gopoohgo

March 13th, 2012 at 8:06 AM ^

The biggest NFL back I can think of currently playing is Brandon Jacobs, I think he's 6'3", much bigger than 215.  Obviously doesn't have the lateral quickness/change of direction Isaac seems to have on his highlight films.

The Domers talked with Isaac about splitting out from the backfield in their spread attack.  With his quickness, from that formation it would certainly cause matchup problems (big enough body to block out a nickel for a well-thrown slant, fast enough to outrun LBs that come out in coverage on a post or wheel).

He's a talent, no doubt about it.  But then again, the thought of Houma/Shallman in front of Smith and the 2012-13 OL recruits is very appealing as well.

Joined: 09/12/2011

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Magnus

March 13th, 2012 at 8:49 AM ^

I'll say this about the running back situation:

With the offensive line Michigan is building, the running back doesn't really matter.  We're going to have a productive rushing attack whether it's Smith, Isaac, Johnson, Rawls, etc.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

IowaBlue

March 13th, 2012 at 10:00 AM ^

Seriously, the only negative thing I hear about Smith is his breakaway speed and that's the reason to not want him or the reason to only want Isaac? 

So, Like Magnus just stated with the Offensive line were building we'll only get 20 yard runs out of Smith, seriously... sign me up all day long.  Can make short yardage cuts, run over a backer/coner/safety and get us 20 or so.  Yea, I'll take that.  We'll own the 4th quarter like we used to and wear teams out.

I'm not saying I don't want Isaac, but I will sure as heck be happy with Smith.

Did you think Hart had Breakaway speed?

I'm excited about even being in the running for either one of them!

 

Go Blue

Joined: 05/25/2011

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EGD

March 13th, 2012 at 10:27 AM ^

I agree with you that breakaway speed is not the most important thing at the tailback position, but it certainly helps.  But I also think Isaac's ability to feature in the passing game--whether coming out of the backfield or splitting wide as a receiver--makes him a very attractive player for a West Coast system.

From the film I have seen, Smith does look like he may be the better pure runner.  He's a lot more compact and runs with some serious violence.  But I didn't see any receiving stats on Smith or clips of him catching passes, so I don't know how good of a prospect he is from that perspective.  If he's just a runner and doesn't have the all-purpose game, then I can see why Isaac would be heavily preferred for Borges's offense. 

Joined: 09/16/2009

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Elmer

March 13th, 2012 at 10:50 AM ^

Excellent point.  Isaac's ability to catch the ball out of the back field would present a huge challenge to defenses.  It would get him the ball in open space.  I keep picturing another Marcus Allen...and hopefully another Heisman winner.

Joined: 04/22/2011

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IowaBlue

March 13th, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^

I had not previously seen this comparison and that would be to me a better separator of talent/need vs. breakaway speed. 

Adding another outlet for the offense from the running back would certainly help the offense overall... if indeed Smith does not catch as well.  It also, just might not have been as big a part of his high schools offense.

Again I'm excited for either, the speed thing I kept seeing was just striking a nerve with me personally. 

Joined: 05/25/2011

MGoPoints: 89

LifelongFan

March 13th, 2012 at 10:45 AM ^

Responding to a comment Woodson made below questioning the level of Isaac's competition, Isaac plays in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, which those on this board from Chicago know is one of the best football conferences in the Chicago area (Joliet Catholic and Carmel are two of the best teams in the state almost every year). They also play Mount Carmel (another great Chicago program - Donovan McNabb, Simeon Rice) every year.  To do what he has done against this level of competition is unprecedented (the championship game against Montini - another excellent program - is a perfect example).  This kid has proven he can do it against the best that Illinois high school football has to offer.     

Joined: 12/04/2009

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TheGeneral

March 13th, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^

I keep seeing this comparison and it doesn't make sense to me. Allen played at 210 and was 6-2 tops. The footage seems more like Dickerson to me and his height, size and running style seem to mesh with Dickerson as well. Another thing I wonder about is people saying he can learn to get behind his pads. I can't think of 1 RB that learned that well. Peterson, Dickerson, Smith and on and on all remained upright until their careers were over. How you run is instinctual and tends to stay the same. Sort of like showing Tebow how to throw a ball properly. Sure he can do it right on the practice field but when a play breaks down and instincts kick in his natural motion returns. Upright backs can be very successful but fans should be prepared for the likelihood it will remain the same and there will be some injuries.

Joined: 03/10/2012

MGoPoints: 474

TheGeneral

March 13th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^

Sorry for being a blowhard but to expand. From my experience you don't try to change the running style, you teach them to get behind their pads at point of contact so they can deliver the blow rather than receive it. Sorry for the run on sentence as well.

Joined: 03/10/2012

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