MOAR KAREEM WALKER
October 15th, 2017 at 12:27 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:29 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 1:37 PM ^
the website keeps eating my comments (so much so that it's usually ingrained to highlight and copy my text before i hit the "send" button", but alas i forgot this time)
the gist,
agree, but also worth considering that Higdon's mid-stride acceleration is wildley underrated and he has the ability to hit the homerun if he can get into the secondary.
This is likely why Harbaugh has him out so much. He has a lot of things to work on as a primary back, but rolling the dice on him--in spite of all his flaws--hitting a homerun if he can find the secondary, statistically, just may be worth it.
I mean, he saved our ass on that busted 1st play of overtime. It wasn't a display of vision (which he will need to work on), but again his 4th and 5th steps are unbelievably fleet-footed.
Also, he's just plain started to run harder and seek more contact than ANY of our backs, outside of the miniscule snaps we've seen from Walker.
October 15th, 2017 at 2:25 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 3:07 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 5:02 PM ^
Lets run the ball 40 times a game, we aren't getting effective passing any time soon.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:34 PM ^
Instead of the idiotic bubble screens that never work, just replace those with Kareem Walker carries.
Every time he's run the ball, spring game or actual game, he's run incredibly mean.
Run the ball instead of that slow developing horseshit that will get stuffed in the backfield or at best gain 3 yards. I'd rather gain 3 yards on the ground.
October 15th, 2017 at 1:22 PM ^
i hate slow developing horseshit
October 15th, 2017 at 1:43 PM ^
unless it's executed well.
and it's ability to overtax opposing defense's gameplans.
but yeah, we haven't been able to do it in a dang while...
October 15th, 2017 at 7:20 PM ^
That's absolutely the worst kind of horseshit!
October 15th, 2017 at 1:44 PM ^
Those bubblescreens keep a defense honest and soften them up. I don't know if you've played defense against good athletes before but when those guys like DPJ are out there on the outside and they burn you for 20 or 30, you don't forget about that. Your focus widens on the field along with anxiety. This is advantage Michigan. Watch the Buckeyes offense. They stretch the field outside and over the top. Well, they used to go over the top a lot more and their offense was lights out. They are still good as we all know but after they plant all those seeds on the field, they rip you with their crafty running right smack in your face. If you don't respect those outside plays as a defense, you are dead in the water. I recommend always softening up the opposing defense EARLY.
Edit: What would make these bubblescreens more lethal though I've contemplated is getting some blockers from the offensive line out there quicker to make some running lanes if things fail early. ((Jeremy Gallon and Taylor Lewan huge play vs Buckeys in 2013 ring a bell??)). Could cut things back to the inside for a few more yards. I don't know. Maybe Wheatley and Poggi or something getting out there fast taking 45 degee angles to make some waves.
October 15th, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^
We won't play a RB unless he can pass protect. You can see how big our coaches are on trust at each position. I don't think it is a talent thing with Walker, but the staff wants you to do it all. I hope we see more of the kid too. He is explosive.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:35 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:44 PM ^
I've come to the conclusion that our coaches believe the first thing you have to do to win a game is not lose the game. They like veteran guys and despite talent, they won't play you unless they trust you. They don't wanted a busted blitz pickup causing a turnover that decides the game.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:54 PM ^
How do they feel about five wide shotgun in a rainstorm that decides the game?
October 15th, 2017 at 1:00 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 1:20 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 1:24 PM ^
"yet it seems like he's coaching to try and score on every drive"
Yeah, cuz who would wanna do a crazy thing like that?
October 15th, 2017 at 1:32 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 2:00 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 2:36 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 3:51 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 1:04 PM ^
I feel that Jim Harbaugh trusts John O'Korn more than I do.
October 15th, 2017 at 2:48 PM ^
lolz touche, good point there
October 15th, 2017 at 1:21 PM ^
I am beginning to believe Harbaugh and his staff are totally inflexible in player personnel. Do it our way regardless of results or its the highway. What should matter is results and not how you achieved the results.
Penn State certainly hasn't out recruited us but last year after being buried by Michigan they changed the system to allow their players to play at what they are good at. The results are obvious. They are a freewheeling team who seem to enjoy the game. Michigan strikes me as being tight as a drum afraid to make a mistake. Against good teams, MIchigan performance is not good.
October 15th, 2017 at 1:34 PM ^
Against Florida, Evans got the most carries (22).
Against Cincinnati, Isaac had the most (20).
Against Air Force, it was Isaac again (16)
Against Purdue, it was Evans (14)
Against MSU, Higdon and Evans each had 12 carries.
Against Indiana, it was Higdon (25).
So in just six games, three different backs have each led the team in carries so far. I'm not seeing the pattern of "inflexibility" that you apparently are.
October 15th, 2017 at 1:38 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 2:37 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:32 PM ^
The sample size is small, but I remember a few of his carries from the spring game as well.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:33 PM ^
Hmmm maybe I'm the outlier here but why is this a thing? He made one good run - a very good run - but the guy in front of him just went 25-for-200 and 3 TDs. We have way more evidence that Higdon kicks ass, I think we should just ride him and see where we get doing that. I don't remember seeing Walker much outside that one run and being super impressed, maybe I'm crazy.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:42 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^
I agree re: Evans, that he has been very underwhelming this year, but I actually think Isaac brings good value to the table and should keep getting touches. People forget there were games earlier this season where Isaac was basically the only dude on offense doing anything at all for long stretches of the games. I'd be on board taking some carries from Evans and giving them to Walker (or giving them to Higdon / Isaac and going two-headed for awhile).
October 15th, 2017 at 1:08 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:53 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 1:27 PM ^
Isaac is averaging 5.9 YPC this season (68 carries for 403 yards). I think he's got his place in the rotation.
October 15th, 2017 at 1:29 PM ^
Sure the guy in front of him had 200 yards, but at the time of Walker's run no one had any idea that Higdon would have a breakout day. That early in the game don't you give Walker a couple more carries to see whether he is going to keep that up?
October 15th, 2017 at 12:33 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:34 PM ^
I was excited when I saw him out there, satisfied with the run and disappointed he didn't get another chance. That said, hard to get him back on the field with the way Higdon ran yesterday but I'd like to see him more, in place of Evans possibly.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:35 PM ^
Karan Higdon rushes for 200 yards, 3 TDs, and pretty much pulls our ass out of the fire in OT by himself, and the MGoBoard responds by 1) whining that the Boston College RB isn't here and 2) suggesting that a guy who's rushed for 15 yards this season needs to be out there, based on an 8-yard run in which he did not need to gain anything after contact.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:40 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 6:08 PM ^
200 yrds = Meh lets bench the guy for this promising young guy
and don't forget that promising young guy probably hasn't mastered the whole playbook yet and may be iffy in in pass protection . . .
Oh yeah and because last season's fan-fave Chris Evans & 5* Ty Isaac are such shitty runners themselves. /s
Michigan has an embarrasment of riches at RB, and it's glorious.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:42 PM ^
It's true, people have gone crazy. As a collective we are almost as salty as some of the late-Hoke-era threads.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:43 PM ^
Thank you. God damn people here are nuts.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:47 PM ^
That's not the point. The point is they're clearly playing guys that aren't getting it done more than they should be. Evans should not be getting as many carries as he did yesterday. Issac, fine he had his moments, but he looks slow compared to Higdon and even Walker. Can we maybe pick two backs to stick with?
October 15th, 2017 at 12:50 PM ^
October 15th, 2017 at 12:57 PM ^
Yes, then went 12 runs for 27 yards last week.
October 15th, 2017 at 1:00 PM ^