Good News! Drake Johnson may play tomorrow

Submitted by The Mad Hatter on

Harbaugh says Drake may play agaisnt Oregon State.  Article contains other snippets too.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2015/09/10/harbaugh-says-drake-johnson-may-part-ground-game/71998494/

 

Helmet Stickers:

“I’ve always felt you should try to get the best grades, win the most awards and excel at sports,” Harbaugh said Thursday. “It’s an award, so try to win the most awards.”

EDIT: Multiple sources reporting that Drake is in fact clear to play. Green moved to the scout team.
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Drake Johnson will play against ntosu

CorkyCole

September 11th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^

I remember a few years back when we picked up this local 2* running back recruit, and no one seemed to really care or give him a shot at anything. Now we are so pumped that our little 2* is going to be healthy so that he can take away playing time from our elite 5*s because we need a lift in our running back play. THIS IS WHY WE DON'T WHINE TO MOMMA WHEN HARBAUGH SNAGS THE TWO STARS BECAUSE THEY WILL BE AWESOME!

Joined: 06/13/2011

MGoPoints: 4498

wahooverine

September 11th, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^

I love his vision and burst as much as the next guy but I don't think it's prudent to assume Drake is the savior of the RB position this year. Who knows if he'll be what he was pre(second)-injury.  Also, it's hard to describe, but just the way Drake runs it looks like his knees are under constant pressure of buckling.  His toes are flared outward and knees seem slightly bent inward. Everytime he cuts I'll cringe hoping he doesn't collaspe again.   

Joined: 11/14/2011

MGoPoints: 6799

jabberwock

September 11th, 2015 at 1:12 PM ^

do not get your hopes up for Drake to repeat his performance from the end of the 14' season.

The given:  Drake has the best speed of any back on the roster.

The probable:  Drake probably has the best vision of all the backs.

The possible:  His combination of size, speed, vision can possibly get him yards regardless of O-line play.

The doubtful:  He is %100 the player he was pre injury.  At least not now, perhaps ever.

The no, just no:  The current O-line is blocking at the level it was at the end of last season.

I think too many stars have to align for him to make any kind of measurable impact until he learns to trust his knee and the horrid O-line starts to perform remotely close to expectations.

Still crossing my fingers however.

 

 

Joined: 07/04/2008

MGoPoints: 51146

Ryanonymous

September 11th, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^

Usually after 9-12 months one is good to return, although 6 months is the "baseline".
He's about 10 months post-op so he should be pretty close. Everyone is different and AP is a huge exception returning after 4 when he tore his.
I'm sure practice and doctors are good indicators of his readiness for return.
All we can do is hope he remains healthy but there will always be a chance it happens again.

Joined: 05/02/2011

MGoPoints: 1018

Eye of the Tiger

September 11th, 2015 at 4:09 PM ^

Yes, he's faster than the other backs, but another part of Smith's problem (which Brian has discussed at length) is that he often gets to the line too quickly, crucially, before blocks have time to develop.

I see Johnson as a more patient back as well as a faster one--he's the closest thing we have to a "one cut back," which is to say, he waits for the blocks to develop and then makes the right cut with more regularity than Smith.

He does, however, lack the ability to keep churning out yards after contact. So ideally we'd find a way to utilize both of them. But on a given first down, I think based on last year's performances, he appears to be the best option we have, and the one most likely to keep us out of obvious passing downs. 

 

Joined: 09/14/2009

MGoPoints: 7864

UMFanInFlorida

September 11th, 2015 at 6:40 PM ^

That's something I noticed in the OSU-VT game too. Cardale Jones would always wait what seemed like an eternity before taking off on designed run plays. The advantage obviously is the play would develop and the desired hole open

I say eternity bc that's what it feels like relative to UM's backs slamming into non-existent holes.

Joined: 10/20/2012

MGoPoints: 2277

karlfink18

September 11th, 2015 at 9:58 PM ^

From what I've seen Drake Johnson is clearly the best option we've got at running back. He has great vision that Green and Smith obviously lack. Can't wait to see him back on the field; he'll give our offense a huge boost.

Joined: 03/28/2015

MGoPoints: 147

rockusa

September 12th, 2015 at 7:32 AM ^

he should definitely play.  We won't need him for the win but he will get good reps to be ready for the B10 season.  That is when we will need him for sure.

Joined: 11/15/2009

MGoPoints: 649