VIDEO: Norfleet's Returns
I included kickoff returns in the Offense Every Snap video, but I know there are people who don't want to watch the whole thing just to see the returns, hence this:
September 6th, 2012 at 8:09 AM ^
September 6th, 2012 at 8:16 AM ^
September 6th, 2012 at 8:22 AM ^
September 6th, 2012 at 10:34 AM ^
It's not really that he is missing seams so much as the seams fill so quickly with Alabama athletes. I'm excited to see what he can do against smaller, slower competition.
September 6th, 2012 at 8:27 AM ^
He looked great all night, one of the bright spots of that game. I just wish that Alabama didn't need to score in order for us to see him.
September 6th, 2012 at 8:28 AM ^
I think Musberger's trolling us.
September 6th, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^
Musberger was trolling us all game.
September 6th, 2012 at 4:42 PM ^
Devin Smith!
September 6th, 2012 at 8:35 AM ^
September 6th, 2012 at 8:40 AM ^
September 6th, 2012 at 8:50 AM ^
Also, Id love to see him get some carries or maybe put him in the slot fot some quick passes. Hes by far the quickest guy on the team not counting #16.
September 6th, 2012 at 8:54 AM ^
The only way Norfleet takes one to the house is if our KR team learns how to block. OMG!!! More proof that we got "out-physicalled" in every phase of the game.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:11 AM ^
It's hard not to phrase this where I sound cynical, but all I see are a bunch of returns to the 25 (minus one or two). He had a few nice ones, but he also had one where he got crushed because he stopped moving his feet.
Again, not trying to be cynical, just wondering what people see in him (in terms of vision, speed, etc.) to make us think he's our guy.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:16 AM ^
Did you see how fast he accelerates? I think that's the big thing. He gets upfield and he gets there quickly. One should take into account the level of competition; our kickoff return team was facing Alabama athletes. Decent returns (I think he averaged a little over 22 yards) against Alabama are suddenly very good returns against Air Force, UMass, Minnesota, etc. And I guess we'll see how Nebraska, Ohio State, and MSU measure up. He looked pretty darn promising to me.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:24 AM ^
Correct. He made eight returns for 177 yards, so an average of 22.1 with the longest being 33 yards. I would agree that the acceleration is key, but I think he's also potentially very elusive as a result of that. If you're doing this against a team like Alabama, then someone with Norfleet's size and speed could likely disappear altogether in coverage against some of the teams we have have on the schedule, which is very encouraging.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:28 AM ^
at the .38 mark, he baiscally stops to avoid a hit then pushes the turbo button and just accelerates for more yards...ridiculous. Like you said, this all against freak'o Bama athletes, we could see some fireworks soon.
Very excite (Borat voice)
Team 133
September 6th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
I think that's his next added job. I would think acceleration is even more important for the extra hang time of a punt,
September 6th, 2012 at 9:27 AM ^
September 6th, 2012 at 10:07 AM ^
For one thing. On the return right after he got blown up around the 15 (was that the Dee Hart one?), he caught the ball, accelerated straight up the middle of the field, and crossed the 30. Pretty impressive. He definitely needs to get stronger, but that's to be expected given that he's a true freshman.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:02 AM ^
Don't compare this year to last year - remember the ball is being kicked off from the 35 instead of the 30 this year, so the kick off team is getting their 5 yards earlier. I'd say getting to the 25+ regularly is a big deal.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:12 AM ^
That kid is a very special player. Reminds of Steve Breaston with his speed and the fact he is out there as a young guy doing it.
September 6th, 2012 at 10:02 AM ^
So he's like Steve Breaston, but faster?
Fred is that you?
September 6th, 2012 at 9:14 AM ^
September 6th, 2012 at 9:18 AM ^
Norfleet stole Hayes's thunder because Norfleet is better.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:32 AM ^
Norfleet is a lot like the little scat backs at Oregon. Hayes is more of a Vince Smith meets Michael Shaw if you ask me. Maybe sprinkle a little Carlos Brown?
To me, Hayes would get more carries/catches...Norfleet is a big play guy/return man.
September 6th, 2012 at 12:10 PM ^
If Norfleet adds some more bulk I don't see why he can't get carries.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:19 AM ^
You are supposed to consider the play, not the result. You can't just say "he didn't get past the 35" -- there are many different ways to return a ball to the 25, and his was impressive and (to me) it seems evident that he will be very good at returning kicks.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:33 AM ^
Remember, they are also kicking from 5 yards closer, so it's harder to get the longer returns.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:34 AM ^
I agree with Rob. I'm really excited about this kid, but let's not get carried away- just yet. I'm sure he'll have a big game this weekend, but these highlights are downright depressing. I just watch as the score climbs... 7-0, 14-0.... etc.
He had a few nice moves but he didn't break anything loose (and the best run was called back.) I hope he becomes great, but to me, an impressive performance was Breaston a la Rose Bowl against Texas. (and really, Breaston throughout his career.)
Let's see more of that.
September 6th, 2012 at 10:26 AM ^
You're right, until we see Norfleet do well in the Rose Bowl I'm not going to give him any credit. The post was highlighting his potential. He looked good. He was fast, shifty and did break some tackles. I understand not naming him the next Steve Breaston, but the rufusal by a number of posters to acknowledge the potential doesn't make sense to me.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:34 AM ^
I am not getting some of these posts. The guy above mentioned penalities on the returns but how does that have to do anything with Dennis? If you dont see the potential then I dont even know what to say.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:45 AM ^
There are a lot of sparty trolls on mgoblog. Just sayin.
September 7th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^
September 6th, 2012 at 9:15 AM ^
he got nailed on a couple of those returns. he's fearless and doesn't dance around too much. can't wait to see him getting some snaps on draws and screens.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:17 AM ^
That was an unfortunate reminder of how often Bama scored. Here's to hoping he gets one KR per game (1st half or 2nd half kickoffs) for the rest of the year. Exciting guy to watch.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:17 AM ^
This video is way too long! Hopefully we don't see as much of Norfleet against Air Force. I have a feeling hes going to be really fun to watch!
September 6th, 2012 at 9:41 AM ^
...but just once as a kickoff returner.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:22 AM ^
Before the B1G season is over he's taking one to the house. Heck the way he found seems against a solid unit in Alabama, I'd say he'll take at least 4 to the house. First one this weekend against Air Force. Mark it down.
September 6th, 2012 at 10:03 AM ^
Grammer...u haz it's.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:26 AM ^
but do we really need to relive that game again? I hope they find a place in the offense for him.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:34 AM ^
- Musberger is terrible, and maybe a bit senile
- It sucks that he had enough returns to fill 1:51 of tape
- Norfleet will indeed return one to the house before the Big Ten season is over (maybe several)
September 6th, 2012 at 9:52 AM ^
(Sorry) but we look ridiculous, especially since Alabama went with their traditional uniforms all the way. They outplayed us and we doubled down on looking bad with that Adidas crap. EVERY TIME we've done the uniform gimmicks over the past two seasons we've played an ugly game. UTL and the Sugar Bowl turned into these magical games that we had no business winning but somehow did. OBVIOUSLY uniforms have miniscule effect on performance and execution but it's still annoying. I hope the Clowniform Era that began with UTL ends with the Cowboy Classic.
September 6th, 2012 at 10:01 AM ^
I didn't think they looked too bad. They were the best alternate uniforms we've worn to date in my opinion, but it's all a matter of personal taste. It didn't look as gimmicky to me as the others.
September 6th, 2012 at 10:07 AM ^
I don't even think we have traditional away jerseys anymore FWIW.
September 6th, 2012 at 10:13 AM ^
What does our "traditional" road jersey look like? We've had a dozen over the recent years. As long as they don't mess with the home unis or make our guys look like bumble bees, I'm fine with it. I actually thought these were pretty good.
September 6th, 2012 at 10:20 AM ^
I'm also tired of the uni discussion. Regardless of what they wear there will always be a dissenting opinion on them. I'd rather focus on the play-on-the-field. As that continues to improve I don't think many of us will really care whether they are wearing Bumble-bee yellow or Bubble-gum pink.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:56 AM ^
Keep in mind how Alabama was kicking the ball, instead of drilling it through the back of the end zone like I'm sure their kicker was capable of doing they put as much air under the ball as possible and dropped it right at the goal line. That's usually tough sledding for the returner, but Norfleet did really well with most of them including one where he had just one man to beat to take it all the way (minus penalty).
September 6th, 2012 at 5:46 PM ^
This is a great observation. I don't know much about Alabama's kicker, but I suspect that kicking it from the 35, he could probably put it through the endzone most of the time, which implies he was intentionally kicking it short, knowing that their coverage team has a 5 yd head start and thinking that the returner has little chance of getting to the 25.
With that in mind, if Norfleet establishes himself as a talented or even elite return man, I think you'll just see more teams do their best to "kick it away from him" by putthing it through the endzone for a touchback.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:56 AM ^
Borges needs to draw up more bubble screen plays for this kid
