Any word on Raymon Taylor or Jabrill Peppers??

Submitted by Perd Hapley on
I was wondering if anyone had any news on if Raymon and Jabrill would be active today. From what I have bean reading it sounds like Miami is somewhat pass heavy and I would be surprised if they tried to run much against us with our front 7. I feel like with one or both of those guys healthy Michigan will run away with this game early. If not they may be able to hang around for a while and make my Saturday afternoon a bit more stressful than it needs to be. Any thought or news on jury's today? How do you think our DBs will hold up today?
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PurpleStuff

September 13th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^

Devin Gardner has 4 career TD catches, in just a few games "experimenting" at the position.  Darboh, Chesson, and Norfleet are each in their third year at Michigan and have one TD of any kind between them.

So, yeah, I think he is a better receiver than those guys.  Doesn't mean he should move, but acting like we are loaded at the position is erroneous.

Joined: 04/21/2009

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gwkrlghl

September 13th, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^

DG had 4 TDs because he was one of a few WR options that team had and that team had a good QB in Denard. As of now, we don't have a good QB behind DG. We have a QB who's yet to throw a TD pass.

As Bando said, DG was just an athlete lumbering around downfield. Terrible routes. Ok hands. Chesson, Darboh, and Norfleet are better at WR than Devin is.

Joined: 04/13/2012

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PurpleStuff

September 13th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^

Obviously he should have stayed at QB, especially with Gallon/Roundtree/Funchess on the roster.  And I certainly don't think he should move now.  But even with his limitations, he caught a 44 yard TD against Bama in his first game.  He had 5 catches and a TD in his second game.

Norfleet/Chesson/Darboh have never done anything like that, and they are at the same stage in their careers that Gardner was when he moved to WR.  Chesson has 273 career yards and 1 TD.  Darboh has 49 yards.  Norfleet 92.  Gardner had 268 and 4 TD in half a season.  In his first two games at the position (6 catches, 107 yards, 2 TD) Gardner did more than Darboh/Norfleet have in their careers, or than any of the three did in the first two games this year.

Saying the other guys are better is a hope rather than a thing that has been evidenced by their play.

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Reader71

September 13th, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^

True but TD passes isn't much better. Most TD catches are short yardage things highly dependent on the playcall. They haven't gone to Chesson much because Funchess is the ideal red zone target and Gallon was pretty damn good before him. Chesson is a better receiver right now than Gardner ever was. He blocks, runs better routes, blocks, attacks the football. The other guys are entirely unknown and w/r/t them I agree with you.

Joined: 08/30/2009

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Blue NY Gold

September 13th, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^

Not picking a side on the DG at QB or WR argument, just throwing out some info. Obviously with size and athleticism, DG was a huge threat in Red Zone, or even on balls thrown up as "jump balls"(D Rob did the jump ball a lot).... Showing DG-WR=Good As for DGs stats as WR, remember with D Rob at QB, there was always the threat to run which prevented the double teams. D Rob was the primary threat with his legs, and his arm accuracy was questionable at times....showing DG-WR-average.

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PurpleStuff

September 13th, 2014 at 3:07 PM ^

You're saying he is more polished and has better WR skills, but his actual production has been virtually non-existent.  Being a nice blocker and being in the right spot is meaningless if you don't catch passes and your team doesn't score any points.  Running shitty routes and basically not knowing what he was doing, Gardner forced defenses to account for him and made plays.  The current crop (outside of Funchess) is not doing that now, and has no track record of doing it in the past.

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TIMMMAAY

September 13th, 2014 at 2:39 PM ^

Now you're cherry picking at my argument. He has only been our (nominal) #2 receiver this year, and he's done pretty well so far. He has a few nice catches, blocks very well, and is doing fairly well in yardage. I just pointed out his blocking as another area where he adds value. I generally agree with you on stuff, but not this. 

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PurpleStuff

September 13th, 2014 at 3:04 PM ^

No TD.  How is that "doing fairly well in yardage"?

We just got shutout for the first time in decades, and a big reason why is that outside of Funchess the WR corps is extremely underwhelming.  Yes, Chesson is a good blocker, but he hasn't shown any sign that he can consistently make plays in the passing game or scare defenses.  To illustrate that point, I noted how much more productive Devin Gardner was making a short-lived cameo at the position. 

I'm basically saying our current talent at that position is nowhere near what an elite team should be or where past good Michigan teams were.  Do you really disagree with that?  This group doesn't offer what Avant/Breaston did in 2003, or Arrington/Breaston in 2006, or Gallon/Roundtree in 2011.  When you add in the lack of a running game in comparison to those teams (Perry, Hart, and Denard/Fitz) you see a huge gap in offensive production.  The kind that results in games where you don't score any points.

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TIMMMAAY

September 13th, 2014 at 3:14 PM ^

I'm basically saying our current talent at that position is nowhere near what an elite team should be or where past good Michigan teams were.  Do you really disagree with that? 

I don't know. At this point, I'd say we're a clear notch below our beloved M teams of the past. However, I'm not really ready to make that judgement just yet. I need a few more games worth of plays. 

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Blue NY Gold

September 13th, 2014 at 3:05 PM ^

Ok, Funch is obviously a huge threat for us. I think anyone who is saying differently is blind. I think the question was about him getting the #1 jersey. I asked a similar question about him deserving it on another forum, but it was more about his ability to "take the top off the defense", rather than his hands. His straight line speed is suppose to be very good, so why have we not seen much down the field from him. This goes for last year as well as both games this years. It just doesn't feel like a #1. In response to my question where some "respectful" observations. And I agree with them totally. #1-last year he was a TE, mostly so there were not significant routes designed downfield for him And #2- if the QB doesn't throw the ball, he can't use his athleticism to make a play. (An indictment of the O-line play and QB decision making) But maybe this is a topic for a different thread.... Just a thought..

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scu195

September 13th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^

You are both right. I'm thinking from the teams mental standpoint.....you bench Devin and leave him on the sidline.....I think it becomes a shitshow.

Joined: 11/23/2009

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Sten Carlson

September 13th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^

I agree 100% with this one. 

I was really hoping to see Michigan go all "hockey" on that d bag ND play that put a completely uncalled for cheapshot on DG, but it seemed that nobody cared in the least.  I was furious, especially after I watched the replay -- not sure why that jackass wasn't ejected.

 

Joined: 11/16/2009

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Sten Carlson

September 13th, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^

I am befuddled by this constant discussion of Hoke not discussing injuries with the media.  I am 100% positive, but cannot find the link, that Hoke discussed his policy in 2011 in one of his first pressers as Michigan's HC.  He said that discussing injuries only aids Vegas, and he doesn't think that is something that is good for CFB.

Please, someone help me find the link/transscript so that everyone in here that bitches about this nonstop will STFU!

Joined: 11/16/2009

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Sten Carlson

September 13th, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^

Nothing but a downvote huh Bloomington? 

Wasn't it you saying I had no balls in another thread?

Here, thanks to Raoul finding the quote, is evidence proving the point I've been adding this "Hoke won't talk about injuries" debate.  I've said this every time it's come up.  People are freaking out and the quote above is from September 26th, 2012 -- over 2 years ago!

He won't discuss injuries because it aids the gamblers -- very simple.

Can we put this issue to bed please?

Joined: 11/16/2009

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JTrain

September 13th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^

If this week is anything like last....we'll out gain them on offense but only lose 16-0. Moral victory?
Sorry. I'm just PISSED. We were supposed to have a great, hard nosed, tough D this year......um.... But WE DONT.
#/williteverend


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mexwolv

September 13th, 2014 at 1:25 PM ^

Please guys I know it's hard given the situation, but try to relax and enjoy college football.  The season just started and will be done in a flash, before we know it we will be again talking about how we can't wait for the next season to start.  Have faith! Things will get better sooner o later.   Go Blue!

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