UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[Optimus Prime]

Bowl ban, scholarship reductions & probation have clearly taken their toll.

Perhaps OSU has now learned that crime does NOT pay? Nah!

[iam416]

Indeed. OSU is definitely not where they should. But UFM will get them there.

[Optimus Prime]

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[iam416]

M WR Coach Jeff Hecklinski, if that's his real name:

Speed is overrated....

When he walks through that door, he should look like a Michigan wide receiver. That thought, when a kid walks in and you say, 'Does he look like a Michigan Man?' That's important to us. That's very important to us because he represents us.

[Optimus Prime]

Every staff has some deadwood. I am just not convinced that OSU's recruitment class is faster than M's, sorry.

[hack]

What's with the 27 recruits all of the sudden? I thought Green was #24? If Michigan intentionally oversigned, should we all invest in tattoo shops in Ann Arbor?

[Jeff Buchanan]

M WR Coach Jeff Hecklinski, if that's his real name:

Interesting.

I think you'd agree, talent, speed is not the be all end all. When you talk about "speed outside," with both M and osu needing more of it, I don't think you're talking exclusively WRs.

There's a lot of ways to attack the perimeter of a defense. You know this. Yes, in that regard, its obvious you want to try to get the ball carrier, whoever it is, beyond the reach of the defenders. But speed is not always the way that's done. It helps but its only part of the recipe for a successful play that is designed to get outside the defense and then up-field for, hopefully, a big gain.

Now, in the case of a WR, its obvious if the guy can get separation, that's a bonus but it doesn't guarantee a successful play. I think Heklinski is talking about this in sort of an obtuse way ..... but good God, you can see how this Michigan man shit has been hammered into the heads of the coaching staff. Hopefully that's just pablum for the masses.

A good WR coach knows being a credible WR means more than having good character, wearing a tie with a proper knot and representing Michigan with honor and integrity. But the emodiement of a good WR is a whole lot more than speed. You know this too.

[lineygoblue]

I just want receivers who actually catch the ball when the QB puts it right on their hands. To me, that's more important than being able to run a 3.99 40 yard dash.

There are many examples of receivers who had absolutely blazing speed, but couldn't catch the ball to save their lives. In addition, speed isn't always the determining factor in running a pass pattern. Most of the time, its knowing what spot to run to, where defenders haven't arrived yet.

Steve Largent would have trouble winning a footrace with ME, but yet he's a HOF receiver because of his hands, and his skill in running pass patterns. IOW, he got open and caught the ball.

[Rocky Bleier]

Hecklinski was asked a question about the speed of the WR recruits. Specifically, he was asked about the criticism that the WR prospects lacked speed. He answered that the most important asset of a WR is the ability to catch the ball. Speed is great, but is worthless without good hands. It's not as though Michigan coaches reject speed, but they see it as just one component. The Detroit Lions are a good example of a team that drafts fast WRs who can't run routes, catch, or stop smoking pot. I do, however, want to see them recruit some fast receivers who can stretch the field vertically.

[lineygoblue]

Its great to have a guy who can run a "fly" pattern. Seeing a guy run past the defenders and catch the ball, then outrun them to the endzone is an exciting play, and can change the outcome of a game quickly. There's no denying the value of speed.

But, it really shouldn't be the determining factor when considering a kid for a scholarship. Jerry Rice wasn't the fastest player for the San Francisco 49ers, but yet he's in the NFL Hall Of Fame, because he ran pass patterns better than anyone else, and had great hands.

[Rocky Bleier]

You do need the threat of having someone who can get behind the defense. That helps your "Jerry Rice" receivers get open.

[iam416]

Now, in the case of a WR, its obvious if the guy can get separation, that's a bonus but it doesn't guarantee a successful play.

If a guy can't get separation, good luck.

M is targeting bigger WRs. That's their aim. It's possible that they've recruited, to borrow Liney's brilliant examples, the next Steve Largent and next Jerry Rice. It's far, far, far, far, far more likely they've recruited the next Je'Ron Stokes or Cam Gordon.

But, whatever gives you hope. OSU is recruiting skilled positions players all over the board.

[lineygoblue]

Yes, we know, Mr Talent.

Michigan will never, ever recruit any kind of player who can even dare to think he has any sort of chance of competing with the mighty ohio.

Got it.

[iam416]

I hope you're as prophetic as you were about UFM never losing a game, Liney.

15+ months later, and you're still right!

Can't wait to see Steve Largent-reborn and Jerry Rice-reincarnated playing in the B10, though.

[Jeff Buchanan]

.....M is targeting bigger WRs. That's their aim. It's possible that they've recruited, to borrow Liney's brilliant examples, the next Steve Largent and next Jerry Rice......

I just want to focus in on this view. You're right, talent. M wants big WRs. Why? Because they want them to be able to block down field. A Borges staple requirement for his wides.

Would they turn down a pretty good sized receiver with top end speed that has the tools to get the job done? Of course not ..... unless there's cash involved (Treadwell).

The point is that there is clearly a difference between ufm's offensive strategy and Hoke's (who probably more or less defers to Borges). I don't think we need to repeat the salient differences between these two HCs. We know them.

I don't know how strongly you feel about downfiled blocking and who's role that is in making for a successful running play. But I can tell you how Al Borges feels about it and how badly that went for him during his first two seasons as OC. I can understand why M hasn't gone for midget speed merchants.