Is Tarik Black the Forgotten Man? Can he be a #1 option?
I know injuries can sidetrack a career and pray that is not the case with Black. Assuming he can stay healthy (fingers crossed) I feel he is very much a forgotten weapon on this team. As a freshman he was the most physically ready and productive of our outstanding wide receiver haul.
While DPJ is the 5 star with 4.4 speed, and Collins looks like a downfield beast in the mold of Jason Avant/David Terrell, Black is right there with them in terms of size, speed and talent. He had that Manningham gift of juking defenders on the double move and getting behind the defense.
I'm guessing the new offense will want to exploit all their gifts - and boy do we have and embarrassment of riches here on the outside WR position - And Motherfu*kers act like they forgot about Black.
August 15th, 2019 at 10:36 AM ^
No. Yes. Hope this helps.
August 15th, 2019 at 10:40 AM ^
DPJ, Nico, and Tarik Black. Defenses can't double cover all of them.
August 15th, 2019 at 10:41 AM ^
Technically they can and have 5 guys left.
August 15th, 2019 at 10:50 AM ^
That would definitely create speed in space for the slot receiver, RBs, and TEs
August 15th, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
Then I would expect Shea to get 20 rushing TDs this season.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
Please let this be the strategy of every DC we face off against this year! Please!
August 15th, 2019 at 11:57 AM ^
Jones/Collins is THE new Black....
August 15th, 2019 at 10:42 AM ^
I think it helped him that he was healthy in Spring Camp while DPJ and Nico were dinged up. Our QBs seem to really like throwing to him. Don’t forget all the positive stuff coming out of camp last year about him until he was injured. Seriously doubt our guys have overlooked him. However, I’m fine if opposing teams have overlooked him. There will be consequences.
August 15th, 2019 at 10:49 AM ^
No. Yes.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:28 AM ^
This is internet poetry right here.
August 15th, 2019 at 10:55 AM ^
I think the ball will be spread around - going to be a lot of talent and options for Shea to choose from at WR and TE.
The big thing is that we need this group to avoid injuries. Over the summer, I have been praying to the strong and mighty Jobu for the health and welfare of the 2019 Michigan Football team. I am confident he has heard my pleas, and will do all he can to protect our warriors on the battlefield.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:05 AM ^
Hope you are not drinking that whiskey you bought for him.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
"I'm pissed off now, Jobu. Look, I go to you. I stick up for you. You no help me now. I say "Fuck you Jobu", I do it myself."
August 15th, 2019 at 12:05 PM ^
And now, he’s in....good hands....
Sorry, can’t see those commercials and not think, “fuck you Jobu....”
August 16th, 2019 at 11:01 AM ^
laughing, did you get the bucket of kfc
August 15th, 2019 at 11:03 AM ^
I think he has the potential, however I feel like Nico Collins will be the number one receiver this year. If his hands are half as good as Jason Avant's were then he will be the top red zone target. His size alone is enough of an incentive to look his way.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
#1 could be Collins and/or Black. DPJ would be the default #1 but there is scuttlebutt regarding him being on a play count.
We'll have to wait until games are played to see if that is true.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
Thinking about Black and Collins wide on each side with DPJ and Sainristil in the slot and Wilson back pass blocking..... <insert daaaaaaaamn gif here>
August 15th, 2019 at 11:26 AM ^
The only logical solution here is to have Shea and D-Caff on the field at the same time...and two footballs.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
I got you
August 15th, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
Well he was supposed to be, but now you alerted all our opponents.
Smooth move, exlax.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:16 AM ^
I'm looking forward to a HEALTHY Tarik Black. I like all three of our big receivers. If healthy he certainly could be a number one option. Depending on coverage and match ups....all three can be number one options.
#Respected.
#Feared.
# Champions.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:18 AM ^
Not forgotten at all. Just saw a 2020 draft projection and he was in the top 5 of wide receivers. Think Bredeson and Hudson were the other 2 Wolverines to make top 5 at their position.
August 15th, 2019 at 1:35 PM ^
NBC Sports has Black going 1st Round 30th pick
https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/2020-NFL-Mock-Draft#slide-38
August 15th, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^
Just. Stay. Healthy. Please.
August 15th, 2019 at 5:54 PM ^
Amen. The injury GODS have given him the finger the last two years. It's gotten old.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^
-1. TMD
Too
Much
Drama
August 15th, 2019 at 11:34 AM ^
Yes and thanks for including the picture at the end. I couldn’t remember who he was at first.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:46 AM ^
I actually found this funny... Thank you
August 15th, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
The real question should be whether not Black can stay healthy for the whole year. If he can, then yes, he can be.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
So true. Wait. What.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
Can he, or will he?
August 15th, 2019 at 11:42 AM ^
With all of these weapons at receiver this should be a pass-first offense.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:45 AM ^
Wtf. Nobody has forgotten about Tarik Black. Do you read?
August 15th, 2019 at 11:46 AM ^
I clicked on this and read it.
August 15th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^
I’ve been saying this all summer!
August 15th, 2019 at 11:59 AM ^
Pretty sure literally no one has forgotten about Black. And as long as he stays healthy all year he'll make an impact.
Quite frankly this offense seems set up to benefit whoever is getting open, so Black, DPJ and Nico all have the potential to be the leading WR. Hell, Sainristil could end up leading in yards or catches if his hype is real.
August 15th, 2019 at 12:08 PM ^
Black will be fine. I can’t remeber which game last year but I remeber watching him just blow past his defender like he wasn’t there. Of course the ball never went his way but he looked as fast and strong as ever. Nico has added a lot to his thin frame and I believe he’ll be a force every game drawing double coverage. Outside of Bama I don’t think there’s a better trio of receivers in the country.
August 15th, 2019 at 1:18 PM ^
"Outside of Bama I dont think there is a better trio of receivers in the country."
Lots of potential but what were that trio's actual stats? I'd guess not #2 in the country.
August 15th, 2019 at 3:33 PM ^
Big difference between the two outside of national championships was the game plan to use the receivers. I look for that to change drastically this season.
August 15th, 2019 at 12:22 PM ^
I don't think there will be a clear #1 WR on this team. Gattis seems to have a predisposition towards throwing the ball to an open receiver. And I think Shea will spray it around to whoever he see's open first, regardless of who it is.
I also don't think you can double up any of these guys, because that will leave someone in man against an NFL caliber WR. Shea should be able to spot that pretty easily. Maybe some teams will have a corner like Hill, that can nullify any given WR. But no team will be able to single up on the three of them with consistent success, especially considering that RB's and TE's are also on the field.
In years past, Michigan's pass game was largely decoy. I'm not sure if Gattis knows what that is... Can't wait to actually see his offense in action!
August 15th, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
Shea will throw to whoever is open. Speed in space. Tarik is not a forgotten man. If the receivers are double covered, then the run first option will be executed.
It's fairly simple. Speed in space!
Go Blue!
August 15th, 2019 at 12:34 PM ^
Dr. Phil would have a field day with this place the way it has been lately
August 15th, 2019 at 1:05 PM ^
Anybody remember deep thoughts by jack handy from SNL that is what these posts remind me of now except they are not funny
August 15th, 2019 at 2:12 PM ^
No single receiver has shown that they are distinctly better than the rest of the pack. The #1 receiver position is there for the taking. Somebody just has to earn it.
August 15th, 2019 at 6:56 PM ^
August 15th, 2019 at 2:37 PM ^
We have an embarrassment of riches at WR right now. It's possible that any one of DPJ, Black, and Collins could be the best WR we've had since Manningham. I just hope that they don't all leave for the NFL after this year - it sure would be nice to have at least one senior to pair with Ronnie Bell and our slots next year.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:48 AM ^
Hoping one WR will get 1000 this year.