cypress

October 20th, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^

Question is..would we accept his commitment at this time. I'm sure we'd like to have him, but I wonder if we've got our eyes on other priorities first.

UMaD

October 20th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^

I'll try again.

5 Slots receivers on the roster: Grady (JR), Roundtree (SO), Robinson (SO), Gallon (FR), Dileo (FR)

That doesn't even included the 2 outside WR who can play slot: Odoms (JR) and Stokes (SO).  Nor does it include the RB who can play slot:  Smith (SO) and probably Shaw (JR).

Compare to 2 TEs: Koger (JR), Moore (SO) .

Compare to 3 OTs (at 2 positions):  Huyge (JR), Schofield (FR), Lewan (FR)

Even QB, the most important position on the field, will only have 4 scholarships devoted to it next year.

Thats without even getting to the defensive side of the ball where depth is also thinner at most positions. 

Why is the coaching staff placing such an emphasis on stockpiling talent at position that is (relatively) easy to fill?  Why is the depth at this contrast so sharply to most other positions?

Nothing against Nealy, but the staff's decision-making as it relates to roster management is curious.

kmanning

October 20th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^

 

I have a feeling RR and co. aren't super happy with the slot position. Roundtree has been excellent obviously, but outside of him there hasn't been anyone really step up. Grady has shown flashes, Robinson had that one catch against UConn. Gallon looks promising.

It's also a thing of speed, I would think. Look at Gallon's bubble screen on last Saturday. No one but Denard has that kind of explosiveness on our offense. We have some fast guys(Stonum, Shaw, Hemingway) but no one really has that game breaking explosiveness to turn a 2 yard play into 80. Gallon does and I think we'll see more of him going forward. I think RR is looking to find more of those players. It may result in a few guys that don't pan out and get little playing time.

I think the reward outweighs the risk, and despite the prevailing thought that "RR only recruits slot ninjas!" he hasn't really brought in that many. From the list above, he's recruited 4 slots in 3 years? That seems relatively normal for any program. 

UMaD

October 20th, 2010 at 7:19 PM ^

Odoms was also recruited as a slot, so you can add him to Dileo, Gallon, Robinson.  Roundtree and Stokes were recruited to play both, so lets split them and make it 5.  Also, Shaw, Jones, Smith (and Austin White) were recruited as RBs who might be used as Slots.

1 player per year, per position, seems reasonable, yet RR is vastly surpasing that rate for this position, despite the depth issues at other positions. There are no TEs in 2012, few OL in 2013, and defense has a number of concerns.  In normal circumstances, getting one slot each year might make sense, but theres simply too many needs to enjoy the luxury of so many people who are limited to this one position.

Roundtree is around for 2 more years.  Gallon, who I agree looks promising, 3.  I think Michigan should use extreme restraint in pursuing additional players for this position.

kmanning

October 20th, 2010 at 6:59 PM ^

I think some TEs -should- be interested in coming here. A lot of NFL teams are using H-backs and 2 TE sets more now. NFL teams are wanting guys that can block really well(Alge Crumpler still has a job despite being awful as a receiver cause he can block really well). Koger and Webb have been excellent this year at blocking and the few times they've gotten passes thrown their way. I think NFL scouts will notice this. Now it's not flashy, so I'm not sure how easy it'll be to convince big time TEs to come here, at least until we can point to guys like Koger going to the pros despite getting few receptions in college. 

NateVolk

October 20th, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^

Man, these are talented guys we have been recruiting.  I like to hit google and read on each guy that gets mentioned.  I watch the videos and read the all the blurbs I can find. 

When the experience level on this defense catches up with the offense, look out.

What Rodriguez has done offensively in two years with really only 2 recruiting classes is impressive.  

Done with all the negative fog all over the place too.   We are gonna be more than fine.