Space Coyote

February 23rd, 2015 at 10:21 PM ^

I'm sure Pallante will bring the intensity the position needs, but one of his major strengths was his understanding of how to utilize his hands and gain leverage. I thought he was a natural run stopping DT, and kind of liked his upside as such. To me, his strengths don't really transfer over to the many things Harbaugh wants out of a FB, and most likely he could only be a between the tackles thumper from that position. That's not all bad, but it really tips your hand, and when you tip your hand, LBs start shooting down. Now you have a lower-level athlete trying to get on the other side of the LOS before the LB shoots, and to me that doesn't seem like a good deal for Pallante.

On top of that, it really hurts with the DT depth chart, which is now basically two classes and then nothing for two classes. I don't know if that's really a good recipe.

Overall, however, my guess is that Pallante was struggling to put on the weight and maintain his athleticism (which was already limited) at the additional weight. If that's the case, then this move makes more sense, and the fact that he had a long ways to go to make weight makes me believe it's a likely thing that happened.

Danwillhor

February 24th, 2015 at 12:57 AM ^

I think we see other guys from the DL bulk up & go inside plus a possible OL switch I've heard rumor about. We'll see when we get there. Finally, landing the top player inn the country that happens to be a DT could give immediate & quality help. I really think getting him here (or not) could have immediate impact for better or worse. I'd put his talent up there with any I'd the top DL coming out of HS the last few years. He'd play immediately.

Space Coyote

February 24th, 2015 at 10:31 AM ^

Outside of the guys that were already essentially interior players last year (and many people listed as DE or DL were interior players). The current depth chart is fine at DT, so there is no immediate need to move people inside, it's when the wave of current interior players graduate that you see a lack of numbers. It can be made up through recruiting, but I'm not a fan typically of giving young guys much more than a role on the interior. There is so much to learn as an interior player, where to take your eyes if the guy in front goes this direction, how to handle a double, how and when to disengage to fight back to the ball vs maintaining your gap, etc. And that's not including all the fundamental techniques and strength that needs to be consistent down-to-down for guys that aren't used to having to give that kind of effort because they kill high school kids.

I like Pallante. I thought he was a smart Greyshirt offer and eventual full-scholarship offer. I thought he was an underrated kid that had some skills that fit at DT if he could gain the weight and maintain his athletic ability. But that's always a risk when you recruit guys that aren't already at weight. Most teams deal with that regularly, MSU deals with that all the time. You try to project forward, but sometimes it doesn't work out the way you initially plan.

I'm not sure why people are so against not thinking this is a "great fit". Probably because it doesn't fit the "Harbaugh-narrative". There is a good chance it didn't work out at DT because he was struggling to gain the mass he needed and maintain his athletic ability, moving him to FB is a way for him to have a role on the team, but it just isn't an optimal fit. Maybe it's a lack of understanding of the needs of a FB in the offense, or all the things a FB has to do, but Pallante is going to struggle as a guy slipping out into the flat, he'll struggle getting to the edge on zone stretch, he'll struggle getting through the LOS and finding the MIKE on Iso or Lead Zone.

He can be an Iso blocker in goalline and "-and short" situations, similar to Hurst last year (Hurst is a bit more explosive, FWIW, but that's beside the point), but that's a role. That's where Pallente fits, in a role. But this probably isn't an every down solution for the depth chart. This likely isn't a "this is awesome". This is likely a "it didn't work out here, let's find a fit for him where he has a role and can help the team and work to get playing time". That's fine. That's him being willing to switch positions to play a role on the team, and that's Harbaugh finding that role, but that's likely what it is.

alum96

February 23rd, 2015 at 11:55 PM ^

We need depth at the DT too.  With Mone playing as a freshman and Pallante being the 2014 RS, and no DT in 2015 you have 2 years with no DTs.  That's going to be a big donut hole - in 2 years your only rosteted DTs are Mone and Hurst Jr if Mone doesnt go to the NFL a year early and Pallante stays at FB.  Even if Mone is not early entry its sort of dificult to make a 2 deep depth chart with 2 players.

Once again we are going to be forced to play very young guys at a position you dont want very young guys.

Danwillhor

February 24th, 2015 at 1:02 AM ^

that his RS was more to due with healing that year+ long nagging hamstring than size. Size would have demanded a RS even if healthy but that's not why he was given the RS. Presumably healthy, now is when you work on getting good weight in him but understand that he's a legit 6-3/4. His frame will never hold anything above 190, IMO. Though, that's fine as he's more of a Moss like deer out there. Fast & can jump out of the stadium. He'll play if he can get into the 180s but, yes, right now he's scary thin for a CFB WR.

Lakeyale13

February 24th, 2015 at 7:20 AM ^

Laser Wolf, I do understand height will limit weight. TR may be doing all he can to gain weight. What is obviously clear is that UM is wanting to target 5'10" or taller DB's. Players the size of TRich will never see the field as a regular CB. They will simply get destroyed in press coverage or the running game.

Unfortunately, TRich seems to be microcosm of how our top rated recruits have panned out the last 5-6 years. If I am not mistaken, he was our highest rated recruit in his class. This isn't speaking to his character, I don't know the kid, he may be the hardest working kid on the field. I hope he finds a way to help the Maize and Blue this year.

1464

February 23rd, 2015 at 11:42 PM ^

Yeah. I'm on the other end of the scale, but I'm not really out of shape. I do crossfit and still play multiple rec league sports. I'm not as in shape as college, but I'm also probably in a lot better shape than you're picturing. My target weight is probably 270. I'd be cut at 270. I'm just a naturally big guy.

BlockM

February 23rd, 2015 at 10:24 PM ^

Haha, thank you all for your concern... it's true, I am very tall and skinny. I'm working on putting on weight (my max was ~170 before I came down with a nasty case of type 1 diabetes... haha). 

That said, the worst part about being this tall and slim is trying to find 30x36 pants, so it's really not all that bad.

BlockM

February 23rd, 2015 at 11:26 PM ^

Hahaha, with a nurse for a mother, and several aunts and uncles on either side of my family that also have type 1, that would have been pretty remarkable. I was diagnosed at 23, which is late for type 1 but not unheard of. That's when a couple of my uncles developed it as well. In hindsight, based on the symptoms it probably developed a few months prior to that, but not much more. 

Based on this, I hope you'll forgive me for not taking your advice on the SERIOUS MASS w/ 252g of carbs. Insulin isn't cheap, even with insurance, lol.