Michael Cox
Whats the deal? I thought there was a rumor that he was the most athletic RB on the team? Not that I bought it, I'm just saying. He's a big guy, that did not play last saturday. He looked solid the few times we have seen him run, and he has had a couple years to get in shape.
My prediction: He is the surprise X factor saturday. Rich Rod is keeping Kelly in the dark on this one. They expect slot ninja's, and it will take them off guard when Cox goes yards after contact crazy. Thoughts?
September 10th, 2010 at 12:00 AM ^
Not sure I agree with this. The primary function of a RB is to run well with the ball. Adrian Peterson couldn't block for shit in college. Would you not want him starting for you? Hell, Barry Sanders wasn't much of a blocker in college. But you'd sure want him in the game.
September 10th, 2010 at 6:44 AM ^
we aren't dealing with guys of that caliber, so these guys have to be more well rounded. When your skill is completely on another level than anyone else in the game a few weaknesses will be tolerated a lot more.
September 10th, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^
I'm sorry, you'll find very few college backs that are great or even good blockers. Look, we'd all like to have a Thurman Thomas or Marshall Faulk that can block, run and catch. But a guy that can block and catch but can't run is Eric Metcalf. A guy that can run but isn't a great blocker or pass catcher can be Mark Ingram or Steve Slaton, Adrian Peterson, etc, etc, ad nauseum.
A RB needs to be able to perform his primary funtction, running the ball well, especially in college. The rest is secondary. I'm not saying that Cox is a stud. I'm not even saying that he's a better runner than Shaw or Smith. What I am saying is that if he is a better runner but a worse blocker, he should be playing.
September 9th, 2010 at 4:03 PM ^
Id like to see hopkins more than cox.. Wonder if he has fumble issues as well.. I would of liked to see him saturday, but i guess we never needed him.
September 9th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
I hear that Rich Rod has had two loosing seasons just so that he can sneak up on the competition this year.
September 9th, 2010 at 4:38 PM ^
Shaw will be the man. Good speed, size and effort. Will be spelled by Smith. Everyone else is a specialist unless there are injuries.
September 9th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
Everyone knows that surpise Cox is the best kind of Cox.
September 9th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^
= Young Guapy Millionaire
He's bout to ball out once he gets his mind right YA DIGG
September 9th, 2010 at 5:08 PM ^
MAGNUS said that Smith was overrated, Shaw wouldn't be a factor and that Cox was the best! Personally, I disagreed on all 3 points.
I was actually more surprised that Hopkins didn't get any playing time, even if just to come on the field to confuse the D when Denard would run on 3rd and short situations.
September 9th, 2010 at 5:16 PM ^
but not playing due to the hamstring injury...and possibly back for ND.
anyone else?
September 9th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
From what I've read, he seems to be the most dynamic. Injuries and too much dancing for RR's taste has kept him off the field. However, I'm rooting for him
September 9th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
is his propensity to get injured. He had a great shot to be the starter in game 1 if he didn't get hurt.
September 9th, 2010 at 7:25 PM ^
We've all been waiting for Mad Evil Play Calling Genius Rodriguez to show up, and well, it ain't gonna happen.
He has nothing up his sleeve, no bizarre game plans, no special sauce or tricks. It's just whatever the quarterback can do--either make the right decision with the handoff/keep it and run for life, or the drop back, if no one's open run your ass off, or some sort of quick-hitter pass.
That's it: Three offensive plays. Win or lose with them.
September 9th, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^
he's inconsistent and he doesn't block well. What else do you need to know?
September 10th, 2010 at 5:06 AM ^
...but Vincent Smith averaged 3.6 yards per carry, and Mike Shaw averaged 3.2.
Against a team with a poor rush defense.
Even an "inconsistent" running back might be better than that.
September 10th, 2010 at 1:36 PM ^
you know more than the coaches here? At this point, it appears that Cox is dead last on the depth chart. Shaw, Smith and (likely) a healthy Fitz are all ahead of him. Hopkins may even see the field before him. Just admit you were wrong.
Also, Smith is really good. Eventually you will have no choice but to agree.
September 10th, 2010 at 1:58 PM ^
The coaches aren't always right. I'm not 100% certain that they're wrong here, but I think they're wrong. And after all, what's this board for, if not opinions?
Regardless, I'm not going to admit that I was "wrong" after one game, especially not after the performances of Shaw and Smith on Saturday. Things have yet to play out.
And can you point to even one game in which Vincent Smith was "really good"? I bet you can't, because that game hasn't existed. (DSU doesn't count, or else you could say that Martell Webb is an awesome tight end.) Smith's stats against non-DSU opponents in his 1+ seasons:
45 carries, 161 yards, 3.58 yards per carry, 1 touchdown
I hope he is good at some point. I'm rooting for Michigan and every player on the team. I'd rather have Michigan win a national championship and produce a bunch of 1st round picks than be right.
But just because you say Vincent Smith is "really good" doesn't make it true.