Tbone67

January 25th, 2017 at 9:08 AM ^

I agree Magnus. I have alot of repect for Ty Wheately, but i never could wrap my head around having D. Smith running the sweeps when he's the slowest running back in the rotation. You would think that the speedy back is the one you would want in on those play calls.

Tbone67

January 25th, 2017 at 9:25 AM ^

You would think so, but it was mentioned on a previous Ty Wheatley post that he had say in which running back would be in for certain plays. Not saying that it's true but someone supposedly in the know made that comment.

reshp1

January 25th, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^

It's technically Wheatley's call on which guy gets in on which play. That said, I'm sure there was game planning with the rest of the offensive staff during prep where they decided ahead of time Smith was going to get some sweeps and Evans some between the tackles carries just to keep things from being too predictible.

The Fan in Fargo

January 25th, 2017 at 1:41 PM ^

Deveon is quick but when he is running he doesn't lift his legs. It's weird but it's like he is stopping his stride halfway and then recoiles back down. I might not know what I'm talking about but I think if he just worked his hip flexors some he could drive up and down faster. That's what sprinters train right? I mean, I know when I started working on hip flexors as a sophmore in high school with just leg weights, I gained a ton of speed. Don Beebe of the Bills used to harp that these muscles are overlooked by many people. It makes sense because when you are running, what's the main muscle that you are using? The one that lifts your fricking leg right? 

MadMatt

January 25th, 2017 at 9:44 AM ^

Perhaps they ran sweeps with Smith because they did not want to tip to the opponents the play was going to be a pass or run between the tackles.  Bear in mind that Smith was not just the power back, but also an excellent pass protector.  Suppose Evans ran almost all of the sweep plays.  If you take Smith out, and put in the smaller, underclassman, speed guy, aren't you tipping that the play is probably an outside run, and for sure not deep or max protect pass?

pbmd

January 25th, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^

doesn't mean running plays for guys who can't execute.

the advantage of limiting pre-snap reads by the defense becomes a wash when a slow guy runs wide allowing ample time for recovery and setting the edge.

michigan did a fair job countering some of the jet sweep plays- inside runs, etc but the play selection was suspect in many games.

hopefully see improvement with pep hamilton.

UofM626

January 25th, 2017 at 11:06 AM ^

Kinda like we did every damn time Peppers lined up in the back field. We easily knew he was keeping the ball instead of handing it off once in awhile of running Peppers on a screen so the LB would follow him and open up the middle of the field for the TE. You mean like that?

I still feel Wheatley hands were tied a bit on personnel etc




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Kevin13

January 25th, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^

A good RB coach is huge. There is so much to the position a coach better know what he is doing. Teaching guys how to properly run behind different blocking schemes is not just simply here's the ball go run with it. There are times to press the line, other times to be patient, knowing what the line is doing compared to what the defense is doing and knowing where the hole should be due to the circumstance.

Also RB's need to block as well as lineman at time plus be able to run routes and catch balls as well as a WR. It's actually one of the tougher position to coach on a team due to the complexity of the position. I would've much rather seen us bring in a top RB coach and hope Jay is up to the task.

ca_prophet

January 25th, 2017 at 4:13 PM ^

In general, our backs hit the holes more often, blocked the right guy more often, and generally made fewer mental mistakes under his tutelage. There's a reason that the site now has the "RB coaching is a thing" tag.

It may be overrated compared to OL coaching, but it's not just about getting the right guys on the field. Getting them to do all the things RBs need to do in our offense is not trivial.

reshp1

January 25th, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^

Everyone thought Jay Harbaugh was a nepotism hire at first, then he turned AJ Williams's career around and, even though he'd probably be pretty good anyway, developed Jake Butt into a Mackey Award winner. 

Everyone thought when Baxter left and they put Jay Harbaugh on special teams, we were going to regress. Instead we block more kicks than I can remember and overall special teams was very dependable this year. He also managed Kenny Allen doing 3 jobs simultaneously and helped him get over some mechanics issues (not sure if Jaybaugh or Partridge, or some outside kicking coach, but still). 

Something tells me Jay's going to be just fine at RB.

Honk if Ufer M…

January 25th, 2017 at 8:41 PM ^

It was an outside "consultant," working with Kenny, along with the coaches. His name wasTyler, I forget his last name,.

He was a kicking coach already while he was a high school kicker. He worked for the Ravens, brother John asked him what he wanted to do with his career, and he said be a college kicking coach, so he used his connections to help the guy get into college consulting to get his foot in the door. I forget his exact age, but can't be more than 25.  Not allowed to be full time or officially part of the staff but they flew him in for a couple days to the game sites every week on a freelance consulting basis

Matte Kudasai

January 25th, 2017 at 9:14 AM ^

So we just "let go" one of the top recruiters in the country in Wheatley - someone who played in the NFL and was an all time great at M, and are replacing him with the coaches son whose never been a RB or coached one -at a position that hasn't performed well in 10 years.  You can bet opposing schools are going to negative recruit against Jay Harbaugh.

Sorry, I don't see this as an upgrade.

It's apparent Harbaugh wanted Frey, who I just don't see being that different from Drevno.

It' also apparent that Wheatley was squeezed out so all this could happen.

Thumbs down.

SalvatoreQuattro

January 25th, 2017 at 9:20 AM ^

It is apparent that you have no clue

what you are talking about. Accusing Harbaugh of "squeezing out" Wheatley without a shred of evidence makes me wonder about your agenda.

You have no clue what happened. Baseless speculation of the type you have done deserves censure from the community.




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Matte Kudasai

January 25th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^

Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like there's more to it then he thought the NFL was his best option.  Wheatley was a big loss IMO.

As I stated, I like Jay H.  Just not at RB coach.

Kung Fury - As far as I know - everything is speculation when it comes to Wheatley leaving - since neither he or Harbaugh really said anything.  So when you say there are facts on this issue - I'm not seeing them.

Stay.Classy.An…

January 25th, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^

I mean, Jay Harbaugh has done a great job with Tight End recruiting. Also, how was Wheatley squeezed out? Sam Webb said he had a contract extension on the table. Do you offer a guy an extension just to make it look like you wanted him here? I don't see Harbaugh being that type of guy. I'm guilty of assuming he was forced out as well, but there is really no evidence of that. It could be because Wheatley prefers the NFL and wants to make his mark there career wise. I can't blame him for doing what he wants. This is a very hot-take on Jay and his ability.




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KungFury

January 25th, 2017 at 9:24 AM ^

1. It's temporary. There will be a new RB coach in a couple months when we get another position coach. 2. The blocking schemes used by Drevno and Frey are different and Frey will add new insight. 3. Having 2 offensive line coaches in this format is nothing new. 4. Wheatley was not squeezed out. He was offered an extension. He thinks moving on is better for his career trajectory. Sam Webb has covered this. The report that says otherwise is absolutely false. 5. Reports of Smith tearing it up in the shrine game would suggest our RBs are fine and our offensive line is the problem. Thus why harbaugh is addressing that position. 6. Don't go throwing out opinions mixed with false facts when you don't know shit.




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