Borges: Thomas Rawls likely to be "the guy"
AnnArbor.com has Al Borges saying that Rawls is the starter if Fitz misses games. It might not be groundbreaking news but it's unusual that a coach is this candid about players, especially at this point in the season.
"We're just going to the next guy -- we're not really changing anything," Borges said during a news conference at Schembechler Hall. "Thomas Rawls is going to be that next guy. Vince is going to do what he's done, and on we go."
Please tell me you mods are going to be strict on bama trolls. Its only going to get worse as the game gets closer.
Everytime I google a story about Bama this website comes up. I would guess you would get a lot of trolls. I for one do not wish to be a troll. Sorry If I came across that way.
try this one: http://www.mlive.com/forums/umfb/
I'm not neccessarily talking about you. We do a pretty good job of keeping the discussions based on reasonable arguments, and what you are experiencing is user moderation (your comments not appearing). Generally speaking, there are a few posters from other programs / fan bases that can follow the rules. Most inevitably end up trolling the board and you can usually see it coming a mile away. A few Bama posters have showed up here do not last long. None of the regular users here want this to turn into Facebook comments a la al.com or the espn comment cesspool.
August 9th, 2012 at 12:26 AM ^
I never google for stories about Michigan football. Once you know the sources, you just go straight there.
We'll suck all the fun out of the board during the season, just like we always do.
It's the Sparty trolls that really cause problems. ND and Ohio trolls are probably tied for a distant second. Doubt we'll get too much crap from Bama fans.
August 8th, 2012 at 10:09 PM ^
August 8th, 2012 at 11:27 PM ^
The Bama Fan is not the issue here!
Dude, did you honestly think that even if Fitz was activated for the game, we would beat Bama by running the ball? Name a team that has done that with any form of success recently.
Will it suck to not have Fitz in? Yeah, sure. But it shouldn't change the ultimate game plan: if Michigan is to beat Alabama, Denard has to beat them with his arm.
is almost news!
Interesting. It could possibly be a motivational tactic (either for Rawls or for someone else).
Congrats Thomas Rawls. Look forward to see you bangin heads against Bama.
Zero % chance Fitz starts against Alabama and a 5% chance he plays at all.
You're boozing it up, up thar in the Great White North eh? Don't let your desire to jump down my throat affect your reading comprehension eh. 5% chance he plays against Alabama you hoser.
Not psychic. Assumed you were a Canadian based on your spelling of offence
Eh, if you read the post quickly, you can see how he could have read it as the whole season. Why can't we all just play nice?
I'm pretty sure he meant "0% chance he starts and 5% chance he plays" IN THE ALABAMA GAME. I don't think he was implying that he would be out the entire season.
EDIT: Beat me to it Gordie...
It might help your reading comprehension. I thought he was saying...no chance Fitz would start the game but 5% he would play at all in the Alabama game. He didnt say anything refering to the whole season.
Edit: I must need some caffeine to type faster...twice bested
My guess is that we'll see everyone get a chance, including Hayes and "Finger Guns" Smith. Rawls looks like the best fit right now because of his size, but hopefully Fitz is back sooner rather than later.
I like it, I wonder how many touches Hayes will get. He seems more like the game changer than the wrecking ball that Thomas Rawls is. either way. GO BLUE!
I would expect to see Hopkins, (no fumbles please), over Hayes.
We already have a battering ram in Rawls. I could see him catching some fullback screens, but I'd think Hayes has a better shot at some time to change up the pace.
Maybe. I think in that case Vincent Smith may get the carries. I'm thinkin Hoke would rather go with the Junior: Hopkins over the RS Freshman: Hayes, against Alabama.
You may be right about Smith, but he doesn't have a great second gear.
I think TR is our start next year . . . GGGRRRRRR get out of the way!!!
If he is out against Alabama, how many times will Brent Musberger bring up him being suspended?
Also, anyone have any idea how many games Fitz will be out if he's out for Alabama...think he'll be back for Notre Dame hopefully?
...I think he'll be back for ND. A four-game suspension for a (first) DUI would be unusually long.
I hate to say it, but I'm not sure it matters too much whether Rawls or Fitz line up against Alabama. I don't think Michigan will have much success running the ball either way (save maybe a few scrambles by Denard).
I don't see a first DUI as a crime that deserves suspension. If he jumps through the hoops, a series or a quarter should be enough.
DUI is "potentially" a dangerous crime, but the bottom line is that nobody was hurt. Most people who think they are "sober enough to drive" are totally shocked when they flunk the breathalyzer test.
Ultimately, this should simply serve as a first wake-up call. He didn't commit an act of violence. He didn't steal anything. He didn't sell drugs. He didn't thumb his nose at authority. All he did was think he was sober enough to drive when he wasn't.
If there is a second one, I think a year off would be warranted, because it would indicate a problem with authority, alcohol, or both. But for a first DUI, I think what the legal system does to him should be enough, especially considering all of the stadium steps he has and will run before Brady Hoke will even think of allowing him back on the team.
I feel like I see a DUI as a much bigger deal than you do. Fitz is my favorite player, (after Denard xoxo) but I will be kind of disappointed if he isn't suspended.
To be fair to Fitz, it sounds like he only blew a .12. While that is clearly over the .08 limit, it is not like he had a "high BAC" DUI. Hell, the standard used to be .10 in most places. A DUI is bad, but his is not nearly as bad as Grady's was. Like Don said, some kind of discipline should be imposed, but it shouldn't be outrageous.
August 8th, 2012 at 10:20 PM ^
Another "yip" on the save button. Too much coffee.
It sounds like Borges is more or less confirming what the prevailing opinion was on the RB depth chart here, which would be Fitz then Rawls, and it really is not a bad problem to have at that position, not to mention having Smith as a reliable third down back.
In any event, you like to hear this about one of your RBs:
"There are times when he’s simply not interested in avoiding you.”
Hopefully, we get some video of what this looks like when they start practicing in pads. I certainly like the idea of having a good rusher that looks mad, as Borges described.
Some of the mgoreadership needs to lighten up. I appreciate the rules, the civility, the no boobs, etc. However, don't assume that everyone who comes to mgoblog from our opponent's fan base is automatically a troll.
Roll Tide, if you're going to read this blog at all, here are a couple things to remember.
- No boobs. At least no bare boobs. Exceptions made for Kate Upton and Scarlett Johansson in terms of bikini or covered boobs.
- Watch your grammar. There be grammar nazis here.
- Also watch your spelling. There are also spelling nazis here.
- Ask intelligent questions.
- Provide analysis of Alabama, and why Michigan will fail, or succeed, against various things that Alabama will do.
- Avoid juvenile put downs and insults, especially any directed toward Michigan.
- Obviously enough, no politics or religion.
If you follow these basic guidelines, you will be just fine.
FYI, most of the Michigan blogosphere anticipates a loss to Alabama. We are also irritated, annoyed, and dismayed that our starting RB, Toussaint, will likely be suspended for the opening game due to stupidity (drinking and driving.) And yet, in general, we support Hoke in suspending Toussaint, because we believe there should be consequences for things like DUI's.
BISB: how come you can't paste one of those blacked out boxes over the offending boobs?
Thank you for your comment. I was only following a story in a previous thread and thought it might be interesting to see comments from Michigan fans about the match-up with Alabama. I do not mean any harm, nor do I think Bama will blow out Michigan. From what I have seen with #16, we are going to have our hands full
August 8th, 2012 at 10:25 PM ^
but we have been "burned" before with RDT. Just dont get frustrated if some dont trust you.
Your first comment put you behind the 8 ball. You probably didnt know that we have 3 maybe 4 RBs that could start over Fitz and you would not even know it. Michigan has a long tradition of great running backs. We consistantly recruit 5* RBs.
Here at Michigan, we take pride in our University and everything, good and bad, that she stands for. She is known for being a Top 5 University in every discipline. We take pride in ALL our varsity sports. Most of the posters here are true Michigan Men (look it up). We respect each other's opinion and the debates can get rather heated.
We stand on principle and will not stand for any BS like what happened at Penn State. High Morals are expected out of everyone from the BoT, President, AD, Coaches, Volunteers, Boosters and Fans. The Admissions Dept recently denied a 5* defensive player admittance due to his record, over objections of the football coach. Can Alabama or any school in the SEC, say that?
We have only 1 rival. We play them on the last Saturday in November at Noon. It is as much a certainty as the changing of the seasons. It has been that way for longer than any of us. It is simply called "The Game". You might have heard of it. It is the biggest rivalry in all of sports. We dont say their name here. We just say the name of the state they are from. Other teams consider us their biggest rival and that is ok. We play a game against our little brother but it pales to The Game.
We know Nicky and Les very well. Some of us remember when Les played on the hallowed grounds. Les was rumored to do something not so nice so he got the boot. He probably will never be the Michigan Coach. Nicky has been here many times but not on the Block M that I know of.
So RollTide, welcome. If you play by the rules, you might be accepted. Just dont push your luck. If you need help with anything, just ask. If you are getting a divorce, there are several Attorneys that will answer you. If you have to perform emergency self-surgery, just post here. WebMD has nothing on us, Michigan has produced some of the best MDs in the world. If you have a question on Michigan Football history, we have a full compliment of experts that can help you. Just be respectful and stay off my lawn.
EDIT: Oh and anything negative to say about the Number 1 Michigan fan will get you banned. Her name is Kate Upton.
This blog's readership has made me feel so, so, so horrible about the fan base I am a part of. I can't even tell you.
It's like the Omega Frat in Animal House.
The frat analogy is a reach. Even though things can be a tad uptight around here, it's a necessity to avoid the downward spiral. I enjoy and appreciate the board solely because it's civilized and promotes intellectual and informative material.
August 8th, 2012 at 10:26 PM ^
Yet, here you are...with a Solo cup in hand.
You mention how much you hate this place on a daily basis. Yet you're on your 3rd, 4th, or 5th user name.
Grammar: The difference between knowing your shit and knowing you're shit.
August 8th, 2012 at 11:24 PM ^
A problem with Alabama's defense, IMO is that they try and go for the big hits and do not wrap up. We have always had problems with tougher backs. With the speed at LB we always seemed to contain the faster, smaller guys. Should be a great combination of speed (Robinson) and strength (Rawls).
From what I have been reading on ESPN, they says that Rawls would have started last year before his injury. I think we have enough depth until Fitz comes back.