August 10th, 2011 at 8:48 PM ^
I would love to see him start for 4 years.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:53 PM ^
RB's are going to get hurt. Whoever they pick as long as there isn't a large drop off in production from the backup everything should be okay.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:58 PM ^
Hopkins as the power back getting most of the carries and Smith as the speed back to change things up. I'm sure we will see everyone as the year progresses.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 9:04 PM ^
my favorite out of these running backs has always been Touissant, however there's no way in the world he wins it because he can't stay healthy to save his life. That being said, I'd like to see Hopkins get it. His big bruising style would be a nice change of pace compared to when Denard takes off.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:06 PM ^
I just want one guy to step forward, so that defenses don't key on Denard as the only running threat.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:06 PM ^
There is a lot of hype and excitement if you read into the positives of any of the backs. Im just going to take a wait and see approach and hope that one of the backs finally emerges as a clear leader. However, I don't see this happening and everyone will keep hoping we finally play the next guy who is sure to be a stud, yet there is a reason the coaches are not playing them.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:09 PM ^
Don't be stupid moron.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:09 PM ^
I just hope someone emerges, I don't really care who.
With that said, if I had to give an order that I THINK it will be:
Hopkins
Fitz
Shaw
Rawls
What I hope it is: (Mainly because they're young and if they had enough skill to emerge as the top back they would also be here for a while)
Hopkins
Rawls
Hayes
August 10th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^
Cox hasn't been hurt the whole time he has been here yet has not won the job. If you listen to any previous talk it is mental problems, I would be highly suprised if this switch learn a brand new system allows for him to actually know what to do without mental mistakes.
August 11th, 2011 at 9:54 AM ^
Cox has had his opportunities too, but word is he lacks concentration and/or hasn't mastered the plays. Last year (forgot which game) he went the wrong way on a play...can't have that. I too am hopeful because he has LOADS of talent, but he must get focused first. Looked great in the spring.
Shaw and Smith have had their chances, eh? Well, Smith has been serviceable and tough, especially after his 2009 injury. Looks pretty quick in practice so far. Cox has great speed for his size, but Shaw is our true home run hitter. Problem is he has battled injuries. I'm hopeful for Shaw for his senior year. I think he could be a truly great back in this offense, with the speed to break a few. Loved his run against Illinois last year where he tumbled over the defender for the TD. I hope he stays healthy.
All that said, this is really exciting. We have backs suited for all purposes, IMO. If they can stay reasonably healthy, we can expect good things.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 9:17 PM ^
Cox has had time to prove himself also. He is a redshirt junior.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:25 PM ^
Exactly, according to his reasoning Cox has had plenty of time to prove himself and could never even get any meaningful PT
August 10th, 2011 at 9:20 PM ^
Reports are that V. Smith is looking like the best option and the staff would like to redshirt Rawls if possible. Also, Fitz isn't looking too good thus far. It's only been two days but that's the word, FWIW.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:27 PM ^
but I really don't care. I just want someone to emerge above the masses and carry the load. We haven't had a feature back since hart
August 10th, 2011 at 9:31 PM ^
They're all Chris Perry but shiftier/Mike Hart but faster/Tyrone Wheatley but stronger.
/Fred Jackson'd
August 10th, 2011 at 9:32 PM ^
Michael Shaw
Stephen Hopkins
Michael Cox
Fitz Toussaint
I love them all and want them all to be successful.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:32 PM ^
I love how posters talk about how much they love Fitz, Cox or Rawls even though these back have about five carries between them. There's hardly anything on which to base these opinions.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:33 PM ^
Mike is the back who has a good combination of size, power, and speed. Magnus is 100% right that he's the only back that looked good in the spring game. He might make a crazy cut that makes coaches groan now and then, but if it works then who cares?
I would like to see Mike C. as the everydown guy, Fitz as the 3rd down back, and Stephen as the short yardage guy. Let the rest of the guys get garbage time and redshirt the two freshman. RR loved to start freshmen, but the reality is that they are only 18. Their bodies aren't ready to handle Big Ten defenses, and they shouldn't be exposed and ruined early.
Most of you remember the time when only redshirt Juniors and Seniors even saw the field for starting positions at Michigan (with very few exceptions). I look forward to that day again, and we need to let the newbies grow and develop physically and mentally. Unleash them when they are ready to dominate, not when they are still green.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:42 PM ^
RB is a position where it is not uncommon for a freshman to start. It is generally not considered a bad thing.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:46 PM ^
I really want to see the light come on for the kid this fall and play to his potential. Magnus said it right about the Spring Game. He is a home run hitter and if there is a better back on the squad, we are in very good hands fellas. We will be very happy with the production from the position because I think the O line will be a factor in every game. All positive IMO.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:02 PM ^
I say find a way to make them all into the same back, so we don't need to decide. And his name shall be called...
FitzMichael Rawlsmith-Hayeskins
He will run for 3,000 yards and 20 TDs on 10 carries.
If we can't do that, I'd like to see Shaw win the job, cuz seniors are usually srsbsns about winning.
August 11th, 2011 at 10:59 AM ^
did it take you to come up with that name? Cuz I think it's awesome.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^
I am a heavy Fitz lean, but wouldnt care if Shaw came out on top with Fitz backing him up. Throw Smith in on 3rd down unless its short yardage and I'm happy.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:10 PM ^
Just because I have a dream of him living up to all that hype. Do it, Fitz!
August 10th, 2011 at 10:41 PM ^
He looks like he could be the next Barry Sanders. I feel like he's always injured though. :(
August 10th, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^
They are the only two who can withstand a stiff northwesterly breeze.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:54 PM ^
What hump?
August 10th, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^
Just a couple of years ago Toussaint was eviscerating the Ohio High School circuit to the tune of 10+ yards per carry and 200+ yards per game. He's been hobbled by injuries, but he's gotten rave reviews from the old U-M staff when healthy. He's got a great body, great speed, and in the only game action he's had as a collegiate, he tore it up big time (granted against weak opposition).
Plus he has the coolest name on the team, hands down. Possibly coolest name in the country. Yes, Jihad Rasheed included.
August 11th, 2011 at 12:26 AM ^
Agreed - I've been prognosticating that "this is the year Fitz FINALLY breaks out" for the past couple of seasons, and I don't plan on changing that.
August 10th, 2011 at 11:17 PM ^
It seems like the best running backs at Michigan have been guys with the uncanny ability to just go out there and gain yards. A lot of them haven't been the biggest, or the fastest, or the most agile (though some of them have)--mostly they just have some indescribable "it factor." They are the players you see squeezing a few yards out of some tiny crease, or always falling forward at the end of a run, or breaking what looked like a sure tackle. Mike Hart had it. Tim Biakabatuka had it. Chris Perry (and even BJ Askew had) it. A-Train and Ty Wheatley had it. Jaimie Morris had it.
I respect what Shaw and Smith have done for the team over the past few seasons, but we've seen enough of them to know that neither has that special mojo to really be a star--and tailback is a position where a Michigan team really ought to have a star. So, I am hoping one of the new players or a guy who has been out with injuries can come in and be that special player.
Otherwise, of the guys we've seen so far, I've been the most impressed with Hopkins, despite his fumble issues. (But, I live on the west coast so I wasn't able to see what Cox did in the spring game.)
August 10th, 2011 at 11:19 PM ^
August 11th, 2011 at 2:41 AM ^
There's gotta be a better way to say that.
August 10th, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
Not to be a hater or anything, and I know stars don't "truly matter..." but there is a reason Rawls was a generic 3* with only offers from powerhouses Toledo and Central Michigan. I'd love to see him break out, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I'd also like to see someone other than Shaw step up seeing as he's a senior and we'd be in the same predicament a year from now.
August 10th, 2011 at 11:47 PM ^
August 11th, 2011 at 12:15 AM ^
This is definitely a hard question to answer. I really would like to see Rawls come in and produce right away but for that to happen it means our upper classmen are just not getting it done which is not a good sign. I guess the answer would probably be Vince Smith.
August 11th, 2011 at 3:29 AM ^
watching the brief practice tape I like the way smith is running. He looks a lot quicker and more explosive. I wouldn't mind seeing Hopkins get the job. He reminds me of the A-train.
August 11th, 2011 at 3:35 AM ^
...want to see Cox explode all over the field this year. That would make me happy.
August 11th, 2011 at 11:02 AM ^
I really want to see Shaw succeed in his senior year. The last few years he's shown some flashes (particlarly his 40 yard run against OSU last year) but he's always hurt. Otherwise, I've been a Toussaint fan ever since I saw his highlights.
August 11th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^
I have to question the talent Toussaint and Isaiah Bell were playing against in HS. Both those gents highlight film are off the charts, but neither has followed thru ( as of yet) on the college level. I know we have injuries and insatiable appetites as excuses, but I have my doubts about their tremendous talents.
August 11th, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^
Toussaint had an outstanding game in the Big 33 all-star game against Pennsylvania, too.
I really do think the talent is there. The knee was obviously bothering him last year. I don't think he's going to start this year, but I'm wondering if he might help out on kickoff returns or something. Hopefully we'll see a return to form.