Omameh threw the key block on long Denard TD
Since Omameh didn't get so much love in the last UFR, I thought I would write this up. Of course, every block on that play was critical, but if you go through the film, the Omameh block stands out. He pushes back the ILB Manti Te'o, #5, and in the process of doing so, Te'o trips up the safety, #22, Harrison Smith. If Smith doesn't get tripped, he makes the tackle and Robinson gains 9 yards instead of 87.
Here are the pics -- in the first one, on the left side of the screen, you see Omameh driving Te'o back and Smith trying to get out of the way (apologies for the blurry NBC video):
Then, you see Smith trip on Teo's back foot:
Smith wipes out:
As you can see, if he had been able to stay afloat, he would have had the angle on Denard, or at least have forced Denard to cut to the sideline, limiting his gains:
September 12th, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^
September 12th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^
Getting to the second level and egttign good contact on a LB or safety is very tough for most offensive linemen. Very well done.
September 12th, 2010 at 11:28 PM ^
He actually made that block two yards downfield. It just looks like more because he ran T'eo backwards so fast another five or so and right into the safety.
September 12th, 2010 at 11:50 PM ^
because getting them downfield and being agile enough to take out DBers/LBers is what is crucial to running the spread.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
I was going to put a post up about this earlier, but decided against it, what a great pancake on Te'o. Always good to see a lineman on a linebacker.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:31 PM ^
Should Te'o's new nickname be "The Hawaiian Pancake"?
September 12th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
"He got pancaked, but he got pancaked LIKE A FIVE STAR!"
/Brian
September 12th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
so +1
September 12th, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
I thought about posting this earlier but was too lazy. If someone can imbed the NBC video of the play, that'd be great.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^
It's on the main page, top video I believe.
Fantastic block. He's got a lot to learn, but he's going to be a great one before he leaves Michigan.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:27 PM ^
See 1'44". Enjoy, over and over and over and over....
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September 12th, 2010 at 7:57 PM ^
That's an unknown sub three star prospect pooping all over the 2nd overall prospect of the 2009 class according to ESPN. Pooping I say!
September 12th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^
It is amazing to watch how the safety looks like he might catch denard and then denard just blows him away. unreal.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^
7th gear, he's got it
September 12th, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
I was meaning to ask if someone saw who through that block - two guys in one block is pretty sweet. Good to see it was Omameh making the play downfield, considering he's been getting hammered on a bit for some of his mistakes.
Also, in the last frame there, you see another ND safety or somesuch on the ground, cut down by one of our receivers. Downfield blocking like that will be huge in turning 5-10 yard runs into 10-87 yard runs.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:16 PM ^
That block was by Roundtree, who had an amazing game for someone who was coughing up blood last week.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
Another great week by our receivers with catching and blocking. I don't remember many (if any) dropped balls.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:53 PM ^
The only dropped ball that comes to mind was Koger. It was on 3rd down in the 2nd quarter (I think). You're right though, all and all, the WRs and TEs made huge strides from last season until now.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:59 PM ^
September 12th, 2010 at 7:00 PM ^
September 12th, 2010 at 7:15 PM ^
September 12th, 2010 at 9:24 PM ^
It was a very catchable ball, but it didn't exactly "hit him in the numbers." It was out in front of him a little bit.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:49 PM ^
during the last drive. Hopefully that repressed your memories of the drops. Most of those drops would not have made a difference in my opinion. One by Stonum stands out as hurting.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:20 PM ^
Plus you can see the red shift as Denard nears the 20.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:00 PM ^
Nice! I love a good "Big Bang Theory"-esque comment.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^
Omameh is going to be a great player, he is raw at times but he's only going to get better and better. Our entire offensive line is probably the most athletic in the country, we're going to wear a lot of teams out continually running for as many yards as we do. Very excited about this team moving forward and gaining more confidence as the season progresses.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:28 PM ^
I liked looking at picture #2 where there are two defenders crashing in on Denard. In the next picture, he seems to be taking a step and there are 4 people after him in the next, he just light's it up and in two steps has enough separation to smoke the defenders. The TD Doesn't happen without the excellent downfield blocking on that play.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^
as well. Our linemen and receivers are doing a really good job at downfield blocking the first two games....
September 12th, 2010 at 6:41 PM ^
That was a great block by Patrick , but we were fortunate that Dorrestein got away with a hold on #90 on that play too.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:00 PM ^
the refs probably warned him about holding on that play
September 12th, 2010 at 7:42 PM ^
Great catch; good to see Omameh get some credit.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:55 PM ^
I noticed this last night watching that play for the 907th time. He takes on Te'o (who's been slobbered all over by the announcers), drives him back nearly ten yards, pancakes him and also takes out the pursuing DB in the process. Instead of Denard having to beat that DBby himself he has a clear 87-yard path to six. Great block.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:08 PM ^
Patrick Omameh
Devours the preying Manti.
Touchdown: Michigan!
September 12th, 2010 at 9:25 PM ^
I think Roundtree's block was pretty important on that play too. If he hadn't laid that guy out, Denard wouldn't have gone untouched and he might have gotten caught while trying to get away from the safety. Roundtree and Omameh, nice job!