Was wondering what everyone's opinion is. Personally I hope Shaw wins it. When healthy he in the past two years has been a strong runner with few mental mistakes.
like I said on twitter: that was almost as intense as Iowa NIT games
Who do you want to win the RB position?
August 10th, 2011 at 7:59 PM
#1
Who do you want to win the RB position?
August 10th, 2011 at 8:00 PM | 
Vincent Smith
Vincent Smith
August 10th, 2011 at 8:01 PM |
in this order, rawls, shaw,
in this order, rawls, shaw,
in this order, rawls, shaw, cox
August 10th, 2011 at 8:23 PM |
I hope you're right, but
I hope you're right, but
I hope you're right, but early reports seem to indicate that Rawls and Hayes are just behind the pack in terms of knowledge of the offense. You could even see it in the rivals video when Rawls went through one of the drills and then you could hear some one telling him to watch how Vince does it. After Vince went through you could see a huge difference in just knowing how to do drills and such. There's plenty of time for them to catch up and Rawls highlight tape looked like exactly what I want our backs to play like, so my fingers are crossed.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:54 PM |
Why is everyone on rawls jock so hard
Why is everyone on rawls jock so hard
He is a freshman and unproven i would love to see him break out but what are the chances. Was i the olny one that saw cox break a few pretty nice runs in the spring? And he had the extra speed to take it all the way on the one run. I think it was like 62 yards!!?
August 10th, 2011 at 9:02 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
The knock on Cox is that he makes lots of mistakes and needs a better grasp of the playbook.
If a freshman is able to make an early impact, RB is probably the easiest.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
August 10th, 2011 at 10:52 PM |
Potentially unfair comparison
Potentially unfair comparison
Your description just reminded me of why I can't shake the perception that Cox is just the poor man's Carlos Brown. Brown had similar size (a little smaller, but still no slouch) and even better (downright elite) speed. Just seemed to run upright and never had the vision/balance/lateral movement to be a consistent running back. Could "hit the hole and go" for 90 yard TD's all day against subpar competition but just couldn't get it done against a better defense.
Probably (certainly) unfair to paint Cox with that brush before he's gotten any meaningful carries against a real defense, but I just don't expect to be pleasantly surprised/proven wrong at this point.
It is spelled HOKEAMANIA. Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!
August 10th, 2011 at 11:58 PM |
every time we've seen cox
every time we've seen cox
every time we've seen cox he's run through tackels. carlos brown broke maybe one half of a tackle in his whole career, and fell down due to something less than a tackle like a billion times.
i'll admit im biased, i love the cox*, but i don't think a carlos brown comparison is apt at all.
*hur
August 10th, 2011 at 11:58 PM |
HALOL
HALOL
HALOL
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. - Ephesians 6:11
August 10th, 2011 at 11:26 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
According to the coaches what should be happening is much different than what is happening. I personally want Cox to succeed.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
August 11th, 2011 at 1:23 AM |
"I personally want Cox to suc
"I personally want Cox to suc
"I personally want Cox to succeed."
Great last sentence.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
August 11th, 2011 at 12:00 AM |
I don't think its as simple
I don't think its as simple
I don't think its as simple as just hitting the hole and relying on natural instinct.
The problem with freshman is that in addition to grasping the offense (which not only includes terminology, but also includes protection schemes, route running, etc), they often have a lot to learn in terms of fundamentals such as pad level, ball security, and decision making.
I think most highly rated kids were able to get by without having done all the little things right because they had so much more natural ability than most HS players. When they hit the field in college, natural ability doesn't always cut it.
Now, I am not saying that any of this is true for Michigan's freshman RBs, because who knows. But its simply not that easy to walk in to the Big Ten and start from day one.
Those Who Stay...
August 10th, 2011 at 9:14 PM |
Watch his highlight real. The
Watch his highlight real. The
Watch his highlight real. The guy has an awesome combination of speed, power and moves. He's fun to watch, that doesn't mean hes gonna win the job, but I think there is a lot of optimism surrounding him.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:02 PM |
Cox.
Cox.
Just for the immature, incredibly juvenile one-liners.
Twitter // Recruiting Work// Email
August 10th, 2011 at 10:56 PM |
I wanna see some Cox
I wanna see some Cox
Who's with me?
...confidence is the stain they can't wipe off...
August 10th, 2011 at 8:47 PM |
Totally agree
Totally agree
I trust his evaluation of the talent. Some practice tapes aren't going to tell us alot.
Lucky enough to have my own JT wristband!!
August 10th, 2011 at 9:41 PM |
Like the coaches say, wait
Like the coaches say, wait
Like the coaches say, wait until the pads are put on.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
August 10th, 2011 at 8:02 PM |
Hopkins
Hopkins
He's built for this offense
August 10th, 2011 at 8:25 PM |
Where are you getting that from?
Where are you getting that from?
Borges' most successful running backs have been guys like Hillman, Cadillac Williams, Kenny Irons (all small), and Skip Hicks (a little bigger, but really athletic and versatile catching balls out of the backfield).
I love Stephen Hopkins but I really don't think he is what they are looking for out of their every down back. I think he'll score a bunch of touchdowns next year but I doubt he'll get the bulk of the carries.
It is spelled HOKEAMANIA. Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!
August 10th, 2011 at 8:32 PM |
Well, considering that "this
Well, considering that "this
Well, considering that "this offense" is probably going to be a little bit of the I-formation and a lot of spread, you're basically saying that Hopkins is built for the spread.
Which he's not.
August 11th, 2011 at 9:21 AM |
Based on what Borges said
Based on what Borges said
Based on what Borges said about Hopkins, I think we'll see him in a fullback more often than not.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:03 PM |
I'm sure im in the smal l%
I'm sure im in the smal l%
but I want to see the myth like toussaint get the nod, but whoever hoke thinks the starting rb should be is the man
UM vs osu 2011 bring your keys and make noise (get it keys!)
August 10th, 2011 at 8:07 PM |
He and Cox probably have the
He and Cox probably have the
He and Cox probably have the highest ceiling and with Toussaint being younger, I'd agree that he's the best possible pick--unless Hayes or Rawls are stars from the second they step on campus.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:30 PM |
I am with you. Fitz has
I am with you. Fitz has
I am with you. Fitz has intrigued me since his arrival. Would really love to see him break out this season.
"Don't sell yourself short Judge....You're a tremendous slouch"
August 10th, 2011 at 9:01 PM |
Fitz
Fitz
i'm hoping for a huge dose of toussaint this year, he absolutely kills in NCAA 11 and 12 so that means he can do it for real right? Fitz has always been one i've been very excited to see what he can do with the chance
August 10th, 2011 at 8:03 PM |
I like Shaw with Smith
I like Shaw with Smith
I like Shaw with Smith getting some reps.
I would also like to see Rawls get in there and get some carries.
It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:48 PM |
with ya Chris1709 ...
with ya Chris1709 ...
Cox was B1G Network's pick to start last year ... but he for some unknown reason never saw the field in game situations last year. He most resembles the Tim & Tyrone runner as Michigan's past "manball" RB's.
Mike can bust tackles and has moves to make that 1st lineman or LB miss. I'm hoping that he gets a FULL chance this year! Fired up and ready for 9/3/11 ...
Go Blue!
No place on earth I'd rather be on a football Saturday than Michigan Stadium !
August 10th, 2011 at 8:05 PM |
No snark intended, but
No snark intended, but
No snark intended, but whoever can get the job done best.
Be it Shaw, Rawls, Hopkins, whoever. Just as long as someone can step up and carry the ball 20-25 times a game so Denard doesn't have to.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:04 PM |
Rawls
Rawls
For two reasons.
1. I'm from Flint
2. He reminds me so much of Shaun Alexander.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:13 PM |
NFL RB comparison...is that
NFL RB comparison...is that
NFL RB comparison...is that you, Fred?
August 10th, 2011 at 8:18 PM |
Oh man
Oh man
I've gotten to see him play quite a bit. Normally, I don't compare HS players to anyone, but he and Alexander are very similar runners.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:57 PM |
Wasn't a call out at all, I
Wasn't a call out at all, I
Wasn't a call out at all, I just like making Fred Jackson jokes.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:18 PM |
Oh man
Oh man
I've gotten to see him play quite a bit. Normally, I don't compare HS players to anyone, but he and Alexander are very similar runners.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:05 PM |
My pecking
My pecking
My pecking order:
Shaw
Rawls
Hopkins
Smith
Toussant
Hayes
Cox
August 10th, 2011 at 8:07 PM |
The best player. They're on
The best player. They're on
The best player. They're on the team I root for, I want them all to succeed.
August 11th, 2011 at 8:11 AM |
YES
YES
Yes, and OBTW your scoreboard is.... a little,....smallish!!!
"Wasn't that Michigan drive just great. That's like Patton riding into Berlin." ~Bob Ufer
August 10th, 2011 at 8:08 PM |
Best player..
Best player..
...but I hope the best players are Rawls and Hopkins. Would love to see the power game back with those guys.
neoavatara.com/blog
August 10th, 2011 at 8:10 PM |
If all backs are healthy
If all backs are healthy
I preface this with HEALTHY! My order would be:
Toussant (If he can stay healthy I think he has best combo of Size & Speed)
Smith (If can be an every down back I love his versatility)
Shaw (Quality back)
Hopkins (Love his size but can he provide a homerun threat)
Rawls (Freshman struggle with pass coverage pickups)
Hayes (See Rawls)
Cox
August 10th, 2011 at 8:38 PM |
Were you describing Shaw or
Were you describing Shaw or
Were you describing Shaw or Cox?
Eating is murder.
August 11th, 2011 at 1:25 AM |
Ate you asking
Ate you asking
If he was drooling over Cox?
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
August 10th, 2011 at 8:10 PM |
Toussaint
Toussaint
If he can stay healthy, I would love to see him running the ball. He has huge potential.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:12 PM |
I say Hopkins
I say Hopkins
I would love to see Shaw reach his potential but I'm not holding my breath. The thing about Hopkins is he may not break the big one but he seems to be able to get the 5+ yards consistently. I also have always liked Smith and his work ethic I just don't see him as an every down back, I like the way he runs/blocks/catches though so I could see him getting a good amuont of playing time regardless of who wins the job.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:13 PM |
Shaw. He needs to prove the
Shaw. He needs to prove the
Shaw. He needs to prove the doubters wrong. He is the most talented back on the roster and plays with great emotion.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:15 PM |
I'll second your Shaw, with
I'll second your Shaw, with
I'll second your Shaw, with Smith as third-down back and the best of Rawls/Cox/Hopkins/Toussaint as short yardage/change of pace.
Another thing to keep in mind: Rawls and Hopkins have both been mentioned as part-time FBs. Passes to the FB in the flat are a staple of the West Coast offense. Whoever has the stickiest fingers is gonna get the ball with room to rumble.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:35 PM |
Please god no more smith on
Please god no more smith on
Please god no more smith on 3rd and short. I just dont think he can move the pile in short yardage.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:37 PM |
3rd down back =/= short
3rd down back =/= short
3rd down back =/= short yardage back. A lot of people seem confused by this.
3rd down back is more of a passing down back who can pass protect and make catches out of the backfield.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:45 PM |
Yes, I can understand wanting
Yes, I can understand wanting
Yes, I can understand wanting a good blocking back in on a 3rd down passing situation. but I remember smith getting quite a few short yardage carries with very little success.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:50 PM |
For the record I am a vincent
For the record I am a vincent
For the record I am a vincent smith fan, I just dont like him getting carries in short yardage situations especially 3rd down.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:09 PM |
yes but as the other reply
yes but as the other reply
yes but as the other reply said a traditional third down back, is a draw, passing catching, and pass blocking back.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:15 PM |
easy
easy
RB 1
5 4 3 2 1 Touchdown!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
August 10th, 2011 at 8:16 PM |
Rawls
Rawls
Only because having a freshman good enough to win it bodes well for the future.
Eating is murder.
I enjoyed watching him score a touchdown against tsio, wouldn't mind seeing a few more.
Second choice would be Shaw, because we own penn state....
I don't care who wins, as long as it's Michigan.....