(state of) Michigan receivers
Rivals ranks receiving units for '11:
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1246661
The state is well-represented. Not sure I agree with the placement, but preseason rankings are designed to spur discussion, so have at it.
How Sparty ranks ahead of us and ND is beyond me. Nichols does not strike much fear into opposing defenses and their #1 isn't better than Floyd or Hemmingway. Still nice to be ranked in the top 10 though.
It probably has more to do with who's throwing the ball, Cousins vs. Robinson. Cousins is a proven quarterback, whereas lots of people have questions about how successful Robinson will be with the new offense. Michigan's receivers aren't going to be very successful if he can't get them the ball consistently.
Just like you don't judge a pitching staff on how much run support they get, I don't know why you would rank a receiving corp based on the quarterback?
pitchers don't pitch to their supporting outfielders, which is why you don't relate the 2. Quarterbacks DO throw to their receivers, obviously. Hence the relationship and possible downgrade of receiving corps based on unknown quarterback ability.
Receivers who can't get the ball are just dudes running around in circles on the football field. If they can't get the ball, they're about as useful out there as you or I would be.
Michigan State has consistently made good, consistenet receiveers out of almost nothing. Look at players like Blair White. Not a whole lot of talent there, but he could run the routes well and didn't drop the ball when it was thrown to him.
To me, it has more to do with Don Treadwell than just great receivers, but I expect their receiver production to decrease as time goes on.
Has no one beyond Floyd this year. That's probably why they didn't get ranked so high.
I think the receivers in the state of Michigan are very good. They have a good quarterback throwing them the football and they are excellent at catching it. They have good height, good speed, ability to create separation, and a knack for just catching the ball even when they have to make circus catches.
Overall, I think receivers in the state of Michigan bring a blue collar attitude into a white collar world - and it pays off big time.
I swear I hate hearing the name Linthicum. Every time I think someone is referencing the same name as a 2-time Cy Younbg award winning pitcher for the Giants, but they have a terrible thisp.
I find that hard to believe. I hope it proves to be true, but I have to think there 10 programs that have a much more daunting passing attack than Michigan.
Seriously?