Worried about Hemingway?

Submitted by Beavis on

Is anyone else concerned if Hemingway is in fact "doubtful" and not "questionable" for this weeks game? Kid had a huge week last week and is either our #1 or #2 receiving option (it seems).

Was it just a coincidence that our passing game went to garbage after he was hurt last week? I mean, there was definitely a function of "kill the clock" in the fourth quarter, but what about the other plays when we were trying to drive and score?

I am willing to bet that if he does not play and our passing game struggles, that will be what kills us against ND.

Foote Fetish

September 11th, 2009 at 4:16 PM ^

...but would feel better having him.

I think having Minor back will help. Trucking him up the middle hopefully plays more to ND's weakness (weak D-line) than Hemingway, who took advantage of Western's weak secondary last week.

I think we have enough threatening weaponry (Koger, Odoms, Grady, and sure-handed Greg Matthews) that we'll be okay in the receiving department.

I'm more worried about whether or not Booboo is 100% to be honest.

joeyb

September 11th, 2009 at 4:19 PM ^

Tate spent a lot less time in the ball game in the second half, whenever Denard was in, he was running it, and whenever Sheridan or Cone come in, you know there will not be a passing game. The coaches were trying to get experience to other players as the win solidified. I think Brian said Tate hit 11 receivers in the game. That is likely to happen again and behind Hemingway you have a herd of receivers ready to compete for a starting spot in the future.

I wouldn't worry too much about the passing game.

Beavis

September 11th, 2009 at 4:26 PM ^

While I see your point, I disagree slightly.

After Hemingway's last reception, Tate went 2 for 4 for 14 yards in the third quarter. The biggest play the offense was able to muster was a 12 yard run by Shaw. We didn't score. The only positive is we had 3 first downs and would have had a TD had there not been a penalty on the offense. Also, Tate hit Koger on his only pass for 20 yards in the fourth quarter.

Hemingway had over 100 yards and 2 TDs. If you think losing that production is not a cause for some concern, you are crazy. While I think the passing game will still be solid, without Hemingway it cannot be exceptional like it was against Western.

victors2000

September 11th, 2009 at 4:56 PM ^

Stonum has gone from stud to dud it seems, and noone else has stepped up to the plate either; until I see someone who can spread the field like Hemingway does, I see that as a cause for concern. I think we need to be able to use all the weapons at our disposal to spread out the ND defenders.

MCHammer-smooth

September 11th, 2009 at 5:24 PM ^

I don't disagree with your statement but I would change the wording a bit. I don't think Stonum s a dud ... he's a true sophomore. Last year was not what we expected but his being a freshman and having threet and sheridan throw the ball can explain some of that. I know he is not the stud we were hoping for but he has time to come into his own. He has the physical skills I just don't know if the mental capacity is there. I don't know though.

Brhino

September 11th, 2009 at 4:30 PM ^

I wouldn't blame the passing downturn in the second half on Hemingway leaving. Yes, he may be our best receiver, but it's more likely the fact that we played Cone (0 for 2) and Sheridan (WMU for 2).

Forcier's stats by quarter:
1st: 3 for 5 2 TDs
2nd: 5 for 8 1 TD
3rd: 4 for 6
4th: 1 for 1
Pretty consistent.

Denard's:
1st: 1 for 2
2nd: 1 for 1 1 Rushing TD
3rd: none
4th: 0 for 1

First half, Tate and Denard passed and ran and we scored points. Third quarter, we had two drives. The first one chewed up some yardage till Sheridan threw the INT in the endzone, the second one didn't go very far. By the fourth quarter we were pretty much content to run for 4 yards an attempt all day and let the Cone play some. The only pass Forcier threw in the 4th was the Kroger catch. So, it's not so much that the passing game dropped off as the play calling eased up.

Brhino

September 11th, 2009 at 4:45 PM ^

True. I admit it's a small sample to work with. At best, Hemingway leaving happened at the same time Michigan really started dialing things back, so it's hard to say. If Sheridan hadn't taken over that drive in the third, and if Forcier had thrown 8 passes in the forth, and we still got shutout in the second half, then I'd be concerned. As is, not so much. If Michigan had kept its starters in like a SEC team (see: Tennessee and Florida starters turning 30+ point leads into 50+ point leads in the second half) I feel we'd have scored AT LEAST 14 points in the second half and nobody would be talking about a "dropoff", and we wouldn't have to listen to the dimwits who scan the box score and say "WMU beat michigan in the second half, UM sucks!".

Gocannon16

September 11th, 2009 at 4:35 PM ^

I was terrified at first, okay, maybe not terrified, but still. However, like some others have said, our run game should carry us in this game so at least we have MinorRAGE back.
As long as Minor and Cissoko are good to go there is no real reason to panic.

bklein09

September 11th, 2009 at 4:37 PM ^

Maybe this can be Stonum's coming out party ala Mario Manningham? I know Stonum seems to be a lost cause at times, but he obviously has all the physical tools. Perhaps playing ND and seeing an opening for him on the depth chart that he didn't have to earn will make him step up his game. Here's hoping!

Koyote

September 11th, 2009 at 4:43 PM ^

I am more worried about Hemingway as a player than him being active for this game. This is the second time he was injured already in his college career. Granted, two times is not indicative of a problem. However it is cause for concern. Some guys just have unfortunate luck (see McGuffie).

Hemingway seems like he has the potential to be one of the next great receivers to come out of Michigan and I would hate to see that potential taken by injury.

Blue boy johnson

September 11th, 2009 at 7:07 PM ^

It is a question of when not if. You must have missed the Wr/CB camp video of Denard blowing by Corners and catching long passes.

I was of the same opinion as you until the first game. Denard is on a different level talent wise and RR is going to exploit it one way or another. If Tate is going to get most of the snaps at QB then RR is going to use Denard somewhere else.

RR said Denard is too good to redshirt, I don't think any of us would argue with that. The equation is different than I first
thought. Denard is not the X factor, he is the X squared or X cubed factor.

It is going to be a blast enjoying Denard's 3 years in AA.

jml969

September 11th, 2009 at 5:04 PM ^

Hemingway and Tate seem to click well. Granted Hemingway isn't the only one who knows how to catch but having a talented pair on the field that play well together is always a plus. If Koger doesn't play I'll be extra worried

SanDiegoWolverine

September 11th, 2009 at 5:47 PM ^

Does anyone know who got the most practice reps at WR on the first team this week after Matthews? I haven't heard any reports. You would think we would know by now who would be starting if Junior can't make it.

markusr2007

September 11th, 2009 at 5:48 PM ^

in general.

Michigan is comparatively deep at WR and RB, but it sucks that Minor has been so brittle, and that Hemingway has had such bad luck.

What I do like is that other players with mettle are available like Stonum, Odoms, Mathews, Grady and Koger to pick up the slack and make some plays. And they have experience.

But in general Michigan has not been fortunate on the injury front over the past 5 years, and preliminary indication is that despite Barwisian conditioning, injuries are likely to become a big problem this year for the Wolverines, particularly on the defensive line and the defensive secondary.

stankoniaks

September 12th, 2009 at 1:37 AM ^

Take this for what it's worth, but I talked to one of my boys today (who's on the team) who said Hemingway is out. I'm hoping something changes before tomorrow afternoon, but I was really disappointed to hear this. Don't really have anyone else to really stretch the field like JH.