I would like to personally apologize to Obi Ezeh..

Submitted by JT4104 on

I have been one of the biggest critics of Obi Ezeh and his play the last couple years.

After really watching him today i would like to say job well done and heck of a game played today. he looked better than I ever expected from him today. he hit the holes with authority and usually made sure tackles.

He took on blockers and It seemed like he won most of the time and forced a few runs back to the inside.

I apologize Mr. Ezeh and hope you continue to to play well and tell critics like me to shut the hell up!!!!

bacon

September 11th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^

He tries his ass off, that's for sure.  Even when he missed some tackles today, he hustled to get back into the play and sometimes still made the tackle.

Kvothe

September 11th, 2010 at 8:40 PM ^

I didn't think he had a great game, maybe it was just me?  Gordon on the other hand had possibly the worst performance of any safety I have ever seen.  Thank God we had the equalizer in D-Rob!

WilliSC48

September 11th, 2010 at 9:40 PM ^

He's definitely got talent, but unfortunately today he was pretty bad. He was the sole reason for a few of ND's big play, including the 96-yard touchdown where he was backpedaling for some reason instead of staying behind the tight end. 

Kvothe

September 11th, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^

and him having talent has nothing to do with the FACT that he had a nightmare of a game.  He did, he will get better, and we will win more games.  He had a terrible game, so what, that is all there is to it.  Wait and see the UFR for more proof if you stay stuck in denial on it.  Players have bad games it is ok to say so.

A2MIKE

September 11th, 2010 at 8:44 PM ^

I thought the play of the defense was as bad if not worse than last year v. nd.  And we all know how that story ended.  Great Win!!!!  Go Blue!!!!!!!  But let's keep our expectations in check.  We played fairly bad on defense when Crist was in there.  Lots of room for improvement, but I do like the early returns.

wolverine1987

September 11th, 2010 at 8:45 PM ^

And a missed read on a couple pass plays.  He definitely played better, and I shouldn't even be writing this in the wake of a big win, but the LB job is not solidified. Call me a debbie downer and neg away, but it wasn't that impressive.  Perhaps UFR will tell me I'm wrong--which I will welcome.

docwhoblocked

September 11th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^

What really bothers me aboutr Ezeh is his inability to get off of a block.  Does he lack upper body stregnth?  He seems to catch blockers and then he is done.   He can't shed them or push them off.  He takes bad angles on the inside running game and ends up chasing people from behind he should have tackled closer to the line if the angle of pursuit had been right.  He never seem to make much difference on the blitz unless he comes through untouched.  I hope we get a chance to see Moundros or one of the other back ups in the next two games if we get ahead.  Perhaps Ezeh is the best we have and he will continue to improve.  Hate to be so harsh but I played some linebacker and he is hard to watch.  Good enought to win at ND with him in there so maybe I should just shadup. 

jaggs

September 11th, 2010 at 9:53 PM ^

I don't share your optimism. Maybe a couple stops early but lots of missed gaps and poor angles. I'm all for enjoying the win but lets keep some realism here.

bronxblue

September 11th, 2010 at 10:33 PM ^

To be fair, Ezeh is probably never going to be an above-average MLB at UM.  But considering her was nearly passed by a converted FB and some walk-ons, his B- results are great.  I think he'll kill this team a couple of times, but he has also made enough plays that he at least evens out.

jsquigg

September 12th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^

I think Obi is an average linebacker that gets a worse UFR score simply because he's on Brian's radar from past play.  I'm not saying that the analysis on him isn't accurate on Brian's part, I'm simply saying other players don't get the same level of critique or overanalysis.