Michael Shaw now at WR?
I was just looking over this year's spring roster, and I noticed they have Michael Shaw now listed as a WR. I found this kind of odd, with McGuffie leaving and M receiving 3 early commits from WRs already. Just wondering if anyone had any other info on this.
March 13th, 2009 at 11:07 PM ^
Shaw was listed as a wide receiver last year, too. I think the general consensus was that he was going to be a slot guy coming out of high school, but I think the injuries to Minor and Brown created a bit of a depth issue. Shaw was a tweener so they put him at RB.
I think it goes back to that whole thing about slot guys being able to play RB and RB's being able to play in the slot. He's dangerous either way. With two senior, prototypical RB's returning (Minor, Brown) who can play in the spread, and another who can be successful in the "I" (Grady), perhaps Shaw will play in the slot.
I'd say this looks like a pretty formidable set of skill players:
WR - Mathews
WR - Stonum
WR - Shaw
WR - Odoms
RB - Minor
or
WR - Mathews
WR - Stonum
WR - Shaw
RB - Minor
RB - Brown
In either one of those sets, you have at least four guys who can go the distance (Mathews being the slowest, but surest-handed).
March 13th, 2009 at 11:10 PM ^
But look at Stokes, Gallon, and Robinson to see lots of time too. Don't sleep on Toussaint either.
March 13th, 2009 at 11:18 PM ^
I'm guessing Toussaint will redshirt, unless the coaches are hellbent on playing Shaw at WR exclusively. If Shaw stays at RB for the season, I don't think there's any point in burning a redshirt year when Brown, Minor, and Grady all have plenty of experience (to go along with Shaw's).
March 13th, 2009 at 11:22 PM ^
I thought I had read they planned on playing Toussaint. Assuming he qualifies, of course.
March 13th, 2009 at 11:46 PM ^
reasoning behind burning an incoming freshman's redshirt will be otherwise in 2010 only Shaw would have game experience at RB.
Not necessarily. Mike Cox already used his redshirt, so he could play. That would give us two game-experienced RB's going into 2010.
Also, with the way things have gone for these two, I'm guessing either Minor or Brown will get injured and miss this season so they'll have a 5th year of eligibility in 2010.
March 13th, 2009 at 11:16 PM ^
and Hemingway too. And what about Conover?
March 13th, 2009 at 11:19 PM ^
Did you invent some fancy new 8-receiver set?
March 14th, 2009 at 12:22 AM ^
RR doesn't use o-lineman. Just a center, a QB, a RB, and 8 WR, and we're good to go.
the oopty oop?
...banned in CA?
No - I mentioned Roundtree et al as players to rotate into your offensive "skill" positions to show that there's quite a bit of potential quality there for the 09 season and beyond.
While granting Magnus' point about position flexibility, I was really impressed with Shaw in his limited RB action last year, and I hope he doesn't switch, particularly since RB depth IMO is uncertain after this year (since we haven't yet seen how this year's Freshman are).
March 14th, 2009 at 10:21 AM ^
Did anyone really know who Steve Slaton was?
With RR's offense, his ability to actually CHOOSE recruits (for all intents and purposes), and Barwis at his disposal I think having at least 3 serviceable backs will suffice.
He knows what he's doing.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:23 AM ^
I would prefer to see Shaw be our running back of the future than a wide receiver. That being said, I want his speed and explosiveness on the field in whatever capacity we can get it. He can be a gamebreaker if he's healthy.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:31 AM ^
Barring injury or other problems Shaw will be the starter in 2010 and be a beast that explodes on the national scene. I see remarkable talent I saw the incredible speed and shiftiness early, but was really impressed how he finished runs. If he stays focused I see a guy nearing 1300yds in 2010.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:34 AM ^
I share your optimism about his talent, but I find it odd that you can say definitively that "he's a RB" when the official Michigan Wolverine roster lists him as a wide receiver. That kind of means you're wrong.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:58 AM ^
a RB
March 14th, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
See above.
March 14th, 2009 at 11:10 AM ^
look at what i wrote
March 14th, 2009 at 11:20 AM ^
If your source is better than an official release from the University of Michigan athletic department, then you should be running this blog, not Brian.
I usually trust your opinion, but sorry, this time I'm going to trust the document that was released two days ago by the university.
March 14th, 2009 at 12:59 PM ^
I see what you are saying Magnus, but I don't put a lot of stock in the accuarcy of the roster list. I think some secretary types it up and away it goes I don't think RR is pouring over it for accuarcy. I was impressed that someone like Helmuth was changed, but let's wait for RR to explain it all in a spring presser. Based on the recruiting, depth charts and our eyes it makes little sense, maybe he is playing some slot this year to get on the field and then they will move him back next year.
"maybe he is playing some slot this year to get on the field and then they will move him back next year."
Co-sign.
a slot like you think he is, then why wasn't he playing it last year when the only slot we had was odoms? maybe because he's a RB?
iirc, odoms = minimal time missed (if any). Grady = wasteland, Brown = injury problems, minor = injury problems, mcguffie = injury problems.
Regardless of what happened last year...
a) He was listed as a WR
b) He is listed as a WR
Every other guy is listed with updated roster information (weights, heights, positions, etc.). So I have a very hard time believing that THE ONE GUY whose information didn't get updated is a guy whose position is in question, who can play multiple positions, and who is blocked by a plethora of seniors at the "RB" position.
There's no reason for you to be so insistent that he's a running back except last year's game film, which I saw, too. But last year I didn't see Helmuth playing DT or Steve Watson playing DE...but that's where they're playing now, aren't they?
March 14th, 2009 at 12:59 PM ^
I hope Shaw's final position is RB, but, this year, he's likely behind two seniors at that position. I think he's significantly more explosive than Odoms, so it's a question of having Shaw as a 3rd string RB, or finding a way to get him on the field, I'd rather see him out there.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:40 AM ^
a mistake? From MGoBlue:
Rodriguez mentioned two players that would miss spring because of offseason surgery: linebacker Jonas Mouton (shoulder) and running back Michael Shaw (sports hernia).
March 14th, 2009 at 12:00 PM ^
its a typo
March 14th, 2009 at 12:33 PM ^
UNACCEPTABLE!!!
From the MgoBlue Roster page on Shaw,
"earned first varsity letter ... played in 10 games and started two contests at superback"
Superback? Maybe some form of RB/Slot? I like it.
Superback is the position name Rodriguez uses for his "tailback." Minor plays superback as well.
Nah. It just means he's a really good back. And can melt stuff with his eyes.