Mike Cox
Has anyone heard anything about why we have gone primarily with Shaw and Smith, and not even tried to insert Mike Cox into the rushing attack?
It seems like with Shaw and Smith underwhelming over the first two games, the coaches would give Cox a chance to get some touches. Is the issue that RR wants speed, and Shaw / Smith are speedier?
While I have been highly impressed with our offense, having a RB that is a threat will only open up more lanes for Denard, since defenses will have to worry about two group options, and not just primarily key in on Denard (as they will undoubtedly start to do over the season).
September 13th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
...RR was a bit frustrated with Mike taking unnecessary yardage losses during camp by trying to pull a Barry Sanders and juke a bit too excessively.
I think Cox needs to do two things:
1. Hit the hole by running north / south.
2. When getting to the 2nd level, juke the linebackers and secondary as necessary to gain additional positive yardage.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:06 AM ^
tee hee....
I need this guy to graduate, my inner 8 year old will laugh at this for years
September 13th, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
hit it Hard....tee hee.....
September 13th, 2010 at 11:01 AM ^
I think everyone will see plenty of Mike Cox on Saturday.
Also, Michael Cox will probably get some playing time.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
I like what you did there. I'm sure the other teams are saying to just make sure you wrap up that rascal
September 13th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
I thought I heard on one of the broadcasts that Shaw and Smith were the two guys who didn't fumble in fall camp. Considering our recent turnover struggles have been replaced with a +4 through two games, I'm okay with that being the criteria.
Hopefully everybody gets some carries on Saturday and at least a couple guys go over 100 yards against the Minutemen.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:09 AM ^
Smith put it on the ground in the fall scrimmage, and it was recovered by the defense.
September 13th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^
I'll take a back that gets us 100 yards/game with the occasional fumble over the guy who gets us 30 yards/game with no fumbles. It might be frustrating when they fumble, but it will be even more frustrating when Denard gets injured and we don't have a RB or QB that can get us some rushing yards.
September 13th, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^
I just don't think that is the choice the coaches were facing (I'm guessing Cox, Hopkins, or whoever was healthy enough to play would have had roughly the same production the last two weeks). When the potential production is basically equal (which I think is the case with this group), I have no problem with the staff picking the guys who will protect the ball better.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
Fitzgerald Toussaint.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:09 AM ^
Me 2, I want to see jump cuts-a-plenty
September 13th, 2010 at 11:40 AM ^
No, wait a second...that's not what I meant.
September 13th, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^
Buddy.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:59 AM ^
I want to see Fitz, too, but in limited action for the next two weeks. Get him some reps, but also give his knee a chance to heal completely before the start of Big Ten play. Then set him loose against Indiana.
My guess is we'll see a lot of Shaw and Smith early the next two weeks with Stephen Hopkins taking increased reps in the second halves to get up to speed. By the time week five rolls around, we should have 4 regular contributors at tailback.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^
I agree - I am excited to see Fitz Toussaint this week.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:11 AM ^
Is this a good idea not to redshirt Gardner? Do they plan on using him extensivley this year? Are they going to redshirt him next year? I dont understand using up his eligibility if he is one year behind Robinson. Can soembody shed some light on this situation???
September 13th, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^
You're in luck. I'd say you have any one of around 1,254,869 board posts to choose from to find your answer. Or not, 50/50.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^
Blocking, pass catching, and not fumbling are just as important as rushing. I'd bet that Shaw and Smith do these the best of the available RBs in the eyes of the coaches.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
for the avatar.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^
Does anyone know why Big Will hasn't seen the field yet?
September 13th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^
Will was the lead blocker on Stephen Hopkins touchdown, so he has seen the field.
As far as getting reps on defense, this defense really only features one big defensive tackle and right now Campbell is behind Mike Martin (third year starter, 4-star recruit, potential all-conference selection) and Adam Patterson (5th year senior, 4-star recruit, super athletic guy by all accounts). That is how a depth chart is supposed to look. Will is going to play and is probably going to be pretty good, but he is a true sophomore sitting behind guys who aren't exactly scrubs. This is a change for the better (as opposed to starting true freshmen on the d-line like we have the last two years).
Look for Big Will to eat a couple of UMass guards on Saturday.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
But he did, he was a lead blocker on Hopkins' TD (Ala the Fridge for the Bears)
September 13th, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
Yes, actually there were 3 lead blockers, BWC and Quinton Washington. Talk about size, those 2 combine for about 650lbs. If they aren't the two biggest guys on the team, they're close to it.
September 13th, 2010 at 11:52 AM ^
He'll play a lot against UMass, get all of you amped up, and not see the field again for awhile. These coaches know what they're doing. If he deserved to play, he'd be in there. I've heard waaaaayy too much about him missing assignments and not understanding the offense enough to not be looking for him on Saturdays.
September 13th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
September 13th, 2010 at 1:15 PM ^
I think people are just waiting for the right hole to open up.
September 13th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^
I was going to stick my head in there, but figured others had already covered it and filled the void.
September 13th, 2010 at 5:45 PM ^
Don't push it.
September 13th, 2010 at 2:46 PM ^
Maybe because we've realized that making fun of our own player's name is pretty asshole-ish? Let's stop it. Stupid "cock" jokes are pure MLive.
September 13th, 2010 at 4:13 PM ^
on Saturday.
September 13th, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
Zing.
September 13th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^
Im not basing this on any info, but it might have to do with Cox's ability as a reciever
September 13th, 2010 at 5:33 PM ^
We should see Mike, Fitz, and Hopkins a lot over the next couple of weeks. By week 5-6 we should have a better idea of where the RB's stand going forward.
September 13th, 2010 at 9:08 PM ^
...I am hoping he runs for a TD and then have RR say during the presser, "Cox saw the hole open up and really hit it hard." Should be enough of a great quote to get RR the COTY award!