so much for that
Tom, can you address "the rumor"
February 14th, 2009 at 6:08 PM | 
You are right
You are right
February 14th, 2009 at 7:01 PM |
I really doubt our rushing
I really doubt our rushing
I really doubt our rushing average is going to go up by a yard. That's a huge jump.
February 14th, 2009 at 7:43 PM |
It doesn't seem impossible
It doesn't seem impossible
Think back to how many times we got dropped for a 3 yard loss when rushing. That should almost never happen, and with a good line it rarely does. Our line will be much improved and should eliminate a good chuck of TFL in the rushing area. I also have faith in a senior Minor and improved Shaw + a bunch of others to bust off more long runs than last year.
We didn't lose anyone on offense, have a much improved line (should, anyway), and have a much better rushing threat at QB. I don't think a modest increase is out of the question.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:34 PM |
it's not impossible...
it's not impossible...
...but I don't know that it's likely either.
Michigan averaged 3.91 ypc last year. Raising that average by a yard would put it at 4.91, obviously. Only 18 teams averaged 4.91+ ypc last year.
Our pass offense will still probably be poor, so teams will still be able to load the box. And our second-leading rusher from last year (McGuffie) will be gone.
Our offensive line should be better, but I'm just saying...a 25% increase in average yards per carry is a pretty big jump.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:43 PM |
Then again
Then again
we also had ZERO passing threat last season. Almost less than zero. It's pretty amazing than we ran as well as we did, with defenses knowing that was the only way we could hurt them. If we can muster a passing offense, we should be able the spread the field and get a lot more yards on the ground. I know 25% is a big leap, but I could see it happening.
If all goes as planned, we will have a 4 dimensional offense by the end of next season - one that rushes, passes downfield, runs the QB, and throws effective screens. This past season we had one dimension - running well.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:46 PM |
I don't think there's much
I don't think there's much
I don't think there's much indication that our passing offense will be any better this year. Our receivers will be a year older/more experienced, but (due to the recent rumor) we could be starting a true freshman at QB. Forcier/Robinson won't necessarily be better than Threet as a redshirt freshman.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:58 PM |
Possibly true
Possibly true
but our frosh don't have to be allstars to create a downfield threat. They just need arm strength and a willingness to throw the ball past the line of scrimmage. Just enough to keep them honest is all we need. I'm not saying it will put points on the board or win games - but it should open up the running game more than last season.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:00 PM |
You could have said the same
You could have said the same
You could have said the same thing about Threet last year.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:17 PM |
*crossing fingers*
*crossing fingers*
Yeah but this year it could be true.
February 15th, 2009 at 2:37 AM |
just wanted to say, I'm happy
just wanted to say, I'm happy
just wanted to say, I'm happy to see this discussion conducted in a cordial manner considering how many of these go on here
Joppru For Heisman
February 14th, 2009 at 6:24 PM |
If the rumors shake out to be
If the rumors shake out to be
If the rumors shake out to be true, then there's a pretty good chance someone within the organization has suggested to Threet that he'll be religated to the bench with no hope of playing. Otherwise, there's no reason for the thought of transfer.
Proud To Be An American But Even Prouder To Be A Wolverine!
February 14th, 2009 at 9:10 PM |
Don't bet on it
Don't bet on it
People aren't that easy to figure out, and I don't think any of us really knows entirely what is going on. If this really does have legs, theres no telling what the reasons might be, but I seriously doubt they are entirely PT. Maybe it has something to do with it, but I would guess a good majority is something none of us would be aware of at the time.
www.get2formaizenblue.blogspot.com
For all of your obscure college wrestling blog needs
February 15th, 2009 at 2:15 PM |
I agree,
I agree,
when Threet came to M, he was "supposed" to sit behind Mallet for 3 years, and then start his senior year.
He came into competition, why would he transfer out of it? If true, these is something else going on.
"They're stuck with that quarterback (sophomore Braxton Miller) for the next two or three years, that's fine with me. He throws worse than (Tim) Tebow. - Steve Everitt
February 15th, 2009 at 3:21 PM |
...because he transferred in
...because he transferred in
...because he transferred in to play in a pro-style NFL quarterback factory and now he's in a read option offense that has produced approximately one legitimate NFL quarterback?
February 15th, 2009 at 4:08 PM |
Did I mention he was a 3*
Did I mention he was a 3*
Shouldn't we just already count Pat White? I mean, he was a three star. He's going to be an NFL quarterback.
February 15th, 2009 at 5:00 PM |
I'm not sure if you're being
I'm not sure if you're being
I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not.
It's not clear whether Pat White is going to be a legitimate NFL quarterback. It wasn't until the Senior Bowl (or whichever all-star game he was in) that people said he deserved a shot to play QB at the next level. Even at that, he very well could be a "slash" type player or a wide receiver in the NFL. So no, I don't think Pat White counts as a legitimate NFL QB.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:46 PM |
No way
No way
No coach would ever tell an incumbent starter that they lost their spot to a freshman before practice even starts up.
February 14th, 2009 at 10:05 PM |
...especially when that coach
...especially when that coach
...especially when that coach stresses competition and walk-ons as much as Rodriguez does.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:08 PM |
ugh i would still like to
ugh i would still like to
ugh i would still like to have him around to start the season and work tate or denard in if/when they're ready
February 15th, 2009 at 5:55 PM |
This is all ridiculous
This is all ridiculous
until he either gets his walking papers or we all see him suited up in the first game of 09. Lost in all the shuffle of this will he/wont he crap is the fact that this young man has had some of the worst luck in college football history. He transferred here thinking he would be backing up the heir to Chad Henne and get a great education clost to home. Maybe he had it in his head that he would see some mop up time or possibly compete for the starting job in an offense that suited him.
Instead he was thrust into the role as starter of an offense that is not right considering his physical tools, implemented by a man he did not intend to play under. The remarkable circumstances that have put him in this position really could not have gone any more against him. I think he has availed himself rather well considering the deck seems to have been stacked against him from the start.
This is his life and education we are talking about here. I honestly hope he stays if only for the fact that he probably will not get a better education wherever he transfers.
that having a safety net such as Threet around would be nice for us all. But, if this rumor is true, Forcier and Denard are it for us unless Hemingway/Minor/Brown/Gallon get some Wolvecat love.
If we're left with Tate starting I won't be any more concerned than if Threet would have started because I won't have 2008 flashbacks. Rich Rod will undoubtedly rely on Minor, Brown and Shaw more, and will utilize the short passing game with the outside talent. If Tate can hit the short screens, slants, and keep the corner defenders honest on the spread read (which Forcier could definitely NOT save one run against Miami (OH) and Wisconsin each) the O-line will be able to better hold blocks this year, and our offense will be better.
Don't forget our running game was surprisingly better for average last year than 2007 (shocking). If the running game progresses this year it could add a yard to the average, maybe more. Doing that would reduce the 3 and outs, and would be highly significant to the team's success.