ShockFX

September 20th, 2008 at 3:19 PM ^

I don't think Rich Rod would turn down a superior athlete just because he played TE in high school.  While we might be recruiting him as a DE, I'm sure a TE that is the equivalent of FB Schmitt would be very enticing.  I mean, we have Carson Butler, but I think he's too messed up in the head to play the way he's needed too.  His blocking (lack of) and numerous penalties being the obvious explanations.

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 4073

ShockFX

September 20th, 2008 at 3:26 PM ^

Oh, and I think Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez style TEs would be fantastic addition to the offense.  A large safety valve (Joppru, Tuman, other big TE we had late 90s) are a tremendous help for a young QB and great at moving the chains.  Rich Rod is all about exploiting matchups, and that does include a TE.  We have Koger/Moore, but getting a TE/FB/DE/bigWR potential is something that we should take once a year if they are great athletes.

Joined: 07/16/2008

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goody

September 20th, 2008 at 3:30 PM ^

If RR is recruiting him as a DE/LB then great, but if it is for TE then just let him go.  Next year Michigan will have Butler (maybe), Koger and Moore.  That is more than enough TEs for a couple of years.  I would rather have a lower ranked OL or LB than a higher ranked player that Michigan does not really need.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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PattyMax64

September 20th, 2008 at 5:40 PM ^

The problem with taking a lower ranked LB or OL is that they will most likely not make any type of impact on the team.  We are a big enough school that a low 3-star LB or OL will never see the field because the 4-star we will get next year in that spot will be past the lower recruit the second he steps on campus.  Te option to take a pro-style TE is one thy should not just look past, as they can i some cases even be transferred into a huge WR, like Mario Urritia at Louisville last year.  It becomes a HUGE mismatch for a 5'11 CB to cover a 6'6 WR/TE.

Joined: 07/21/2008

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Magnus

September 21st, 2008 at 11:53 AM ^

David Harris was a 3-star LB.  He turned out to be awesome.  Obi Ezeh was a 3-star running back...and now he's the next big thing at LB.  It doesn't matter how you're rated.  It's how you play.  Anyway, I seriously doubt that Charles will commit to Michigan, but we're recruiting him as an athlete.  The coaches have said that he might be able to play either side of the ball.  And the tight end would be used more if we had a more experienced quarterback.  As it is, it's safer to throw the ball to the edges and keep the ball away from the middle of the field.  But once Threet (or Forcier or Beaver) get some experience, they'll be able to exploit the middle of the field more.  The TE can still be an asset in this offense.

Joined: 07/17/2008

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Farnn

September 21st, 2008 at 12:24 PM ^

I agree with you on the prospect of TEs in this offense once our QBs get better.  As seen by the end of the ND game when Sherridan threw the interception that Butler didn't catch.  If that throw had been towards the sidelines the likelyhood of the opponent intercepting it would have been much less.

 Once this offence really gets in gear, with a group of incredible slot recievers, a solid O-line, some great deep threats like Stonum and Mcneal, and a moble QB who is also a passing threat, I don't see how defenses will be able to stop it, as there will be so many weapons.

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ShockFX

September 20th, 2008 at 6:17 PM ^

You never know what you need though.  Jason Forcier thought he wasn't needed.  Oops.  Oregon is on their 8th QB.  UCLA last year had a 4th stringer at QB.  Stanford played a walkon 5th string QB.  Florida has had like 5 ACL tears this year.  This is why USC is great every year, they take the most talented players available and let the cards fall where they may.

Joined: 07/16/2008

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PattyMax64

September 21st, 2008 at 3:20 AM ^

Umm, that is almost exactly what I was saying, although my argument boiled down to take the best players available and FIT your system to them.  The examples you chose are also some of the obscure examples, and those are very unlikely to happen. When you only get 85 scholarships, you can't waste those on a 4th string OL who will never play when you can get one of the top athletes in the country.

Joined: 07/21/2008

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ShockFX

September 21st, 2008 at 4:10 PM ^

Well, I was actually completely agreeing with you.  I think we just posted at a similar time or I never read your post, as my response wasn't directed at you.  They aren't, however, that obscure as all 4 happened last year at a BCS school,  Either way we're in agreement.  Top athletes whooooo!

Joined: 07/16/2008

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tricks574

September 20th, 2008 at 10:57 PM ^

You can move them around, put them at LB, bulk him up and put him on one of the lines. Morgan Trent was a WR coming out of HS, and Obi Ezeh was a RB. He probably doesn't end up at TE, but theres always a place for very athletic, large men on a football team.

Joined: 07/01/2008

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mjv

September 22nd, 2008 at 10:18 AM ^

If our QBs were more experienced, Butler would be making a much bigger contribution (beyond stupid penalties).  On the 4th down incomplete that Threet threw down the right side line (I believe to Odoms), Butler was wide open over the middle beyond the sticks.  If Threet better understood the offense, he probably finds Butler for the first down. 

It will take time in the system for our QBs to be able to make all of the progressions and find the open man.  A manbearfreak type TE can play a big role, but our QBs aren't there yet.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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