Injurizing
Yeah, the tailbacks this weekend are pretty much all dead. Northwestern is down to their third-stringer:
Senior running back Omar Conteh is the latest key player lost for the season. Conteh sustained a left knee injury on a noncontact drill during practice Wednesday and underwent surgery Friday to repair a ligament. Conteh had moved into a starting role after Tyrell Sutton suffered a dislocated wrist Oct. 25 at Indiana and underwent surgery. Sutton could return for a bowl game.
Simmons had four carries for –3 yards last year and has 18 for 53 (2.9 YPC) this year, though the vast majority of his 2008 carries came against Ohio State and are thus maybe a little pessimistic.
Meanwhile, Brandon Minor is questionable with… um… hurt stuff. The rumor was a separated shoulder; Rich Rodriguez downplayed that but said both shoulders and his ribs were hurting. The full text for you to parse as you want:
"He's got sore ribs, a sore shoulder and a sore wrist. He won't practice tomorrow, questionable for this weekend. Again, probably the first 48 hours after the game is the most critical as far as recovery. He's obviously banged up in several areas, so we'll see and know a little bit more by Wednesday."
On if Minor has had a x-ray or MRI
"Yeah, they're doing all that, all the medical stuff. I don't know to the extent of whether it's truly separated or not, but he's not in a cast or a sling. Obviously, he couldn't have gone back in the game, I don't think, at the time, and he's certainly not ready right now. We'll see in the next few days."
Someone get Carlos Brown healthy so he can once again bear the brunt of Angry Carlos Brown Joint Hating God's wrath.
Less displeasing to the arbitrary whims of providence are the quarterbacks. Steven Threet's concussion is still giving him issues but Rodriguez seemed hopeful he would be available; Northwestern starter CJ Bacher is practicing and may be ready to go after missing the last two weeks with a hamstring injury.
Also, David Molk had a nasty toe thing (which Rodriguez erroneously believed caused him to miss some time late); he will be fine for this weekend.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:33 AM ^
the "they're starting a third-stringer" argument doesn't exactly fill me with confidence after the purdue game. watch him go for 185.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:41 AM ^
If Minor has a year of eligibility left is there any reason to rush him back out there if we can have him healthy for next year? Returning to action with one injury with two games left is what tough guys do. Returning with potentially three injuries with two games left is what tough guys do to win a national championship.
Given Minor's performance this year is there a real expectation that he'll attempt to enter the draft next year? Or, is there a hope that he'd return to improve his draft stock with an emboldened 2009 campaign (we have to get better, right?)?
Enquiring minds want to know.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:44 AM ^
Well, even if he plays a little dinged up he'll have 8 or 9 months to recover for summer camp. So I don't think it's an issue.
Also, I don't think he has a chance in hell of being drafted in April. He'll be back next year for what hopefully will be a banner season for him.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:53 AM ^
Agree on all points. You can wrap the ribs; it takes at least six weeks for any rib injury to heal. Tape the wrist and splint it until it's isolated.
The shoulder, though. That's the key injury. If he pushes it too much he could end up being a perpetual china doll because it's susceptible to re-injury.
If he's not getting drafted, prudence and next season have to be the priorities.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:46 AM ^
believe Minor would leave yet. He could make himself a first day draft pick if he stays (maybe first two rounds with a great year) but if he goes he would go really late or not at all imo. He hasn't been the starter for one full year yet. I agree though that he should sit if he isn't healthy, assuming we have Shaw, McGuffie and Moundros at 100%.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:36 PM ^
The guy has like 800 career yards in 2 seasons of PT. Let's wait before we anoint him a first day pick.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:46 AM ^
Even if Minor or Threet could go, I say we "save" them for Ohio State. I know we don't have a chance against them, etc. etc., but I'd at least like to play them with our best players.
Also, could anyone tell me how to contact Brian? Is it [email protected]? Thanks.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:02 PM ^
dude, the contact link on the top of the page. That is what you seek.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:10 PM ^
for some of us there is no contact link at the top of the screen
November 11th, 2008 at 12:16 PM ^
Really? That's weird. I am not of knowing that.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:08 PM ^
I disagree. Their offensive line is a big weakness. Their running game hasn't been what people expected and the golden child just might crack if he gets sacked enough. It will be tough to score but I think our D will keep us in the game for this one. They'll show up ready to destroy some shit, provided good health all around
lol @ "Minor Threet" ... it's like an old hardcore band, right? Photoshop time!
November 11th, 2008 at 12:28 PM ^
go against NW without risking anything long-term they should be in the starting lineup. 3-7 teams don't have the luxury of being able to "save" players for more important games. Whatever you think Michigan's chances are against Ohio State, they have a much better chance of winning against Northwestern. Michigan is actually favored by 3.5 right now. Back-to-back late-season wins against bowl-bound teams would be huge for Michigan after the generally crappy season they've had.
November 11th, 2008 at 1:14 PM ^
duplicate, I accidentally posted @ top. Contact is:
[email protected]
November 11th, 2008 at 1:35 PM ^
If they are not 100% hold them out of the NW game.
IIRC a Mallett lead team beat NW, so if Sheridan and co. play like last week, Mich will be in good shape.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:58 AM ^
Regarding Minor playing this weekend in his banged up condition. I'm not sure that any of his current ailments would have any long term issues. If he was a QB, I'd be a little worried about the shoulder and wrist, but as a RB, if he wants to play, those injuries shouldn't have much of a lasting effect. If he wants to go on Saturday, let him go.
Also, I don't see him as a flight risk after the season. He has had a nice season, but not great. If he comes back next year, running behind a line that should be materially better, with QB play that should be better, he will have a much better season. He would serve himself well by sticking it out one more season. The only guy that may leave early for the draft is Graham. I'm not sure I see a reason for him to stay. He's already a monster.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:08 PM ^
I saw the OSU/NW game in person and we have nothing to fear from this Kafka dude. At first I couldn't figure out if he couldn't throw or if they were just afraid of him throwing. The dude basically ran nothing but QB draws. He can run a bit. In the second half it was obvious that he has no arm strength. 10 yard outs are not a concern because he couldn't even throw a decent 5 yard out.
Was there ever any explanation for what got into Tressel in that game? 4th quarter fake punts in a blow out followed by bombs? Huh?
Unless Minor grades out obscenely in workouts I don't see him getting drafted in the first day this year. Still, there's guys that come out anyway but that would be a very bad decision.
November 11th, 2008 at 3:01 PM ^
style points. Tressel needs to run up the score because two losses really hurt OSU's BCS bowl bid. Here's hoping this is a moot point and that losses 3 and 4 come in the next two weeks!
November 11th, 2008 at 12:25 PM ^
At least we have the benefit of having 7 runningbacks on the roster. If Minor, Brown, McGuffie, and Shaw all go down we still have Grady who is a somewhat viable option and Horn and Cox to back him up.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:07 PM ^
forgot about Grady. He is better than he is made out to be.
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