Carlos Brown
Prior to the NW game, I had almost written off CB as a likely and unfortunate footnote in UM history. I figured that he would either transfer or remain buried on the depth chart for the remainder of his career.
Lost in the inevitable garment-rending and gnashing-of-teeth of another tough loss seems to the "Carlos Brown Coming Out Party." He demonstrated a dimension that we haven't witnessed in the few times he's carried the ball in his career: "BROWN RAGE!" Yards after contact like whoah, picking his gaps with patience, quick acceleration, etc. Also, if you watched closely, he appeared to demonstrate some fire and leadership that you'd expect from an upper-classman. Also: he's reportedly still banged up, so I expect that he has even more upside.
Yes, we've been saying it for 3 years now, but we finally have some concrete evidence that CB could be a major contributor next year in the backfield, and not as just a "speed back," but as a well-balanced running back that can emerge as a leader in a young crop of skill players. He's been injured seemingly most of his career, but c'mon... those flukey accidents have to curtail at some point (statistically, right?).
November 16th, 2008 at 2:09 PM ^
Expect another freak finger injury in Spring practice.
November 16th, 2008 at 2:21 PM ^
If there is one thing I've learned from this season is nothing lasts two games in a row. Saying that, against OSU, I fully expect our QBs to go 20-22 passing while rushing for 120 yards while our HBs average just over 1 yard per carry. And by fully expect, I mean not at all expect.
November 16th, 2008 at 2:32 PM ^
We "finally" have concrete evidence that he can contribute? We finally had concrete evidence of that after the Illinois and Minnesota games last year. He just hasn't been healthy.
Although he did have a good day, I was not impressed with his tackle-breaking ability. Maybe I'm just too infatuated with Minor's running style, but there were SEVERAL times where Brown got hit and stopped moving his feet immediately. He has good cutting ability and excellent acceleration, but breaking tackles is not his forte.
November 16th, 2008 at 2:56 PM ^
I thought he showed some bad vision in the secondary (I know this means he got to the 2nd level and it's a good thing) and tried to cut to the outside when he could have benefited from just running straight ahead. I still think he's behind McGuffie and Shaw though. Shaw looks great.
Sidenote, what happened to Grady? He hasn't played in forever. DNP-CD?
November 16th, 2008 at 4:23 PM ^
I noticed a few times when he got to the secondary and a safety would line him up, Brown would try to juke one way or the other and go down basically at the point of contact. If he would have just put his shoulder down and taken the hit he probably could have picked up 2 or 3 extra yards.
Not a huge deal, but I noticed it too.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:16 PM ^
Minor/Brown RAGE. Nice combination in my opinion. Sprinkle in some Shaw, McGuffie, Grady (?).
November 17th, 2008 at 7:01 AM ^
the saying "Brown Rage". Kinda sounds like something you get after the all you can eat Mexican buffet. Just sayin'
November 16th, 2008 at 3:25 PM ^
Yeah, Brown has shown that he's a good runner, but fragile. I would expect this to continue.
The real story, though, is that our O-Line has paved the way to 170+ yards rushing in three straight game, with different running backs every time.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:29 PM ^
in the competition? What do you think the prospects are that Michigan makes it 4 straight 170+ yards rushing?
November 16th, 2008 at 5:12 PM ^
We didn't run for that much vs. Miami or Toledo.
November 16th, 2008 at 10:06 PM ^
But I don't know what your point is. We ran well (well, more than 171 yards for each game) against established powerhouses Purdue, Minnesota and Northwestern. And we will run for how many yards against OSU? 171 yards? Place your bets gentlemen.
November 16th, 2008 at 11:56 PM ^
What I'm saying, I guess, is that we're having much more success running the football - and although Northwestern isn't a "traditional" power, they have had a respectable defense this year, as has Purdue, for that matter. I take this as a sign the o-line is improving (considering that we've done it with a revolving door of RB's), which is encouraging.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:13 PM ^
One thing I have been quite heartened with is the improved play of the O-line. And if I had to chose a foundation upon which to build for next year, it would be the offensive line.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:27 PM ^
We ran better against Northwestern this year (and this year's N'western defense is definitely better than last year) than we did last year despite having absolutely no real passing threat this year.
Last year we had Chad Henne (Mallett played in that game too), Mario Manningham, Adrian Arrington, Jake Long, and Mike Hart. Hart averaged about 3.5 per carry and we averaged 3.2 ypc overall.
This year with Nick Sheridan (and a little bit of Threet), no 1st overall pick in the draft on the line, etc., the primary back, Brown, averaged 5.0 ypc and we averaged 3.9 ypc as a team. It's not a great ypc, but it's clearly better than last year and again, there was little threat of us hurting them with the pass this year.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:45 PM ^
Well I don't think we'll be passing for that, so perhaps just on sample size and one or two big plays could get close to that. I think we're capable of getting those one or two big plays if by nothing other than luck and the occasionally well executed play.