Jourdan Lewis on offense?

Submitted by uofmchris on

http://michigan.247sports.com/Bolt/Jourdan-Lewis-wants-time-on-the-offe…

 

"I'm going to put this out there right now, I want to play offense!" Lewis said. "I haven't told Harbaugh, but me and John [O'Korn] have been working on some stuff."

 

"I think I'm a little Antonio Brown!" Lewis said laughing. "I could run some routes. I think I'm a pretty good route-runner. Quickness. You've got to catch the ball though. That's obvious on the defensive side. But it's kind of easier when you can locate the ball as a receiver, you're seeing the ball in flight the whole way. Honestly, whatever I can do to get my hands on that ball, I want to do it."

1VaBlue1

July 26th, 2016 at 3:13 PM ^

Because Woodson was the best WR on the team - by a mile.  He was the only one capable of breaking it from anywhere, regardless of coverage.  Tai Streets, Marcus Knight, and Russell Shaw were capable, but lacked game breaking ability.

Chesson has game breaking ability.  And I think Darboh comes closer to that than did Streets.  Besides, Peppers still comes in on offense with his game breakmanship...  

funkywolve

July 26th, 2016 at 3:42 PM ^

The wr's in 1997 aren't exactly going to go down as one of UM's better groups.  The starters were Tai Streets and Russel Shaw and Streets battled injuries for a good part of the year.  The combined stats in 1997 for Streets and Shaw was 43 receptions, 574 yds, 6 TDs.  

dragonchild

July 27th, 2016 at 8:01 AM ^

He's also known for not being stupid.

Peppers wasn't even lined up on offense until the MSU game when the run game was ailing and Rudock still hadn't completed a long pass.  So Harbaugh needed to do something to throw STAEE off balance, but the great thing about Harbaugh is that he's always prepared to do something.  Playing Peppers on offense was always a viable option.  But they didn't put him out there against Utah; they didn't use Peppers in some Borges-esque "we do it when we're ready" thrashing of BYU.  They held off until they NEEDED him.  Peppers didn't get his first official carry until Halloween, at which point the tailbacks were in full platoon mode.

Brown's defense thrives on CBs who can play man with no safety help.  Peppers is an embarrassing luxury, but he needs Lewis.  The offense. . . doesn't need Lewis.  Lewis is great at football but he's not an all-around player like Peppers.  His best position is slot and while he has higher upside than Perry, Perry's past his freshman jitters.  I don't see Lewis replacing Perry unless Perry gets injured.

Risk of injury isn't how Harbaugh will keep Lewis away from offense.  Injury is the only way he gets there.

maizenblue92

July 26th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^

Think about what you are saying. You contradicted yourself within the same paragraph. That's kind of impressive. Basically it reads, "You shouldn't risk your best defense player on offense, unless he's really good at offense. Then it's ok." As it has already been mentioned it is not stupid because A) Woodson, Charles and B) WR is a very low risk position. Much less so than RB, which Peppers played last year.

ChiCityWolverine

July 26th, 2016 at 2:46 PM ^

I don't want to risk this in general, but the idea of them working on this a little in practice throughout and unleashing in our critical games @Sparty, @Iowa, @Ohio State, and potentially beyond... That much is enticing. And sounds pretty Harbaugh. 

UM Fan from Sydney

July 26th, 2016 at 2:50 PM ^

I'd be perfectly fine with this. Thrown him in the slot for a few plays. Maybe throw him some screens.

Goggles Paisano

July 26th, 2016 at 3:07 PM ^

Speaking realistically - I'm not a big fan of the idea. JD is too valuable at CB.  He is too small to throw out there on offense considering that he is not needed on offense. I think we have plenty of firepower and speed with the WR/Slots on the roster + Jabrill.   

BBHannah

July 26th, 2016 at 3:11 PM ^

Use him early this year when you know you can get a big play and then only use him in Big games Sparty, Ohio State. We saw how putting Jabrill in the game forced MSU to burn a few timeouts. Could be the same with JD

blueblue

July 26th, 2016 at 3:17 PM ^

One of the main reasons to do this is it really helps recruit the very best athletes, all of whom want to hear they can play both ways. I've read lots and lots of quotes from elite prospects saying they like the way Michigan uses Jabrill Peppers. 

Baugh so hard

July 26th, 2016 at 3:19 PM ^

I think Harbaugh gets him a few opportunitites just to show that good things come to those who work their tails off and compete every day. I don't think we need him in there as a difference maker relative to the rest of the roster. 

Perkis-Size Me

July 26th, 2016 at 3:31 PM ^

If he can put the team in a better position to win football games by playing a little offense, then why not?

Lewis is a great athlete with a great skill set. Could see him getting a couple reps here and there as a slot man or a jet sweep kind of guy.



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Marley Nowell

July 26th, 2016 at 3:35 PM ^

He was really good on punt returns last year so could be a slot ninja type. Still don't think he's worth putting out there as the 3rd or 4th WR option when he's so valuable at DB/PR.

Mr. Yost

July 26th, 2016 at 3:52 PM ^

Not many...but come B1G time, I think he's a lock for 5-10 snaps on offense each game.

Harbaugh's story on the QBs competing this summer and trying to steal the WRs for secret workouts was awesome.

Very cool that Lewis is helping O'Korn on offense, word on the street is they have developed a really solid chemistry this summer.

Mesabi Miner

July 26th, 2016 at 4:08 PM ^

Most people on here who got to watch him high school said he was just as good, if not better, on offense.

I wouldn't mind one bit seeing him get some snaps on that side of the ball. The cat can ball.



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Kevin13

July 26th, 2016 at 4:11 PM ^

He's to valuable on defense and we have plenty of weapons on offense already. Just be a shut down corner for us and I will be thrilled.

Mesabi Miner

July 26th, 2016 at 4:20 PM ^

Just read most of the comments. Why does the majority here think you're more likely to be injured playing offense than defense?

I understand if he's out there for a handful more snaps, the risk percentage goes up, but only because he's out there. Not because it's on offense.

If he can contribute and help us win a game(s), go for it.



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Wolfman

July 26th, 2016 at 4:39 PM ^

When you're on offense there are 11 bodie after you, whereas on defense you are one of 11 and you are the one that usualy inflicts the pain, not receives it. He is not a Leanord Fournette type body.  

I understand anything can happen in a pile and can't speak for everyone, but that would be my guess as to the thinking. I don't know what the numbers were on either side of the ball last season, but I am guessing the majority of them were amongst line members and RBs. 

wahooverine

July 26th, 2016 at 6:26 PM ^

It's simple. When you play an offensive skill position and the ball is in your hands, 11 defenders are trying to hit you, hard, and probably also trying to hurt you. Not the case on defense. Yes on defense you give and take hits but usually just one guy who you're hitting. On offense you can take blind hits, especially receivers. The worry is more just the extra snaps and the fact that he is maybe the most valuable CB in the country and even a low risk isn't worth the downside of him missing time.

McRam

July 26th, 2016 at 6:38 PM ^

Limit his touches, but the young man is superb with the ball. Maybe the best big play threat on the team or a close second anyway.

Princetonwolverine

July 26th, 2016 at 9:57 PM ^

Play him just enough to show recruits they can play both sides and to warn our big opponents, "Harbaugh may try anything".

SwitchbladeSam

July 26th, 2016 at 11:20 PM ^

I'm drunk on vacation, so don't even read the rest of my post, but I don't really see the upside. There's no doubt he's a badass athlete and has shown he can be a playmaker with the ball in his hands. I just think we have guys on offense already that can bring what he brings. Don't see the risk/reward. No disrespect. It's actually respect. He's way too valuable to our defense to risk it.

And no disrespect to Peppers. He's obviously a crucial part to our defense. He just brings a different dynamic to our offense when he's on the field that we currently don't have. It's worth the risk, even if you just use him as decoy.

Neg me, I'm on vaycay, bitches!!



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