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 21st, 2015 at 7:21 AM ^
Oops.
August 20th, 2015 at 9:06 PM ^
August 20th, 2015 at 11:56 PM ^
Too many broken fingers
August 20th, 2015 at 9:28 PM ^
August 21st, 2015 at 2:14 AM ^
I bet we have the answer.
August 21st, 2015 at 7:28 AM ^
Not creating a thread for this, because while I trust the source (entry-level athletics department employee) --- I don't trust the sources knowledge of football to that of a coach or someone on the football staff. I used to know folks on the actual staff (Carr days/RR days), so I felt more comfortable saying it was thread worthy...now I just know athletic department people rather than football people. So take it or leave it at your discretion. Make sense?
Anyway...wanted to share what I was told last night.
QB - Everything being reported by "insiders" is true...Morris started camp the best, but it was largely based on knowing what he was doing and chemistry with WRs. Rudock has caught and passed him - extremely bright kid. Now Morris is losing focus and his INTs in practice have gone up as the coaches bring the heat up in practice. Morris HAS gotten better (from last season) - so that's nice.
a. Also noteworthy that there is a worry among some on how Shane will take it if he doesn't win the job. He's always carried a small sense of entitlement around (which doesn't seem farfetched if you know that he and his family requested Shane was the only QB in his class and Borges didn't take one a year later). There is a worry that his game goes to shit even if he's not THAT far behind Rudock.
b. Some folks think if it's close, it may be better to start Morris and allow him to fail to give him no leg to stand on if Rudock is put in - OR of course if he succeeds, then Michigan has a 2 year starter at QB.
*opinion* While that makes sense, I don't think Harbaugh is the guy to give a shit about ego. He's going to find the best guy to beat Utah and that's as far as he's thinking. I understand the "win-win" thought process from 1b, but if Rudock is .01% better than Morris, please believe he's going to start. I personally don't think it'll be that close by the time the game rolls around - Morris just turns the ball over too much.
RB - The guys have been told the competition has been extended to the B1G opener --- all 3 or 4 guys will get a shot to win it during games and in practice for the next month or so. The staff doesn't feel ready to pick a guy at this point.
WR - This crew is very '08, I believe it was '08...I was told "they're like the year Greg Mathews was the best WR." They've got guys who can make some plays...but in the end, they're just contributing type players #2 's and #3's. Still too many drops, not enough separation or playmaking. "All very nice guys though..."
TE - Butt is the best receiver on the team. The group as a whole is "as good as they've been since Carr."
OL - "Not getting my hopes up, haven't seen anything unscripted (scrimmages)...but everything I'm hearing is they're above average. 2 years ago D, last year C, this year B."
DL - "Same as the OL...until they go full speed at one another, you never really know. Of course they look the part, but Frank Clark looked the part for 3 years. Losing Mone SUCKS, everyone said he was a starter and most improved (individually) on defense."
LB - "Best unit on the team - Bolden is A LOT better and they have depth." I'm was told that the guys are smart, in position and Durkin's given them more freedom and leadership since they're all older. Told the 2nd unit is better than people think.
DB - Sounds like they are also a solid unit - they miss Countess (or Taylor) though, a steady performer. The positive was on the safeties...I was told they're "by far the most improved unit on the team along with the TEs."
Mainly the conversation was around the QBs, naturally...I found it interesting that there's still a mental concern with Morris. The thought is because he's bought his time and sat behind Gardner that this is now his turn. Nothing sounded like the kid is an asshole or cocky, just sounded like he's a nice rich kid who may have a sense of entitlement and may be a little embarrassed if he doesn't win the job. Transfer rumors will swirl, especially once he gets his degree. Local media knows his story and the spotlight and questions will be "unfair."
If it's close, I may almost start Morris and just put him on the short leash. The upside is a 2-year starter and the downside is he's pulled at the end of the 2nd quarter and we all know for sure, he's the #2. I don't think that's how it'll be handled, but I'd hate to lose the kid for a season if he doesn't see him name on the board as the starter vs. Utah. I'd hate to go the other way around and see Rudock struggle in a game and then Morris come in pressing trying to prove everyone he's the starter.
That said, when I said that outloud...my friend said "I'm not sure the coaches care, because #1, they want to win...but almost as importantly...they REALLY like Malzone and he would be a solid #2 option if Rudock stays healthy. Don't want him playing, but you want him getting those reps in practice and mop up duty. He's better than people realize."
August 21st, 2015 at 9:46 AM ^
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August 21st, 2015 at 5:31 PM ^
Gentry as well...
August 21st, 2015 at 8:53 AM ^
Mr Yost, thanks for the rumors. FWIW I'd say a new thread for such rumors is definitely warranted; I almost missed them in here.
Have you heard anything about the kicking game? I thought the BTN quote about the kicking game was a very, very bad sign. Brian called it 'ominous' in his write-up but otherwise glossed over it. I think Sam Webb said something about the kicking game being a big potential problem too. This would be disappointing to me to say the least. I thought David was supposed to be super. If we don't have a solid kicker, that alone could cancel out Baxter's other ST improvement.
As for Shane, I say let him go. Let him go now if he or his family is even going to be hinting about transferring if he isn't the starter. I don't know his family, but it sounds like they might be behind various rumors, trying to put pressure on Harbaugh the way that freshman kid's parents put pressure on Ferentz at Iowa when they chased Rudock off. Fortunately I think Harbaugh is no Ferentz and won't take any of that crap. We'll see.
I've been a Malzone fan for a long time so I'm glad to hear that at least one rumor claims he's a solid #2. I was wondering about that after the BTN day.
Very interesting about the second LB unit. I'm assuming that's Gedeon, Gant, and... Wangler? Or are we including Buck here? Gedeon I know is good. The other two would be pleasant surprises.
Unfortunate about WR but I also feel this unit has a huge potential to improve throughout the season. The best talent seems young to me; Cole and Harris in particular.