Harbaugh on Mone return: "It's possible"

Submitted by FreddieMercuryHayes on

Can't believe someone hasn't posted this yet, but in today's presser, when asked about Mone returning to play some time this season, Harbaugh didn't shoot it down and said "it's possible".  I don't know exactly how the question was framed as I ran across this on the Twitter, so context may be missing.  But, commence speculation!  And commence putting a Dumb and Dumber captioned picture in this thread. 

Personally, I think his return, even if physically able, probably would depend on how long the season runs, and what the stakes UM is playing for at that time.

Here's a link about it on 247:

http://michigan.247sports.com/Board/59424/Contents/Harbaugh-Mone-Return…

 

Wolvie3758

November 16th, 2015 at 1:56 PM ^

Of course each game at this time of the year is the biggest game of the year but for many reason beating Penn St is HUGE...OSU and Iowa would be gravy..Very few of us envisioned 9 wins and a NYD bowl game ..not in our wildest dreams...We have to find a way to beat Penn St ..and I am very worried about this game after the defense and special teams play Saturday..But burning a redshirt at this point isnt feasible unless we can win the next game..If we do YES we are in the hunt and at that point worth it...

Doctor Wolverine

November 16th, 2015 at 6:00 PM ^

Mone would start, of course, IF he stays for a fifth year, which is all part of the speculation. My guess, however, is that the drop-off from Mone to Gary in a couple years would be less than the drop-off to Stroble this year. I could be wrong, but I didn't see a lot to be confident about Saturday with the current state of the D-line. If Mone is healthy enough to play this year, then play he shall.

MaizeHeart_BlueBlood

November 16th, 2015 at 1:33 PM ^

Is it worth it to burn his redshirt - and what is the ruling on the medical redshirt qualifications - if he comes back for the last two regular season games and bowl game would he still be eligible for the medical redshirt playing in less than 30% of the games? 

alum96

November 16th, 2015 at 1:34 PM ^

What is Webb saying about this - I mean what is recovery time for that break? Has he been practicing for a few weeks?  If he has been in practice for 3 weeks it would be diff then showing up to practice this week.

MI Expat NY

November 16th, 2015 at 3:45 PM ^

If he hasn't been cleared for contact, I don't see how he contributes effectively before the end of the regular season.  Which brings up an interesting hypothetical, would he suit up for a potential playoff game?  I doubt we'd be deep enough tup front o win the national title without him, but we probably wouldn't even be favored to win with him in the lineup.  Can you let a kid burn a year of elgibility for what could be just one game?  

Mr. Yost

November 16th, 2015 at 3:15 PM ^

Hey if he WANTS to come back...and I know some people would. That's 100% fine by me.

But if he's healthy and still wants to redshirt...there shouldn't be a SINGLE person who bitches or moans or calls him selfish for it.

getsome

November 16th, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^

i forget exact nature of his injury - maybe tib / fib fracture?  if so and with no major setbacks, theyve likely already been easing him back into running and some contact stuff.  hed prob be good to play provided his conditioning is ok (though its tough to simulate live game reps which is why almost all injured players ease back into the rotation with % of snaps).  

but if he snapped his femur, thats different - even if injured during fall camp, thats still a nasty injury.  given initial projections hed miss the entire year, it could be femur as it requires much longer recovery

RoseBowlBound

November 16th, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^

I'm ok with his redshirt being burned.  Playing the players who give us the best chance of winning bring me the most happy.  Saving them for uncertain games yet to be played if at all makes me less happy.

Lakeyale13

November 16th, 2015 at 1:40 PM ^

What a crazy decision for a kid to make!!!  Imagine knowing you could play against OSU and a bowl game, but you would burn an entire year of eligibility for just two games played.  Selfishly, I would hope he played, but wouldn't blame the young man one bit if he sat out. 

drz1111

November 16th, 2015 at 1:42 PM ^

If JH thinks Mone increases the chances of UM winning out, you play him.  Maybe you save his redshirt and then the QB situation next year is a disaster and they're going 8-4 anyways.  Maybe other NTs pan out in the future and you don't need the extra year.  Etc etc.

When you HAVE a chance, you take it, because even with a good program the stars need to align to have a real chance at the playoff.

ijohnb

November 16th, 2015 at 1:46 PM ^

just it though.  We don't know if we have a chance just yet.  I don't think Penn State is beating Michigan State, so to me, I think this weekend determines if we have a shot or not.  If State loses this weekend and we control our own destiny completely, yeah, bring him back if he is ready.  But I would not bring him back based on any assumptions. Right now there are still things out of the teams control and it would be a shame to bring him back to play in the Citrus Bowl and burn a year.

Zarniwoop

November 16th, 2015 at 1:44 PM ^

I hope they don't burn his shirt for one game where he won't be 100 percent.

That said, after last game, it may be our only chance to stop the run again this year.

I cannot overstate my respect for Ryan Glasgow. Clearly the MVP of the defense. Only absence can truly show the value of a player I guess.

Blueinsconsin

November 16th, 2015 at 1:48 PM ^

if Mone is able to come back, but I wonder if he would be more impactful getting his medical redshirt and waiting for next season?  How good could he be coming back for 1-3 games?

Victor Valiant

November 16th, 2015 at 1:53 PM ^

I do not think it's considered a medical redshirt if he ends up not playing at all this season. Medical redshirts are applied for when they player plays a small percentage of the season and then gets hurt. Mone didn't play at all this season, so he would just be considered a regular redshirt.

Victor Valiant

November 16th, 2015 at 1:52 PM ^

I find it somewhat unlikely Mone would be back before the theoretical B1G Championship matchup with Iowa. He's a huge guy which puts a lot of stress on a newly healed broken leg. On top of that, being as big as he is, his conditioning would almost have to be subpar when you factor in that he was/is limited on what cardio he can do. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd assume Harbaugh meant he might be able to come back for whatever bowl Michigan ends up in.

If he really isn't ready until the bowl, and that bowl isn't a playoff/Rose Bowl game, I say keep the redshirt in place.