Michigan 2010 WR Production Better than Advertised?

Submitted by 2014 on

Before the season started, I was of the belief that Deanthony Arnett (and other top flight WRs) were justified in eschewing Michigan for more WR friendly offenses. I'm not sure I'm on board with that theory anymore given the early WR production.

Let's look at the potential top two contenders for Arnett at this point vs. our WRs. Chart by top 3 WRs number of receptions:

First Last School Catches Yards Avg. TD
Ronald Johnson USC 26 358 13.8 5
Roy Roundtree Michigan 25 337 13.5 2
Daryl Stonum Michigan 15 226 15.1 2
Mark Dell Michigan St. 16 263 16.4 1
Keshawn Martin Michigan St. 16 219 13.7 1
B.J. Cunningham Michigan St. 17 215 12.6 3
Robert Woods USC 13 175 13.5 1
Martavious Odoms Michigan 14 165 11.8 0
Brandon Carswell USC 6 92 15.3 1
Top 3 WR Total Michigan 54 728 13.5 4
Top 3 WR Total Michigan St. 49 697 14.2 5
Top 3 WR Total USC 45 625 13.9 7

Chart by top 3 WRs number of yards (Odoms and Hemingway switch, look at the YPC leap):

First Last School Catches Yards Avg. TD
Ronald Johnson USC 26 358 13.8 5
Roy Roundtree Michigan 25 337 13.5 2
Daryl Stonum Michigan 15 226 15.1 2
Mark Dell Michigan St. 16 263 16.4 1
Keshawn Martin Michigan St. 16 219 13.7 1
B.J. Cunningham Michigan St. 17 215 12.6 3
Junior Hemingway Michigan 6 190 31.7 1
Robert Woods USC 13 175 13.5 1
Brandon Carswell USC 6 92 15.3 1
Top 3 WR Total Michigan 46 753 16.4 5
Top 3 WR Total Michigan St. 49 697 14.2 5
Top 3 WR Total USC 45 625 13.9 7

 

We're only 5 weeks in obviously, but this dilithium enhanced version of the RR offense leads me to believe that Arnett & Co. wouldn't be crazy to start thinking about Michigan as a real option for top WRs again. Thoughts?

 

edit: (I added a chart on top 3 WRs by number of yards vs. number of receptions. Odoms and Hemingway swap out as the #3, look at the leap on YPC)

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BlockM

October 5th, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^

WRs will get plenty of play in this offense. Now that Denard has shown he's a threat that should be obvious, but we also have Devin Gardner waiting in the wings who has already proven he can throw a sick deep ball.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 40727

blueheron

October 5th, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^

Deanthony wants someone who will get him ready for the National Football League!  RichRod's gimmick offense doesn't produce any National Football League players.  Deanthony needs to go to a school that runs a PRO STYLE OFFENSE so that he can get to the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

Also, SMASHMOUTH!  ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 30737

funkywolve

October 5th, 2010 at 12:29 PM ^

the fear with some wr's, besides their worry about how much passing would take place in the RR offense, is that it isn't a 'pro-style' offense - a lot of screens and quick slants (not that those plays aren't used in the pro game).  However, Percy Harvin had a great rookie year after playing in the Meyer spread offense in college.

Joined: 10/08/2008

MGoPoints: 20185

2014

October 5th, 2010 at 12:54 PM ^

based on YPC vs. # of catches to define the top 3 WRs. Hemingway swaps out Odoms and really moves our YPC average significantly above the comp (13% higher than MSUs Pro Style attack).

The point I guess is that explosive is explosive no matter how you draw it up. If I'm Arnett & co., I'm drooling to be a part of this offense...

Joined: 12/11/2009

MGoPoints: 2359

greenphoenix

October 5th, 2010 at 12:59 PM ^

That's a huge advantage in the NFL; a lot of schemes in college don't have such active wide receiver blocking, so they come into the NFL not knowing how to contribute that way. Big deal in West Coast offenses.

Joined: 09/18/2010

MGoPoints: 924

Braylon 5 Hour…

October 5th, 2010 at 1:14 PM ^

It's hard to tell how much of the improvement from last year to this year has come from our wide receivers themselves, and how much it has been them benefiting from all the extra attention given to Denard + the better offensive line play.  

That being said, I think we have a little of everything from our receivers.  Stonum has good size and speed, Roundtree is Mr. Reliable, Odoms does a little bit of everything, and Junior while he is healthy can make big plays all over the field. They have caught almost everything that comes their way, and blocked well as was mentioned above.  They are certainly outperforming the tailbacks. 

Joined: 03/18/2009

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UMfan21

October 5th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^

Is there anywhere that has data for YACs?  I know Denard has thrown a few deep balls, but it seems to me at first glance, our WRs really catch a lot of short/intermediate passes and really rack up the YAC yardage.  Probably moreso than other WRs.

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 51217

JC3

October 5th, 2010 at 1:49 PM ^

Is anyone else really impressed with the receivers? When we let Soup Campbell go everyone was like "Who the fuck is Tony Dews?" But not only do recruits love him, his players love him, and now they're actually showing what they're made of.

Kudos to Coach Dews and the kids. They're a good group.

Joined: 07/17/2009

MGoPoints: 1351

Tater

October 5th, 2010 at 2:14 PM ^

The system creates gross mismatches.  Denard makes it even tougher on the defense, thus creating even more grosss mismatches.  And we were all very impressed when these guys were recruited because of their speed.  All of them can make the first guy miss a majority of the time.  If you make the first guy miss and there is nobody else there, it is a lot of trouble for the defense.

When you add it all together, you get a lot of yards by recievers.

Joined: 08/13/2008

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