Gentry repping at TE

Submitted by Crazy Canuck on

Just finished chatting w Harbaugh he said Zach Gentry has been repping at TE during bowl practices.

— angelique(@chengelis) December 23, 2015

 

Also

Harbaugh said Jabrill Peppers who is "working through something" has been practicing. He didn't give up much on Peppers though

— angelique(@chengelis) December 23, 2015

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rockydude

December 22nd, 2015 at 9:33 PM ^

Colt was Hobbs, NM, as I recall, but played for UT. Staubach went to the Naval Academy from the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM. He y played one year though, as a PG, so a case can be made to associate him more closely with a different state. I didn't know about Landry Jones though. I guess NM has more QB firepower than I would have figured, for a state not well known for football.

Joined: 05/06/2011

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Mr. Yost

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:14 PM ^

A number of players try out new positions this time of year.

I'm not saying it won't stick. But having Gentry at TE or Jones at ILB isn't anything special. If I wasn't so lazy I'd go down the line with players who've repped at almost obscure positions during bowl season.

That's kind of the point.

By the way, does this look like an ILB?

Note...Jones is on the far left, #4.

Joined: 07/25/2011

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Avon Barksdale

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:17 PM ^

Was really hoping Gentry would step in and be a four year record breaking starter. Hopefully he can find a productive role moving forward. Hoping this means Wheatley is headed to the D-Line. Butt, Bunting, Hill should be able to hold down the TE position next season. Then we have Bunting for 2017 and 2018.

Joined: 04/27/2013

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RamPride135

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:17 PM ^

How many reps would Gentry be getting at quarterback? I would imagine he is third on the depth chart at best, and probably lower. Isn't it likely this just a way to allow him to see the field as an athlete so he can help the team until he is able to get more reps at QB?

Joined: 12/31/2013

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Mr. Yost

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:44 PM ^

Exactly, it really doesn't mean anything at all this early.

Many people don't know (or admit) that Malzone was actually pushing Morris for the #2 spot. (If it's close, there's not reason not to redshirt the true freshman - and we decided to redshirt both...)

Then you have Speight. Who was the #4 QB and ended up #2 so both Morris and Malzone could redshirt.

So that's Rudock, Morris, Malzone, Speight.

He's #5 at best.

If he's your #5 QB right now...he can take some reps at TE in bowl practices his true freshman year.

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Mr. Yost

December 22nd, 2015 at 9:01 PM ^

But, yes...because he was redshirting.

From everything I've seen, heard, read, etc.

Rudock was head and shoulders above the rest.

Morris and Malzone were VERY close. Morris was a touch ahead of Malzone by the Utah game but there was no doubt that by the B1G season Malzone would've passed him as the #2.

Speight wasn't THAT far behind either Morris or Malzone.

Morris asked to be redshirted if he didn't start. The coaches wanted to redshirt Malzone.

That left Speight.

IMO, if Rudock would've been done for the season...Morris would've played the rest of the way. However, with it being just the end of a game and some random spot duty. Speight wasn't far enough behind that it was a clear cut decision not to go with him.

In fact, with the #2 and #3 QB reps during the season (in practice), Speight got better, was part of the gameplan (as the backup) and so it made perfect sense for him to finish the game @Minnesota and come in whenever Rudock had to go out. Because he'd been practicing and gameplanning all week.

Sort of how Bellomy played for Denard (sign) instead of instantly moving DG to QB in the middle of the game @ Nebraska. But like DG, Morris would've practiced as the #1 QB and played if Rudock had to miss future games.

IMO, after this bowl game...you'll see Morris and O'Korn battle for the #1 spot in the spring.

Now I personally think O'Korn is better and will win, and Morris will transfer...but all of this was justified rhetoric until this last sentence - which was 100% opinion with no "hearsay" to back it up.

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Mr. Yost

December 22nd, 2015 at 9:18 PM ^

I mean, if you're getting all the reps in fall practice as the #2 week in and week out...it's hard to get an accurate assessment, right?

I don't deny it. But of course he had. He was certainly more prepared to play in a game the upcoming week, that's not a question.

However, if you had a month to prepare for the next team...and both were playing, would he be ahead? No clue.

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Mr. Yost

December 22nd, 2015 at 9:53 PM ^

I was just saying Morris, because I think he leaves after the spring or after the summer before fall camp (like Adams at Oregon).

But Malzone will of course be in the mix. As will every other scholarship QB we have. Peters, Gentry, etc.

If this topic of Gentry moving sticks...

I'll predict (based off of NOTHING - so don't take this anywhere)

1. O'Korn
2. Malzone
3. Speight

Gentry to TE / Redzone QB
Morris transfers
Peters redshirts

In 2017

1. O'Korn
2. Malzone
3. Peters

Speight transfers

Malzone and Peters battle for the #1 spot the year after...

I know people hate predicting that people leave the program so I preface this by saying it's nothing and I'm just an idiot message board poster. No one should be offended. It's just a prediction based on nothing.

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Mr. Yost

December 22nd, 2015 at 10:29 PM ^

Also just makes sense if you're one of the players...

If you're Morris, there's no reason to sit - especially if you've graduated.

If you're Speight and you went from playing in your RS Freshman year to #4 on the depth chart...well, you probably leave as well - especially if you've graduated.

 

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stephenrjking

December 23rd, 2015 at 12:42 AM ^

I don't particularly want Speight to leave, but that's a perfect example of the value of the grad transfer rule. If he can find s lower-rung team in need of a QB, he can go and play. In the end he had the wonderful experience of four years at Michigan, a great win, a degree, and a year on the field before his career ended. Hope it doesn't need to happen, but I can deal with this kind of scenario.

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Wolverine In Iowa 68

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:18 PM ^

A wise man once said...."you get better at football by playing football"

 

Maybe this is a way to get him time in a position to improve his overall football acumen, and help the team at the same time.  Who knows?

Personally, I trust Harbaugh to do what's best.

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Mr. Yost

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:47 PM ^

Is maybe he's getting better by getting actual reps at TE versus battling for the #5 QB spot. 

He's on the field. He's in the huddle. He's learning simple things about the game that he wouldn't on the sideline as the #5 QB.

There are a ton of QB's who've done this. Played other positions in practice early in their careers just to see the field and get reps before moving back to QB.

Boykin at TCU, and Tannehill both jump off the page, but it happens more than you think.

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Cranky Dave

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:38 PM ^

Talked about when Gentry committed given his size and the number of QBs on the roster so nobody should be surprised. Plus this staff has made very few bad decisions so I don't get all of the angst here. And it's bowl practices.

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