Harbaugh moving Peppers to running back?
Harbaugh says Jabrill Peppers: "Is a darn good running back. ... Year two may get a little crazy, may be one of the things we look at."
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) November 23, 2015November 23rd, 2015 at 12:31 PM ^
I just don't see how they take him off defense for his primary position. I can definitely see him getting more snaps on offense, but I think the majority of his snaps will come from the defensive side of the ball. RBs are easier to plug in than finding DBs with that sort of athleticism.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:44 PM ^
I'm not sure I agree with the last sentence, at least pertaining to Michigan. How long has it been since Michigan has had a legit threat at running back? Since Mike Hart, who was more consistent than explosive, the only two that come to mind are Fitz Toussaint in 2011 and then Denard Robinson in 2012 when he moved to RB because of injury. Other than that, it's been a struggle for Michigan to find guys who are difference makers at RB.
But you are correct. You would have to weigh the opportunity cost of not using him as much on defense vs. the benefit of using him more at running back.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^
Brandon Minor when he was healthy.
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:05 PM ^
"Brandon Minor when healthy"
....so, Hart.
November 23rd, 2015 at 2:52 PM ^
On the healthy part... but also agree on Minor being a beast.... when healthy LOL
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:50 PM ^
We used to get Earth Movers to wear jerseys.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:54 PM ^
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:32 PM ^
That would make them Earth Benders, right?
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:56 PM ^
I like this little dude's style.
November 23rd, 2015 at 4:43 PM ^
She's a she
November 23rd, 2015 at 7:54 PM ^
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November 23rd, 2015 at 10:12 PM ^
Nice. Love the androgynous look. Hawt.
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:45 PM ^
looks like 'a legit threat' in Seattle. Not so much behind the Michigan OLs he played behind.
November 23rd, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
I agree. Why did we even take Karan Higdon if we didn't think he could be a feature back or at least an important cog in the offense. It's clear Green is out of the equation and maybe Issaac too after this year. Hopefully we bring in a impact freshman so Peppers can remain primarily a defense and specials team monster with 6-8 snaps on offense per game. Seems like the right balance.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:31 PM ^
when was the last true 2-way player? that would be crazy.
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:34 PM ^
That guy is underappreciated, I read he was playing 130ish plays a game at FULLBACK AND LINEBACKEr. Two incredibly punishing positions that dont ever avoid getting hit.
As for Peppers I think people wont appreciate how he helps the D until he leaves. The D is good for a few reasons - his ability to play space is one of them. The dropoff wont be noticed until he leaves UM. No he is not the best cover guy in the nation but he does things we complain about our LBs not being able to do. Now take away that guy from D and lose Wilson and then think about the new LBs and think about 2016 back 7 in space.
November 23rd, 2015 at 2:06 PM ^
Addresses our 2016 LB situation - we get a quicker, stronger, more athletic player than any of our current LBs
Facilitates getting Peppers even more involved in the Defense
Reduces his pass coverage responsibilities
November 23rd, 2015 at 4:27 PM ^
He's fast, but he would get swallowed up by guards and FBs. This is a bad idea.
November 23rd, 2015 at 3:38 PM ^
Same with Woodson. The singular talent was on display but how he shifted the entire game plan as a lockdown corner was not so apparent - until he was gone.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^
I believe the most recent true two way player was Owen Marecic at Stanford in 2010. He started at fullback and at linebacker. That team was of course coached by Harbaugh.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:52 PM ^
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November 23rd, 2015 at 12:32 PM ^
will get more chances against the buckeyes. Can't burn him out defensively, but I believe he will be involved and maxing his potential value on offense, while still playing D.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^
Peppers is going to get plenty of time to rest between The Game and the bowl. I could see Jabrill topping his Minnesota play count.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:33 PM ^
I was thinking & am hoping that this is the one last rabbit out of the hat tha Harbaugh pulls for The Game.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:34 PM ^
We had a guy on our HS team that played WR, Safety, Kick returner, and punter. Why can't Peppers? I mean sure, there's exhaustion, injury risk, and common sense against it, but other than that...
Would love to see more of him at RB, though.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^
Comparing this to high school football is silly. Most teams have one or two guys with that kind of talent, who can play anywhere at that level because they're playing against inferior talent and coaching. They get by on freakish raw talent--then they get to college and focus that into one position. There's a reason there are so many high school quarterbacks who are playing just about ever other position on the field in college--they're not the most talented player on the field anymore, so they don't necessarily have to be the guy managing the ball.
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^
/s
:)
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:40 PM ^
The sarcasm was obvious.
November 23rd, 2015 at 3:10 PM ^
A lot of big time DB, RB and WR recruits played on both sides of the ball in HS. The kids with the most talent usually play on both sides of the ball because there is usually a huge difference between a D-1 recruit and the average HS player. In college, everybody is talented so there really isn't an advantage of playing most players on both sides.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:34 PM ^
I think this is the week Harbaugh really puts Jabrill into gear on offense.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:35 PM ^
He would be the best RB on the roster, no doubt.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^
He IS the best RB on the roster.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:35 PM ^
He'll run consistently to the large, open areas without defenders and not straight into the ass of the nearest offensive lineman so he's demonstrated a skill that nobody else on the roster seems to have.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
I thought that taking hesitation steps and running into your own lineman showed you could give the other team a fighting chance? It is really obvious how much more decisive and immediate his impact is on offense......would consider the gamble to give him at least half the carries agains tOSU
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:57 PM ^
I don't see Drake do that too much.. although I ain't seen ol Drake that much this year.
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:01 PM ^
It is an interesting point. Does Peppers' success prove that our OL creates holes, but the other RBs just fail to consistently run through them? (Or, does it prove that our OL still needs work if only a guy like Peppers can consistently produce.)
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^
November 23rd, 2015 at 4:49 PM ^
is that guy and don't understand why he's not the #1 guy unless it's health.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^
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November 23rd, 2015 at 1:55 PM ^
that he is great on screens and against the run IMO, and that would be a definite loss.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^
I think he could have much more of an impact long term on defense than on offense. We just need a serviceable running back.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^
There is absolutely no doubt he would be an immediate and noticable improvement on offense. He runs with vision, power and speed the other backs simply do not have at all.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^
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November 23rd, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
He eschewed RB for DB because even twenty years ago when RBs were making big time rookie money, he knew that his career would likely be a flash. Certainly nothing like the 18 years he's enjoyed as an elite DB. Peppers, is being foolish not taking that same long view.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^
But I mentioned this is another thread. I expect at least 8-10 touches for Peppers coming out of the backfield this week. If Drake isn't at full speed, maybe mor.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^
If he is indeed going to play in all 3 phases, and get around 12-15 carries a game next year, might as well start the Heisman campaign in the spring.
Most gifted all around player in the nation on a hopefully really good team.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
I love Jim Harbaugh.
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:40 PM ^
when Kareem Walker signs on the dotted line.