Per Harbaugh, don’t expect Ronnie Bell back next year.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:11 PM ^
Although I would like Bell to come back, I also am excited for other players to fight for the #1 spot as receiver...maybe Anthony will get it and have a break out year!!
November 14th, 2022 at 9:08 PM ^
Is the hype for Anthony because of the MSU game last year?
I'm not being a dick, because I do the exact same thing.
But when I think about it, you'd think he was doing Xavier Worthy things the way Michigan fans talk about him. Like we're leaving baby Larry Fitzgerald on the bench.
We don't do it for any other player on the entire team (well, we used to for JJ). It's always Anthony.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:16 PM ^
I think you are pretty much right. He caught that slant and took it 93 yards because MSU’s safety took as bad of an angle as Washington’s safety did on Corum’s long run earlier in the year. The jump ball TD was nice; nothing spectacular as far as jump balls go but it was nice. Aside from that he had a freakish catch vs Penn St and the garbage TD in the CFP. That was it.
If anything, it’s the lack of CJ that is more puzzling this year. He was great at the end of 2020 and last year made some great plays. The catch and runs vs Penn St and OSU, the jump ball TD vs Wisconsin, and of course the bomb vs OSU. If anything I’m more wondering where has he been this year.
Anthony looks the part. Big, physical, and leapy. Made a couple flashy plays in a big game but aside from that, AJ Henning has made more plays in this offense in 2 years than he has. I’m not writing him off, but it’s not like he was Nico Collins last year then stopped getting the ball thrown to him this year.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:29 PM ^
Saying Anthony is big and phyiscal is a joke.. he's all of 180 lbs soaking wet at like 6'2''
November 15th, 2022 at 4:14 AM ^
Anthony’s 2nd TD vs Sparty was a TD, high pointing the ball and keeping it up to protect it, is catch that no one else on Michigan’s roster has caught before in game. Guys like Nico, Funchess, and Braylon used to do it, but this current group doesn’t have that guy.
Johnson’s TD vs Wisconsin was a nice play, but it wasn’t quite the same as he didn’t have to elevate and catch it at that height. Furthermore, we’re talking about that particular Johnson catch because it sticks out - because he doesn’t do it regularly. And he’s had 2+ years and multiple opportunities at them to prove otherwise. As Space Coyote said, Johnson is a great blocker and can run very good routes like slants and double moves, but he can’t get separation on go routes and he struggles to track the ball in the air - which in part helps explain his lack of success on contested balls. Furthermore, he’s basically good for a drop a game. He’s a good B1G WR, but not a #1.
As far as Anthony, you’re forgetting a couple of other catches which make some of us think he has the highest potential of the current group. In that State game last year he had a 2nd contested catch where he high pointed it over a defender, but it was barely out of bounds. Then there was the one handed catch vs Maryland last year. Additionally, we’ve rarely seen him drop an easy ball. He’s 0-2 on deep diving attempts (both would have been spectacular catches though), but almost everything else he can get his hands on he comes down with. He just doesn’t get many opportunities so far.
November 15th, 2022 at 7:46 AM ^
I thought Anthony would have a big year.... but even in his limited opportunities, despite poorly thrown deep throws, he hasn't been open.
I would like to see us just throw up some deep balls to him and have him make a play.
I don't think CJ should be starting. All our WRs block well and he seems to drop a pass a game.
November 15th, 2022 at 4:53 AM ^
The hype is because the kid's special.
November 15th, 2022 at 8:56 AM ^
I'm not going to disagree, but I would like to know why you think he's "special". Because, plainly, I don't see it. He had a great game against MSU last year, but hasn't earned his way into throws, or even opportunities, since then. And I haven't seen him make a tough catch since his end zone high point against MSU last year. I mean, I rarely see him actually get open!
Honestly, while I'd love Anthony to prove me wrong, I think it's time to see more of Tyler Morris. He made a really nice catch last week, too...
November 15th, 2022 at 4:55 AM ^
And also Harbaugh himself compared him to Braylon.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:13 PM ^
Good for Ronnie! Worked his way back from injury to NFL caliber receiver.
Good young guys behind him who can follow his lead.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:14 PM ^
It’s all good! Ronnie went from nobody recruit to making insane catches that mostly count (but should all count because they look really cool). He’s a phenomenal example of hard work ethic and leadership. Whoever picks him up in the draft will be lucky to have him. Plus his brother Kendrick will be here. Thank you for what you’ve done, Ronnie! Forever Go Blue!
November 14th, 2022 at 8:15 PM ^
I hope he turns into a slot ninja in the NFL. Circus catches are highly valued.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:17 PM ^
Hope he wins out his remaining college career and then continues on in the pros. Crush it!
😁
November 14th, 2022 at 8:22 PM ^
Sounds like he's ready for a new challenge. Best of luck after he secures his national championship ring this year.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:28 PM ^
Hopefully he gets championship rings, plural
November 14th, 2022 at 8:24 PM ^
Good luck to Ronnie.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^
Ronnie Bell! Ain't he swell!
November 14th, 2022 at 8:27 PM ^
Ronnie has been outstanding. He has another year of eligibility if he chooses to stay and the spot is saved for him. I would love to have him back, but I hope he does what is best for him.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:37 PM ^
To Ronnie Bell, may you ever live on as the first retort every time someone complains about Harbaugh signing some random low 3-star outside the top 1000.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:40 PM ^
I'll be happy whether he plays on Saturdays or Sundays.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:46 PM ^
A lesser man would’ve crumbled after the drop at Penn State. His redemption has been sweet. Glad he was able to make it back from the knee injury. And I hope he makes it in the NFL. He’ll always be a B1G Champion!
November 14th, 2022 at 9:00 PM ^
Holy shit is everyone missing this? Read between the lines, Harbaugh doesn’t expect him back…. If Jim was leaving he wouldn’t have said anything!! The Colts are not in play!
S/ maybe?
November 14th, 2022 at 9:08 PM ^
Makes sense, thought he might want to play with his little brother, but can't blame him.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:12 PM ^
Well, let's raise his draft stock over the next few games mmmmkay?
November 15th, 2022 at 8:58 AM ^
Over next five games.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:14 PM ^
Ronnie Bell has tied Derrick Alexander and has a good chance to pass Marquise Walker, David Terrell and Tai Streets next game.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan/receiving.html
November 14th, 2022 at 10:14 PM ^
Derrick Alexander was underrated in Michigan lore, and he could really ball in hoops, had to play against him in intramural.
November 15th, 2022 at 1:37 AM ^
On that list I think Anthony Carter is the most impressive. I know absolutely nothing about him but to accumulate 3000 yards of receiving in that era of football is crazy. Not to mention he did it on so few receptions! Almost a hundred less than Braylon.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:39 AM ^
I've said this before, AC was the best offensive player I ever saw play at Michigan. Every time he touched the ball, it was electric.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:18 PM ^
I wasn't expecting him back because I didn't know he had eligibility left.
I wish him whatever he decides to do.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:21 PM ^
Bell seems like a great guy and I wish him luck, but I’ll be surprised if he makes an NFL roster.
November 14th, 2022 at 10:55 PM ^
Geez... Sometimes it is better to say nothing if you don't have anything good to say.
November 15th, 2022 at 6:14 AM ^
Consider the source
November 15th, 2022 at 1:45 PM ^
I really, really apologize for talking about reality.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:47 PM ^
I’m pretty excited to see Clemons these next few years. Dude is built like a created player in Madden.
November 14th, 2022 at 10:07 PM ^
Why would he come back for 23 receptions?
November 14th, 2022 at 10:16 PM ^
He has 45 this far this year.
November 14th, 2022 at 10:10 PM ^
Man. I misread this entirely and thought it said this year.
November 14th, 2022 at 10:16 PM ^
Harbaugh also said he could see Barrett and one or both of the Green brothers coming back.
November 14th, 2022 at 10:20 PM ^
WR Depth Chart for next year is pretty clear...which may be a good thing and allow guys to settle into their roles.
1. Wilson / Anthony / Henning
2. Clemons / Walker / Morris
November 14th, 2022 at 11:07 PM ^
Ronnie Bell will always have a nice highlight reel in the pantheon of Michigan WRs, but it's probably for the best that he goes pro after this season. For his sake and for the sake of the younger WRs that need more game reps to show what they can do.
Bell has the profile of a guy who might not get drafted, or would get drafted late, but will connect with a practice squad and then glom on to a team with a veteran QB (Rodgers, Brady, etc) who digs the reliability and skill he will offer.
November 14th, 2022 at 11:56 PM ^
My favorite player. He owes Michigan nothing. May he have a great NFL career, then return as a coach!
November 15th, 2022 at 6:23 AM ^
This is the biggest non-story of the day. He had already accepted an invite to the senior bowl. Not sure why this is a story now.
November 15th, 2022 at 9:56 AM ^
Bell confuses me. Not in a bad way! WRs often get stereotyped by characteristic -- the speedster, the leaper, the route artisan, or some mixture thereof. I don't hear such things about Bell. Only that he's productive, because he is.
Characteristically, the only thing I hear about Bell is that he's just. . . good. Good speed, good hands, good routes, nothing elite (except maybe run blocking?). He's not faster than a speeding bullet like Roman Wilson or can leap tall buildings like Nico Collins. Probably better to have all Bs than one A and a bunch of Cs/Ds at the college level, but if he wants to go pro, he needs to show NFL teams he's got something that the athletic freaks up there can't handle. I honestly wonder what that is. I don't think any receiver's been drafted for his run blocking -- since the 1970s, anyway.
November 15th, 2022 at 10:22 AM ^
He kinda reminds me of the "B" version of D'Vonta Smith -- which, come to think of it, is just Quez Watkins. In other words -- Ronnie Bell will be an Eagle.
November 15th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^
He's a good and willing blocker, which isn't a given with a lot of WRs coming out of college. And there were 28 WRs taken in last year's draft, including a number of guys that Bell likely matches up to favorably in most of those categories. Like, is Bo Melton or Jalen Tolbert a different player than Bell? Probably not, and those guys were picked.
My guess is Bell is a late-round guy that a team picks up because they like his blocking and general athleticism and then bounces up and down practice squads and bottom-of-the-roster spots. It's not glamorous but it's pretty good for a guy that was a who-dat basketball recruit some years ago.
November 15th, 2022 at 10:17 AM ^
I'm more interested in whether Roman Wilson returns next year. I mean, I assume he is, but I actually think he's going to be pretty highly rated by the NFL. He's a sleeper pick for this years "surprise early declaration.:
November 15th, 2022 at 10:50 AM ^
Totally makes sense, and excited to see how he does. I think he'll get a look by an NFL team though not sure if he'll get drafted. He's got the athleticism to be a solid slot guy and his blocking is a huge plus.