Rudock as a holder on FGs?
Could just be something Harbaugh threw in there to mess with the BTN guys, but this would add a very interesting element to FGs and XPs that hasn't been here in a long time.
After obsessively rewinding and looking for something, anything from the BTN practice footage, I noticed this.
Jake Rudock as a holder on FGs. Kenny Allen was the holder last year IIRC. There was a shot of Kenny Allen holding for Andrew David kicking.
If Michigan has a QB holding on field goals, that brings in a legit passing threat for a potential fake. Just something I thought was interesting that I'd share.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:10 PM ^
August 20th, 2015 at 5:28 PM ^
But of those 11-ty billion, would the presumed starter be working on special teams?
/tin foil hat
August 20th, 2015 at 5:42 PM ^
most college QBs will hold kicks at some point during fall practice.
at least hold a few to get comfortable with the process in case the coaches want / need that particular QB to hold during games. and multiple bodies holding means multiple snappers and kickers repping at the same time (its not like its some high school with only 1 set of uprights). plus it engages QBs during during special teams blocks.
not saying who will or wont handle snaps, just some logical reasons for putting your QBs through the paces
August 20th, 2015 at 7:43 PM ^
QB's holding for PAT's and FG's was the nprm until a few years ago, and it means nothing now. Sorry WD.
August 20th, 2015 at 9:41 PM ^
It is the new trend to use the punter as the field goal holder. Although quarterbacks may have the "tools" (hands, ability to react to bad snaps etc) to be better holders, the punters usually become more comfortable with the long snappers because they spend the majority of time together during practice. Here's a video showing myself, and our longsnapper quaility (one handed "trick" hold) field goal operation.https://youtu.be/dI-x-rTO6xA
August 20th, 2015 at 9:45 PM ^
Nice hands, er, hand!
August 20th, 2015 at 9:50 PM ^
So here it is
August 20th, 2015 at 8:03 PM ^
Brian Griese, the normal holder while he backed up Dreisbach, continued as the holder for the 1997 season.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:53 PM ^
As for myself, I personally think that having a QB depth chart that has to be printed on a plotter is not a bad problem to have, but like someone said, I also kind of like the notion of building a potential fake into the formation.
I did laugh though - August is usually the worst month for depth chart speculation, especially now that we're being given exactly zero meaningful insight into it (and of course, we're never really given insight because the depth chart may or may not be the depth chart).
August 20th, 2015 at 6:07 PM ^
August 21st, 2015 at 1:45 PM ^
My then 5 year old nephew beat me repeatedly with the fake fieldgoal... At the snap he would run back30 yards so all the defenders were off screen... then launch the bomb... When the ball finally came down all defenders had gone on break and the receiver was all alone 80 yards down field...
Still burns a little...
August 20th, 2015 at 10:15 PM ^
any players available for a pass, I believe Harbaugh may try the novel approach of having eleven men on the field, thereby leaving the opportunity for someone to be available to catch a pass.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:10 PM ^
Your attention to detail fascinates me
August 20th, 2015 at 5:14 PM ^
WD
Your attention to detail the way you spend your free time facinates me
August 20th, 2015 at 6:10 PM ^
JiB, now I am interested about how you spend your free time? Should we check the Ashley Madison hacked files?
August 21st, 2015 at 9:17 AM ^
In the last week I traveled to Michigan for a wedding and stayed for the dream cruise. Worked on finishing up the decorating at our new apartment, went to a cubs game, walked the dog a bunch, went to grad school classes, played 1 game of NCAA '13, and made a few jokes on MGoBlog.
I'm with the other posters in that "Free Time" isn't something I have tons of.
August 21st, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
a copy last night. I have my entertainment set for this weekend.
August 20th, 2015 at 7:13 PM ^
August 20th, 2015 at 9:01 PM ^
Simplicities greatest gift. She ain't always around, but is damn fine company when she is.
August 21st, 2015 at 9:14 AM ^
Exactly, between work and hitting F5 on MGo all day long there is no free time.
August 21st, 2015 at 1:50 AM ^
At some point football is more interesting.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:14 PM ^
Someone correct me if I'm wrong as I just did a quick skim through my video library, but the last QB holder Michigan had was Matt Gutierrez in 2005.
It's been a decade since we've had a legitimate passing threat in terms of a fake FG. The Dileo to Glanda freakshow in 2011 notwithstanding.
That's a big deal to me. Especially since we now have the best special teams coach in the nation.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:17 PM ^
We dont have the resource you do, we will take your word for it
August 20th, 2015 at 5:18 PM ^
August 20th, 2015 at 5:20 PM ^
Listening to the MGoPodcasts with Brian and Ace touting all of Baxter's accomplishments has me sold.
Made Fresno State a kick blocking machine. USC went from worst to among elite.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:33 PM ^
How consistently good ST teams play was under Baxter at Fresno and USC is more impressive than VT.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:12 PM ^
I've always thought it was pretty common for QBs to hold on placekicks. I don't see why you wouldn't prefer to use a QB if possible, at least a backup. You might only run one or two fakes per season, if that--but it's not as though you can just put the QB in to hold when you're going to run the fake. Plus, the rest of the time it at least puts the thought in the defense's heads.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:17 PM ^
The long-snapper, holder, and kicker work together off to the side while the rest of the team is doing non-special teams work. That's the main reason most teams have gone to the punter as the primary holder. But almost all teams still have a QB as the backup (primarily because it is rare they play other positions on special teams, so they are available to hold and are used to taking snaps such that they generally have good hands), though some utilize a WR (such as Dileo) because of their hands.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:14 PM ^
Rudock better learn to powerslide. Or with Harbaugh we won't need to?
August 20th, 2015 at 5:23 PM ^
That has to be the most impressive play of the Hoke era, doesn't it? That's insanely good execution.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:26 PM ^
I think you're right. And the fact that I was there is great.
And the fact that it was necessary to send a game into OT against a really bad Northwestern team - and still makes the "most impressive" discussion is really depressing.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:54 PM ^
Kinda like the other day, on BTN, the "Classic" Michigan game was when we upset #9 Wisconsin in the Big House. Game starts with a miserable 1st quarter, and boo's were a plenty. Griese said it looked like an offense on training wheels against an experienced, senior led defense. Complete embarrassment.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:43 PM ^
Absolutely. Even the guy who helpfully tossed the ball to the linejudge who then was able to quickly toss it to the ref to spot the ball. Every millisecond was needed.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:59 PM ^
August 21st, 2015 at 1:57 AM ^
It is what I expect on every play this year: display of drilling, coordination,and discipline.
August 20th, 2015 at 6:07 PM ^
I remember being moderately stunned that it was good
I saw the seconds ticking down and thought "Well that's it then" and when they actually got lined up, kicked it, and made it with no flags I think I just exclaimed "...........WHAT?!"
August 20th, 2015 at 7:36 PM ^
I mean, are you surprised we executed well there? According to Hoke, they always had great practices...
August 20th, 2015 at 7:50 PM ^
Yes but they should have never been in that position vs. a crappy NW team to begin with.
August 20th, 2015 at 9:08 PM ^
Good work by the officials too. EDIT: uhhh...yeah...already noted. Altogether a super smooth play for sure.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:30 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 20th, 2015 at 5:16 PM ^
August 20th, 2015 at 5:21 PM ^
Since 2005 by my research done just a few minutes ago-
Matt Gutierrez, QB, 2005
Ross Ryan, P, 2006
Zoltan Mesko, P, 2007-2009
Tom Pomarico, LS, 2010
Drew Dileo, WR, 2011-2013
Kenny Allen, P, 2014
August 20th, 2015 at 5:40 PM ^
Wait, in 2010 we had a long snapper snapping to a long snapper? Weird...
August 20th, 2015 at 6:31 PM ^
August 20th, 2015 at 6:32 PM ^
August 20th, 2015 at 5:45 PM ^
Mesko and Dileo were at least adaquate passers.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:20 PM ^
I'd assumed Bo Dever would take over the holding duties for obvious reasons but I guess that's not an option anymore.
August 20th, 2015 at 7:31 PM ^
Because he's a short, white, WR? Got it.
August 20th, 2015 at 8:06 PM ^
You know he retired, right?
August 20th, 2015 at 5:38 PM ^