte Culpepper for QBs. Nonetheless, to me Milton was in the mold of a Doug Flutie type and set another high standard. We know that Doug Flutie had a better arm but like Flutie, Milton had a way of using everything in his small package to get what needed to be done accomplished on the playing field. He was great fun to watch like Daunte (and Kevin Smith at RB). These 3 offensive players could consistently carry the team on their back.

KZ's first year was such a mixture of his potential being displayed and his need for a better OL and a better understanding of college ball. I love the stories of a big heart overcoming the odds and Milton was a major WINNER in that category. He was able to pull off miracles for UCF but unfortunately couldn't muster up the strength required to lead a team to big victories after his knee injury...BUT what an inspiration and maybe one day he can lead UCF again to victories as its Head Coach?

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First I've seen some of those clips (went to bed early that night). I love that guy.

 

[mattropolis]

No debate about Bortles. He was great here. He may not have blown up in the NFL but what he did here was outstanding.

He blew up to the tune of grossing 40 million.

 

[Wings0fred]

No debate about Bortles. He was great here. He may not have blown up in the NFL but what he did here was outstanding.

Always wondered what would have happened if he was drafted by any other team (except, maybe, the Browns).

 

[PositYourself]

You know, I just don't buy into this "get drafted by a shit team and your career is destroyed nonsense". Yea, maybe going to Jax isn't the best way to start off a career but in the end proven talent will always rise above it all. There's a reason why Bortles' name isn't being entertained by 32 GM's and it doesn't have to do with where he began. Those guys know a helluva lot more than we do.

 

[Wings0fred]

You know, I just don't buy into this "get drafted by a shit team and your career is destroyed nonsense". Yea, maybe going to Jax isn't the best way to start off a career but in the end proven talent will always rise above it all. There's a reason why Bortles' name isn't being entertained by 32 GM's and it doesn't have to do with where he began. Those guys know a helluva lot more than we do.

I’m not saying he was the next Peyton Manning until the jags picked him, but I have a hard time believing he wouldn’t have had a longer career with a more stable team. He got pummeled his first couple of years and I think he basically had a new OC every year.

Despite all of that, they were somehow one blown call away from beating the Patriots and going to the super bowl.

 

[U C to the F]

I’m not saying he was the next Peyton Manning until the jags picked him, but I have a hard time believing he wouldn’t have had a longer career with a more stable team. He got pummeled his first couple of years and I think he basically had a new OC every year.

Despite all of that, they were somehow one blown call away from beating the Patriots and going to the super bowl.

They also messed with his delivery which seems to never work at that stage. Very bad, inconsistent coaching, terrible OL…I feel for the guy, he was dealt a tough hand.

 

[Knight Strength]

I’m not saying he was the next Peyton Manning until the jags picked him, but I have a hard time believing he wouldn’t have had a longer career with a more stable team. He got pummeled his first couple of years and I think he basically had a new OC every year.

Despite all of that, they were somehow one blown call away from beating the Patriots and going to the super bowl.

This is how I see it

 

[Shark19]

So for the Non-Bortles people, who would you put in his place? I assume Brandon Marshall, who had a great pro career, but was basically a 1 year player at “this place”. He only had 40 catches his first 3 years, and before anyone goes off on “he was playing defense”.....he had just 1 tackle and 1 Int in his career.

Other options?
Matt Prater - At the NFL level, probably our most successful player versus other kickers, a Top 10 kicker for a decade. At UCF, good kicker with great range (the anti-Obarski LOL), also led the MAC in punting average 1 year (68 punts 47.1 yards career average)

Latavius Murray - Was never the full time starter here, 3,000 yards from scrimmage with 43 TDs and 1 kick return TD. Solid NFL career with 6,900 yards from scrimmage 51 TDs, ran for at least 500 yards for 7 straight years, our only 1,000 yard rusher at the NFL level

 

[Wings0fred]

They also messed with his delivery which seems to never work at that stage. Very bad, inconsistent coaching, terrible OL…I feel for the guy, he was dealt a tough hand.

I wouldn’t go that far - end of the day, he still got paid a hefty sum for his troubles

 

[Shark19]

Money however is not a good measure of success internally. I’m sure Blake is disappointed in how his career went.

As I’m approaching the end of my career, I have had many of those thoughts. Even though I have been hovering around the 90th percentile of earnings in my field for the last 15 years, the money has become less of a measuring stick.