esipp

August 11th, 2008 at 12:29 PM ^

"There were two tailbacks in the backfield, an empty backfield, wide receivers motioning into an empty backfield to become tailbacks, slotbacks turning into quarterbacks, quarterbacks turning into wide receivers, tight ends lining up in the slot and so forth."

First clue to how RR might use the tight ends. Maybe we'll see some Dallas Clark-esque routes?

Joined: 07/01/2008

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Brian

August 11th, 2008 at 2:50 PM ^

yeah, everyone's saying Carson Butler is seriously for serious this year. He's in a contract year of sorts, so he could blow up. He's always had run-away-from-Florida-secondary speed. Now just block someone sometime ever please.

Joined: 05/26/2008

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mjv

August 11th, 2008 at 5:14 PM ^

Colin, I had questioned your view on the TE production due to the belief that tight ends can act as security blankets for young QBs. After reading this post, it sounds like the security blanket is more the flared slot receiver, and less the TE. I will make a guess that whoever our young QB is this year (likely Threet) they will have a pretty good idea of the most likely open receiver on a given play and the ball will get forced into that person, regardless of where they are on the progressions. (In 2004, it was Henne forcing the ball into Braylon.) And from this write-up, it sounds like the QBs are checking right past the down field receivers to the flares. If they learn that there is usually a reasonably-open TE to check down to, that may become a common destination. This is not to say that the QB is making the proper reads and throwing the ball to the open man, rather, that in practice or in early game situations, if a given option was regularly open, that will likely become the default option, regardless of the reality of a given play.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 11th, 2008 at 7:44 PM ^

Are we seriously punching Butler's ticket to early-entry in the NFL draft after he, largely, did nothing last year? Or ever? I know he's a great athelete, but he hasn't even turned in a 250 yard season yet.

And honestly, if there is one dude on the team that I would say WON'T be that affected by Barwisization, it's Butler - he was pretty freaky athletic phenomenon before. He needs to get his head straight, and learn to block.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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dex

August 11th, 2008 at 8:00 PM ^

That's enough of your Butler bashing - he's going to be a damn monster this year and you know it.

 

I do think he might go early if he has a decent year - but that it'll be more of a Shazor/Arrington decision where he might be a year away but go anyway and take the risk.  

Joined: 06/30/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 11th, 2008 at 8:07 PM ^

Is butler an awesome athelete? Sure.

Do NFL teams often draft on athleticism, and de-prioritize productivity? Sure.

But, you know - Butler hasn't even been decent in college yet. I understand saying Brandon Graham could go early...because Graham has been good.

And yeah, he could go early "like Shazor", but Shazor didn't even get drafted. I mean, I can declare for the draft and not get picked today.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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Ace

August 11th, 2008 at 8:15 PM ^

Shazor didn't get drafted, and Arrington went 7th round, but I don't know if Butler really cares. Arrington might actually be a really similar comparison, since he was also in the doghouse, had a good year, and bolted at the first sign of NFL interest. Butler could very easily do the same thing.

Definitely count me among those who think Butler will be an animal this year, by the way.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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dex

August 11th, 2008 at 10:20 PM ^

That was my point - Butler might go pro if he a good year, but it doesn't mean he's ready to go pro.

 

Just saying it wouldn't be the first guy who leaves college too early for whatever reason. So while I don't think he'd be ready to go, I wouldn't be shocked if he did.  

Joined: 06/30/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 12th, 2008 at 9:03 AM ^

I hope that Jim Potempa gets a 70 yard TD run in garbage time and promptly declares himself eligible for the draft.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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J. Lichty

August 12th, 2008 at 10:01 AM ^

Arrington might actually be a really similar comparison, since he was also in the doghouse, had a good year, and bolted at the first sign of NFL interest.

I think Arrington's situation was more due to the fact that the QB was leaving, the coach was leaving and new system was coming in.  He knew that he would go lower this year, but given the new facts on the ground, his upside for staying was far from guaranteed.  I think Arrington will stick in the NFL and be a solid 2nd-3rd receiver.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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spartyNO

August 12th, 2008 at 11:02 AM ^

The only reason Arrington bolted was because of the Cap One Bowl.  If not for that game, he wouldn't have made an NFL team.  I'm still pretty surprised he got drafted.  He must have had an awesome combine.

I can't see Butler leaving.  Hell, Travis Beckum was the best TE in the country last year and he stayed, and I really doubt he's going to put up that kid's numbers this year.  I was under the impression the TE was kind of ignored in the spread, but I evidently it's not, which is good.  I'm still trying to figure out where the hell Michigan's TEs have been the last couple of years.

Joined: 07/16/2008

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