Shaw Would Start if Season Started Today and Other Presser Bits
From Angelique Chengelis' Twitter feed:
- Hoke asked if he's confident team can run the ball and stop run "jury's still out"
- Hoke says team votes on captains on Sunday
- Hoke on Stokes/Posada -- wishes them well. Sounds like no hard feelings
- Hoke says if played now Brink would start. "you feel him a lot on field"
- Hoke says Shaw has been "most consistent on a daily basis"
- Hoke says Shaw would be lead back and Fitz no 2 if had a game right now
- Hoke on kicking -- Seth and Wile tight race at punter. Brendan kicking best overall and he and Wile competing for FG. Wile on kickoffs
- Hoke on Sat scrimmage: woolfolk played well. Said Fitz, Vincent, Shaw carried ball well
- Hoke liked practice today "we moved the dial in every area"
From Kyle Meinke's Twitter feed:
- Woolfolk said he's seen some time at nickelback, which means, yes, in certain situations, he has seen time at safety.
- Hoke, on toughness and stopping the run and running the ball, and his team's ability to do it: The jury's still out.
- Hoke: standouts on Saturday were Woolfolk, Herron, Toussaint, V. Smith, M. Shaw.
- Hoke said team will scrimmage again Friday, team will vote on captains Sunday.
- Desmond Morgan, Mike Jones, Marrell Evans could se time at LB. But Demens is favorite to start. Hoke likes what he's seen.
- Hoke on attrition: It was the right thing for them, and we wish them the best. Said people leave for different reasons, including homesick
- Hoke said starting to run Western Michigan prep tomorrow.
- Offensive line has stood outp Hoke because of chemistry, and WRs. Singled out Gallons.
- Hoke: Wile battling Broekhuizen for punting, will kickoff, battling Gibbons for FGs
- Hoke said Brink would start if season were to start tomorrow.
- Hoke said if RB competition were to end today, Mike Shaw would be lead back because of consistency, improved blocking. Fitz also impressing
- [Hoke] taking stand with new goatee. Because facial hair definitely wins football games.
- Brady Hoke worked closely with the punters early in today's practice. instagr.am/p/LFj3p/
From Nick Baumbardner's Twitter feed:
- Hoke on expectations: 'we have high expectations, I don't worry about what anyone else thinks.'
- Hoke says team has to 'become finishing team.' Sat scrimmage saw letdown after about 65 plays.
- FWIW, Fitz Toussaint took first snap with No. 1 offense before media was brusquely ushered away from practice.
From Ryan Autullo's Twitter feed:
- When assessing playing time at D-line, Hoke mentioned six guys. Absent from his list were two-year starter Craig Roh and Jibreel Black.
- Walk-on Nathan Brink would start at defensive end (5 technique) if they played a game today.
- No. Hoke brought up his name today. He's in the mix. RT @JHamilton24: @RyanAutullo Jake Ryan having a quiet preseason after a great spring?
- Hoke said Brendan GIbbons is on pace to be the starting placekicker, leaving Wile for kickoff, and Wile/Broekhuizen for punting.
- Freshman LB Desmond Morgan is expected to play this fall.
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:50 PM ^
Desmond Morgan expected to play this fall, too. Interesting. Looks like two of the least hyped D players (Frank Clark and Morgan) are the two that stand to play the most this year.
EDIT: My opinion/guess. You can probably throw Greg Brown in there too.
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:53 PM ^
Credit to Hoke & Co. for a good lade addition to last years recruiting class.
Edit: Regarding Clark.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^
Brown or Countess will be an interesting question come Sept 3rd. If the coaches are going off consistency, like they seem to be, I'd bet on Brown. But Countess has had some amazing moments in practice thus far. Wouldn't be surprised if both saw the field over a guy like Talbott.
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
From all I've read, DM is the ideal LB prospect we've been not recruiting. Great running ability. Very intelligent. Has size. Has played LB before. What is there not to like?
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:07 PM ^
I think he has a slight advantage from playing QB is HS. I'm sure he can read the offensive formations better than most incoming freshman.
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:50 PM ^
If you have 3 kickers does that mean you really don't have one? I hope one of them steps up. So BWC may never materialize but Fitz might, I call that a wash.
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:53 PM ^
I've got to think that it's not that bad. I mean you can't whiff on that many kickers including walk-ons, can you? Maybe just keeping competition open for as long as possible.
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:53 PM ^
I like seeing Fitz continue to move his way up the depth chart. If he stays healthy, I think he will be tough to keep off the field.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^
whoever the number 2 running back is will see the field. The starter will get the majority of the carries but if there's a viable number 2, I'm guessing he'll get in to give the starter a rest.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:54 PM ^
I think if the first guy
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:59 PM ^
if the first guy in is humming along, I think he'll be given the opportunity to take the job and never look back. Others will play, but if Shaw rips off 150 against WMU, it may be he and Smith all day against ND. If he does well there, I think he'd be The Guy
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:54 PM ^
a healthy mike shaw
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^
I have no problem with Shaw being the starting RB this year if he has been the best guy out there.
However, I must say that I am hoping that Fitz or some other underclassman can lock it down so that we don't have to do this RB thing all over again next year.
Nothing against Shaw whatsoever, and I would be extremely happy for him if he goes out and kills it his senior year. The guy deserves that.
But it would be really nice to be completely set at QB and RB going into next season because I am sure there will be plenty of other ?s, as there always is prior to a season.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:26 PM ^
Starting a new tailback isn't that big a deal for the offense. It's not like breaking in a new QB. I don't thnk it should be a big worry.
August 24th, 2011 at 8:49 AM ^
I will be honest and say I am pulling for Shaw because IMHE he is the best back we have, and if he stays healthy I could see him being one of the best backs in the B1G.
To your point about next year though, I think you are overreacting. It was a big deal this year because it was a new staff with a new philosophy. By the start of next season they will have had over a year and a ahlf with these backs and will know who their guy is. Fitz will have an entire year to set himself apart as the next number one guy.
I also think the number 2 guy will be getting some carries throughout the year. I see the backup getting at least 5-8 carries per game.
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:58 PM ^
Anybody else think Cox maybe the next to go? The only reason I ask is because I have heard no mention of him in the week or so and he is missing in the RB picture on the front page. Just a thought, not a rumor........yet.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^
I don't think we have any reason to believe this.
It would be devastating for Magnus, though. Could you imagine? We'd have to put him on 24-hour watch.
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
Magnus has been a number one fan of Cox for a long time. I would like to see him get some carries, but if the coaches deem that he is a liability, I would rather see others out there.
I'm actually happy that Shaw might get the nod to start. He has been one of my most favorite players on this roster.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:58 PM ^
Cox will likely be the seventh string running back by the end of the weekend.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:57 PM ^
I've said this once before, but Magnus was pretty spot on when everyone was high on McGuffie... he called out very early on that Brandon Minor was the best RB on the roster... sure enough, RR ultimately agreed.
August 24th, 2011 at 12:03 AM ^
I am pretty sure RichRod would have agreed much sooner had Minor been able to use both of his arms all year
August 24th, 2011 at 12:16 AM ^
Yes, I mean i suppose what got him on the bench was his inability to hold onto the football due to the bad (wrist was it?) I'm not knocking RR, i'm just generally saying Minor was the best back we had. Maybe I'm mistaken but a lot of folks on this board were pretty high on McGuffie
August 24th, 2011 at 9:00 AM ^
No offense to the guy, but I never liked McGuffie as a HB in the B1G. Actually, I never liked him as a RB at the college level at all. Nothing against the guy, I jsut never thought he would pan out.
August 24th, 2011 at 12:26 AM ^
've said this once before, but Magnus was pretty spot on when everyone was high on McGuffieWe need an "Ass-Kisser" moderating function.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
photo is from 2010
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:13 PM ^
He has been gone that long?!
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:22 PM ^
Cox was in the most recent practice video on AnnArbor.com.
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
If he doesn't come back it's because he graduated and wasn't given a 5th year.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
I could not be more excited to read the reports about Gallon. He seems to have the speed and shiftiness some of the other receivers lack. Here's to hoping he does some real damage on the field this year.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^
Any concrete news on Hopkins?
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
I don't know if this is public info but he is in the doghouse, suspended for the first game. Rawls hurt. No mention of Cox. Shaw / Fitz as the "guy" with V Smith as the "third down back" should come as no surprise right now.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:10 PM ^
Is there a link on that Hopkins' suspension?
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:40 PM ^
Shh nobody tell Magnus.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:02 PM ^
kickoffs, field goals, and punts. Once Hagerup comes back, I want him to punt. I really want Wile to be given the first couple of chances to kick field goals this year, I can not stand another repeat of the kicking game from last year.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
The only one I read:
# Hole taking stand with new goatee. Because facial hair definitely wins football games.Any pics of said goatee??
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
...this slideshow at A2.com.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
NICE FIND. Clearly this is an obligatory base to MANBALL
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:20 PM ^
When did we hire Artie Lange to coach the football team?
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
flashes of Marty Mornhinweg:
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^
You take that back you son of a bitch. How dare you sully the good name of Brady Hoke by associating him with the likes of Mornhinweg?
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^
just called a press conference. Claims Hoke stold his facial hair, too....
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:41 PM ^
here's an embed hopefully you guys can handle this much manliness:
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:53 PM ^
Awesome midlife crisis look! Just needs a sweet new red t-bird.
August 24th, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^
I think you need to turn in your screen name/ID
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
Hole taking stand with new goatee. Because facial hair definitely wins football games.
Am I missing a joke here? Seemed a little out of place with the rest of the comments.
Edit: from comment above, "Hole"=Hoke, it makes a little more sense.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
Lol yeah, I didn't even realize the typo in the tweet when I copy/pasted it because every one starts with 'Hoke'
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:13 PM ^
I always thought that Gallon would be good in RR offense, but I am happy to hear he is making some noise in a "pro-style" offense. If you saw him in the All-American practice footage you could tell that this kid has some special talent.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
But Dayum, dude must be busting his backside. Regardless i will support the whole team and whoever starts. Just can't freaking wait for football.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:19 PM ^
I'm hoping all the "jury's still out" stuff I due to really high expectations.