top-end top-endedness
Watching the video Brian posted of Jeremy Gallon, I thought, "Hmmmm...he just doesn't look as fast as I thought he would be."
Don't get me wrong. Gallon is a tough runner with good speed and he changes direction like whoa. He looks like a more athletic Odoms.
I guess my question is this:
Is there a guy on the current roster or incoming who looks like a gamebreaker, a la DeSean Jackson or Joe McKnight or Noel Devine? A guy who can take it the distance on any given play, with blocking or without?
I think Shaw is VERY fast, and so is Minor. But both are more straight line runners than ones who can create for themselves. I don't think Odoms is "that guy," although he's good. I'm not sure about Terrance Robinson, since he was hurt and the only real video I saw of him was the "Dream Shake," which was awesome but only one play (and even then it didn't go the distance).
Thoughts?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:07 PM ^
Fitz Toussaint? Looking at his game stats he seemed to have 3-4 runs of 50-70 yards a game that went for TD's. You've gotta assume he's got some good top-endedness, but I haven't seen any of his videos.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:08 PM ^
really fast, really quick. Small, but give him a crease and he is going to the house.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:10 PM ^
Smith seems like a poor man's Jeremy Gallon to me. That being said, with good blocking, any of these guys might look like stars.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:09 PM ^
Top-end top-endedness? I thought this thread was going to be about women with great tits.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:11 PM ^
I don't think anyone's opposed to that.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:11 PM ^
I'd like to see them move McGuffie to the slot
December 9th, 2008 at 4:17 PM ^
I suggested this after the Toledo game. I do not think people received it well. Now that he supposedly asked to move to the slot and other people are suggesting it, too, I feel somewhat redeemed.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:31 PM ^
I went back and looked at my "UM vs Toledo pink slips" post and the comments. I suggested that we move McGuffie to the slot, Odoms to the outside, and Minor to starting RB.
It's funny to see all the people telling me to dismiss the idea of Minor being the starting RB.
I guess people weren't as opposed to my idea of McGuffie in the slot as much as they were adamant that he needed to stay at RB because Minor was incapable of starting in the backfield.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:36 PM ^
Mr. Magnus you are the greeeeeaaaaaatest, we all promise to accept all wisdom you hand down without question.
People disagreed with you. It happens. I don't have the inclination to research every claim you've made in your posts, but I'm willing to bet that at some point, you made an observation that didn't come true as well. On this, you were right - Minor deserved to play. Would it help if I put "Magnus was right" in my signature?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:43 PM ^
With as much shit as I take for every little comment I say, I don't think it's out of line to say, "I was right about this." I'm sure I'm wrong about some things - we all are - but I took A LOT of shit for being supportive of Minor at the beginning of the year.
Anyway, nobody jumped down Brian's throat when he overviewed the QB situation and was like, "It looks like I was spot-on with my pre-season preview." Yet I make a virtually identical comment...and out come the sarcastic responses.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:48 PM ^
The sarcastic response is due more to the "I told you so" tone of your post - something Brian didn't do - and the fact that this is by no means the first time you've mentioned how right you were. If this wasn't intended in the post, and it's just something I'm reading into it, I'm sorry.
Further, the fact that you were right doesn't mean that those who disagreed with you were unreasonable - there were very reasonable concerns about Minor - primarily, the fact that, due to that point, he had been, on his career (not just the season), the most epic fumbler on a per-carry basis in the past thirty years to wear a Michigan uniform. You can't deny that was a valid concern.
You wanted Rodriguez to ignore it, and play him, arguing it would work itself out - you were right. Again: YOU. WERE. RIGHT. Fine. Let it go.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:55 PM ^
I did not intend for it to be an I-told-you-so moment.
I guess I just get sick of people arguing with every little thing I say and the ad hominem attacks that are included. I just want some commenters to realize that, hey, I might know what I'm talking about, so maybe we can have some football discussions that don't include people suggesting I have shit for brains.
Again, I apologize for making it seem like I was saying "I told you so."
December 9th, 2008 at 5:12 PM ^
I, for one, don't think you have shit for brains.
I was probably one of the people against letting Minor start until he proved that he could handle it. He fumbled in every game up until PSU and when we are trying to minimize turnovers, that's more important than the 33 yard run preceding the fumble.
If it makes you feel better, you were right.
On a side note, I have seen you criticize other people as much as they criticize you. Just something to keep in mind.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:16 PM ^
I do criticize a lot, but I usually try to criticize thoughts rather than people. There's a difference between saying "You have shit for brains" and "I disagree with that opinion because __________________."
That being said, thanks for saying you don't think I have shit for brains. That's probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me. I think I'm in love.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:26 PM ^
when i said we met in the middle! I guess that meant nothing to you :( LMAO haha
December 10th, 2008 at 1:01 PM ^
I actually agree with your opinions most of the time.
But you're really a dick to a lot of people on the board, so people tend to nitpick your comments. Stop making every comment with your hackles up, and this might dissipate. Or continue to be a dick, but don't whine and cry when you perceive a personal attack.
Or, I suppose you can keep up the abrasiveness with the persecution complex. It is the internet, after all.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:40 PM ^
what are you hoping for? love and respect? that's what real life is for.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:48 PM ^
That's because Brian doesn't give us shit if we write something he thinks is stupid, like you do. If you dish it out, Magnus, you gotta be ready to take it.
Oh, and Brian writes the blog we all read. That's probably a big part of it.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:17 PM ^
Then I think it's time that you went back and catalogued and updated on us on how many times you were wrong. Only then will you get your "you were right about Minor" due.
It's called context. You feel we're harshly judging you out of context. Fine. But you can't complain about taking unfair shit for being right, UNLESS AND UNTIL you're equally willing to take completely fair shit for being wrong. Dem's the breaks, kid.
So please, we all wait with baited breath for your "Magnus Predictions Pink Slips" post. I'm sure it'll be an interesting read.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:50 PM ^
I'm completely willing to take shit for when I'm wrong. If you look back at my posts, you would find some of those instances. For example, I remember where I said we should start a veteran player at center instead of Molk, someone who would be more adept at making line calls. The offensive line gelled toward the end of the season, and Molk was probably our best or second-best lineman by then.
However, my steadfast support for Brandon Minor was called out by many many many many posters, who not only questioned my argument - which is understandable - but also questioned my intelligence.
That is what I don't like. You can disagree with someone without making attacks on the person.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:26 PM ^
Didn't Odoms run past Shaw (who was running at full speed) in order to make a downfield block for him on a break-away run?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:27 PM ^
I don't remember that, but it's possible.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:35 PM ^
yes he did
December 9th, 2008 at 6:51 PM ^
Minnesota game, right?
December 10th, 2008 at 9:23 PM ^
He FLEW downfield. I actually sat up straight when that happened. (Similar to my reaction when Morgan Trent chased down Percy Harvin from across the field.)
December 9th, 2008 at 4:34 PM ^
EVERYONE needs blocking. just wanted to say that. terrence robinson is probably the closest thing to what you're looking for. i expect him to show that next season.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:52 PM ^
Thank you for a straight forward answer.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:37 PM ^
what did you do to magnus!
December 9th, 2008 at 4:39 PM ^
yeah i agree. i can't believe that we dont get at least 4-5 DeSean Jacksons or Joe McKnights every year now that RR is here. I mean, I fully expect RR to pull in at least 3-4 five star recruits. that's the least he can do. and if he doesn't get the top rated athletes off rivals then i'd say we're pretty much screwed, forever. where's les miles when you need him?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:45 PM ^
I was asking if this guy existed, not saying he doesn't. Don't be a douche when I'm clearly asking for people's opinions.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:49 PM ^
if who existed? a 5 star athlete with freakish abilities? yeah, there's a couple of them out there. the problem is that were not the only program recruiting the reuben randles, jelani jenkins, and devon kennards. of course RR will be going after the best talent available. so, if i'm coming across as a douche it's because i'm being a realist.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:58 PM ^
I mean, does a consistent breakaway threat exist on this team? Is there a guy who could be a Heisman candidate/NCAA Football-cover-type player on the team? Perhaps I should make this multiple choice:
Fitzgerald Toussaint
Jeremy Gallon
Teric Jones
Vincent Smith
Boubacar Cissoko
Martavious Odoms
Brandon Minor
Carlos Brown
Michael Shaw
Sam McGuffie
Terrance Robinson
(That's all I can think of off the top of my head.)
December 9th, 2008 at 4:59 PM ^
George Morales.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:05 PM ^
i was thinking more along the lines of ricky reyes but the edge goes to morales.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:02 PM ^
.....has more career TDs than most of those guys above, so you might be on to something.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:10 PM ^
The Mexicutioner!!!!!!!!!!!
December 10th, 2008 at 10:35 AM ^
Awesome.
Sounds like a WWE tag team with Ricky Reyes and George Morales. Too bad Matt Gutierrez isn't around anymore, he could have been the manager who hits the opponents with his clipboard.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:09 PM ^
Tate will win 7 Heisman's. He's the Great White Hope!!
December 9th, 2008 at 5:06 PM ^
He is not saying that we aren't getting 5-star recruits. He is saying that from the way that people have been talking about Jeremy Gallon, he sounded like our savior, but from the video he looked like a good player, but not the program-defining player. I felt the same way when I watched the video.
All that we want to know is if there is a guy that runs a 4.3 40 on our team that will only have guys on his heels for half a second before he is 50 yards away and in the endzone.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:58 PM ^
also it can be fun to be a dickhead on here.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:19 PM ^
I do criticize a lot, but I usually try to criticize thoughts rather than people. There's a difference between saying "You have shit for brains" and "I disagree with that opinion because __________________."
I was asking if this guy existed, not saying he doesn't. Don't be a douche when I'm clearly asking for people's opinions.
So which one is it again?
December 9th, 2008 at 7:22 PM ^
When a guy clearly INTENDS to be a douche to me when I ask a simple question, I reserve the right to call him a douche.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:32 PM ^
And he wonders why he gets ripped on.
A simple question implies a simple answer, and would warrant one response, or maybe 3 if they were at the same time. "What time is the game tonight" is a simple question. There are over 50 responses to this, I'd say it's at least a little complex.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:13 PM ^
"yeah i agree. i can't believe that we dont get at least 4-5 DeSean Jacksons or Joe McKnights every year now that RR is here. I mean, I fully expect RR to pull in at least 3-4 five star recruits. that's the least he can do. and if he doesn't get the top rated athletes off rivals then i'd say we're pretty much screwed, forever. where's les miles when you need him?"
When I asked for people's opinions, this is the sarcastic response I received.
Implying that I expect better recruiting and want a different coach is a GIGANTIC leap from what I said in my original post. This had the clear intention of being a jerk to me, instead of just answering the question. Voicing an opinion is fine, and I will argue that opinion. Implying that I'm making a point that I'm CLEARLY NOT MAKING is something that too many people do on here. And some of those same people were probably angry at the media for taking the Rodriguez "Get a life" comment out of context. Thus, I said he was being a douche.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:59 PM ^
In my opinion, Shaw is a homerun-hitter. I think Robinson is, but I sort of refuse to base that opinion on high school highlights. I'm not sure a slot receiver in this offense really ever will be, as they're primarily running screens and short stuff.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:03 PM ^
I think Shaw might be the biggest star of them all, too. If he can learn a thing or two from Minor about running over people - as well as running past them like he can already do - I think he'll be a stud.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:04 PM ^
I think the position is limiting more than the player. I think Odoms has the ability to hit the home runs, but the plays he get thrown to the most dont set him up for that.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:19 PM ^
it doesn't help when he can't catch the ball in the cold
December 10th, 2008 at 9:31 PM ^
But he looks so cute with his mittens on.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:03 PM ^
Shaw and Odoms an be these breakaway guys. McGuffie if he stays. Shaw is fast, that run that Odoms passed him if I remember correctly Shaw was on an angle and Odoms was pretty much in a straight line so yeah he will "pass" him. Also I think shaw had to slow a bit to miss a guy and sort of waited for the block by odoms.