B1G loses many good WRs next year

Submitted by Rorschach on

Looking ahead to next season, the Big Ten is going to be losing some serious recieving talent. Check out this list from cfbstats: http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/leader/827/player/split01/category03/sort0…

9 of the top 11 WRs look to graduate. The top returning WR (Abbrederis) loses his All-Big Ten quarterback. Nearly every team will have to replace its #1 wide-out (Indiana, Nebraska, Purdue excluded). NW and MSU are going to be hit particularly hard. NW loses Persa and its top 2 recievers, while MSU loses Cousins, its top 3 wide-outs, AND their pass-catching TE.

I can't help but think Stonum, if he comes back ready to play, may have an easy road to an All-Big Ten season.

redhousewolverine

November 28th, 2011 at 11:27 PM ^

Plus he was able to utilize the slot position to finds gaps in coverage last year to make some big plays. It is usually tougher to make plays on the outside. Not to mention the Denard's accuracy issues. Plus the coaches tried to emphacize the run game more and slow the offensive pace down leaving less opportunities for the WRs to catch the ball.

PurpleStuff

November 29th, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^

Compared to last season (through 12 games), Hemingway had half as many TDs and posted fewer catches and yards per game this year (he missed three games a year ago).

This was a very different offense.  With the emergence of a healthy Fitz, we threw the ball a lot less and when we did it was usually down the field.  When there are 71 fewer catches to go around, numbers aren't going to be impressive for anybody.  Add in the offensive staff switch and the slight position difference and you'll realize Roundtree played just as well but was simply asked to do different things (and not nearly as often).  When called upon he made a number of huge catches (ND winner, long bomb against Nebraska, etc.).

Logan88

November 29th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^

The offense ended up being far different from what I envisioned with Borges being a West-Coast disciple. I expected UM to throw the ball about 30 times per game and average 230-240 yards passing per game.

Unfortunately, the lack of a passing game will probably hurt UM in their recruitment of good WR's (Diggs/Payton/Madaris) in 2012 and, possibly, 2013.

M-Wolverine

November 29th, 2011 at 11:33 AM ^

Last year we were trailing in a lot more games, so we had to pass more. This year our losses were not only less frequent, but our wins weren't that close, so we wanted to run the ball and clock.  Tied into that were a number of comback situations that were QB'd by Tate rather than Denard because Denard got dinged up.  So you had a guy in who was a better passer than early season '11 Denard, and wasn't nearly as much of a threat with his legs so there was even less incentive to run. 

I don't think Roundtree was any worse. As said, more guys caught balls. Roundtree was a go to guy because that's what the younger QB's were comfortable with as their safety valve. As Denard matured, he was more into his reads and progressions.  So everyone saw the ball more. But (as you point out) a number of the big catches went to him because Denard still had the faith he'd make the big play.

Having a record setting day against Illinois probably skews those stats a bit too...

Magnus

November 29th, 2011 at 8:43 AM ^

He's a great leader, sure, but if everything goes as planned, we'll have a redshirt junior (Lewan), a redshirt senior (Barnum), a redshirt senior (Khoury), a redshirt senior (Omameh), and a redshirt junior (Schofield) starting next year.  I don't know that a great deal of leadership is needed when everybody on the offensive line is in his 4th or 5th year.

Magnus

November 29th, 2011 at 8:47 AM ^

I think tight end is one of the easier positions to find serviceable guys, whether it takes a position switcher, a walk-on, or an unheralded guy.  I like Koger and everything, but he's a 4-year starter who only has 55 career receptions and only 19 this season.  I think Brandon Moore, Ricardo Miller, and the incoming freshmen will do just fine.

Wolverman

November 29th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^

 My fear for the tight end postion has nothing to do with pass catching. Brandon Moore and his lookout block have to stop lol. The 4th and 1 against MSU and i forget the exact play against OSU but moore was suppose to seal the end and just let his guy go. The worst part was him just standing there watching the guy make the tackle. He did'nt even try to get back in the play

joeysos33

November 28th, 2011 at 10:52 PM ^

How good will Stonum coming back be for Denard...i mean Denard needs that deep threat (speed), Hemingway was a jump ball guy, Denard can chuck it deep and let Stonum go get it, i cant wait.

SalvatoreQuattro

November 28th, 2011 at 11:24 PM ^

I suspect that he will be their go to guy next year. 

 

I am intrigued by what Ricardo Miller might do. He ought to have good speed and hands for the TE spot. If he can stretch the field that will make things so much better for the WR's. Pl

Bo Knows

November 28th, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^

Stonum will be one of the best receivers in the big 10.  I've been saying all along ROundtree's production was a product of playing the slot in richrod's spread.  Losing Hemingway and Koger is gonna hurt a bit and Odoms has been really valuable as of late.  I'm hoping R.Miller breaks out as a pass catching TE next year and hopefully either Jackson or J.Robinson takes on a larger role.  I still like having Gallon and Dileo in the slot.

marco dane

November 29th, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^

that Michigan has get a chance to shine come next season. Reports coming out of camp during the spring and fall about Jearld Robinson were very encouraging. Deilo laying out for that catch for 28 yards was something you want to see on a championship drive...I like this kid alot!