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| I like this Willie Henry kid. |
Let's see less of this guy on offense . . . Devin Funchess as a blocking tight end. I think Funchess can play H-back, in the slot, run routes, etc. But his blocking at the point of attack, especially the zone stretch, hangs running back Fitzgerald Toussaint out to dry too often. Michigan needs to find a second blocking tight end, whether it's redshirt junior Jordan Paskorz, freshman Jake Butt, or a walk-on.
Let's see more of this guy on defense . . . Willie Henry. The redshirt freshman defensive tackle has played pretty well the past two games, and I'm hoping he's in the process of locking down the backup 3-tech spot. He was my pick for this "award" last week, and I liked what I saw.
Let's see less of this guy on defense . . . nobody. I thought the defensive rotation was pretty solid. No complaints here.
Play of the game . . . Desmond Morgan's one-handed interception. When Michigan was trying to ignite a comeback win, they needed a big play on defense. UConn quarterback Chandler Whitmer tried to throw the ball on a line to a receiver on a post, but Morgan got to his drop, leaped up, and reeled in the pass with his right hand. He then tucked the ball in, showed some decent open-field running ability, and brought the ball back 29 yards to the Huskies' 12-yard line.
MVP of the game . . . Fitzgerald Toussaint. Toussaint was maligned last week for his game against Akron, but there shouldn't be the same kinds of comments this time. Nobody had a stellar game, but Toussaint had a 35-yard touchdown on an option pitch and a 12-yard zone stretch touchdown. He finished the night with 24 carries for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 1 reception for 7 yards.
I would say see less of Joe Bolden. He's not a tire fire or anything, but Morgan is obviously a couple of grades better, especially in pass coverage. I understand getting Morgan some rest, but the rotation shouldn't be near 50/50.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of OL changes, any chance they move Schofield back inside and put Magnuson/Braden in at RT? He was pretty good as a guard a couple years ago.
ReplyDeleteI think in the summer, Hoke said that Schofield was a pure tackle now. I don't think that's really under consideration, but could it happen? Sure. Anything can happen.
DeleteI actually think Schofield is better suited for guard. He played well there before and struggles a little bit at pass protection as a tackle. It would definitely create a very unbalanced line as far as talent went. Obviously running behind Lewan and Schofield would make the running game very effective to the left side. Having two redshirt freshman and a bad center to the right side would be a dream for opposing defensive coaches on passing downs. If the coaches are confident in backs blocking in passing situations it would be a none issue. If Bryant isn't ready and Magnuson is better at tackle than Braden is at guard, its a pretty viable option.
DeleteI hope Bryant can stay healthy. He's had a bad run of injuries.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is a dumb question, but is there any reason that we couldn't use a reserve o-lineman at TE? Obviously they wouldn't be a pass-catching threat, but neither is AJ Williams. Jack Miller for example has comparable athleticism to Williams. If he gets squeezed out at Center, why couldn't he be brought in as a blocking TE?
ReplyDeleteIt is a different type of blocking. Operating in space vs operating a very small area. TE blocking is closer to tackle blocking. Miller isn't good at blocking at all, pass or run blocking. Some teams do use backup tackles as their blocking tight end.
DeleteWilliams basically played last year the size of most college tackles. He lost some weight in the off season so should have gained some athleticism back. Its hard for him to really be a factor in the passing game because Michigan needs for him to be blocking.
I agree with Anonymous
DeleteFitz is looking better, but he still tends to bounce it outside too often leading to him getting 2-5 yards less on about 5-7 different runs throughout the game. That's 20-30 yards at the end of the game.
ReplyDeleteExcept when that bounce works and he gets 15-20 yards extra compared to going inside.
DeleteFitz hasn't been perfect, and I mostly agree that he's bounced too much, it's not as bad as people are saying, IMO. He'll stop bouncing when the holes are more consistently open.
Fitz is fine. He would've racked up 200+ yards with a serviceable O-line.
DeleteTime to revive one of my long-standing arguments -- bring on Burzynski! I'm not fully serious, but maybe I am. He's small, but not too small for center. I'm not convinced Bryant is a viable option for what this offense is doing. Just haven't seen him yet. Might as well be pining for Bars, Braden, a true freshman, or anyone else that got beat out by Glasgow/Miller. Not that I'll be sad if Bryant gets plugged in. Keep hope alive. Maybe he's a gamer. Etc.
ReplyDeleteI would have given the MVP to someone on the D side of the ball. Don't ask me who - Morgan? Gordon? Wilson? The D saved our butts this game.
Agreed with the D. I was MUCH less worried when UConn got the ball to drive the field at the end of this game, than I was against Akron in a similar situation, b/c the D was playing so much better. That's the only thing holding me over after the second, overall, poor performance by UM in a row.
DeleteMorgan was a HS QB as well as LB...so he's definitely got good running skills and vision. Great play!
ReplyDeleteThe coaches continue to go with Desmond Morgan at Mike, and it's clear why that is: even though he is not the most athletic or the most talented player on the field, the kid brings his lunch pail every day and just. makes. plays. Very consistent, very tough player. Glad he got the highly coveted TTB award this time around.
ReplyDelete