MLIVE per ESPN: Derrick Green "Future Star"
Link: here (MLIVE article: link to ESPN Insider article paywalled)
Tom Lugenbill:
"If ever there was an identity-defining running back for an offensive philosophy, it's Green"
"Michigan wants nothing more than to get back to power football via a controlled passing game based off play-action, and Green is the right back to execute it. Not only do we expect him to get significant playing time as a true freshman, but we expect him to be a bell-cow back, in similar fashion to Montee Ball at Wisconsin (only Green is bigger and more physical and might be faster)."
"Montee Ball at Wisconsin (only Green is bigger and more physical and might be faster)."
Did Fred Jackson write this article!?
than Mike Hart.
"...and made of metal."
Similar fashion to Montee Ball except that Green is bigger, more physical, and might be faster....did Fred Jackson ghost write this article???
Woah, I bet Fred Jackson wrote this!
It's nice of ESPN to take some time off working to show us some love
I read that article and was amused at how it was claiming essentially the opposite of what Ron Utah has discovered through his 4 part series in the diaries. According to Utah, Borges isn't going for a "controlled passing game", but one that allows for attacking defenses deep down the field.
Yet more proof that ESPN writers just throw shit against the wall.
Yes, but from reading "Who is Al Borges", that doesn't seem to be the gameplan that Borges has preferred his entire career. He wants to pick up yards passing, and then pass some more to set up more passing. He'll run the ball because he wants a balanced offense, but his best years came when passing was picking up the majority of the yards.
If balance is based on percentage of plays run, is going to pick up signifcantly more yards per play passing than running. I don't think he wants " to pick up yards passing, and then pass some more to set up more passing" and only "run the ball because he wants a balanced offense". I think he wants to successfully pick up yards and maximize efficiency and production, and his methodology for doing this is to have a balanced attack, whether that be by setting up the pass with the run, or setting up the run with the pass is yet to be seen. But he definately isn't passing to set up more passing.
If Gardner throws for 5.0 YPC this year, we lose every game we play. If Green and/or Toussaint runs for 5.0 yards/carry this year, we'll all be rejoicing.
Is "controlled" some kind of sports code for "short" or "mid-range" passing? Can't an offense that features downfield passing also be considered "controlled?"
Also, don't most passing plays go for more yards than most running plays? I feel like saying that he gains more yards through the air even though he has balanced play calling doesn't actually mean a whole lot.
I don't know that the "Who is Al Borges" series really gives a definitive answer to whether Borges likes to throw for everything or run for everything. At times he had a high powered passing attack when he had a good QB, and at times he had a killer run game when he had good RBs (or, more accurately, a good run blocking OL).
As much as I dislike ESPN's brand of journalism, I don't think that that particular quotation contradicts Utah's conclusions. By "controlled passing game," I think he's implying that the coaches hope to move from the spread offense style of passing on-the-run (which we can all agree is somewhat frenetic and uncontrolled) to a more traditional, 3 step drop pro-style. I don't think the phrase "controlled passing game" necessarily rules out deep attacks. I will agree, however, that ESPN is often guilty of "throwing shit against the wall."
That particular quotation misses the rest of the pertinent details from the article. It goes on to state that they wouldn't be surprised if the gameplan called for Green to be the primary receiver as well. My apologies for not noticing that the OP didn't include that in the quote. I am basing my argument for that article beign worthless more on that.
In no way do I think anyone rational expects Borges to craft an offense that is simply the Derrick Green show. Which is what I took the "controlled passing game" to imply when taken in conjunction with "offensive coordinator Al Borges might use Green as he did Ronnie Brown at Auburn in terms of passing nearly exclusively to the running back."
Maybe I'm wrong, but I really hope that isn't what he is going to try and do.
Unfortunately you can't assume everybody reads the articles around here. In this case, I didn't bother reading it because I don't care what ESPN says, but I do scan the comments for any interesting tidbits people point out.
First, and most importantly, Army of Darkness is one of the most underrated movies of all time. LOVE IT.
Second, you are 100% right. Borges has never designed an offense around one player, and, in fact, Brown only got 187 touches is 2004. Cadillac had 260. Brown was second on the team in receptions at 34--much less than the 55 rec one of his RBs (Ricky Whittle) got--but six other players had 19 or more.
Borges has NEVER had an offense that was designed around one player.
Interesting that the Ron Utah series came to mind for me while reading as well, although for me it kind of reinforced the theme that caught my attention: that Borges' offense will be about as good as his o-line. If they're good, these weapons could do some serious damage. If not, well, we'll have some growing pains which will hopefully be worked out by Ohio.
I'm really hoping that HTTV gives me some peace of mind in regards to our young interior. In the meantime, are there any diaries I missed showing past red shirt freshmen/sophmore linemen of similar recruiting ranking in their first years playing - possibly showing progression throughout the season and looking for how much difference the coaching staff makes?
I'd make it myself if it doesn't yet exist but I barely got a C- in STATS 100 and my knowledge of Excel is limited to reading spreadsheets.
I think Borges is going for a controlled passing game. He'll use lots of short passes to set-up his deep attack, where he'll look to take at least 3-5 shots each game.
Everyone throws deep. Borges does it less than, say, Steve Spurrier. But his gameplan is designed around getting chunks of yards through plays set-up through the running and short passing game.
That was just like something Fred Jackson would say, only more hyperbolic, and with SPEED.
Fred Jackson seems to be turning the tide on the rivalry. Selling superlatives in Ohio is a good start.
"Montee Ball at Wisconsin (only Green is bigger and more physical and might be faster)...he's taller too and I can't eat soup off his head."
Hey guys, did Fred Jackson write this article or something? I'm not sure if anybody else had this thought or anything.
This is change I can believe in!!
Is anything really being said in this article that hasn't been said already? Besides the Fred Jackson hyperbole, this is really just regurgitated fluff based on speculation from watching his high school tape. I was kind of hoping maybe they were getting something from inside the summer work outs or something, but I guess not.
I've been saying that for months!
Nice try Fred, but I know it's you!
Name dropper.
If that's the case, that's OK in my book.
HALOL hey guys did Fred Ja--
Oh. Dammit.
Fred Jackson
WHAT?!? Green is a PRESENT five-star!!! Damn ESPN to hell for all eternity!!!!
/s
I think players that are expected to be good are going to be good and used a high percentage of the time.
/pay me ESPN
Fred Jackson?
Of course he's going to be amazing. There. I saved you from paying for ESPN Inside-The Crap-Hole-r.
This guy writes a lot like Fred Jackson but more insightfully.