Signing Day Presser Wrap

Amazingly, he didn't seem as optimistic about Justice Hayes. "Like Biaka with his feet, but not his size yet."

I too would like to see a greater use of the QB draw.  Maybe it would also get Denard a little more comfortable with scrambling.  I like the idea of getting the front line upfield and leaving Denard one on one with LBs or Safeties.  I like his odds on those.

I also wouldn't be too quick to dismiss using a little of the spread run package, whether it be designed QB runs or the read option.  It seems like everyone these days has a version of the "wildcat" package.  Well, Denard can be ours without even changing the personnel.  

I kinda get the feeling that Borges doesn't have a full grasp of just how fast Denard is. There are fast QB's, there are running QB's and then there is Denard. Denard is a cut above, a special talent and Hoke and Co. will get there first live glimpse of it this spring.

A couple things: In the video, he mentions adding a couple things to the playbook from last year's offense once the full Borges Offense is installed. He also mentioned (not sure if it made it into the video or not) that they run quite a bit of shotgun, and though it's obviously not for the same purposes as Rich's shotgun, it's also not the exact same West Coast offense that he was running with McNown 15 years ago, either.

Also, you're crazy if you think that both your rushing attempts and yards for Denard are likely to come true. Even on the optimistic end (75 carries, 400 yards), that's a mere 5.3 yards per carry. This past season, when defenses were expecting him to run on nearly every down, he averaged 6.5 yards a pop. As QB runs get more scarce, they should also be more deadly. Sure, he may get sacked a few more times, but his runs for positive yardage are likely to be more fruitful, on average (maybe the high-end outliers will be less frequent and less long).

the tailback power plays or stretch?  Smart Football talked some about that when Borges was brought on.  DRob has potential to blow those for big gains.   But you have to establish the tailback runs first to get those working for you.  Cox and Hopkins have to be happy with this new potential.  We'll see come spring.

Completely agree with your 1000 yard question mark.  I couldn't help but think of square pegs  and round holes when Borges was talking about his system.   He clearly thinks he can make it work with his existing playbook.  It's just not going to happen without some major changes IMO.  Funk seemed more adaptive.

Fortunately the defense should improve more than enough to compensate for the loss in O (a guy can hope at least.)  Good post Markus.  

I too see the parallel's between Denard and Cade. I'll see them even more if Denards incredible work ethic results in another offseason improvement like this last one. McNown was more of a dangerous player than a good QB, something I think applies well to Denard. 6-700 yards rushing is what we should expect but that loss will be offset by greater tailback production and a 3000 yard passing season.

My dad always tells me not to wish away time but I know what you means about missing college football already.

is exactly right.  Denard is not going to run 20+ times a game.  Period.  Borges flat out said that last week.  And this is a good thing, as by the middle of the season, Denard had had the stuffing knocked out of him, and it showed.  Even his running ability took a hit from the constant beating that he took.  I know that RR said that Denard is incredibly tough, and I don't doubt that, but toughness has its limits.

Aside from keeping Denard alive and functioning, if we can establish an effective ground attack that is not Denard - i.e. an actual running back attack that keeps team honest - Denard will be deadly on those plays where he does run.  Defenses will not be able to focus in on him at the LOS.

Now, the question is who will establish that consistent ground attack?  I have no clue, but one thing about which I would be reasonably sure is that Borges will likely pick 1 back to be his main back, and barring injury, fumbles or someone else supplanting that back for the starting job, whomever starts will get the overwhelming majority of the carries.  I do not see Borges as the type of guy to have RB by committee.

having breakfast with the head coach of Sylvania (OH) Southview's football team.  I only noticed him cause he was all decked out in Michigan addidas wear.  I'm usually the only one in that place wearing Michigan garb.    FYI, Southview is where top 2012 Saftey prospect Allen Gant plays.  

Unfortunately, regionals don't have to be FAT timed, and those that do take a whopping .4 off their times all around for seeding purposes (it used to be .2XX but recently went up). This is so hand timed regionals don't get an advantage in seeding. This subtraction especially skews the sprints, where there generally isn't as high a hand timed delay effect.

Rawls ran an 11.39 in his prelim for the final. I think we can safely conclude that he'd be anywhere from 11 - 11.4 consistently. Not as quick as Ingram, but that kid had great sprint form. Haven't had a chance to see Rawls.

Unfortunately, regionals don't have to be FAT timed, and those that do take a whopping .4 off their times all around for seeding purposes (it used to be .2XX but recently went up). This is so hand timed regionals don't get an advantage in seeding. This subtraction especially skews the sprints, where there generally isn't as high a hand timed delay effect.

Rawls ran an 11.39 in his prelim for the final. I think we can safely conclude that he'd be anywhere from 11 - 11.4 consistently. Not as quick as Ingram, but that kid had great sprint form. Haven't had a chance to see Rawls.