Mr. Elbel

December 1st, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^

I actually had the same thought on Saturday. No way you can blame Devin for what happened in the least bit, but you do have a point. I don't know if he would have even made it to the endzone if he wouldn't have juked, but I know everyone here and Drake especially would have preferred DG to score there instead of have this happen.

Hopefully Devin isn't thinking it's his fault though, because he can't blame it on himself. That's not fair.

Joined: 03/02/2014

MGoPoints: 21402

RobM_24

December 1st, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^

Weird injury. It looked like it popped when he hit the ground, while his knees were bent. Usually ACLs go while having a foot planted and/or when the knee is straight. Unless it went out earlier in the run when he planted or something, then I can't figure out what caused it. Knees are a bitch.

Joined: 01/27/2014

MGoPoints: 63794

Magnus

December 1st, 2014 at 9:52 AM ^

On the bright side, at least he probably won't have to miss much/any playing time. He did it at almost the last possible moment in the season, so he got what he could out of 2014. Hopefully he's ready to go for the opener next year. I think he showed that he's a better option than De'Veon Smith and Justice Hayes.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

raleighwood

December 1st, 2014 at 10:04 AM ^

I agree that Drake looked like the best RB option on the team (speed, power, agressive to the hole, great cuts....).  We saw hints of that last year before he went down.  Since that's the case, why did it take so long for him to get into the lineup?  If it's so obvious on game day, it has to show up in practice, right?

For what it's worth, I think that Ty Isaac will be the feature back next year.  There's going to be some SERIOUS competition at that position.  If the OL continues to mature and develop, along with input next year's RS Sophomores (I really want to see what David Dawson can do), Michigan could have a formidable running game in 2015.

Joined: 11/26/2008

MGoPoints: 4710

MGoStrength

December 1st, 2014 at 10:10 AM ^

I often question the same thing with coaches.  Maybe that's not fair because we're not there in practice.  But sometimes I feel like coaches are playing the best practice players and not the best game players which I beleive is a mistake.  From what I've seen Drake was clearly the best RB on the depth chart by far.  The goal is not to win in practice, it's to win in the game.  I get that you want to reinforce practicing hard and whatnot, but to play a guy that doesn't play as good in games is a huge mistake IMO.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

MI Expat NY

December 1st, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^

I think Green is probably better than Johnson.  Johnson got some benefit from playing at the end of the season with a more mature offensive line.  And until the Ohio State game, I think there were real questions as to whether Johnson truly was any better than Smith has a main option.

I would guess Isaac and Green will get the lions share of the carries next year with Johnson as a third option.  

Joined: 07/24/2008

MGoPoints: 8641

Magnus

December 1st, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^

Green has been ahead of Johnson on the depth chart for two seasons now. I also think Green has more talent overall and was improving when he got hurt. It's true that he's not as physical as he should be, but he still has a nice combination of size and speed. If Michigan can open holes consistently, he could wear down a defense and break an occasional long one.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

CoverZero

December 1st, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^

Green is a soft runner, slow footed and makes horrible reads.

Why is it taking so long for everyone to realize that he is nothing more than an avg. Big Ten back at BEST?

Is his 5th star still shinning too brightly for people to see that he is and always will be mediocre at BEST?

Most of the time, Green is just bad...particularly vs. good defenses.  He lacks burst and explosion and does not create. 

Joined: 08/30/2014

MGoPoints: 14571

Magnus

December 1st, 2014 at 11:17 AM ^

I'm not sure why it took so long. Part of it might be that he was coming back from the ACL tear last year. Also, some people are just gamers. They just amp it up a little bit and look better. That being said, the coaching staff (aka Hoke) has always praised Johnson, so I don't think that they disliked him. He's not a very good blocker, so that might have been a part of it, too. It's tough to be a featured back - especially in this offense - if you can't block.

Then again, I've been confused for a long time about Michigan's running back selections. From Vincent Smith over Brandon Minor to burying Michael Cox on the bench, not much has made sense.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

Gob1ue22

December 1st, 2014 at 9:56 AM ^

Has any team in the ncaa had as many acl tears as michigan during hokes tenure? There has to be something different (or lacking) from their training regiem.

Joined: 11/24/2013

MGoPoints: 812

Magnus

December 1st, 2014 at 10:03 AM ^

I don't disagree with wanting him to be healthy, but he went from the opener in 2013 (August 31?) to the closer of 2014 (November 29) between getting hurt. It could just be a coincidence. I know I'm tempting fate, but Jake Butt and Jake Ryan both came back from torn ACLs they suffered in the spring and played by the middle part of the season.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

MGoStrength

December 1st, 2014 at 10:06 AM ^

I feel bad for the kid.  After what I've seen of all our backs he seems like the best fit for us right now.  He certainly looks like the fastest and big enough to not go down of first contact.  He seems to have pretty good vision too.  I have to think Isaac will be the front runner next year, but I hope Drake can come back.  He was looking really good the past few games.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

buckeyekiller1

December 1st, 2014 at 10:17 AM ^

It feels like it's been so long since we had nice things. Every time I think we found something nice, the injury bug cuts them down before they can become great. Jake Ryan, Denard, Gardner, Peppers, now Drake when it looked like we finally found an answer at RB.

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 2939

Perkis-Size Me

December 1st, 2014 at 10:20 AM ^

Sheesh, the kid just can't catch a break. If its the second tear, it might be time to start considering hanging up the pads. I know that's not what he'd want to hear and I certainly wouldn't blame him, but 2 ACL tears in 2 years, and he might be risking permanent damage if he goes any further.

Im no doctor, but it might be something he'll want to consider.

Best of luck, Drake, and thanks for all the time and effort.

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105843

BlueinLansing

December 1st, 2014 at 10:22 AM ^

we had injuries to our top RB who missed half the season, our QB who was basically broken physically and mentally since last year, our top WR threat who then decided to put it in "waiting for the draft mode" , our top LB who was becoming all-Big Ten material, our top recruit who could have made a difference on defense, and finally an injury to the only RB on the roster who runs hard and can see a hole developing.

sweet

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 23520

HarBooYa

December 1st, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^

He was one of our huge bright spots. Loved his comeback. Devastated for his loss. Thought if he could have stayed healthy he could have put up melvin Gordon type numbers with our maturing line. Selfishly Hope he comes back but also does the right thing for his own health first and foremost.

Joined: 06/22/2011

MGoPoints: 3151

readyourguard

December 1st, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^

This sucks.  Drake is a good kid who finally got a chance to perform.  What a kick in the nuts.

I also think the coaches share in the responsibility.  I have no scientific proof, but by substituting so much, kid's have to go from 0 to 100, back to 0, and then back to 100.  Splitting carries, despite Johnson clearing being our best back since IU, doesn't do anything physical or mental for the kid.  He earned the carries.  Give them to him.

 

Joined: 08/21/2008

MGoPoints: 40986

TIMMMAAY

December 1st, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^

That was my first thought when they showed the replay. Sucks for the kid, get well soon Drake. Kid was running hard, coaches should have given him more opportunity, and that's to say nothing of not spotting his talent earlier. Guh. 

Joined: 09/08/2008

MGoPoints: 56289