Where is Kareem Walker on depth chart
Was wondering what everyone thought about coach's words regarding Walker. When I heard it live and watched JH reactions I came away with: Evans, Higdon, and Isaac are the top 3. It (almost) sounded like once he was done speaking about those 3 and mentioning the 2 freshman that he caught himself and realized he had not mentioned Walker. He then went on to say Walker needs to improve passpro and could make a jump in season 1 to 2, "shoot, he's in it man". I may be reading too much into it, but when coach raves about Higdon and Evans, speaks about Isaac getting in shape and a clear cut top 3 - Walker seems to becoming an after thought.. I truly hope I'm wrong, I know some people on here felt like we took Walker because we had to after he de-commited from Urb, but maybe OSU saw something... Here is to Kareem proving my speculation wrong.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/201…
It'll be fine.
Also, post title needs work.
EDIT: nice title fix, first comment still stands
The tough part for any RB on the depth chart is getting the opportunity to shine. Even during garbage time, if the Rutgers first team defense is on the field but we are fielding our 2nd or 3rd string OL, the protection and blocking is likely to be hot garbage. Unless a RB's speciality is making something out of nothing (elusiveness rather than power), I would think it'd be tough to run behind a messy 3rd string O Line.
It's too early to write off a guy entering his RS Frosh season. He is not Derrick Green 2.0 or Kevin Grady 3.0. I will admit there is a correlation between all 3. All 3 were highly rated and dealt with issues outside of the football field (Legal issues for Grady, Weight issues for Green, and Academic for Walker). Walker will break the mold however. I expect him to have close to as many carries as Isaac this year; behind Higdon and Evans.
..meaning he'd fall when touched by two hands. I wanted Green to ball. But, man, I couldn't get over the so-so HS film.
I think Grady had that one DUI (at least while at Michigan) that kept him out one game if I remember correctly, but his main problem was a serious lack of vision. He was a an underrated pass blocker, though.
you brought up is one of the really key attributes that separates the good RB's from all the rest. No matter how talented physically a guy may be, if he can't see the holes and where the play is flowing to, he will have a hard time breaking into the rotation. We've certainly seen a good number of talented backs come and go here who never really seem to make an impact. Let's hope Walker is not one of those.
Agreed, way too early to write him off. He hasn't even had a chance to see real game action yet. Needing to improve pass pro is a big deal, especially for this offense.. but again, he's never had the chance to play in a real game yet.. if we're sitting here two years from now asking these questions then yeah, maybe his time came and went.
Regardless, some highly touted guys (even under Harbaugh) are gonna get lost in the shuffle. Not everyone pans out and sometimes they get passed by guys.. see: Chris Evans, borderline guy coming in and now the clear cut #1 back in year 2. If Walker doesn't get any run it means that either he isn't putting in the work he needs to (I don't think that will be the case) and/or other guys are just better. We haven't had this level of competition for a while, it's good to see it again and in the end there's no need to worry as long as Harbaugh is in charge.. best kids will play and what he's doing on the recruiting trail will ensure we have high level football players coming in every year.
Clear cut amongst the fans maybe not the staff until the fall competition plays out. I think Higdon could end up with as many or more carries. I dont know how we still make absolute statements like this when we know everyday is a competition with Harbaugh and none of us are privy to what happens in practice and in the room.
Urban also passed on Derrick Green as a recruit in favor of Ezekiel Elliott.
I believe that he and QB Ricky Leach are the future of the program.
At several guys
50 - 70 carries for him this year and see some promise. Hopefully he's working hard and will develop into a top back by his RS Soph or Junior year. If not, there's plenty more bullets in the RB chamber.
I thought Harbaugh cancelled that
No he just delegated it to me...that's what great leaders do, delegate.
Walker missed the whole year, but was the #5 rated RB in his class. I'm sure he's good, but has a learning curve to work through.
Don't worry about Kareem. Like another Walker, he is doing...
Give it a few days into practice, which starts next week, and UmBig11 will know
Maybe not. I think UMBig11 is still under deep cover at MSU. Hopefully he doesn't get so deep that he starts suffering from Stockholm Syndrome...
As in Helsinki, Sweden.
He's a sophmore (I know I know FR eligbility, I hate RS FR - end rant). He showed some great feet and balance in spring game. If he doesn't play a lot its because the Evans hype is real. Walker has 4 more years to make an impact.
your hate of RS Fresh terminology reminds me of when I was a freshman at UofM asking other people if they were a freshman, and they'd respond;
"well technically, I have sophmore standing.."
ugh, those people. I'm trying to ask a simple question if this is your first, second, or third year here.
The college I went to initially was so liberal, they wouldn't call anyone a freshmen because it wasn't gender inclusive. We were all 'first years'. This was 12 years ago too.
So do they not use the word "woman" either because it has "man" in it?
Technically, "woman" translates as "out of man" -- a reference to Eve supposedly being created from Adam's rib. For that reason, many in the "Women's Movement" spell it "womin" or "wimin." Frankly, no matter how you spell it, they are my downfall. But I'm afraid I'll never learn.
Chicks...
will certainly leave a mark
Some do, some don't
Is that kind of like how when people ask me what grade my son is in I say "well, he SHOULD be in first grade, but since he's smarter than your kids he just finished 2nd grade."?
because I see all these other parents tell me about their perfect kids who are super smart and know all their letters, and then I see my kids wrestling every second they get, running around in circles for hours at a time, and bumping their heads and laughing.
But, yes, I think you have the idea down. You keep that up, and your child will be perfect for UofMs honor program (that's who I heard it from most).
Somewhere under "RB", I believe.
I think he's the greatest, but my dad says he doesn't work hard enough on defense. And he says that lots of times, he doesn't even run downfield. And that he doesn't really try except during the playoffs.
I guess one can take creative license, but the quote is in reference to Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and reads, "you don't even run down court..."
Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes!
I came here for this joke, and by gawd, you delivered.
will tell a lot obviously. I am still really high on this guy. Harbaugh did make a comment this week about how well he was running between the tackles and could take a hit. I want to believe his ceiling is being a good third down back, as long as he can figure out pass pro.
I'm pretty sure thats the exact reason Ahmir Mitchell and Brian Cole are gone.
I have no idea where Walker is on the depth chart, if there even is a depth chart at this point, but I think we're all trying to read way too much into every one of Harbaugh's words. This isn't the Chairman of the Federal Reserve talking, where he has a meticulously prepared speech because he knows that every word is a signal one way or another. This is Harbaugh answering a question that was just asked to him in real time. Maybe he didn't mention Walker because he's fifth on the depth chart or something, or just as likely, maybe he just didn't come to mind in that very moment.
....................c'mon man
He'll get some carries this season. We'll probably see some good things, he'll be in the top three next season or maybe battling Evans for starter.
Fall camp might just impact the two deep. It's a different way of doing things, but Harbaugh's a little out there.