Guys,
With Gallon making it in now do we have enough talented slot receivers? I know you guys believe we have enough slot period or should I say "number-wise", but do we have enough guys that can play the position and also be good at it?
Also with so many slots on the roster do you see them going or using two slots on the field at the same time or did they do that at all in the spring that you guys saw?
With so many slots do you see anybody "possibly" leaving after this season because of the depth chart.
If Denard Robinson does not play a lot of quarterback do you see Coach Rod using him in the slot position or even using him like Arkansas used McFadden a few years ago.
Thanks and sorry for so many "slot questions" -- I know they are your favorite -- lol.
Jim F.
-------------------------------
Thanks for the questions.
Slot was weak position talent wise this spring. The one thing we have always brought up about the slot position is the numbers of bodies, not the talent.
Gallon, if he can pick up the offense this summer and fall practices he has chance to contribute this year.
Do not be surprised if it is mid-season before he does make meaningful contributions, there is a ton to learn.
You will definitely use two slot formations much of the time. It was one of the base formations this spring.
We expect D. Robinson to definitely start out at quarterback and probably will see meaningful snaps there (we are guessing 5-10 snaps a game), how long he stays there will depend on how well he performs along with how T. Forcier does as well because that could be more of a factor than anything right now.
D. Robinson can still compete at quarterback while playing other positions as well. We would not be surprised at all to see him lined up in the running back position and taking direct snaps as well. We saw B. Minor and C. Brown doing it this spring. Also with D. Robinson's speed we would not be surprised to see him in the slot position for certain plays that can get him the ball quickly and letting his athletic ability take over and see what happens.
If he has a shot at being starting quarterback, we doubt he moves totally. Quarterback is still the single most important position on the field especially in this read-option zone offense.
If after next spring it is clear D. Robinson will never compete, see a lot of meaningful snaps, or start at quarterback especially if D. Gardner comes in early and impresses the coaches, then we would not be surprised to see Coach Rod and staff approach D. Robinson to change positions.
As far as slot receivers leaving after this season? Yes, we could see two right now (sorry we are not going to name names at this time, but with our comments from this spring it should not be that hard to figure out who we believe might look around). that could possible leave after the season. Of course, it depends on how those players do this season and if they feel they will have a shot to play from here on out.
One thing these kids will do is look at the depth chart and who is actually playing the position along with who the coaches are bringing in the next recruiting classes and judge if they have a chance to play or if they should look elsewhere for a fresh start.
This spring, Michigan had four slot receivers on the roster or players playing the slot position. M. Odoms, R. Roundtree, T. Robinson, and J. Feagin.
Then you have three players that are here now from the 2009 recruiting class such as J. Gallon, T. Jones, and J. Stokes (who has worked-out at slot and split end).
Also throw in a player such as D. Robinson who could see some snaps in the slot position just to get him the ball and get his speed on the field to see what he can do out there.
Along with running backs C. Brown, V. Smith, M. Shaw, and F. Toussaint who all in certain formations line-up in the backfield and then go into motion into the slot position. We saw this several times this spring.
Right now, Michigan has two slot receivers coming in for the 2010 class in T. Drake and D. Dileo and as of right now, we are not losing any slot receivers from the team do to graduation or losing eligibility after this season. So, next year or at least in the spring they could possible have nine slot receivers (depending if the '10 kids come in early -- and not counting D. Robinson there either) along with several other players (running backs) that can play that position in certain formations.
Remember as well a lot of times they used the tight end (Koger and Webb) in the slot position when they went to two slot formations during the spring so most times they only had one true slot receiver out on the field in most situations.
Thanks for stopping by http://gobluemichiganwolverine.blogspot.com/
If you have any questions please e-mail erocwolverine@gmail.com
Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine
No comments:
Post a Comment