Grantland: NFL Run & Shootaround

Polly Parsons

In this column, the Grantland writers address several NFL topics . . . including the recent play of former Michigan safety Steve Brown.

Video: Michigan vs. Nebraska 2012 - Every Snap

The title is misleading, because not every snap of offense is included.  Sorry I'm a liar.

Attractive Michigan Girls of the Week

If you have any other pictures of girls wearing Michigan gear, drop me an e-mail.  Go Blue!

Preview: Michigan at Minnesota

Rush Offense vs. Minnesota Rush Defense
The Wolverines have the #27 rush offense with 207 yards/game.  The Gophers have the #84 rush defense giving up 178 yards/game.  Quarterback Denard Robinson is gaining 118 yards/game himself, but starting running back Fitzgerald Toussaint gains only 46 yards/game.  Last week when Robinson left the game, Michigan's running game bogged down, and replacement quarterback Russell Bellomy has just 16 yards on 12 carries this season.  Defensive ends D.L. Wilhite and Ra'Shede Hageman have 14.5 tackles for loss between them, though 10.5 of those are sacks.  However, Minnesota's top two tacklers are safeties Troy Stoudermire and Derrick Wells, which doesn't bode well for their defense.  The top non-DB tackler is middle linebacker Mike Rallis.  Michigan might struggle to run the ball if Robinson is unavailable, but the Gophers have recently given up 182 yards to Northwestern's Venric Mark; 341 yards to Wisconsin's duo of Montee Ball and James White; and 177 yards to Iowa's Mark Weisman.  If Toussaint and/or backup Thomas Rawls can't gain significant chunks of yards against this run defense, then this team is in serious trouble.
Advantage: Michigan

Pass Offense vs. Minnesota Pass Defense
The Wolverines have the #108 pass offense with 172 yards/game.  Minnesota has the #7 pass defense with 158 yards allowed/game and the #8 pass efficiency defense.  Of course, why pass the ball when you can run it so effectively against them?  Minnesota has picked off eight passes this season, with safety Derrick Wells and cornerback Michael Carter each picking off two.  The Gophers average two sacks/game, with the aforementioned Wilhite and Hageman combining for 10.5 sacks.  They likely won't give Michigan too much of a problem because the Wolverines are solid in pass protection - #12 in the nation for giving up just .88 sacks/game - but if Bellomy plays because of Robinson's injury, then all bets are off because Minnesota will likely blitz a ton.  If quarterback/receiver Devin Gardner spends this week practicing at quarterback, that could take away Michigan's best big-play threat on the outside.  Michigan's top five receivers have anywhere between 11-18 receptions, so the ball gets spread around fairly evenly.  I will give the nod here to Minnesota because Michigan's quarterbacks are prone to turning over the ball and probably won't throw very much.
Advantage: Minnesota

Roster Notes

• Michigan recruited LB Brendan Beal, LB Keanon Cooper, and OT Jonah Pirsig
• Offensive linemen Kyle and Luke McAvoy are the younger brothers of former Michigan offensive lineman Tim McAvoy
• Freshman defensive end Jackson Miller is from Okemos (MI) Okemos, redshirt freshman linebacker Dominic Schultz is from Port Huron (MI) Port Huron, and junior defensive back Kenny Watkins is from Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice

. . . and that's when I ran out of time this week.  Busy week, and a busy weekend coming up.  Thanks, Hurricane Sandy!

Predictions

• Michigan wins handily if Denard Robinson starts
• Michigan wins by a close margin if Russell Bellomy or Devin Gardner starts
• Michigan wins by 50 if Nick Sheridan starts

A Look Back . . . 

• Last year's game recap
• Last year's Minnesota awards

Prep Rally: Michael Ferns sets up touchdown for grieving teammate

 

Many of you have likely seen this story before, but this is the tale of 2014 commit Michael Ferns III running out-of-bounds at the 1-yard line to allow his teammate to score a touchdown . . . a teammate whose father had passed away earlier in the week.

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Stevie Brown

Stevie Brown, "Proud Michigan Man all day everyday."

If you pay any attention to Touch the Banner on Thursdays, then you know by now that Stevie Brown has miraculously transformed into the second coming of Charles Woodson.  Given that, it should come as no surprise that earlier in the week Brown made two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a team high eight solo tackles as his Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 29-26.  Brown was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week and now has five picks in the last six games.  It will be interesting to see how much playing time Brown gets going forward as starting safety Kenny Phillips is scheduled to be back in a week or two.

Honorable Mention:  Tom Brady put on a jolly good show for the fine people of London by going 23/35 for 304 yards and four touchdowns in the Patriots' 45-7 victory over the Rams.  Patrons remarked that a smashing time was had by all.

Miscellaneous:

• Steve Breaston did not have a reception in the month of October and has caught only four passes on the season.  He made 61 receptions last year.
• Brandon Graham had a season high four tackles.
• Jonas Mouton is listed as second string on the Chargers depth chart but still has not posted any stats as a pro.
• Larry Foote recorded five tackles and a sack.  He now leads the Steelers in tackles, sacks, fumbles forced and fumbles recovered.
• Mario Manningham has been battling a shoulder injury but his status has been upgraded to "probable" for the 49ers' upcoming game against the Cardinals.
• Jason Avant had a season high four receptions for 45 yards.
• Jake Long is still doing his thing.  He'll be a free agent at season's end.

Da'Mario Jones, Wolverine

Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da'Mario Jones (image via Detroit News)

Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da'Mario Jones committed to Michigan on Wednesday.  He chose the Wolverines over offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Toledo and had previously been committed to CMU.

Jones is listed at 6'2", 185 lbs., claims a 4.4 forty, and runs a 10.8 in the 100 meters.

Ratings:
ESPN: 3-star WR, 78, #77 WR
Rivals: Unranked
Scout: 3-star WR, #77 WR
247: 3-star WR, #152 WR

Jones committed to Central Michigan back in July, but he continued to visit Michigan - for the BBQ at the Big House and for several games this season.  It seemed he was angling for a Michigan offer, and that offer came when it appeared that Massillon (OH) Washington cornerback Gareon Conley would decommit from Michigan in order to take visits to Ohio State and Oregon.  Jones jumped on the offer almost as soon as it arrived.

Jones has good size and leaping ability, so he could be an asset in the red zone, on jump balls, or on back shoulder throws.  He's capable of getting separation from defensive backs, shows good footwork and route running, and has enough suddenness to set up double moves.  He's not a shake-and-bake type, but he does show a knack for making a cut upfield after running laterally.  Crossing routes should be an asset where he can catch the ball over the middle, look for a seam, and then gain extra yards.  He also doesn't shy away from contact, so he should turn into a plus blocker and gain yards that some receivers won't.

Notice that I said he "could be" an asset in the red zone - Jones isn't the most natural pass catcher, and he needs to work on snatching the ball out of the air.  You can see in his film that when the ball is above his shoulders, he struggles to catch the ball cleanly.  This could be an issue with better and bigger defensive backs, who might swipe at the ball and turn those into incompletions.  Jones also shows good speed, but he won't blow the lid off a defense.

Jones seems to be a quality addition to the team, and while he doesn't look like a superstar, he looks like a very adequate addition to the receiver class.  He has more big-play ability than the other two receivers currently committed, Jaron Dukes and Csont'e York.  He reminds me a bit of Darryl Stonum, although lacking the same top-end speed.

This gives Michigan 23 commits for 2013, but that number will likely drop to 22 soon, once Gareon Conley exits from the class as expected.  Jones is the third receiver in the class, and he should be the first player from John Glenn since running back Tony Boles, who played for Michigan from 1986-1989 (394 carries, 2247 yards, 18 touchdowns).

TTB Rating: 79 (ratings explanation)

The best highlight film is on Hudl, but here are his Youtube highlights: