Rivals: Norfleet expected to return to offense

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February 20th, 2013 at 1:36 PM
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MH20
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Rivals: Norfleet expected to return to offense

Sounds like our favorite scatback is headed back to offense.  From a Rivals spring preview article found here ($), I give you the money quote:

 

"He's supposedly going back to offense," Blackwell [ed: Norfleet's 7-on-7 coach] said. "They will use him in the slot and in the return game, and some as a running back. Coach [Greg] Mattison is saying he can still use him on defense and is making an argument to keep him there, but Dennis' passion is for the offense. That's where he wants to play, and from talking to Dennis it appears that's where he's going to play.

 

The rest of the article basically describes why Norfleet went to defense in the first place (potential for PT in the bowl game) and that offense is his true passion (duh).  It also highlights his need to beef up his blocking and grasp of the playbook in order to see the field more.

Brian is going to cry tears of joy.

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

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February 20th, 2013 at 1:38 PM | Special teams, offense, and (Score:5 Normal)
GoBlueInNYC
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Joined: 03/23/2010
MGoPoints: 5821

Special teams, offense, and defense: Dennis Norfleet, triple threat! 

Good thing the kid seems to have boundless energy.

I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:43 PM | I wonder who will be featured (Score:2 Normal)
jmdblue
Joined: 12/01/2010
MGoPoints: 652

in the GIF to follow??

We're gonna play with toughness, we're gonna be responsible and we're gonna play with toughness.  This is Michigan.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:47 PM | The best drummer in (Score:5 Normal)
chunkums
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Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 9106

The best drummer in Michigan:

 

For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:48 PM | The best drummer in (Score:5 Normal)
chunkums
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Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 9106

The best drummer in Michigan:

 

For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:54 PM | lmao.. (Score:1)
switch26
Joined: 02/04/2010
MGoPoints: 2637

lmao..

February 20th, 2013 at 1:54 PM | So nice, I had to up-mod it (Score:5 Normal)
GoBlueInNYC
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Joined: 03/23/2010
MGoPoints: 5821

So nice, I had to up-mod it twice!

I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

February 20th, 2013 at 2:23 PM | I was expecting dancing Kate.... (Score:2 Normal)
jmdblue
Joined: 12/01/2010
MGoPoints: 652

and I received MGOgenius!

We're gonna play with toughness, we're gonna be responsible and we're gonna play with toughness.  This is Michigan.

February 20th, 2013 at 2:36 PM | I was standing next to him at (Score:5 Normal)
DeuceInTheDeuce
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Joined: 10/29/2008
MGoPoints: 767

I was standing next to him at the AATA stop the other day.  He waits for the bus in the same way he waits for the opening kickoff. Dude's a one-man dance party.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:42 PM | This news makes me very happy. (Score:5 Normal)
Bombadil
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February 20th, 2013 at 2:30 PM | Retro. (Score:4 Normal)
Balrog_of_Morgoth
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Is that Groucho Marx in Horse Feathers? Trivia: Harry Newman led Michigan to a national championship in the year this movie came out, and Gerald Ford was our back-up center. I feel like this post should end with a ~Herm.

February 20th, 2013 at 2:55 PM | Yes, it's Groucho as Quincy Adams Wagstaff (Score:2 Normal)
Bombadil
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Yes, it's Groucho as Quincy Adams Wagstaff the college president. Groucho gets convinced to recruit professional football players but ends up signing Harpo and Chico instead. A must-see for the witty, high-IQ mgocommunity. Wow, I'm a dork.

 

February 20th, 2013 at 3:08 PM | Well (Score:4 Normal)
Blazefire
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For the record, they may have looked like pro players. They're pretty good with disguises.

"We foola you good, eh boss?"

"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
February 20th, 2013 at 5:14 PM | The guy who posits the (Score:3 Normal)
Logan88
Joined: 01/05/2009
MGoPoints: 2906

The guy who posits the question and the guy who responds to the question both have Tolkien-inspired screen names. Coincidence? Or is it RDT (Roll Damn Tolkien)?

We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!

February 20th, 2013 at 5:27 PM | 9+1+1=11 (Score:2)
Balrog_of_Morgoth
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9/11.

February 20th, 2013 at 5:48 PM | Half life 3 confirmed! (Score:1 Trolling)
david from wyoming
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Half life 3 confirmed!

Are you a park ranger at Yellowstone? Say hi to Yogi Bear for me. - the_big_house 500th

I may not be a 70 year old man. - Herm

February 20th, 2013 at 5:32 PM | Coincidence. I don't think (Score:2 Normal)
Bombadil
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Coincidence. I don't think RDT was smart enough to have been a Tolkien reader. Although, finding someone who has also seen Horse Feathers is quite rare. 

As for Tolkien inspired names I think there's: Thorin, Balrog, and myself. Perhaps Logan88 can become Glorfindel.  

February 20th, 2013 at 9:33 PM | Nah, I'll take Radagast the (Score:2)
Logan88
Joined: 01/05/2009
MGoPoints: 2906

Nah, I'll take Radagast the Brown.

We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!

February 20th, 2013 at 5:49 PM | And look at their joining dates- (Score:2)
Michigasling
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Joined: 11/21/2009
MGoPoints: 3277

Only digits are 0, 1 and 2 for both of them.  Very suspicious.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:42 PM | Darren Sproles comparisons (Score:5 Normal)
evenyoubrutus
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Darren Sproles comparisons still have a chance!

Not that I loved Rich Rod less, but that I loved Michigan more.

February 20th, 2013 at 2:30 PM | You're black, your short, you (Score:5 Normal)
robbyt003
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Joined: 10/25/2010
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You're black, your short, you play Running Back. = Darren Sproles

You're white, your short, you play Wide Receiver = Wes Welker

 

“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing” - Bo Schembechler

February 20th, 2013 at 2:34 PM | (No subject) (Score:3 Normal)
Wolverine Devotee
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When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

February 20th, 2013 at 3:52 PM | I don't get it... (Score:1 Trolling)
Mr. Yost
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Joined: 07/25/2011
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That's raisin?

Sunmaid?

“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”

February 20th, 2013 at 2:36 PM | disagree (Score:5 Normal)
Benoit Balls
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Drew Dileo is not the next Wes Welker. Wes Welker was the first Drew Dileo

ALWAYS remember the golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules

 

February 20th, 2013 at 3:10 PM | Mind = Blown (Score:5 Normal)
Blazefire
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"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
February 20th, 2013 at 1:46 PM | Coach Mattision expressed (Score:5 Normal)
mGrowOld
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MGoPoints: 13158

Coach Mattision expressed disapointment in losing Norfleet back to the other side of the ball:

"Look...we gave the kid all off season to grow and put him on a strick diet to facilitate growth but despits all our efforts he simply refuses to get any taller.  Until Dennis gets serious about his height we sadly have no place for him on defense."

 

 

February 20th, 2013 at 1:56 PM | I bet we could stretch him. (Score:1)
IncrediblyBLUE
Joined: 03/26/2011
MGoPoints: 588

I bet we could stretch him.

Coach Hoke once told me that a moral victory is still a (expletive deleted) loss.

February 20th, 2013 at 3:53 PM | Deer Antler Spray? (Score:2 Normal)
Mr. Yost
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Joined: 07/25/2011
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“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”

February 20th, 2013 at 1:44 PM | I never understood why Brian (Score:5 Normal)
Belisarius
Joined: 08/12/2010
MGoPoints: 1042

I never understood why Brian was so worked up about this. There was never anything suggesting the move was permanant, and it seemed to me pretty clear this was about CB depth, with Countess and Floyd both down and out.

Don't quote laws to us. We carry swords.

-Pompeius Magnus

February 20th, 2013 at 1:58 PM | ...nothing except Coach (Score:5 Normal)
meddler
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Joined: 09/08/2010
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...nothing except Coach Mallory telling Heiko as much.

https://twitter.com/Heiko25/status/299245002217897985

Twitter: @meddler76

February 20th, 2013 at 2:03 PM | (No subject) (Score:3 Normal)
GoBlueInNYC
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I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

February 20th, 2013 at 2:35 PM | Yeah, this one did not look too good (Score:1)
iawolve
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Joined: 11/03/2008
MGoPoints: 2488

To the credit of this staff, at least they tend to reconsider and fix issues.

February 20th, 2013 at 3:47 PM | I don't think it matters much (Score:1 Normal)
jg2112
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Joined: 11/25/2008
MGoPoints: 5837

I don't think it matters much whether it's offense or defense, this kid is never going to play relevant minutes other than special teams / return game. He's got too many people in front of him at RB, right now at slot, and certainly at CB to ever do much in those 2 phases of the game.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:44 PM | Good, Defense seemed like a (Score:1)
Rabbit21
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Joined: 11/12/2009
MGoPoints: 1678

Good, Defense seemed like a big mismatch for his size and abilities and what it seems like the coaches are trying to do there.  Would much rather see him back on offense.  This is good enws if it holds up.

Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought.  It always defeats order because it is better organized. 

February 20th, 2013 at 2:17 PM | regarding defensive size (Score:1)
bubblelevel
Joined: 06/01/2011
MGoPoints: 219

stronger, faster and slightly shorter than Richardson.  He could do it in the right situations.  With that being said, I am happy if he gets to play where he enjoys the game the most and it's what the coaches are good with.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:46 PM | Thank The Heavens!!!! (Score:3 Normal)
acsherman
Joined: 08/24/2011
MGoPoints: 141

The guy looks better with the ball in his hands

February 20th, 2013 at 1:50 PM | This is happy news (Score:4 Normal)
IncrediblyBLUE
Joined: 03/26/2011
MGoPoints: 588

This is happy news

Coach Hoke once told me that a moral victory is still a (expletive deleted) loss.

February 20th, 2013 at 1:53 PM | Thank goodness (Score:4 Normal)
True Blue Grit
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His skills are a much better match for kick returns and selected offensive roles like the slot, screen passes, and certain running plays. 

"You owe it to every man, woman, and child in the State of Michigan to beat the Buckeyes and silence their fans!  Now go out there and make it happen!"

- Bo Schembechler (Result: U-M 22  OSU 0)

February 20th, 2013 at 1:59 PM | Yes! (Score:4 Normal)
detrocks
Joined: 08/18/2010
MGoPoints: 731

I'd love to see him take a bigger role on offense next season.   He offers a unique change of pace compared to Fitz, Green, Smith, Rawls, etc.   Would love to see emerge as a third down back, slot WR and kick returning terror.

February 20th, 2013 at 2:08 PM | Absolutely. With Vincent (Score:4 Normal)
GoBlueInNYC
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Joined: 03/23/2010
MGoPoints: 5821

Absolutely. With Vincent Smith leaving, there's definitely an opening for a 3rd down back. I'm guessing it'll come down to Norfleet and Hayes to fight for that roll. Hopefully one of them can tap into whatever it was that made V. Smith such a monster when it came to blitz pick-ups.

Ideally, I'd like to see Hayes move to the slot and keep Norfleet at RB. But that is based on nothing but my knee jerk response to my own post as I was writing it.

I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

February 20th, 2013 at 3:01 PM | 3rd down back (Score:2 Normal)
funkywolve
Joined: 10/08/2008
MGoPoints: 1945

To me if you have a 3rd down back, it probably means your back on first and second downs isn't that good at catching the ball or pass blocking (or possibly both).  If your back that's out there on 1st and 2nd down can catch the ball and pass portect, you don't really need a 3rd down back do you?

February 20th, 2013 at 3:15 PM |  Yeah, but you want to keep (Score:2)
BursleysFinest
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Joined: 08/24/2011
MGoPoints: 390

 Yeah, but you want to keep your running backs fresh, and if you have another back perfect for a certain situation it's a good chance to get that starter some rest and cut down on the pounding he takes 

"Slappin' the Bass" - Matt Vogrich (maybe)

February 20th, 2013 at 3:23 PM | Well yeah (Score:0 Flamebait)
February 20th, 2013 at 4:09 PM | Yes, ideally you want all (Score:2)
GoBlueInNYC
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Joined: 03/23/2010
MGoPoints: 5821

Yes, ideally you want all your players to be able to do everything. But that will never be the case; teams will always have situational players. It's not like V. Smith only came in to run one play or only stayed in to pass block whenever he was on the field. He ran it sometimes, he took blitz pick-up duties sometimes, and he ran out for passes/screens sometimes. He was used for a variety of purposes, but he was still very much a situational player.

I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

February 20th, 2013 at 5:14 PM | Lets just hope he isn't (Score:2 Normal)
YoOoBoMoLloRoHo
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Joined: 11/01/2012
MGoPoints: 1002

on the field in place of Smith on 3rd or 4th and short - I think Borges has scrapped that package.

It also won't be easy to get plays on 3rd and long given Green's and Fitz's speed and catching ability.

Depth is a wonderful problem.

"Everybody wants to be a hero, so to speak.  But it takes everybody."  - Charles Woodson

February 20th, 2013 at 4:24 PM | The whole point of a third (Score:4 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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Joined: 11/13/2009
MGoPoints: 17611

The whole point of a third down back is to have a guy who can pass block and catch the ball out of the backfield on third and long. How is puting him in giving anything away? It's not like the defense doesn't know the down and distance. If we have third and 8, the D is probably thinking pass regardless of who our RB is.

Now, if you have a RB who only goes in on passing downs and you put him in on first, then you'd probably be giving something away. But that's not what a third down back is for.

February 20th, 2013 at 8:03 PM | With Vincent Smith leaving, (Score:1 Trolling)
Magnum P.I.
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Joined: 07/16/2009
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With Vincent Smith leaving, we'll need more small hobbitses to feed to the clowney.

"There was a time I could have been mistaken for Burt Reynolds. I had a moustache and so did he. But he was the number one star in the world, so there wasn't really much confusion."

February 20th, 2013 at 2:00 PM | Hooray (Score:5 Normal)
JeepinBen
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"Over? Did you say, over? Nothing is over until we decide it is!"

February 20th, 2013 at 2:44 PM | Meh (Score:5 Normal)
The FannMan
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Joined: 11/25/2008
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Let's see that Otter shoot the three.

 

"Nobody cares what you think!"

February 20th, 2013 at 7:12 PM | That's the problem with you Michigan hoops fans. (Score:3 Normal)
Nothsa
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Joined: 10/07/2008
MGoPoints: 503

Too much emphasis on the three. Look what that otter is bringing you in the lane! Not just the high-efficiency two, but the opportunity for and-ones at the line! Foul trouble for the opposition bigs! Cute otter accessories for the ladies! 

February 20th, 2013 at 10:58 PM | That otter is the of of the (Score:2)
TWSWBC
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That otter is the of of the best players on the Blazers behind Lillard and Aldridge

If I tell you it's Easter, you better start looking for eggs.

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