Idea: Barrett as FB?
After listening to the podcast and reading Brian's game column, it sounds like Michigan could benefit from having a fullback. I wonder if they would consider (and if he'd be interested) in trying Michael Barrett out as a situational fullback? He was a dual threat QB in high school, they've trusted him to handle the ball on fake punts and kick returns and he obviously is good at drilling people. If he's a man without a position on defense now, maybe it's worth a look on offense.
October 4th, 2021 at 10:15 PM ^
Never seen a fullback that size before
October 4th, 2021 at 10:16 PM ^
Also would rather give to Haskins for those situations.
October 5th, 2021 at 4:05 AM ^
Converted RB, but Chris Floyd was 230. So was Sione Houma.
Even though it might not work because Barrett would have to learn to block, I’m glad the OP brought this up. I was a big fan of Barrett’s highlight reel, particularly his powerful running style and downfield accuracy as a QB. He’d be a great offensive weapon. Probably won’t happen since he’s now in his 4th year, but fun to think about.
October 5th, 2021 at 4:45 AM ^
I loved his HS video too. He was a great QB. 2 and 3 seasons ago, when I saw he was not tried at QB, I figured then he never would be used at QB. I thought he should have at least been given a try. I thought he was ten times the QB Milton was, both running and passing.
October 4th, 2021 at 10:20 PM ^
Not that I think it’s a great idea, but I bet he does a better job with blocking an OLB than Henning was able to do. (Not his fault, was a no win for a slot dot that fits in your pocket.)
maybe if none of the TEs can double in that capacity we find a back up DL to give it a try.
October 4th, 2021 at 10:46 PM ^
Go the walk-on route and hold an open tryout. I fit the weight requirement, less so the muscle and athleticism requirements.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:39 AM ^
I mean there is no question that it would be your PWO spot to lose with your handle...
October 4th, 2021 at 10:23 PM ^
Insert a TE with zero experience with handoffs as FB. What could go wrong?
October 4th, 2021 at 11:58 PM ^
I'm so confused at this comment.
1. Barrett is a LB, not a TE.
2. Khalid Hill.
October 5th, 2021 at 1:24 AM ^
McKeon I believe is being referenced.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:34 AM ^
one would assume they would give the TE some practice time doing this.
what we have isn't working and what we need is a big body who has good hands and velocity at impact.
October 4th, 2021 at 10:24 PM ^
If you wanted one you could probably line Haskins up at fb and Corum or Edwards as RB. Could hand off to him as well on a trap.
October 4th, 2021 at 10:51 PM ^
Really don't understand why we don't do this more.
You can also keep Haskins in and send Corum on a wheel or screen.
October 5th, 2021 at 2:17 AM ^
I'm guessing because Haskins isn't especially good at lead blocking. A fullbacks #1 job is going to be blocking.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:12 AM ^
Actually, he can hit from what I've seen. He laid a hit on the ball carrier in garbage time vs Wisconsin. Using as a lead blocker might not be a bad thing.
October 4th, 2021 at 11:12 PM ^
I really can't figure out why Michigan doesn't use more two back sets. Haskins and Corum being in at the same time seems like it could open up some nice opportunity's for the offense.
October 5th, 2021 at 2:21 AM ^
How many teams in the NCAA or pro are trotting out two back sets? If anything it is putting you at a disadvantage as it is clogging up the interior by drawing another defender into the box, meanwhile you are setting your offense back with one less blocker. I guess if you want to run a triple option offense it could work.
October 5th, 2021 at 5:31 AM ^
If you add a fullback, you will have to take out a slot receiver or a wide receiver. That would make the offense even more run-centric. Do you really want to do that?
October 5th, 2021 at 7:43 AM ^
Also i assume (played WR a bit when very much younger) that you would want to, you know, rest one of the backs half the time. If we ignore Seth's history on the origins of each position and Michigan's influence in naming positions, we can safely assume that half back means that we only want to use him half the time, to save his legs (sorry Chris Perry).
October 5th, 2021 at 8:35 AM ^
my guess is they aren't good at blocking
October 4th, 2021 at 10:25 PM ^
Jordan Whittley was a HS RB. I vote we let him be the lead blocker.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:44 AM ^
I would get behind that.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:11 AM ^
I certainly wouldn't get in front of it
October 4th, 2021 at 10:41 PM ^
Or maybe we could use Barrett in the Triple Wishbone Open, F double-right, Z-reverse fumble-ruski?
October 4th, 2021 at 10:50 PM ^
No. Waay too small.
I don't understand why we don't do like Georgia and get DEs and DTs to do it.
We have Whittley who was a RB, Donovan Jeter moves pretty well and he's not super tall like say a Morris or Welschof.
Joey George is 6'0, 262. There is no reason why he shouldn't get a shot. Ike Iwunnah is like 6'2, 300...and the wrap on him was that he had athleticism.
I'm sure one of those guys can lead block.
October 4th, 2021 at 10:53 PM ^
who is Joey George?
October 5th, 2021 at 12:00 AM ^
An overachieving walk-on, undersized DT who used to get mentioned in pressers before we switched defenses.
He's 6'0, 262 and he's played in 4 games this year. Primarily on special teams and late in blow outs.
And...wait, just Google him.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:32 AM ^
or maybe a backup OL. someone who is actually used to blocking.
October 4th, 2021 at 11:15 PM ^
game 6 of his senior year? unlikely
October 4th, 2021 at 11:24 PM ^
He's a man without a position precisely because he's too small to play LB....and now you want him to attempt to push LB's around?
October 5th, 2021 at 4:38 AM ^
Don Brown is still looking for LBs at Arizona. Transfer rules change next season. I like how Michael Barrett plays a lot. So I'd rather see him go where he will play.
October 4th, 2021 at 11:29 PM ^
Blocking is a skill. Can't assume he knows it well.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:04 AM ^
Even if he does, he's the same size as Haskins.
It you need a lead blocker to have some size and strength, Martavious Odoms was a great blocker...he's not a FB at 5'8, 170.
October 4th, 2021 at 11:30 PM ^
Just run I-formation with Haskins. I don’t get it. They have the goal line package already
October 4th, 2021 at 11:54 PM ^
This….this does not make sense.
October 5th, 2021 at 1:54 AM ^
Yeah, so...he's not seeing the field ostensibly because he's a VIPER type of tweener in a Don Brown-less world. So, play him at FB where you'd want him to be even a bit bigger/girthier than a LB? He does have some RB experience iirc, but good luck breaking into the rotation there.
October 5th, 2021 at 4:33 AM ^
He was a fantastic dual QB in a tough conference in Georgia. Talk about the straw that stirs the drink. He defined it.
October 5th, 2021 at 4:32 AM ^
Speculating used to be a fun thing to do. But life looks quite different with time. Now speculating is an obscene waste of time and energy.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:19 AM ^
I think All is doing a great job in the current FB role. Vastly improved as a blocker.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:22 AM ^
I always wondered if he ever got even a shot at playing QB after arriving at M.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:24 AM ^
IDK. Maybe we just line up HASSAN HASKINS in the fullback slot instead???... ?
October 5th, 2021 at 8:39 AM ^
well, he is 220 lbs and regardless of how he was lined up he missed making a few short yardage situations.
FBs are more 240-260 lbs
personally I think we need to block the plays better and run Haskins but I certainly would think we should find a bigger body than him like we had in Mason that can bust through tackles
October 5th, 2021 at 8:43 AM ^
Whittley
A HS RB
Our Fridge
October 5th, 2021 at 9:16 AM ^
Correct me if I'm wrong, I never played the game before, but aren't fullbacks supposed to be....I don't know....a lot bigger than what Michael Barrett currently is?
If we're going by Ben Mason as a comparison for what a fullback should be, then Mason has easily 30 lbs on what Barrett has. Barrett is a good athlete but is he really going to be able to shove the pile and gain the necessary room for Haskins/Corum/Edwards to move and do what they need to do?
At his current size, I doubt it.
October 5th, 2021 at 5:22 PM ^
His problem at linebacker is he can't grow to be more than like 210. You want him to play something that asks you to be 260-280?
October 5th, 2021 at 10:29 PM ^
I get that at this point it's become a joke, but you're stretching things a bit here. Barrett is listed at 227 now and to my knowledge the only FB Michigan has ever had who played in the 260-280 range was Khalid Hill. Houma, Kerridge, Mason (pre DL experiment) all played in the 240 range. All I'm saying is that if you and Brian are pining for a fullback and complaining about what All is able to do at 6'4", 245 in that position I don't think 6'0", 227 is that ridiculous.
Like the man said above, speculating used to be fun...
October 5th, 2021 at 11:37 PM ^
I'm up 30 lbs since June 2018 and I'm 49 and I don't even play football. Take THAT to your bank and smoke it.