ldevon1

September 25th, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^

I am in the mindset to cut him some slack because last year he was coming off of knee surgery. 2 years before you are back to normal, unless you are Adrian Peterson. 

Joined: 09/09/2015

MGoPoints: 36887

murderwolflives

September 25th, 2020 at 4:13 PM ^

(especially for heavy guys)

I feel attacked

In all seriousness, this is very true.  Always heavy and coming back from knee and back injuries was always rough.

"Your back hurts because you have a weak core"

Me: "But I can't work on my core because my back hurts"

Vicious cycle.

Joined: 09/21/2020

MGoPoints: 1011

CFraser

September 25th, 2020 at 3:15 PM ^

The thing is, “dude” is a term reserved for guys really turning it up. Why would he, unsolicited, promote a player as being impressive when silence is fine? I acknowledge this is a motivational tool for the rest of the team but why would you promote a bum? It’s not like the entire team isn’t at practice. They know exactly what’s up. 

Joined: 08/15/2017

MGoPoints: 6262

AC1997

September 25th, 2020 at 1:38 PM ^

Here's my hope for Jeter (or Mazi Smith if he's still on the depth chart someday given the total lack of chatter about him)....

Last year we needed someone to start, to play 2/3rd of the downs, to hold up against the tough running teams, to let Kemp be a slashing DT instead of a NT, etc.  

This year I'm hoping (expecting?) that Kemp and Hinton are your sure-fire starters and will be potentially an average DT pairing.  Thus what we need is to find someone to play 1/3 of the snaps to spell those guys and not be a total liability.  We don't need Hurst or Martin because we're hoping that's Hinton.  We need a rotational DT.  I think there's a reasonable chance that Jeter could still be that or that Smith develops into that.  

Joined: 09/19/2008

MGoPoints: 13821

Don

September 25th, 2020 at 2:36 PM ^

"We need a rotational DT. I think there's a reasonable chance that Jeter could still be that or that Smith develops into that."

If Smith turns out to be nothing more than a rotational guy, it'll be another instance of somebody coming in with hype about being a future difference-maker on the interior and not quite ever becoming that. Pipkens and more recently Mone come to mind, albeit both were hampered by injuries.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148384

Wolverine In Exile

September 25th, 2020 at 3:18 PM ^

Which is part of the problem on relying on such abnormally large human beings to be healthy in a keystone position of your defense. (and why the "war daddies" get paid so much in the NFL) These guys already are playing Russian Roulette with how much damage their joints and muscles can take and still be able to function. 

Joined: 11/08/2008

MGoPoints: 10798

Don

September 26th, 2020 at 10:04 AM ^

The modern nutrition and exercise-created explosion in overall skeletal size and muscle mass—with additional fat as well—doesn't appear to have been matched by a similar increase in the size/mass/strength of ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

I know this will never happen, but I believe an upper weight limit lower than 300 would be of significant health benefit to players at the collegiate and pro levels. If nobody could play if they weighed more than 275—which is what would have been a large offensive lineman in 1980—it probably would extend the careers and the lifespan of a good number of players. 

 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148384

MGoStrength

September 25th, 2020 at 2:14 PM ^

That would be nice to have more functional big fellas in the middle of the d-line.  Jeter & Mazi need to be serviceable this year to give Hinton/Kemp a breather.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

BoFan

September 25th, 2020 at 2:31 PM ^

I miss the years of the submarine where we heard nothing until game day.  That seemed better than the “coach speak” where our WR room is stacked, our QB has made incredible strides over the summer so much so that the competition quit, and every day has a new dude. Also, let’s hear more from Zordich.  He doesn’t believe in coach speak. 

Joined: 03/09/2012

MGoPoints: 19947

chunkums

September 25th, 2020 at 2:49 PM ^

Thanks to the freebie year, DT could be a downright strength next year if Kemp and Jeter stick around. I would hope that the elite young guys (Mazi and Hinton) combined with two seniors could give us solid play at DT. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 29029

My Name is LEGIONS

September 25th, 2020 at 3:36 PM ^

I hope so... because after his injury, he looked terrible last season.. and I watched him intently.... lets hope it was the injury that held him back until now, because its hard to believe.

Joined: 10/29/2014

MGoPoints: 4872