Corum: 100% back or no(?)
Hey guys. I'll admit, during the first game or two, I thought, by eye, Corum had lost a step, maybe. Upon reflection, maybe it was the fact that he was getting used to game-speed reps again, getting hit (as he was not during fall camp), and/or his actual knee just finished healing wholly and completely (I've had an ACL and labrum shoulder surgically repaired so I know something about how long that takes). But still, I was skeptical. Brian and team, at the beginning of the year, they assured me I was crazy, Blake was back. His clocked in-game speed was still elite (someone clocked this, I'm pretty sure). Decisions were on-point. But since then, and admittedly I can't quite remember exactly when or why (which is why I'm starting this thread), they've said maaaybe he's not where he was last year. Why the H not? What's he supposed to be doing that he isn't given this year's team, and given what he did last year and year before? And in his interest, what CAN he do to show he's as good as last year and deserves to be a high draft pick?
Thanks, I'll hang up and listen
October 18th, 2023 at 6:17 PM ^
Three contributing factors: Offensive line not as good (yet). Defenses scheming to stop him. He put on more muscle weight in the off-season (might slow him slightly).
October 18th, 2023 at 6:40 PM ^
I can’t remember if it was on the podcast or somewhere else that I heard it but apparently this year long running plays are down across all teams in college football. Apparently defensive coordinators have found a way to prevent the majority of the huge runs like Michigan had the last couple years.
October 18th, 2023 at 7:35 PM ^
And I do wonder if the fact that we’re not running the ball that much that plays into it. Seems like Corum had plenty of games where the first half he would just pound away and get little chunks. Then in the second half when the opposing team’s defense was shot he would break a huge one.
This year we are throwing it more efficiently and he’s not having to do that chipping away. And the fact that he’s not having to run the ball as much yet just cuts down on the chances of a huge run. But I’m just fine with what’s going on now, we have the perfect complimentary run-pass game going.
October 18th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
I think that's a factor. The last 2 years toward the end of the 3rd quarter Michigan had pounded the opposition until they stared to slow down by a step or so. That's when most of the big runs broke.
October 18th, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^
Last year he averaged 5.9 ypc. This year? 5.7. Is that a significant difference?
Consider that he's also getting a lot fewer carries late in games, since we're blowing out teams earlier this year. Conventional wisdom holds that it's easier to run the ball later in the game, when the defense is tired.
October 19th, 2023 at 8:48 AM ^
We can kinda set down the microphones after this little infusion of fact. And wait until the end of the year, too. And accept that our memories are a little rosier than the facts, it's clear, show. We are very indebted to Mr. Corum.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:08 AM ^
and the clock rules change.
Fewer plays.
October 18th, 2023 at 9:27 PM ^
I agree with your first 2 takes. But I think Corum looks good in the open field. His jukes are still there. I think Michigan's offense has been vanilla in the run game. Hopefully, they are setting up the back half of the schedule to unleash what they are holding back.
October 19th, 2023 at 8:42 AM ^
His jukes are fine, but his speed is not where it was last year. He’s running more around 4.55 than the supposed 4.4 or so he’s been said to have. I’m sure he will continue to improve his speed again, but he could probably carry a little less weight for his shorter frame and still maintain his freak strength and gain back some acceleration.
October 18th, 2023 at 9:55 PM ^
Yep. 31 reps at 225 don’t come easy.
October 19th, 2023 at 8:23 AM ^
I haven't heard this discussed but something I been thinking about. Could our struggles running the ball be from literally having 4 tackle style offensive linemen starting? Our 2 guards are taller than our tackles. I feel a shorter heavy DT could basically have a stalemate with our tackle sized guards which doesn't create holes for our ball carriers
October 19th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
A big diff for me is WR blocking that is necessary to spring the long runs. Wilson is not the blocker Bell is (was) and there have been many runs that Wilson’s target either tackled or impeded Corum’s breakaway. See WR blocking improve, see long runs happen more.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:19 PM ^
Brian and Seth were pretty clear from the first game that Blake did not look 100% and tracked how he improved every game over the first month. Not sure where they told you he was 100% to start the season. Every broadcast has talked about how Blake said he didn't trust his knee to start the season but was trusting it more and more every week.
He isn't getting as many carriers. They're clearly protecting him. And they have been dinking around with different run game concepts and not focused on getting Blake 2,000 yards and a Heisman.
Blake being back is probably #42 on the list of concerns we have, and even the top concerns for this team are pretty minor. So I don't think there's much issue here. He'll be drafted in rounds 3-5, just like he would have if he came out last year. Coming back wasn't going to improve his draft stock.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:37 PM ^
Not sure if you listen to all the podcasts or not, but game 2 or 3 had a decidedly Blake-is-fine attitude and since then have tapered off into… slightly less than that.
It's not just less carries, it's not just saving him for Nov. Hence the discussion. Wondering what they saw generally.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:55 PM ^
It was “Blake will be fine” on the podcasts. Not that he was 100% then. There was a drop off initially as he got his legs back and got used to contact. And he’s gotten better with each game.
He’s averaging 5.7 yards a carry, has 550 yards and 12 TDs. He hasn’t had huge runs this year but some of that is second level blocking not being what it was last year and some of that is him still getting back to his peak after the injury.
What exactly do you want from him? More long runs?
October 18th, 2023 at 7:22 PM ^
Kinda why I’m asking the question. He seems to have regained his numbers, looks pretty darn good considering what we all agree is a slight step down in offensive line play. But the crew has decisively characterized him as “not the same Blake” so to speak in the past several weeks, after a different opinion the first few games. Just wondering what they’re seeing. -Not a slight toward Blake; quite the opposite
October 19th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
Most of his TDs have been short yardage, so that stat is irrelevant to the conversation. Nobody is attacking Corum, but your response seems pretty defensive in asking “what do you want.”
Corum has increasingly looked very good, but he has not looked as elite as he did last year from start to Illinois.
Part of that is the line is very good but not as cohesive as last year—and the changing starters at tackle supports this.
Yet, fans are allowed to critique/analyze players and it not be about hating on them. Corum’s “regression” is observable. It’s also why despite his amount of TDs he’s currently nowhere being discussed as a Heisman favorite. He hasn’t had the wow runs that also end up in a long score—his longest run of the year resulted in him being caught from behind. That is not a diss on him—just an observed fact.
My take on the facts of watching him so far is that he’s still not 100%. Or, that he’s put on too much muscle for his frame and has lost a step. He’s still one of my favorites, but FOR HIM I’d love to see more long runs. The offense as a whole is much stronger this year—best depth maybe ever. Yet, for Corum, I’d love to see him increase his YPC and break more long runs into the open field.
We can all say the same for Donovan, who seems to be pressing for long runs, overthinking rather than being instinctual and using/trusting his eyes. And who needs to drive with his legs more once he gets contact.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:21 PM ^
I’d say 50% back and 50% front
October 18th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^
I'm seriously concerned that he doesn't have any other sides.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:51 PM ^
He’s a 2-dimensional player
October 18th, 2023 at 7:25 PM ^
he runs both north south and east west
October 18th, 2023 at 8:14 PM ^
lotta ups and downs, ins and outs, whathaveyous.
October 19th, 2023 at 6:44 AM ^
Some agree and some disagree.
October 18th, 2023 at 10:03 PM ^
has liquor in the front and poker in the rear
October 18th, 2023 at 6:23 PM ^
What?
October 18th, 2023 at 6:29 PM ^
I haven't talked to him yet. I'll let you know. Don't create any threads till I get back to you.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:34 PM ^
I recall him saying that he was a little worried that his knee was 100% and was running a bit tentatively, but then he decided that he should just run hard and not worry. That was maybe 3 weeks ago, He doesn't look as fast as before to me, but that's just my personal eye-test.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:38 PM ^
I'm sure he was hesitant the first few games but his jump cuts look like they're back. He's not getting 20+ plus touches a game this year and I think everyone is alright with that including Blake. He will feast in November.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
Kinda more concerned with the Don. Corum is still a bull, breaks first contact.
October 18th, 2023 at 7:24 PM ^
I feel like The Don needs to literally just stand still for 2 seconds at the start of each play, see what's happening, and then go. Feels like he rushes right into the back of his OL all the time, but when he actually stops and sets up a juke, he's still got that elite burst
October 18th, 2023 at 7:55 PM ^
You’re not wrong. If he’d count to, two Mississippi there’d be something more. He’s in his own head and not letting the game come to him. I think getting a TD last game will open the flood gates. Any team in the country would be glad to have him, unfortunately and fortunately for us, the emergence of our 230 lb freshman wrecking ball and Mullings may throw a wrench in his carries. He’s got a shit ton to offer just being on the field and the staff will get it figured out.
October 18th, 2023 at 11:08 PM ^
Mullings (and Hall) do not take away Edwards' carriers. They are almost exclusively used for short yardage and Tuttle time. Edwards is not a short yardage back anyway, and will be #1 back if he comes back next year.
October 19th, 2023 at 6:30 AM ^
Mullings yes. Hall was not a “short yardage” back last week. He came in, took over and looked like a freshman who deserves some run and he’ll get it if Donavan continues to struggle. Trusting a freshman as the competition gets tougher is a coin toss, but Harbaughs “meritocracy” says the best guy will play. We’re all Hoping that’s Edwards obviously. But if Donovan can’t get a 3rd and 1 more times than not, he’s not gonna be Harbaugh #1 back.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
He can continue to not take unnecessary hits in non-crunch time. Save it for the Big Boys. Tread on the tire.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
I would say hes a halfback
October 18th, 2023 at 10:06 PM ^
supreme dad joke should have more upvotes
October 18th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
He's fine. The OL isn't as good. The carries are down. And the portion of the game when we lean on teams, wear them out, and start getting longer runs -- Corum is on the sideline.
October 18th, 2023 at 7:10 PM ^
With JJ taking a big leap, our offense is much more balanced than last season, hence Corum's declining load.
Last season, it was JJ's deep ball and now this? Corum's fine, we're fine- RELAX.
October 18th, 2023 at 7:14 PM ^
I think the reduced carries is probably planned -- by the coaches and Corum. Blake never looks frustrated when he isn't in. I think he knows that this is the best plan, bc he's been hurt two years in a row at the end of the season when we're facing OSU. And then of course, the offense is more balanced and the starters are done after 2.5 quarters of action every game.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:38 PM ^
I think we've seen this question, in some form or another, all season. The o-line isn't playing as well as last year, but are improving. The opposing teams are stacking the box and the safeties have mostly been playing 10 yards off the line of scrimmage. Corum hasn't seen nearly the amount of touches as last year, because he doesn't have to. Keeping him healthy through the whole season is probably the most important thing. I don’t think this team is worried about the stat column, other than the win column.
October 18th, 2023 at 9:54 PM ^
Exactly. I think the best judgment of what this post is getting to will come after a game where we truly need Blake to be Blake, such as Penn State or Ohio State, or maybe a game where JJ doesn’t have it and we have to really lean on the rushing attack.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:40 PM ^
It's hard to come back from an injury and be 100%. He will definitely get better but that comes with time.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:41 PM ^
You're gonna hang up and get negged. Good luck though.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:42 PM ^
He's a step slower and has less agility for sure. He's gone from elite to just excellent though so is still an effective back. Sometimes you're never the same. Sometimes it takes a lot longer to really be back.
October 19th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
He's a step slower
There's actually some data to back this up. Corum accelerated up to 21.1 mph in just 4 seconds vs ECU, however in 2022 he clocked in with a top speed of 22.1 mph (forget which game). So yes, a step slower.
October 19th, 2023 at 1:02 PM ^
While thread-starting OP could've done a better job of presenting the point, I agree with MeanJoe07's view of what's off.
Problem
For lack of a better word, Corum has lost some 'shimmy.' There are several times where he breaks free from the lines, staring down a linebacker or someone in the secondary, and instead of his patented 'juke in a phonebooth' stuff, he bulls into the dudes. This is still effective, though it probably gains fewer yards. I don't know how 'shimmy' is quantified. Shuttle maybe? But to my eyes/mind, there's a difference, at least in his approach (why this is not the same as 'ability' is discussed below).
I also think his acceleration has taken a hit, and as a commenter mentioned below, it looks like his top-end speed isn't where it was at last year. In the past, Blake would all but dust most guys, and given the level of competition to date, that should've happened by now.
Cause?
I don't know enough about knees/knee surgery to say if the procedures robbed him of the agility, but I would speculate that if it isn't physical, I could see it being mental. Tearing up that a knee would make a guy reconsider sharp cuts.
Another potential issue is maybe a 'Mike Tyson' effect, where a typically explosive dude bulks up, and through this added weight, robs himself of some agility, acceleration, and top-end speed. I could see explosiveness contributing to a loss of agility (side-to-side 'explosion') and acceleration. Top-end speed could be a pure weight issue, which you seen in guys like DK Metcalf, who go to the Olympic trials, but have bulked up for football and can't match their college times.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:43 PM ^
He is obviously saving his best for the last 4 games of the season. OSU then B1G Championship then Playoff and then grand finale of NC.
October 18th, 2023 at 8:44 PM ^
We may never get to the final 2 games, if we don't have him for Penn State.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:43 PM ^
And in his interest, what CAN he do to show he's as good as last year and deserves to be a high draft pick?
Win the National Championship
I like how Blake only plays into the 3rd quarter and cheering on his teammates the rest of the game. I hope to continue to see that the rest of the year. Let the NFL worry about his knee.