December 3rd, 2009 at 7:17 PM ^
This is nothing against Vincent Smith, but his 4.0 yards per carry against OSU didn't light the world on fire. I know he had a nice catch and run against OSU, too, but Mike Cox's run against EMU was perhaps the second-most impressive individual play of the year behind Koger's leaping one-handed catch.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 PM ^
against OSU(read: not EMU) is no small feat and, given how meh our blocking was, pretty damn commendable. His receiving skills far surpass anybody else in the backfield. Mike Cox? Are you people serious? Vincent Smith was the preferred back when Minor or Brown went down, he was the one back they didn't wanna redshirt, and he was primed to be our #1 guy. This sucks, there is no question about it.
Michael Shaw is the guy who looked most imppressive early in the season, but he succumbed to injuries and looked tentative late in the year. Talent-wise, he's ahead of the pack. Let's hope he doesn't let this opportunity pass him by.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 PM ^
I'm not going to argue it vehemently, because like I said, I really have no strong feelings about any one particular back winning the job next year.
But despite the fact that Smith got more playing time, he had 31 carries for 110 yards against non-DSU opponents. Cox's only 2 carries outside the DSU game went for 24 and 7 yards, but he did have the longest run of the year from anyone not named Carlos Brown.
Anyway, I'm not saying Cox will or should be the guy. All I'm saying is that Smith wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire, so anointing him The Back for 2010 is probably a bit premature.
December 4th, 2009 at 12:06 PM ^
Cox definitely looks big, stong, fast and hard to bring down with good balance.
I also love how he carries the ball high-and-tight like Tiki Barber post-fumblitis.
What we haven't seen from Cox is his ability to pick up blitzers/block and catch the ball. Blocking and reading where the blitz is coming from can be learned. Catching the ball can be worked on, but typically good hands are natural. Let's hope he has good hands.
I was thinking that he was very similar to Minor in style and Shaw in size, but lacked the speed, so he was on the scout team all last year.
In 2010 he will be a RS Soph and should be fully barwisized and ready to roll. I think he is going to have a huge year!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 PM ^
I could give you Toussaint but if the other two were better than Smith then they would've been given more carries this previous season. I just can't see how you could come up with that with the playing time he recieved last season.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:51 PM ^
I don't see a 170 lb. running back starting for Michigan for an entire season. He played limited time this past year, and in that limited time, he obviously tore his ACL. I'm not necessarily attributing that to his size, but the knock on small players is that they're not durable...and this kid tore his ACL as a freshman.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:09 PM ^
I agree that he was a small back but with him seeing so much time it was assumed by many that he would be the starter going into next season. This is a shot in the dark but maybe he would be somewhat like a "Devine" type of back. Isn't he the starter for WVU and doesn't he get most of the carries?
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:21 PM ^
But Devine hasn't already succumbed to tearing an ACL.
Regardless, it's not like I have a particularly strong feeling about the subject. Smith is a good back, and the other guys are unproven but talented. I just don't think Smith necessarily solidified himself as The Back for 2010.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 PM ^
If anyone was going to be the guy as THE running back I thought is was him. For some reason I am really excited about Toussaint. I haven't seen much footage or heard anything about him except his injury but he is supposed to have good speed and he has perfect size for an every down back.
I'm not sure if that will be the case at Michigan while RR is here but I would love to have an every down back that the fan base can really get behind like Hart.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 PM ^
FWIW, I said when Toussaint signed with Michigan that I thought he would be our next great running back. Of course, I can't really argue that Toussaint is more durable than Smith, since Toussaint got hurt at the beginning of fall practice. I just think Toussaint will be great by the time he leaves UM.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:06 PM ^
Now I can rest easy bc you think he will be good : ) The footage I saw of him showed me that he is really good at making cutbacks while in the open field which opens up so much more space for him to get extra yardage. It's what I've seen with so many great backs the last decade and Michigan hasn't had a home run threat in quite a while and I thought he could be it.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 PM ^
But I don't think Smith has nearly the straight-line speed that Devine does. I don't think that dude gets caught from behind.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:03 PM ^
You're right. I was just comparing them because of the similarity in size. Devine has SEC speed.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^
But I think you mean ESS EE CEE SPEED.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:20 PM ^
I would disagree if it weren't for the fact that you were among the very few that I could recall who backed Minor over McGuffie as our best RB(even with the rough start due to injuries.)
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:27 PM ^
Cox has some swift moves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxYNBRVixeo
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:36 PM ^
FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 PM ^
also:FUCK
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:44 PM ^
While this is bad news, even worse is that Warren is going pro. That SUCKS!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:49 PM ^
FUCK.
I had shit tons of work today so didn't visit the MGoBoard while on the clcok... and the whole universe implodes!! Why.......
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:49 PM ^
ALL it said was he is exploring his options. I think he stays.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:52 PM ^
Exploring his options and saying "Definitely, I'm heavily leaning towards going pro" are two different things.
Warren is leaving and getting negged for stating what he said an hour ago is pretty stupid.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:14 PM ^
MY Apologies I only read the rivals article. I disagree with his decision not because im bias. Because of the fact that I cannot see him going in the first round.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:47 PM ^
I say we all settle down. Dude hasn't used up his redshirt season so we're actually not losing that much even if he does miss all of 2010. We have Cox and Shaw, we can take the wrapping off of Toussaint, and then there're three true freshmen coming in next year and one of Drake, Hopkins, or White ought to be able to contribute. It's a depth hit for 2010 if he needs a whole year for rehab, but nothing more, we have plenty of depth.
Though at this point too it might be nice if we still had Avery Horn.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:51 PM ^
You guys aren't giving Vincent enough credit for his ability. Not only has he impressed the coaches enough to be mentioned in practice interviews on numerous occasions, but has played extremely well in games against pretty good defenses, in his freshman year. He's proven he has great balance and vision, and was only going to get stronger as time went on (Presumably). I see this as a huge hit.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:56 PM ^
Fortunately, recent advances in Tiny ACL Surgery (TACLS) now make it possible for tiny running backs to recover in a tiny period of time! These revolutionary TACLS procedures are done on tiny operating tables by tiny doctors with tiny hands.
TACLS, something every tiny running back wants to avoid.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 PM ^
Denard to RB?
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 PM ^
Oh my God
how many dong punches
must we endure
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 PM ^
its not a torn ACL for sure, I mean just an ACL strain or maybe partial tear which means he should be good by next season. Generally bad tears of the ACL would be an injury where you would not be able to run, and have a tough time walking at best. Thats why im thinking he didnt tear anything to bad...hopefully, he looked exposive at the end of the season
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 PM ^
fuc*ing me in the ear.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:26 PM ^
Our tailbacks have been unbelievably snakebitten the last three years. It's nuts.
Well, at least he'll have plenty of time to rehab. He should be ready to go when next season starts.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:32 PM ^
Smith is the preferred back. He might not be the fastest or biggest, but he will produce and protect. Blocking Blocking Blocking
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:07 PM ^
realize the season could get worse 2 weeks afterit ended. NEXT!
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 PM ^
It really sucks to get this kind of news about Smith and Warren all in the same day. I hate to hear that about Smith and as much as the team needs him and we all want him to be on the field as early as possible I hope he takes as long as needed to get this ACL injury back to 100% because if not it could be far more damaging than just missing a year of college ball. It could ruin any chance he has at a pro career if not healed properly. I would hate to have another running back be plagued by injuries his whole time here. He can red-shirt next year if needed and then we could still have 3 more years of him dominating. We have decent depth at rb so I think we should be alright even though i would love to have him ready for the fall.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^
I feel bad for Smith, but RB's are largely fungible. Good line play = good RB's, bad line play = bad RB's. If we can block next year, our running game will be good. If we can't, it won't matter if Smith was hurt.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^
I feel bad for Smith, but RB's are largely fungible. Good line play = good RB's, bad line play = bad RB's. If we can block next year, our running game will be good. If we can't, it won't matter if Smith was hurt.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:16 AM ^
who also just so happens to wear #2 hating God!
WTF!?
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:43 PM ^
When it rains it pours. (sigh)
December 4th, 2009 at 8:15 AM ^
Given that Vincent Smith had this injury occur during the OSU game, why did it take so long for this news to reach the press? I cannot remember seeing him injured during that game or any announcer making a comment about this.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:51 AM ^
He was most definitely injured in the OSU game. He rolled around on the ground for a couple minutes, and the trainers were called out. I believe it was in the fourth quarter.
It probably took a long time to come out because it was the last game of the season and there hasn't been much reason to talk to the press.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
I guess I was so whacked out of my skull by that time I just didn't remember