Graham Back, Zirbel Gone, McGuffie Concussed Comment Count

Brian

A some serious newsbits from Rodriguez's recently completed press conference:

Brandon Graham should return. Rodriguez said he'd talked to Graham and he plans on coming back. Corroborating evidence:

"I'm going to eat it up right now and make sure it doesn't happen next year," Michigan junior defensive end Brandon Graham said. "This is motivation for next year to go out there and work even harder than we did this year.

This won't be official until January 15th, obviously, and I've heard that Graham will submit his stuff to the NFL's draft evaluation thingy. But, hey, thumbs up for now. That would be huge.

Corey Zirbel is done. They'd like to get him back as a grad assistant but his playing career is over.

Sam McGuffie was concussed again. This is not much of a surprise since McGuffie did not return after getting sandwiched on a kick return. This is, I think, McGuffie's third concussion of the year; we're now  getting into the territory where this is a threat to end his career.

Eastern Michigan is the third nonconference opponent next year. Western and Notre Dame are the other two, if you didn't already know. Western's actually pretty good this year—they beat Illinois—and they return their star quarterback; Eastern should be dire as always. The bye week in the Big Ten schedule remains open and this year I'd be totally okay with something like The Citadel or Coastal Carolina or Southwest Canada State.

An unnamed fourth year senior was not at the team meeting. One guy with eligibility didn't show. Here are guys who could be redshirt seniors next year:

  • Kevin Grady
  • David Moosman
  • LaTerryal Savoy
  • Tim McAvoy
  • Carson Butler
  • Zoltan Mesko
  • Mark Ortmann
  • Andre Criswell

Ortmann, Mesko, and Moosman are obviously not the guy. It could be any of the others.

Your OL mentioned as potential contributors next year: Patrick Omameh was number one; he was on the travel team this year and was clearly the freshman they had the most faith in. Number two is Ricky Barnum; number three was Rocko Khoury. Other guys were not mentioned.

This will spur "what about O'Neill?" questions, no doubt, so a repeat of something I've said earlier: O'Neill came to Michigan in serious need of technique and strength work and was rated highly in high school mostly because he has that left tackle body (6'8", long arms, thick enough, etc). He retains high upside but I don't think you'll see him seriously challenge for a starting job until 2010.

Comments

chitownblue (not verified)

November 24th, 2008 at 4:15 PM ^

Ugh. Too bad for Zirbel. It sucks that a top-50 kid never got the chance to see the field. Also, gulp for McGuffie. 3 concussions is ridiculous.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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Sgt. Wolverine

November 24th, 2008 at 4:16 PM ^

Eastern will almost certainly be dire: they just fired their coach. I don't know whether to feel bad for him because he got fired or happy for him because he's out of that train wreck.

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DMadCat

November 24th, 2008 at 4:23 PM ^

Only two comments on the McGuffie thing. First, I realize he's trying to be a beast and run through/hop over everyone in his path to get the most yardage but someone needs to explain to him that he's just not a big guy. Not in college anyway. He's going to have to learn to avoid some of the collisions he's trying to take head on. Getting a QB that doesn't hang his backs out to dry dumping the ball off for no gain rather than throwing it away might help a bit too.

Joined: 10/13/2008

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DMadCat

November 25th, 2008 at 7:15 AM ^

No, he's an overeager freshman looking to go out and make the big plays he did in High School. The problem is, the guys hitting him in college are much bigger and much better players.

Joined: 10/13/2008

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DMadCat

November 25th, 2008 at 7:13 AM ^

Oh, so I guess defenders would never sit on a 30 yard route, and Threet never threw into traffic. I'm sorry, exactly which of those situations I mentioned don't appear in your rebuttal? I've watched Threet throw to guys just waiting to get popped and shuffle pass to guys with defenders bearing down on them (usually getting tackled for no gain or a loss). Yeah, someone better teach these young quarterbacks before they get someone killed. I've also watched McGuffie on kick returns. Same as running plays as I mentioned, he's trying to run over or through everyone and he's not big enough for that yet. Experienced backs will take what the defense gives them and wear them down over the course of a game. McGuffie's looking for the big play every down and he's going to get himself killed doing it.

Joined: 10/13/2008

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CPS

November 25th, 2008 at 7:17 PM ^

The post relates to McGuffie's concussions. Your second comment on that point was "Getting a QB that doesn't hang his backs out to dry dumping the ball off for no gain rather than throwing it away might help a bit too." The response demonstrated that of McGuffie's three concussions, none came in a situation that you described in your second comment. They came on a 30 yard throw, a kick return, and a draw, not simply dumps for no gain. The first part of your reply deviated from the situations McGuffie was in, to situations that others were in (i.e., "I've watched Threet throw to guys just waiting to get popped and shuffle pass to guys with defenders bearing down on them (usually getting tackled for no gain or a loss)."). While this may be true, it is not applicable to the situations that resulted in McGuffie's concussions. The second part of your reply appears to draw on your first original comment (i.e., kick returns, running plays), but the discussion relates to the second comment (i.e., dumps for no gain). The subsequent reply points out that this remains inapplicable to your comment about dumps for no gain being the cause for one or more of McGuffie's concussions. Then you got snippy.

Joined: 10/20/2008

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Tim Waymen

November 24th, 2008 at 4:27 PM ^

First of all, I have a feeling that the absent senior was not Butler. It seems like he wanted to play in another capacity and was ok with moving to DE, the position at which he was originally recruited (according to rivals), and he might want a chance in the NFL. I would bet on Grady and then Savoy. Anyways, what's up with Omameh? He was rated by Rivals as a 2* DE, but it seems like people see a lot of potential in him. From what I understand, he switched to OL late and had a late growth spurt or something, and then got all these late offers. What exactly is the deal?

Joined: 06/30/2008

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Jim Harbaugh S…

November 24th, 2008 at 4:35 PM ^

guess would be Criswell or Grady. Criswell probably wouldn't even get a 5th year scholarship renewal, so he is my prime candidate. Also hasn't he played 3 different positions (te,de, and fb)? Grady went from getting some meaningful carries early in the season to not even getting garbage snaps in blowouts, so I could see if he wanted to transfer down to 1AA to play his final year. Savoy got some decent playing time this year after being stuck in Lloyd's doghouse. Agree with you on Butler - seems like the DE switch went pretty well, and he is a prime candidate for playing time with one starting DE gone for sure.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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Huss

November 24th, 2008 at 4:33 PM ^

It's good to see two guys that RichRod handpicked and plucked on signing day are poised to be on the 2-deep next season. Omameh, especially, appears to be a gem. Both we and OSU offered him late in the process, so there was some obvious upside present with the kid. The sooner he can spare us from Ortmann or Dorrstein, the better.

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caveman.lawyer

November 24th, 2008 at 11:53 PM ^

I was really surprised to see that Omameh was the closest to seeing the field. I had the sense last February that he was a raw player with a lot of upside, but that he would not see the field any time soon. That he has come along so quickly along with the general improvement of the offensive line speaks well of Greg Frey.

Joined: 10/13/2008

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mjv

November 24th, 2008 at 4:34 PM ^

That really sucks for Zirbel. I feel for the kid. We've come to the point that we never assume any injury is career threatening with the ability of surgeons to put these players back together. It must be devastating for him to lose his opportunity in such a fashion, I will wager that McAvoy is the guy not coming back. Given that he was permanently replaced by a DT at guard, his future doesn't look bright.

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evenyoubrutus

November 24th, 2008 at 4:37 PM ^

I'm glad Michigan didn't play them this year. They just fired Jeff Genyk. What are the chances that a Michigan assistant or former assistant is hired? I'm voting for Ron English. That would be pretty sweet.

Joined: 11/04/2008

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Kolesar40

November 24th, 2008 at 4:57 PM ^

Grady saw decreased time? Despite being awfully disapointing given his hype ot of high school, I like him in short yard situations. The fumble in the ND game was unfortunate, but he didnt seem to see the field much after that.

Joined: 07/03/2008

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caup

November 24th, 2008 at 5:02 PM ^

I'm pretty sure McGuffie has only been concussed twice. On that wicked hit in the Toledo game he had the air knocked out of him. Once he caught his breath he was ready to go back in. This comes from Fred Jackson. He WAS concussed on a draw play up the middle vs. MSU and on that kick return vs. OSU. Nonetheless, it is a concern. I'd move him to slot receiver and trigger the inevitable Wes Welker comparisons.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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bronxblue

November 24th, 2008 at 5:38 PM ^

McGuffie would be great as a slot receiver, especially on those WR screens and reverses. I agree he's simply too small to play RB at the college level, but his shiftiness and speed would make him great in the slot. Kind of like how Texas Tech uses Morris. I really like McGuffie, but unless he adds 20-30 lbs he's not going to last at Michigan as a primary back.

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chitownblue (not verified)

November 25th, 2008 at 10:48 AM ^

As someone who has gotten 4 concussions in my life, despite being bigger than 3 of the 4 people that gave them to me, I can assure you that all the size in the world doesn't matter when: a) you get hit in the head (as McGuffie did twice) b) you are left completely vulnerable to the hit (as McGuffie was on the kick return and on the downfield pass)

Joined: 12/12/2017

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GoBlueKC

November 25th, 2008 at 9:10 AM ^

It would help him not get bounced around quite as quickly. Being as a concussion is caused by the brain impacting the skull, any decrease in the acceleration someone feels after impact would help lessen the chance of a concussion. So, if he gets a little bigger, he won't accelerate quite as fast after being hit, and have less of a chance of ending up concussed. Another option is for him to stop running so fast.

Joined: 11/18/2008

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MichFan1997

November 24th, 2008 at 5:21 PM ^

i'm just throwing the kid away, because i really did have high hopes for Zirbel and hope he's successful in life, but does his scholarship open up now? Another thing open for anyone to answer. Does anybody know the current weights of any of the freshman? Omameh, Shaw, Barnum, T-Rob, ect.? I'm curious to see how kids have grown over the year

Joined: 08/04/2008

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wile_e8

November 24th, 2008 at 5:30 PM ^

I don't think that's exactly what he means. He'll still receive a scholarship to attend school, but purposes MichiFan1997 meant, it won't be one that counts against the 85 limit anymore. It's the same sort of deal that was given to Antonio Bass (seriously) when it was officially announced his career was over.

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MichFan1997

November 24th, 2008 at 5:33 PM ^

that is what i meant. i knew they wouldn't be like "oh hey, you have to pay your own way now." that would be a dick move and unethical, IMO. In that case, I would rather us just keep him on the 85 limit and let him continue to work for graduation. But I'm happy for him that he can get his degree while on scholarship and not count against our 85 limit. Good news.

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WolvinLA

November 24th, 2008 at 5:38 PM ^

I bet the missing guy was Criswell or Savoy. Maybe even McAvoy. I really doubt it was Grady, he's such a gung-ho Michigan guy (I am a slight friend of him and his family) that he would rather see minimal plays for us than transfer to a smaller school just to play. Plus his brother is here on the bball team. The only thing I could see him do is go home and play a season for GVSU since it's in his hometown (basically) and his cousin is a DB there. But I bet he's at UM next year.

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BostonWolverine

November 24th, 2008 at 11:45 PM ^

grady's name has become synonymous with fumbles. i can count at least six fumbles in 205 career touches (that's 190 carries and 15 receptions). plus, with shaw, fitz toussaint, brandon minor's senior season (although i don't have information on whether that's going to happen), a couple other possible RBs coming in, Teric Jones, Carlos Brown, Michael Cox -- all of those are probably going to be better options than grady. sure, he's a bulky guy, but if anything, a transfer to fullback makes sense. the only effect he's going to have as a tailback is gonna be negative. sorry to be a downer...just off the cuff, here. no research behind this.

Joined: 11/13/2008

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caup

November 24th, 2008 at 5:54 PM ^

I just listened to RR's presser and he sure seemed to be leaving the door open for a staff change. You'd think he would've issued the boilerplate "I've got a great coaching staff" comment just to shut everyone up, but he intentionally did not do that.

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M - Flightsci

November 24th, 2008 at 6:51 PM ^

We should be happy we didn't play WMU this year. They're very, very good, and the score may have been embarrassing. I'll be rooting for Michigan when my school rolls into Ann Arbor next year.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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lhglrkwg

November 25th, 2008 at 10:00 AM ^

am i crazy? i thought i just read yesterday that eastern won the MAC michigan trophy by beating western and central....check that, i read Genyk's firing article on espn and it says "That season [2007] also saw his team win the MAC michigan trophy". my bad

Joined: 07/03/2008

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MGoBlueEyes

November 24th, 2008 at 7:56 PM ^

Seriously bad news. Three in one year. This is the kind of crap that can end a career. Let's hope he at least has the chance to play next season. I've read that depression is one of the many symptoms experienced by athletes following concussion. There have been rumors that McGuffie has had off-field issues along those lines, concussions won't be helping that either. I think they need to move him to WR, maybe he won't take such a beating?

Joined: 11/24/2008

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rlew

November 24th, 2008 at 8:01 PM ^

Remember when "Jim Harbaugh Scramble" was having a conniption about people "stealing his handle" during the coaching search? That was a good time.

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Tim Waymen

November 24th, 2008 at 10:08 PM ^

From what I understand, the big issue with concussions is when one occurs before a prior one has healed. I imagine that multiple isolated concussions could lead to damage, but successive concussions can be real trouble. Symptoms usually go away within weeks, but they can linger for longer and sometimes even permanently. Symptoms may include dizziness, depression, headaches, etc. If you have an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours, consult a doctor immediately. Oh wait, that's something else. There is concern about depression and cognitive impairment over time as effects of concussions. Christopher Nowinski looked into this after Andre Waters's suicide.

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