There's a reason Blades got benched for Couch.
For whatever reason, Blades took a step back. He was the best corner in 2019.
Yes, he also had Covid & myocarditis.
Blades only played in 8 games last year before having to sit out for the rest of the season, up until the UVA & NC St games he was playing solid. He had 29tcks & 7PBU’s before he had to sit out.
In what game was Ivey so much better? He was getting ate up vs UAB for God’s sake & played less than 40 snaps vs LVille, he actually had multiple games where he barely played & it somehow turned into “he looked good” lol.
Ivey had 31tcks 4PBU’s & 1INT on the season in 11 games, Blades had 29tcks 7PBU’s & 2INT’s in 8 games.
Ivey gave up 152 yards & a TD on just 3 catches vs UNC, he gave up 23 receptions for 389yds & Blades only gave up 294yds (obviously factor in he played 3 less games). If you’re arguing they were both bad I 100% agree, if you’re arguing Ivey was better, I don’t see how, statistically he was worse & judging by eye test he was worse.
I’m not saying Blades didn’t play bad he absolutely did, NC St was the worst game of his career bar none, but here’s the difference, I can point out like 6 or 7 NC St style performances from Ivey, you can’t with Blades. The idea that Ivey was “better” last year is just CIS myth because he’s a kid that a lot of people want/hope he succeeds so they’re less apt to be honest about his bad play, the truth is he’s just plain awful & you don’t have to have a PHD in football to see it.
And I put zero credence into any decisions the coaching staff made, they’ll play an awful player for any **** reason, there hasn’t been a meritocracy in the Diaz era, Blades being benched for Couch doesn’t mean that Ivey was locking sh*t down, it just means Diaz & his rag tag crew of Baker, Banda & Rumph were playing musical chairs late in the season like they did every year.
