Space Coyote

September 13th, 2011 at 8:22 PM ^

And didn't Shaw some how not lose 5 yards when the offensive line decided to be a seive on a up the middle run for one of the hand offs during the ND game?  I don't know why everyone is writing off Shaw so quickly.  If someone actually blocks for him I think he can do fine.  There is a reason he was tied with Fitz going in to the Western game.

Blue in Yarmouth

September 14th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^

The Fitz run was exactly the same. No one within a mile of him when he made his long run. Before that run I think Fitz's YPC average was below 4. I understand people are excited about the prospect of what Fitz can be (if he stays healthy), But after watching Shaw last year break tackles and carry defenders on his back for touchdowns (before he got injured) I don't know why people are down on him. 

I just find it strange that people think there is a lot that is predictive about Fitz and his one long run, but Shaw's should be taken with a grain of salt. Again, Fitz averaged less than 4 YPC before that one run.

Space Coyote

September 13th, 2011 at 8:42 PM ^

But outside of Fitz' gift of a run which he didn't take to the house, he really only had one other impressive run.  Shaw really hasn't had an opportunity to show much else.  I think the gap blocking scheme is better for Shaw, it allows him to hit a hole fast and go.  The problem is the offensive line hasn't opened up holes for him outside of his 1 TD.  Other than that play it's pretty much been Shaw on his own.  I personally don't think he's been much better or worse than Fitz from the small sample size we've seen of him, I think he still needs more carries to get a real feel of where he is at and everyone shouldn't be so quick to write him off.

Space Coyote

September 13th, 2011 at 10:08 PM ^

I think this system fits better than any system Shaw has been in to date.  I also think that players improve from year to year and that Shaw may very well be the best back Michigan has this year (as he often appeared last year before he got hurt).  Remember that he seemed to run hard in the Illinois game.  He isn't Carlos Brown disguised.

ken725

September 13th, 2011 at 8:19 PM ^

Smith made a statement if you consider making one play a statement.  Granted, it was a huge play that  we needed and he made a great play without the help of our OL.  Also that was a technically a pass play so that is why RB not named Denard only had 10 yards.  

BlueDragon

September 13th, 2011 at 11:30 PM ^

especially since Smith made the play in a huge way.  As I've said in other threads, I would ideally like to see a return to a run game-based approach to EMU, assuming their D is not totally geared to stop the run.  200 yards of production from the non-Denard tailbacks seems like a reasonable benchmark to expect, assuming my hypothesis about the re-emphasized conventional run game is correct.

ken725

September 13th, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^

I wonder how bad Herron's injury was?  I'm not sure how Hawthorne is going to grade out in the UFR, but I wouldn't mind seeing him out there more often.  

 

What do we do about Cam Gordon?  We all saw how effective Jake Ryan is when he is allowed to rush the QB.  It will be interesting to see how this all play out.  Is it possible to swith Cam to WLB and split reps with Hawthrone and Herron?

smwilliams

September 13th, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^

I'm not sure what the solution is, but I do know Ryan has had a knack for getting to the QB, but not shown the ability to play the pass.

Perhaps, dropping him down in place of Heininger/Brink on passing downs and running with MM, Black, Ryan, and RVB on the line with Cam/Demens at LB and then Floyd, Woolfolk, Kovacs, Prison Abs, and either Robinson or Avery with Demens or Cam coming off in dime packages.

Hawthorne/Herron could split plays evenly depending on the situation at WLB and come off the field on passing downs.

So, essentially...

NT-Mike Martin/Quinton Washington

DT-RVB/Campbell(on running downs)

SDE-Heininger or Brink/RVB (on running downs)

WDE-Roh/Black/Ryan (2 of 3 on passing downs)

MLB-Demens/J.B.

SLB-Ryan/Cam (on running downs)

WLB-Hawthorne/Herron

CB-Woolfolk/Avery/Floyd(Nickel)

SS-Kovacs/M-Rob(Dime)

FS-Prison Abs/Carvin

 

ken725

September 13th, 2011 at 8:47 PM ^

This may sound crazy, but I thought BWC flashed some potentional on Saturday.  Why not on some plays have:

SDE: RVB

NT: MM

DT: BWC

WDE: Roh/Black

With all that hype coming out of camp of how Heininger and Brink were playing well, I'm disappointed in their production.  I guess you can't expect much out of walk-ons not named Kovacs.  

Like you said I guess on passing downs we can get Ryan on the line and takeout BWC until he shows us that he can get constant pressure in the backfield.  

Promote RichRod

September 14th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^

should start...just like last year.  He's more versatile, smarter, a better pass catcher, a better blocker and more shifty than anyone else we have.  He also very rarely loses yardage because he doesn't dance around in the backfield or try to reverse field or anything stupid like that.

We keep talking about how much more potential the other backs have but they have yet to show it.  Fitz and Shaw are basially Carlos Brown - fast, not that shifty, but always injured.  Games against MAC opponents and DII teams do not count.  Smith finds a way to score against the best defenses.