tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post2207738305244456481..comments2024-03-27T14:21:36.537-04:00Comments on Touch the Banner: Michigan vs. Northwestern AwardsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-68922530352523355652013-11-20T16:59:25.298-05:002013-11-20T16:59:25.298-05:00I wish I disagreed with this. For a blocking TE W...I wish I disagreed with this. For a blocking TE Williams isn't very good at blocking.<br /><br />I'm hoping next year Funchess learns to block and we can roll out two two-way TEs, with him and Butt. That's the only way this scheme is going to work, IMO. That or, you know, stop playing two TEsLanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-12591527119350365912013-11-20T16:57:55.075-05:002013-11-20T16:57:55.075-05:00@BB88, if a word requires specification it is vagu...@BB88, if a word requires specification it is vague or unclear in the context applied. There was a time when hipster had a fairly precise meaning - but that time is past thanks to careless overuse. Now it's anyone that wants to be cool/different/unique...or something, no one is even sure. These days it can be applied to football message boards, apparently. Absolutely no one would have done that 5, 10, 20 years ago. <br /><br />Again, I get your original meaning, and appreciate what you're saying. Wasn't criticizing you so much as society... though you certainly deserve criticism yourself for 3rd rate/grade comments like "only if you can't read"<br /><br />As to your original observation - a decent number of people looked at Green and thought he looked overrated. Some of those same people looked at Smith and thought he was underrated. Certainly some people fall in the category of "wanting to be different" but others actually thought Smith looked more impressive, I think. Not that I was one of them. I didn't like either. I like my running backs to be 5'4 and 200 lb. <br /><br />I think Canteen is a better WR prospect than Harris. It's not because I'm a hipster (online-sports-message-board-talkin-wanna-be-cool-guy variant), it's because I value WR skills (route running, hands, instincts) more than I value height and straightline speed.Lanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-13249068717257637062013-11-20T03:07:09.697-05:002013-11-20T03:07:09.697-05:00Good point about Gardner's speed. I remember m...Good point about Gardner's speed. I remember marveling at how he effortlessly glided around the field versus ND, looking like Vince Young. On Saturday he looked like a statue QB on scrambles, even the big gainer in the 4th.Magnum P.I.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-80215204567244352312013-11-20T03:02:43.850-05:002013-11-20T03:02:43.850-05:00I'm with you here, Blast. Appreciated the usag...I'm with you here, Blast. Appreciated the usage and liked your definition.Magnum P.I.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-15378787782157132512013-11-19T23:45:39.088-05:002013-11-19T23:45:39.088-05:00One thing I'd like to see less of on offense i...One thing I'd like to see less of on offense is AJ Williams staying in to pass protect. He got beaten pretty bad a couple times and got Devin lit up. To make matters worse, they had him protecting on the left side - outside of Lewan, which meant that your all american LT was relegated to helper. I'm sorry, but at least let Lewan handle the other teams rush end. And Williams has gotten blown up enough this season in pass pro.Painter Smurfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-79885925147564404282013-11-19T23:17:44.153-05:002013-11-19T23:17:44.153-05:00Gardner reminds me of Chris Perry from the 2003 MS...Gardner reminds me of Chris Perry from the 2003 MSU game, when he had 51 carries and looked like he couldn't even get up off the ground anymore. My body aches just looking at him, and I respect the fact that he goes out there despite having such terrible pass protection.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-38684357071960026032013-11-19T21:09:38.607-05:002013-11-19T21:09:38.607-05:00Only if you can't read. Meanings can be broad ...Only if you can't read. Meanings can be broad and require specification. It's one idea that's not hard to comprehend.BlastBeat88https://www.blogger.com/profile/11495258339873702405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-38116924743711172902013-11-19T20:23:58.019-05:002013-11-19T20:23:58.019-05:00I feel for Gardner. He took so many hits this seas...I feel for Gardner. He took so many hits this season and particularly the last three. I don't even know if I would be able to roll over after those sacks and tackles. Hopely the line will block better against Iowa and the hits go down, as we need him at his best against OSU to even have a chance.suduri xusaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13514381713516547280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-90950149704592108252013-11-19T18:34:37.809-05:002013-11-19T18:34:37.809-05:00__ and/or __ or __ , plus a clarification and sub-...__ and/or __ or __ , plus a clarification and sub-classification....<br /><br />kind of proves my pointLanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-11577600315599965562013-11-19T15:35:59.599-05:002013-11-19T15:35:59.599-05:00I don't think the word's losing meaning. S...I don't think the word's losing meaning. Some people are becoming attached to Smith so that if one day Smith ends up being the more productive back, they can claim to have liked him "before it was cool." That's pretty much the definition of hipster mentality...aggrandizement of obscure and/or fairly meaningless predictions or ahead-of-the-curve behavior in a pretentious manner. I guess I should clarify that this is "pre-hipster" behavior.BlastBeat88https://www.blogger.com/profile/11495258339873702405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-28463313449891270682013-11-19T14:35:27.583-05:002013-11-19T14:35:27.583-05:00If he's hurt, then OK, but I don't think b...If he's hurt, then OK, but I don't think being fresh is a big problem for Fitz. He rarely gets the chance to run more than 3 yards.<br /><br />As for Gardner - definitely hurting. Puts up a brave face, but saw him walk off field through the tunnel BEFORE the Nebraska game and he was slumping and moving very gingerly. Again, this is before that game, 12 sacks ago.Lanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-14242178344345039682013-11-19T14:13:59.545-05:002013-11-19T14:13:59.545-05:00Part of running back by committee is to keep your ...Part of running back by committee is to keep your best player fresh. If Green can be productive, you could argue that Fitz can be that much more explosive on the carries he gets. Furthermore, I don't know if I want a guy a week removed from a concussion getting 20+ carries.<br /><br />You're definitely right about Gardner. He runs like he's sore everywhere. He probably is.BlastBeat88https://www.blogger.com/profile/11495258339873702405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-48533431082999872362013-11-19T14:10:49.610-05:002013-11-19T14:10:49.610-05:00@BB88
I've seen you apply this "hipster&...@BB88<br /><br />I've seen you apply this "hipster" observation several times now, and while I get what you're saying irt Smith, it's this kind of application that has made the word lose all meaning.<br /><br />I don't know if we can say who the more complete back is, yet. But Green is ahead in both recruiting rankings and playing time, so it looks like he is the better player thusfar.Lanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-37201776421608338592013-11-19T14:08:05.300-05:002013-11-19T14:08:05.300-05:00Gardner is a godsend. This is a 3-win team withou...Gardner is a godsend. This is a 3-win team without him. He's really good and with a strong OL, he's probably in the Heisman conversation, IMO. <br /><br />You can see the toll the hits have taken on him.Lanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-76306664242955801662013-11-19T14:06:57.020-05:002013-11-19T14:06:57.020-05:00Agreed. He's a good role player to have and m...Agreed. He's a good role player to have and might even develop towards and reliable RVB type eventually, but as fans we have to hope some of the more talented kids emerge ahead of him.Lanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-24826759571994455982013-11-19T14:05:47.518-05:002013-11-19T14:05:47.518-05:00Yeah. Ross has been really good, especially for a...Yeah. Ross has been really good, especially for a soph. This is why unrealistic preseason expectations are detrimental to a fanbase. People act like they're being great fans for being wildly over-optimistic, but it's probably detrimental, if anything.Lanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-65793683713424274552013-11-19T14:04:12.238-05:002013-11-19T14:04:12.238-05:00I don't get the call for Green. Not only does...I don't get the call for Green. Not only does Fitz have a better ypc on the year than Green, it's been better In every game this year save Nebraska and CMU, both by not much. Fitz won the starting job, reportedly without any real competition from Green or anyone else. Fitz is a better pass catcher and blocker (He's no Vincent Smith, but he's better than Green.) We have enough data to know who the better back is. So why would you bench the better player for 50% of the time if your goal is to beat Iowa? <br /><br />I understand the run game was improved against Northwestern, but that's with improved blocking and playcalling. I suppose you can argue the "light went on" or somesuch nonsense, but the only reason I see to give Green more carries than he's already getting is to develop for next year.<br /><br />Good point about Chesson. I think he's a near-lock to start at WR next year, and he had a promising first year. Should be a solid contributor for us. [Note: If they move Funchess to WR fulltime it could be an interesting battle with Darboh and all the other freshman, but if not, he'll be the there, for blocking if nothing else.]<br /><br />Random point: watching highlights of Gardner scrambling against NWU last year, compared to this year - night and day. The guy just doesn't have the same explosion - understandable after all the hits he's taken this year. Amazed he's still upright. I'm thinking that with a month to heal he's going to look a lot better for the bowl game.Lanknowsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-73552702533988627082013-11-19T12:20:02.954-05:002013-11-19T12:20:02.954-05:00There are hipsters obsessed with Smith over Green ...There are hipsters obsessed with Smith over Green because of backup QB syndrome. Smith came in lower-rated, so of course people will hype him up. He's not very fast, but he does have impressive balance. Green is the more complete back with enough burst to get away from most linebackers.<br /><br />The ceiling could be Georgia's Gurley and Marshall, who are both productive big backs (present injuries aside). Neither Smith nor Green have that kind of breakaway speed, but anywhere near that production would be great.BlastBeat88https://www.blogger.com/profile/11495258339873702405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-71016998588592902162013-11-19T12:00:14.150-05:002013-11-19T12:00:14.150-05:00De'Veon Smith isn't going to be the lightn...De'Veon Smith isn't going to be the lightning to anyone except maybe Joe Kerridge.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-8913540120712112562013-11-19T11:59:25.196-05:002013-11-19T11:59:25.196-05:00Here was my commitment profile for De'Veon Smi...Here was my commitment profile for De'Veon Smith: <br />http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2012/03/deveon-smith-wolverine.html<br /><br />I thought Smith looked the same as he did against Central Michigan, which was okay. He's solidly built without a lot of speed. He did have a 16-yard run, but it wasn't anything spectacular. I still thought Green looked like a better back.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-6791303192608027812013-11-19T11:47:04.615-05:002013-11-19T11:47:04.615-05:00I have always been pretty high on Smith. Watching...I have always been pretty high on Smith. Watching his highlight tape, his balance is ridiculous. He can run through a barrage of defenders getting an arm on him. He has good size and looks very well built together. His speed is not crazy, but it's good enough to be a very successful college back. My TTB rating: 86<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd7kCeT60IM<br /><br />When watching Green's highlight tapes, I thought he was a very big back with good speed for his size and a nice jump cut. He's a one cut kind of back. If you bother watching his tape, his team is pretty good at opening up holes for him, and his receivers are pretty able downfield blockers. He hits holes with a full head of steam, and has great vision, especially when getting to the secondary, but he's never going to be a burner. At his size I would like it if he were able to run through more high school sized DBs, but he always falls forward which is nice. My TTB rating: 85.<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Z6L6nJs4cAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-69432091756284383942013-11-19T11:29:44.274-05:002013-11-19T11:29:44.274-05:00For some reason I am also sold on Chesson, his eff...For some reason I am also sold on Chesson, his effort and great physical presence makes me wish they'd go to him more. With Funchess, Darboh and Harris next year Chesson can step up for more targets while Darboh and Harris take their learning steps. <br /><br />De'Veon Smith could be the lightning-foil to Green's thunder-power running next year. They both looked good. A better line, bigger fullbacks (that kid from Utah?), could be a decent year on the ground next year. Anyway looks like we'll have the chance to be more successfully diverse in attack.<br /><br />Thought the line was pretty decent, even with the 5 sacks, not all of which I'd put on the line. Even Kalis on that ill-advised 4th down run got his man well blocked on the outside, it was #44 who steamed into Devin unblocked.<br /><br />Love Devin but for most of the game he was pretty off-target, and if NW had just intercepted him once out of the many chances they had...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-58714617083657367722013-11-19T11:09:21.704-05:002013-11-19T11:09:21.704-05:00What were people's thoughts on De'Veon Smi...What were people's thoughts on De'Veon Smith? Also, Gardner seems to have occasional bouts of indecision when running the ball. Not sure if he's worried about contact/injury, or remembering at the last minute to slide, or something else, but he seemed much more decisive earlier in the season. Overall, just a bit jumpy, even when sensing pressure. Can't blame him, i guess, with all the sacks he's endured the last few weeks. gobluetwonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-14319341316156508072013-11-19T09:49:16.646-05:002013-11-19T09:49:16.646-05:00This is why I laugh whenever people complain that ...This is why I laugh whenever people complain that Ross has been disappointing. They just don't know anything and expect every star linebacker to be used like DeMarcus Ware and get a billion sacks.<br /><br />Chesson's one catch reflected your comments here. For a skinny dude, he really pushes through contact and fights for extra yards successfully.BlastBeat88https://www.blogger.com/profile/11495258339873702405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-60817317303831484932013-11-19T09:10:43.660-05:002013-11-19T09:10:43.660-05:00People have been knocking on Gardner and rightfull...People have been knocking on Gardner and rightfully so in some regards (Interceptions, Holding the ball) but my question is, isnt he what we wanted? or at least a step in the right direction. Before I get jumped all over, look at his stat line 2411 yds 60% completion percentage, 25 total TD's, Averaging 241 pass yards per game and 5yds a carry when he pulls it down (sacks included). Yeah he still has 11 INTs but some of them arent really his fault. Some were popped into the air by receivers. He's in his 2ndish year as a starter, and still got one more year in the system which he will have taller albeit younger wide receivers and a line that is a year older in the middle along with an improving Derrick Green. Yeah our record isnt as good as we wanted but with what we have I think things could be much much worse. I feel like we're headed the right way, we just have to get to the light at the end of the tunnel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com