needs moar usage
Running Back health?
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:19 PM
#1
Running Back health?
Even though the offense has put up a ton of yards, we are incomplete without a dependable ground game from someone outside of Denard. I know Smith is a good blocker, but I don't know why RR depends on him so much, especially since he usually runs between the tackles. Shaw has been nicked up, has there been any updates on his health lately? Fitz...every week we hear he may play and then he is ruled out. I wonder if its a pipe dream that he plays at all this year.
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:27 PM | 
Sorry, but ...
Sorry, but ...
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:38 PM |
How?
How?
Are there not 2 other rb who are also injured and could help this team? Cox and fitz?
Wasting away in Ohio, a Wolverine in a sea of red and grey
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:27 PM |
Fitz is out this week
Fitz is out this week
per RR's conference call today
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:13 PM |
Flippy Flop
Flippy Flop
They seem to flip flop on him every single week. Sunday RR said they thought he would contribute, then in the call he said he's probably out this week. Anybody know what's going on with him? From what I understand, they don't hit in practice...
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:28 PM |
Shaw...lingering
Shaw...lingering
Shaw...lingering injury
Fitz...lingering injury
Cox...lingering injury, errors in practice
Hopkins...fumbles in practice
Smith...
Jones...
That's why you haven't seen anyone else.
Just think that maybe next year the first 4 will all be viable with maybe one of them being injured, plus we have Dee Hart coming in. However, if all 4 of those guys are completely healthy and get their heads in the game, I am not sure that Dee Hart won't redshirt.
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:37 PM |
Dee
Dee
I would just be happy if D comes here at this point. Hasn't there been some rumor here that he is reconsidering his committment?
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:43 PM |
Yes, based on a 1-line quote
Yes, based on a 1-line quote
Yes, based on a 1-line quote to a small-time reporter asking about Auburn. Here's how I feel. He picked Michigan for Michigan, not RR or a win/loss record. He went to Auburn and wasn't impressed. His dad called it a 7 of 10. He fucked with the Orlando Sentinel for a week before his announcement because he loves fucking with reporters. His entire familer sang The Victors when he committed. That sounds like a family decision that Michigan is the best place for him.
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:41 PM |
If Hopkins' fumbles in
If Hopkins' fumbles in
If Hopkins' fumbles in practice are like his "fumbles" in the game last week, repping Denard and Hopkins as #1 is the solution to the problem.
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:44 PM |
I know. I was extremely
I know. I was extremely
I know. I was extremely frustrated with that whole situation. Let's just hope it gets worked out.
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:56 PM |
Here, have the ball. IN THE
Here, have the ball. IN THE
Here, have the ball. IN THE FACE!
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:02 PM |
This is my case for Vincent
This is my case for Vincent
This is my case for Vincent Smith. If he is in on that play he simply would have run under the ball and worst case, we lose a few yards.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:20 PM |
Thanks for the laugh
Thanks for the laugh
+1 for a sense of humor in all this
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:47 PM |
What sense of humor? I wasn't
What sense of humor? I wasn't
What sense of humor? I wasn't trying to be funny. Internet is serious business.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:34 PM |
I'm not thinking about next
I'm not thinking about next
I'm not thinking about next year. Only Saturdays, this year.
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:44 PM |
We really need to get all our RB's healthy.
We really need to get all our RB's healthy.
So we can convert some of them to DB's.
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:45 PM |
Cypress is the new em0.
Cypress is the new em0.
Cypress is the new em0.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:02 PM |
Hey Ken..
How about you or
Hey Ken..
How about you or
Hey Ken..
How about you or whoever else provide an approved list of topics that can be discussed or questions that can be asked. What a fun little game it is to criticize every single thing on this board. This board masquerades as a place of intelligent discussions, but its too often a bunch of jack-asses seeing who can post pics of kittens doing stupid things in an effort to show up other posters. Nice work tough guys. Neg away.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:10 PM |
In the future just add
In the future just add
In the future just add pictures of kittens to your post.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:47 PM |
Smith
Smith
Is probably my least favorite player on the offense. He's not a good running back when he drives the ball up the middle. His biggest assets are blocking and the RB screen where he has actually been productive. I'm sure people have been writing this over and over again but when its 3rd and short (3 or less) give the ball to denard and have him run...every time. I repeat EVERY TIME!!
Some stats:
Michigan 3rd and short conversion rate (that is 3rd and 3 or less):
Total: 25/35 (71.4%)
Denard Passing: 5/7 (71.4%)
Vincent Smith Running: 3/6 (50%)
Denard Running: 13/16 (81.25%)
My conclusion, why aren't we doing what is the most logical and statistically efficient thing, having denard run!! Do it! And if you don't make it the first time, do it AGAIN on 4th down.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:22 PM |
when its 3rd and short (3
when its 3rd and short (3
when its 3rd and short (3 or less) give the ball to denard and have him run...every time. I repeat EVERY TIME!!
I understand that this has been successful, but isn't this also exactly what we don't want to do. Why would we take our single most important player and put him in more positions to get hurt? Denard's best ability it to make it through space... HE IS NOT A POWER BACK. In fact, having Denard used for 3 and short should (ideally) be used as the last option. I get that Hopkins is fumble prone... but give it to our biggest running back and have him run between the big guys. He should (in theory) be more durable. And like I stated before, the world will not end if Hopkins gets banged up... it will if Denard does.
Chancho! When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It's for fun.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:51 PM |
Here's the problem I have
Here's the problem I have
Here's the problem I have with that, "limit his runs so he doesn't get hurt" theory. It's not like it's his only run of the game. Besides, that, in this situation it is less likely that he will get hurt than if he slahes to the second level and his hit full speed by a linebacker(Iowa) or get's down the sideline and goes down at full speed (PSU). Also, Tate is a fine backup to have. The world will not end. If Denard running gives us the best chance to win, then I say we do it when we need to do it. That's why he is in. It''s not because he throws the ball better.
November 3rd, 2010 at 8:29 PM |
but
but
that off-tackle power sweep to denard is practically unstoppable on short yardage. that should be the call every time on short yardage.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:28 PM |
vincent smith
vincent smith
I'm not convinced Smith has recovered completely from surgery. It generally takes one full year to regain all speed, strength, and mobility. I'm hopeful that next year will be different, especially if he can team with dee hart.
any bowl will do
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:49 PM |
The weekly "when is Fitz
The weekly "when is Fitz
The weekly "when is Fitz gonna be our savior thread".
Not anytime soon unless he can play corner.
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:59 PM |
It's because our rb do more
It's because our rb do more
It's because our rb do more than run. They have to be able to run, block nd catch. Smith is probably the best option to do all at this point. He may not be the best option to just run but he's a good option out of the back field and blocks well.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:30 PM |
Michigan hasn't had a healthy RB since
Michigan hasn't had a healthy RB since
the 2006 football season. Michigan's stable of backs is in a perpetual state of triage.
It's all part and parcel of the curse that inflicts Michigan's football program. It's like some Michigan alum rejected some mortgage adjustment request from a Gypsy witch lady, who subsequently cursed the alum and Michigan's football program (a la Drag Me to Hell).
We've all been dragged to hell and back. Yet we're still in hell. How convenient.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:58 PM |
Can Someone tell me
Can Someone tell me
I Hate Them With Every Fiber Of My Being!!!
November 3rd, 2010 at 5:09 PM |
Can someone tell me y is Vin
Can someone tell me y is Vin
Can someone tell me y is Vin Smith runnin the ball in the I formation and its 3rd and 1 and theres 8 men in the box??? but u have hopkins at 220+ lbs on the bench watchin... V Smith weights about 185 wet he's not Noel Divine, he's not built to run between the tackles on 3rd down...we need to have some thunder wit the lighting of DRob for god sake put Hopkins in the game....RR are u that freakin dumb??????, u make me sick with yur pig headed ness, u know V Smith (God Bless Him) isnt an eleat runner in the Big Ten, these r just some of the changes u have to make in order to keep your job!!!!!!
I Hate Them With Every Fiber Of My Being!!!
November 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 PM |
...
Could someone just get
...
Could someone just get
...
Could someone just get rid of this guy already? Grammatical skills ought to be a prerequisite for posting...
November 3rd, 2010 at 8:09 PM |
I-form
I-form
If I am interpreting correctly from that semi-literacy, there is a point somewhere in there. It's not just Vincent Smith on third down and short, it's the I-form. Let me count the ways of its badness:
1. Takes away the threat of Denard running (except a sneak or on the waggle with play action, which does tend to work)
2. Eliminates the skill of our lineman in space and makes them block like the big uglies they aren't, especially Patrick O.
3. Depends on McColgan or Webb as lead blocker, neither of whom are classic bruising FB's.
I get the point – get the QB closer to the LOS for initiating the play – but it seems like it rarely works.
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:20 PM |
I was thinking the same
I was thinking the same
I was thinking the same thing. As butchered as the writing was it actually did make sense and I think I might actually agree with him. As i watched our first offensive possession unfold I couldn't believe on third and a short two they were putting Denard under center and had Smith in the backfield. I practically screamed NO as they tried to slam Smith between the tackles and got stuffed. Why not Hopkins? Why not shotgun set? Why telegraph the play?
Uggh. Just remembering that play made me throw up a little in my mouth.
November 3rd, 2010 at 5:33 PM |
not really accurate
not really accurate
Not a lot of fumbles in practice. Fumble on Saturday against PSU was very questionable. A RB needs to have possession of the ball before he can fumble it. RB are trained to receive the ball in their gut..not their chest or above. Also, in this read/option offense, the handsoffs are delayed which causes the RB to miss their opportunity to explode through a hole before it starts to close. If anyone talks to RBs and RB coaches, it is very common to hear RBs get better with carries/game. With each carry they see more and can adjust to the defense. When RBs are limited to single digit carries/game, they have very little chance of getting into rhythm with the QB or game at all. Look at the RBs we've played against. Look at the number of carries. I'm certain they are not getting single digit carries. That impedes the RB. Just some food for thought.
November 3rd, 2010 at 5:38 PM |
Defense
Defense
It's the Defense, stupid.
November 3rd, 2010 at 6:35 PM |
I would think
I would think
by now people would have figured out that RR frequently says players may play, just to leave it open so the opposition has to prepare for everything.
November 3rd, 2010 at 7:11 PM |
Fourth quarter vs. PSU
Fourth quarter vs. PSU
Anyone else think Smith looked good (not just ok) in the 4th quarter on Saturday? The difference was we were in the 2 minute drill, Smith was not assigned to run between the tackles. Instead he was catching passes, screens, and blocking well. This reminded me of his TD against O-state last year. He is a good situational back when we are forced to be pass-heavy. I share the rest of the board's and Brian's opinion on him otherwise.
November 3rd, 2010 at 7:44 PM |
Best we can hope for is for
Best we can hope for is for
Best we can hope for is for Smith to really turn it on here in the 2nd half of the year. Fitz is starting to look more and more like he's done for the year, as I have a hard time seeing RR throw him in against the likes of Wisky and OSU..
November 9th, 2010 at 5:53 PM |
Bad luck
Bad luck
with nagging injuries...........hopefully we get the injury bug out of our system and these guys are all able to contribute before the end of the season.
MLive, please.
This post reduces to a question about Shaw's health.
"..."