turd ferguson

September 29th, 2012 at 10:11 PM ^

Honestly, I think that Molk was so good last year and the Molk-less Sugar Bowl snaps were so terrifying that we tend to overrate the impact of centers around here.  I made a similar argument when Magnus named Ricky Barnum our second-most important player in 2012.

Center is important, no doubt, but there's a reason that NFL teams don't touch those guys in the early rounds.  There are many more important positions on the football field.

Plus, from what I saw (and can see on television), the back-up seemed fine today.

snarling wolverine

September 29th, 2012 at 10:34 PM ^

The center is frequently tasked with blocking the opposing nose guard.  If you have a weakness at center, and he gets pushed backwards regularly, that alone can blow up your offense.  So much of offense comes down to timing.  Any iittle disruption at the start of a play can blow it up.  The center is also an important pulling blocker.  If your center can't pull, that limits your running game.  

In the Sugar Bowl, I think we actually would have been better off leaving Khoury in there and hoping he'd settle down, because Molk could not move and his total immobility made it very hard for us to control the line of scrimmage.

bronxblue

September 29th, 2012 at 10:31 PM ^

I think a good center is essential for an offense to function at its peak.  Sure, they can be replaced with a competent backup and still succeed, but the same can be said for anyone else on the line.  Take Molk out of last year's offense and they struggle, but look at the teams who succeed and you tend to see a veteran line with an experienced center calling the plays and blocking assignments.

Magnus

September 30th, 2012 at 6:28 AM ^

The reason Barnum was (seemingly) so important was because of a complete lack of depth at the position.  Jack Miller just isn't ready yet, and while Mealer had been snapping the ball for a few years, he never seemed to be a viable option until this year.

Regardless, Michigan's running game is struggling somewhat this season, and the only changes are the loss of Molk, the loss of Huyge, and the loss of Koger; and I don't really think Huyge/Koger's departures have been that impactful...

snarling wolverine

September 29th, 2012 at 7:44 PM ^

Never like to hear that about anybody.  Hopefully he'll make a full recovery.

Well, we've got to be able to stop the MSU run game now.  ND and Ohio did it, and that was with Jackson in the lineup (for most of the way anyway).

 

Glen Masons Hot Wife

September 29th, 2012 at 7:51 PM ^

After hearing some of the stuff he's said and seeing his press conference last week, enjoy seeing him pissed. Just strikes me as this dickish weirdo

Blue boy johnson

September 29th, 2012 at 8:08 PM ^

Heard Dantonio on MSU flagship after game. He was composed and philosophical about loss. Said his team needed to make a few more plays. Dantonio praised Braxton Miller and OSU, had good things to say about the crowd, was upbeat about MSU's future, and talked about loss not hurting them in quest for Rose Bowl. Dantonio also downplayed fumble for TD that wasn't.

Space Coyote

September 29th, 2012 at 9:11 PM ^

I'll start by saying the obvious, you never want to see a kid get hurt. But when I watched the game today, their backup seemed to be on par. Now, there is probably a reason he was a backup, maybe he isn't as good at making calls on the O-line, so I'm guessing it will hurt them. Continuity in the long run is going to hurt them probably more than anything.

But in all honesty, so far this year MSU's O-line can't be a whole lot worse. We're talking like Michigan '08 offensive line here.

Alf Urkel

September 29th, 2012 at 9:08 PM ^

can we just cut the shit, everyone? no one honestly cares about this guy's health, you're all just saying you do to keep up appearances. sorry y'all, just keepin it real.

Space Coyote

September 29th, 2012 at 9:17 PM ^

It sucks when players get hurt. This is a game, you want to play other people's full teams, and you don't want to see someone get hurt, ever. Let's be real, most of us enjoy this game so much because it's like child's play. It takes us back to when we played, maybe not even organized football, but in our back yards with our friends. It takes us away from the stresses of the real world, it's where, even though we stress about our teams and probably care way too much, it's been an escape for many of us (and many of these players) from many varying circumstances and situations. I'm guessing you're young, maybe some day you'll get it, but I can tell you right now that I for one find no joy in any player getting hurt .

And honestly feel bad for soemone who goes down doing something they love and have worked so hard at. These players spend an extrodinary amount of time preparing and training to get to where they are, regardless of the team, and regardless of the situation, to see something out of their control happen to stop all that hard work, sucks.

Mitch Cumstein

September 29th, 2012 at 10:14 PM ^

I'm not saying this b/c it is MSU and I hate Dantonio, but I don't think he should have been let back into that game.  Am I wrong to think this?  The announcers said he had the wind knocked out of him, but it looked like he was out cold.  I hope this issue is looked into.  Gholston has a potential NFL future and it would be a shame to risk that for a b10 win or two.  

If I saw that situation go down with a Michigan player I would have some serious questions for Hoke.  

ClearEyesFullHart

September 29th, 2012 at 10:41 PM ^

I think chances that kid is going to get any dumber are pretty low. I feel bad for the center though. I hope he makes a full recovery. And then loses every game the rest of his life.

ND Sux

September 30th, 2012 at 11:20 AM ^

He was OUT COLD...even the Sparties on RCMB agree on this point.  He should not have even sniffed the game again yesterday.  Maybe the Sparty docs could clue in to all the brain trauma concerns in football today. 

I hate Gholston for his treatment of Denard last year, and he does similar shit every game.  I saw him laying on top of Miller a few extra seconds yesterday.  He's a total dick, but FB and life are separate things.  The coaches were wrong to play him again, and I bet we haven't heard the last of it.

aalguire

September 29th, 2012 at 11:42 PM ^

Get well soon Travis. Hope you get to play again sooner than later. That is a huge blow for that offense. Habitating in the Lansing area sports talk radio is pro Sparty. Heard this kid on the Mark Dantonio show and he's an anchor for that team.