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| Vincent Smith |
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 175 lbs.
High school: Pahokee (FL) Pahokee
Position: Running back
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #2
Last year: I ranked Smith #43 and said he would be a backup running back and third down specialist. He rushed 50 times for 298 yards (6.0 yards per carry) and 2 touchdowns. He also completed 1/2 passes for 17 yards and 1 touchdown, along with catching 11 passes for 149 yards (13.5 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns, and returning 7 kickoffs for 129 yards (18.4 yards per return).
Hooray! After two years of railing against the suboptimal deployment of Vincent Smith, Brady Hoke and Al Borges finally recognized the proper way to use a back like Smith. He had his most productive rushing average (up from 4.4 in 2010) and his best receiving average (up from 8.7 in 2010). When you think of a third down back, someone like Smith comes to mind. He had an exhilarating catch-and-run against Notre Dame off a screen pass to help win the game, and he continued to be a superb blocker for Denard Robinson.
Going into his senior year, Smith looks destined to continue that same type of role. Fitzgerald Toussaint has solidified his starting job (if he can avoid getting in too much trouble with the law), and Thomas Rawls looks the backup for the every-down position. Smith should continue to be an all-around guy with his blocking, receiving, running, and occasional halfback passes. He returned some kicks last season, and he could be a fill-in there, though he's not a game-changer back there due to mediocre top-end speed. This is the type of role player that can make one or two key plays per game. I would expect very similar production out of Smith in 2012.
Prediction: Third down back; occasional kick returner
Maybe it's just me, but that picture almost doesn't look real. Or maybe too real.
ReplyDeleteAll that, plus, he'll win the Heisman.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope Smith is not returning kicks ever. Kick returns were nothing short of terrible last year; if the blocking is not going to be there, we need a dynamic returner who can make things happen.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I'm looking forward to Lank proposing marriage to Smith after the OSU game.
I agree. Smith doesn't have the top end speed to be a kick-returner.
DeleteI think the coaches are falling into some stereotyping with the smaller skill position guys. Odoms and Smith, both, weren't good choices for kick returns. (Odoms was OK for punts though.)
I'm hoping that Dileo, Norfleet, or Chesson emerge as kick return threats. I could also see Drake Johnson surprise in that role.
The big change at RB last year was obviously Fitz getting healthy. He's clearly a superior talent to anyone Michigan has had at the position since at least Mike Hart.
ReplyDeleteSurprise! I think he's underated here. I think Smith will get used a little more than people think while/if Toussaint is out. I'd expect him to touch the ball more than Rawls for example, against Alabama. More importantly though, although he is mediocre as a runner, Smith brings everything else you want to the position: excellent hands, tremendous blocking, reliability, and some play-making in the open field. If he was to get hurt he would be missed badly. There's not really a viable replacement for what Smith brings in passing situations. Unless Fitz steps his game up, Michigan would need a freshman to emerge, and I'm not sure Hayes or Norfleet can be nearly as effective.
Compared to some of the receivers coming up later on the list, I think Smith would be tougher to replace. But I'd be surprised if he gets hurt - he manages to dodge big hits pretty well and isn't going to be asked to carry the ball 20 times a game.
Toussaint is a better runner than Hart. Blocking and leadership are somewhat lacking, though.
DeleteI obviously think Rawls is a better bet to get more touches, but that depends on the availability of Toussaint. Right now I don't know how to judge that. If Toussaint misses four games, then Rawls and Smith could both move up on this list. It's tough to say.
But as it stands now (presuming that Toussaint misses just a little time, since like I said, I have no idea how to judge it), I can't really justify moving the #3 running back higher than #23 on the list. There are 22 starting positions, so he's (numerically) higher than he should be already.
Agree that Toussaint is a better runner than Hart. I wouldn't say Toussaint lacks for leadership yet, but Hart's an all-timer in that regard.
DeleteThe RB touches also depend on the game situation. I think we have a punchers chance in the game, but an objective mind would expect Michigan to be playing from behind against Alabama - meaning more passing plays (and therefore, more Smith).
I guess I don't really view Smith's role as the #3 RB. I agree that's what he is when it comes to being a primary back, but he's also the #1 RB when it comes to 3rd down/passing situations. In games where Toussaint is healthy, I'll be surprised if Smith doesn't at least double Rawls' touches in non-blowout situations.
The more time Toussaint misses, the more important Rawls becomes, but as you said, that's hard to know. I'd say the same goes for Smith, but he's going to be important regardless of who the 'primary' back is.
Well...(allegedly) getting picked up for drunk driving as a redshirt junior doesn't scream leadership to me. He also isn't a great blocker, one of the things that shows selflessness. He's got a long way to go if he wants to be viewed as a leader to me, but maybe the guys in the locker room have a different opinion.
DeleteTrue. DWI/DUI are reckless crimes that many people are all too forgiving of. I just meant on the field he's been hurt too much to have much of a leadership role thusfar, but leadership does extend to off the field, especially in college programs.
DeleteHopefully, he gets it together off the field and isn't the kind of Grade A a-hole that Stonum proved to be.
Regarding blocking - a lot of Fred Jackson's guys, I dare say even most, take a while to get their blocking down. It's something that Michigan backs have excelled at, but not everyone gets it right away. For many of these kids - they were stars in high school and were never taught to focus on it. I wouldn't necessarily say that's a lack of leadership, but I see your point.
DeleteAt the risk of redundancy Smith is also pound for pound, inch for inch is one of the best blocking backs we have ever had around here. I'm not as sure as some others around here that I'd call Fitz a better runner than Hart, I am comfortable saying that Smith is as good a blocker, having made big plays all year last year without the ball.
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