Steves_Wolverines

August 17th, 2016 at 10:10 AM ^

Not sure why the BTN guys are saying RB is a question mark...? We have 3 guys all with a ton of experience returning. After the way Smith ran against Florida, the few bursts we saw from Isaac, and the lightning from Drake, I just don't get it. They are all healthy and our OL should be better at run blocking this year. 

Joined: 01/17/2013

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Blue In NC

August 17th, 2016 at 10:40 AM ^

I think the comment is that UM may not have an elite back and I think that's a fair point.  Smith is solid but not elite (from what we have seen so far), the Drake is good but not elite, and Ty maybe has the ability but certainly has not shown it.  So I think that's a fair point.  RB situation is solid but there may not be any difference makers.  That may hold back the offense a bit.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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LKLIII

August 17th, 2016 at 12:25 PM ^

Totally agree.  It seems like Harbaugh's ideal running back is more of a bruiser, pick up a few yards after contact type of guy.  Although we all want the RB who is 100% perfect at everything, it seems like Smith has the "right things wrong" for this system, especially if his vision has improved and we get the injury-free Citrus Bowl verison of him.  We don't need blazing speed, we just need a reliable guy that can secure the ball and pick up anywhere from 3-15 yards on a play.  The big 25+ yard plays we can leave for our WRs and TEs.

Having a RB platoon like we have isn't a weakness really--we just don't have a superstar at the RB position.

 

 

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LDNfan

August 17th, 2016 at 12:20 PM ^

That is wayyyyy different that calling RB a 'question mark'. Its also depends on what is meant by 'difference makers' as I think a guy like Deveon can make a huge difference by churning out tough first down after tough first down.

A top OL in the conference with a back like Deveon could be a lethal combo that crushes teams late in games. 

Deveon isn't dynamic but if he picks up where he left off in the Citrus bowl with his vision matching his tenacity, I think he's playing on Sundays next year.

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HateSparty

August 17th, 2016 at 11:04 AM ^

Thank you, these are great.  We should all be excited for the upcoming season!

 

On another note, is the Gregg Henson who is joining a 3-6 radio show in Grand Rapids/Detroit the same Gregg Henson referenced on this blog as it pertains to insider info??

 

He appears to be a Michigan fan.  That should improve the anti-Michigan bias those two other tools display.

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MichiganTeacher

August 17th, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^

I mean, if that video is representative of the larger sample, there's no way you can start Newsome over Bredeson.

Joined: 10/06/2011

MGoPoints: 9263

Needs

August 17th, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^

Yeah, that's, I believe, Reuben Jones blowing by Newsome in the clip. Not exactly a guy who's had a bunch of buzz to this point in his career and certainly not a clip that gives much confidence when you think about Vince Biegel or Sam Hubbard coming off the edge.

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MichiganTeacher

August 17th, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^

Yep. Exactly.

Sadly it also makes me downgrade, or at least slow my roll on, Chase Winovich. Chase ate Newsome's lunch in the spring. If Reuben can also eat Newsome's reuben sandwich, then it's much harder to judge the quality of what Chase did.

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