Harbaugh's Presser Today
Lots of fluff out there, however the internets are picking up on his comment that Alex Orji is working at kick return:
Kick returner: Kalel (Mullings), Roman Wilson, Eamonn Dennis could be extremely, extremely good. Also a secret plan for Alex Orji. He might be, he's got a chance to be one of the greatest kicker returners of all time. Big, 230, 235-pound guy. He just started doing it, so we'll see how it goes. He's also excelling at quarterback, so there'll be some decisions that have to be made.
The KO return comp would have to be Cordarrelle Patterson. While Devin Hester is the best "returner" and punt returner of all time... Patterson has an argument to make about KO returns. He's listed at 6'2" and 220lbs, so it's not too far fetched.
Harbaugh lists most players on the team and says how awesome they all are. Amorion Walker has an injury - out 4-5 days. Darrius Clemons also has nagging injuries. See AZ's great write up for all the info.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
I found this point about Orji pretty interersting: We have to improve in our kickoff return blocking before I would agree to have Alex Orji returning a kick
If return blocking isn't where the coaches would like it to be, I'm curious what makes Harbaugh uncomfortable having Orji returning kicks as opposed to some of the others - is it simply inexperience?
August 15th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
I'm going to say..... he's a back up QB, so you don't want him getting lit up by someone that's unblocked, potentially taking him out. (obviously you don't want that to happen to anyone, but certainly not your #2 or #3 QB)
August 15th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
Makes sense...but then why consider putting a QB back to return kicks at all?
August 15th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
Because he’s Harbaugh
August 15th, 2023 at 3:11 PM ^
There was a lot of hand-wringing after Ronnie Bell went out for the season returning a punt during the first game of 2021. With that in mind.....I would probably limit Roman Wilson's participation in the kick return game.
August 15th, 2023 at 5:37 PM ^
Roman Wilson is one of the fastest guys on the team would be one reason to do KO returns. Plus that he has great hands. I agree that is too risky to have Wilson return KO.
August 15th, 2023 at 8:55 PM ^
You use Roman on KOs only when you have to.
Sluggish game and you need a spark. Just like Woodson wasn't full time on offense or as a returner...but when we needed a play, he was going to get a shot.
I personally hope Eamonn Dennis can carve out a role on KOs (and be effective).
Orji is an interesting one, Anthony Thomas returned kicks...so did Wheatley.
Orji is the 4th string QB and there are rumors that Denegal improved over the summer. It's worth the risk if he's actually good at it.
Orji's brother was a LB...and that's the position many thought he'd play long-term. Of that's even a thought...clearly he has the toughness.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
truck stick
August 15th, 2023 at 3:50 PM ^
I've said that I see Orji as a potentially elite RB of the future.
August 15th, 2023 at 4:41 PM ^
If he became a competent part time option as a running back or fullback, you could do all kinds of crazy shit in goal line packages. Put him and Edwards in the backfield with Loveland and Barner at TE, Wilson singled up outside...You could look like you're going beef, but then split everyone outside (including Edwards) and watch how a heavy defensive set tries to scramble to deal with that. Hell, you could put in a package where JJ splits out wide and Orji is the "wildcat" but he's also actually a QB...
Yes, this would be awfully gimmicky, but it's fun to think about what you can do with a Taysom Hill type player on the roster.
August 15th, 2023 at 5:39 PM ^
Sounds like a "mad scientist" type play. It could work and would be fun to watch. Let's see that play against OSU!
August 15th, 2023 at 4:44 PM ^
I'm sure he'd love that position switch. RBs are making bank in the NFL right now...
August 15th, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
Still more than not being in the NFL I'm sure...
August 15th, 2023 at 5:59 PM ^
I don’t think we should have any illusions about our fourth string QB having an NFL future at the position. If he’s ever going to play in the NFL, a position switch would actually be better for his prospects.
August 15th, 2023 at 9:56 PM ^
Because he could run right, plant, and throw a dart to the other sideline after the cover team commits to chasing him?
August 16th, 2023 at 8:50 AM ^
Why not? We just did that against Maryland.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^
I'd say 4th QB at best. JJ, Tuttle, Warren
August 15th, 2023 at 2:50 PM ^
But more likely in this order:
1) JJ
2) Warren
3) Tuttle
4) Orji
August 15th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
Yeah fair enough. Main point being I'd be very surprised if Orji were ahead of either Warren or Tuttle
August 15th, 2023 at 3:19 PM ^
But more likely in this order:
1) JJ
2) Tuttle
3) Warren
4) Orji
August 15th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
I hope all four of those QB's see game action in each game of the season.
We don't need to worry about burning any redshirts, do we?
August 15th, 2023 at 6:19 PM ^
I think if JJ got hurt mid-game, they’d go with Tuttle due to his experience. With time to prepare (or a sizable lead) I think they go with Warren.
August 15th, 2023 at 4:02 PM ^
Tuttle in front of Warren? Or is that just your randomness list?
August 15th, 2023 at 5:43 PM ^
To be fair, we'll need to see both Tuttle and Warren in game action for these first four games. There should be plenty of opportunity for both guys. My vote on QB2 is: TBD.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:50 PM ^
I guess I'd say that with Orji you're talking about a guy who's 3rd/4th on the depth chart so if you're down to relying on a healthy guy at that spot you're sort of screwed anyway and given his size it wouldn't be crazy to see how he'd do at the spot.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:46 PM ^
Fun fact! when the Bears drafted Harbaugh in the 1st round he became the 3rd string QB. He was so bored during games he petitioned to play special teams. After getting lit up as a gunner, Ditka put an end to that experiment.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
I bet that he remembered the hit vividly.
August 15th, 2023 at 7:36 PM ^
I thought Harbaugh lobbied the special teams coach and Ditka didn’t know it until he saw the play?
August 15th, 2023 at 9:34 PM ^
Correct! I was looking for the Waddle and Silvy podcast where I heard Waddle and Harbaugh tell the story, but I couldn't find it.
August 15th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
Maybe they plan to use him for some cross-field throw back plays that need some blocking to set up.
Or they need good blocking since he might not be as shifty or elusive as some KO returners, but once he's up to speed, he's tough to bring down.
August 15th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
Shhhhhhh. Lurkers are bucking and Stayeing around here!!!
August 15th, 2023 at 3:03 PM ^
Look, I'm not totally surprised that Harbaugh is uncomfortable with an Orji.
August 15th, 2023 at 4:17 PM ^
No Jake Butts about it.
August 15th, 2023 at 4:56 PM ^
I figure he is too slow compared to the others to hit anything other than wide-open lanes.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
I'm not sure why everyone is panicking about the WRs this year. CJ had 6 TDs on the season, Roman Wilson had 4. Ronnie Bell had 4.
Ronnie was a decent chain-mover, similar to Grant Perry, but we haven't really lost production in points on the board.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:46 PM ^
Bell had 14 more yards than Wilson and Johnson combined...
August 15th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
Yeah, it does feel like people slept on Bell's tenure at UM. He led the team in receptions every year he's been healthy save his freshman season, and while he was never a speedster not having him is going to put a lot of pressure on other guys to get open consistently and make contested catches.
August 15th, 2023 at 3:58 PM ^
If you can score double the TDs with fewer yards, would you?
We're a run-first offense. I would love to see how often Bell was the difference in converting 3rd downs vs. any other player.
August 15th, 2023 at 6:02 PM ^
Almost like you need someone to get the yards before you can get the TDs… TDs are largely random. I’d much rather have the consistent down to down production than a couple extra TDs over the course of the season.
August 15th, 2023 at 6:22 PM ^
TEs will accept that role
August 15th, 2023 at 6:36 PM ^
It’ll take more than just the TEs. I’m not “concerned” about the WRs, but the underselling of the value a receiver like Bell brought to the table is crazy.
August 15th, 2023 at 7:06 PM ^
Ronnie bell was no Jerry Rice but he dam sure was a John Taylor. And ever team needs a Taylor. Ronnie will be sorely missed.
August 16th, 2023 at 6:13 PM ^
Yes, Bell is an amazing player, absolutely. But the WR room is still in great hands.
August 15th, 2023 at 4:05 PM ^
Ronnie Bell led Michigan in receiving in 3 different years. Grant Perry's record was not in any way comparable.
2019, for example - Sophomore Bell had more yards and receptions than juniors Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
August 15th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
Reporter: "Do you have any comment on the settlement breakdown between you and the NCAA?"
Jim: "No"
August 15th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
I guess him responding with a double middle fingers and a “f&$k you” was just wishful thinking.
August 15th, 2023 at 3:15 PM ^
so THERE is tall man!
August 15th, 2023 at 4:10 PM ^
Rumor on the street is that Thumbkin is up Derrick Crawford's ass.
August 15th, 2023 at 5:00 PM ^
I definitely heard the double fingers in the way he said no