Talent abound - Bruce Feldman post
Feldman top 10 players to watch in the fall
Hello all,
I was reading up on ESPN and noticed something weird about the players who just missed the top 10 cut. Sure, we were in the final 2 for TP (ranked #2 as player to watch), but the players that missed the cut are Tate/Denard, Noel Devine and Mallet to name a few. They all have Michigan/RR connections.
I don't mean to hype things up, but how can anyone complain about the level of talent we have/had. I can understand people saying aww shucks, we missed out on this player..we really needed that player. Mallet and Pryor are the ones we missed out on, yet Tate and Denard are mentioned in the same group without playing a single down in college football. You have to love that.
In time, we will have our own Noel Devine, and slowly have a strong core of star QB/RB/WR that everyone will recognize. It's just a matter of which RB and WR will shine, not when since we already have many players lined up.
On the other hand, people may claim that we have the loftiest expectations in college football because no other frosh QB in the nation is in a situation like ours. Pryor had a couple games off and Boeckman was the designated starter from day 1 in the season. Our 2 QBs do not have that safety net. All the attention on our QBs should give them a major confidence boost. Wasn't Henne given the spotlight only 4-5 days before the first game due to an "injury?"
His post is describing who he is most curious to see play so mentioning Tate/Denard is speaking more about his curiosity to see how our qb situation turns out. The post is not comparing the skills of players.
I believe it was announced on the Thursday prior to the first game of the '04 season that Henne would start instead of Gutierrez. It was a bit of a shock at the time.
Not saying it wasn't, but my memory of it was hearing about it the morning of the game and being shocked, calling an M friend and he being equally shocked.
Me too. I didn't hear about it until I was at the tailgate before the game.
Word got out that morning. It was on the radio and people in the stadium knew.
The first time I heard it was on the radio going to the game at about 10:30 AM. Although I seem to recall there were some rumors before then.
I remember not knowing until I saw Henne warming up prior to kick-off and thinking "holy sh*t, Henne is getting the start". Most people around me in the student section didn't know what was going on. Finally someone privy told me that he overhead that Gutz was "hurt".
but Tirico announced it 30mins prior to KO.
is not exactly the same, as he had a veteran offensive line and Braylon to throw to, as well as a good D, so there was not as much pressure on him to "carry the load." Henne also performed much higher than anyone predicted, which again was aided by those around him, particularly Braylon. On the other hand, Tate / Denard can and will do a lot of damage with their feet, and the system should also help them keep the mistakes down.
I am extremely optimistic for 7-8 win year, but don't expect to see us in the Rose Bowl, a la '04.
Anyone notice Vaughn Telemaque's name in that list of "just missed the cut" players? Anyone remember that he was a strong Michigan lean? Angry Michigan Safety Hating God struck early on that one...sigh.
Sure, M's got Zoltan right now, but it looks like Munchy Legaux and Lache Seastrunk aren't going to be contributing awesome names to next year's roster. It sucks when the Name guys drop M, that's all I ever get excited about when it comes to recruiting.
Just because Henne did well starting as a true freshman doesn't mean that's the norm. DocSat already reviewed this data, and concluded that true frosh QBs are generally not that great...though a "not that great" Tate/Denard will still be an improvement over Sherideath (who it must always be said is apparently a very nice guy).
that Sheridan has very nice handwriting.
TheIcon34 wrote:
"I don't mean to hype things up, but how can anyone complain about the level of talent we have/had."
First, you can't say UM had a bona fide major college QB taking snaps last year. That, more than anything, is responsible for the 3-9 record.
Second, the defense has been terrible for two years now. This actually started when they were unmasked during the 2006 OSU game and the 2007 Rose Bowl, and went rapidly downhill against Appy State. OSU proved that simply spreading the field against UM would cause them huge problems, and both Appy State and Oregon exploited it to their considerable advantage the next year.
Third, the OL wasn't exactly an eilte unit last year, either.
My belief is that Lloyd Carr started to lose his stomach for the amount of time and energy that has to be spent on recruiting during the last few years of his tenure, and it is showing now. Yes, I know the classes were rated, but simply counting the NFL draft choices last year is enough to demonstrate that it was a down year for UM in talent. This is showing a lot more on defense than offense, but there definitely wasn't a lot of game-ready talent on the field last year.
RR has done the best he can to replenish the roster, but the reinforcements are still young, and we will have to be patient with their growth pattern. I think they will be OK this year, but the lack of experienced talent at key positions is what hurt UM the most last year.
Anyway, that's how one person can complain about the talent level. Hope this helps.