I don't know if its been discussed yet or not but I see that Matt Boyd is now listed as a fullback instead of linebacker. I wonder if he will see a lot of time at fullback and allow English to run more behind a lead blocker. Last year EMU had a lineman (Hansen) I think lining up in the backfield quite a bit. Boyd is the only player listed at fullback.

(07-31-2012 06:40 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 03:49 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 02:34 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 11:35 AM)emu79 Wrote:  I recall one poster mentioning they were surprised to Williams at EMU due to a concussion related injury at U of M. I don't have any more details on that but perhaps the poster has more information.

Yes, last year Mike Williams supposedly quit UM football due to post-concussion symptoms. Now he's back...

So, maybe the concussion symptoms were a convenient reason for Michigan's new staff to non-renew a guy they weren't really interested in. Or, maybe Williams really did have post-concussion symptoms, but they diminished with the year off.

Whatever the explanation, surely he's passed EMU training staff's examinations with flying colors.

Another interesting note is that Williams was originally recruited out of high school by then Michigan DC Ron English. He was considered to be one of Ron's biggest recruiting coups.

If I read his bio accurately, he seems to have been a very highly acclaimed recruit (as indicated) but came no where close to achieving on the field.

Very interesting.

He's athletic, fast, and strong. Great straight-line speed, and he can bench press a cow. However, he's one of those guys whose talent hasn't translated onto the field.

He isn't a great tackler. His main weakness is lack of "football instincts"; in other words, he has difficulty reading and diagnosing plays, and was constantly burned deep as a result.

However, I'm optimistic. He's cleared several hurdles to play again, so obviously his heart is in it. Also, remember that Rich Rodriguez was the coach for most of his career. Several defensive guys underachiever under RR, and improved tremendously under Hoke's watch.

So, maybe the reason Williams had trouble diagnosing plays is because no one ever taught him how to do so effectively?

I'm really excited that the young man is at EMU. Hope he's healthy, and that it's a rewarding experience for him.

? could he shift positions and play WR?

Or maybe return kicks so we don't have to put Sherrer back there? The guy takes a big enough beating at RB...it's senseless to have be a KR.

PS: Steve...do you sleep?

(07-31-2012 11:53 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Or maybe return kicks so we don't have to put Sherrer back there? The guy takes a big enough beating at RB...it's senseless to have be a KR.

PS: Steve...do you sleep?

Good suggestion. Returning kicks is good for players with great speed, etc. but not as good at playing a particular position.

yeah, last night when the Tigers went into a rain delay. Honest.

I have my own, idiosyncratic internal clock.

Dear Friends,
I thought Darius Scott and Marlon Pollard were the kickoff and punt returners. There certainly can be others thrown into the mix. Have to wait and see.

I think the Kick Returners will be Tyler Allen and Darius Scott.
Punt returners should remain Pollard and Reed.

(07-31-2012 11:53 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  PS: Steve...do you sleep?

True story:

One summer (many years ago) I was a guest student at a B1G school.

Class was statistics, the time was 1:50 - 2:40, the teacher spoke halting English and the room was not air conditioned.

I took a number of afternoon naps that summer.

I think the Europeans got it right. :)

(07-31-2012 11:16 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 06:40 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 03:49 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 02:34 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 11:35 AM)emu79 Wrote:  I recall one poster mentioning they were surprised to Williams at EMU due to a concussion related injury at U of M. I don't have any more details on that but perhaps the poster has more information.

Yes, last year Mike Williams supposedly quit UM football due to post-concussion symptoms. Now he's back...

So, maybe the concussion symptoms were a convenient reason for Michigan's new staff to non-renew a guy they weren't really interested in. Or, maybe Williams really did have post-concussion symptoms, but they diminished with the year off.

Whatever the explanation, surely he's passed EMU training staff's examinations with flying colors.

Another interesting note is that Williams was originally recruited out of high school by then Michigan DC Ron English. He was considered to be one of Ron's biggest recruiting coups.

If I read his bio accurately, he seems to have been a very highly acclaimed recruit (as indicated) but came no where close to achieving on the field.

Very interesting.

He's athletic, fast, and strong. Great straight-line speed, and he can bench press a cow. However, he's one of those guys whose talent hasn't translated onto the field.

He isn't a great tackler. His main weakness is lack of "football instincts"; in other words, he has difficulty reading and diagnosing plays, and was constantly burned deep as a result.

However, I'm optimistic. He's cleared several hurdles to play again, so obviously his heart is in it. Also, remember that Rich Rodriguez was the coach for most of his career. Several defensive guys underachiever under RR, and improved tremendously under Hoke's watch.

So, maybe the reason Williams had trouble diagnosing plays is because no one ever taught him how to do so effectively?

I'm really excited that the young man is at EMU. Hope he's healthy, and that it's a rewarding experience for him.

? could he shift positions and play WR?

Probably not. Not very agile. Wouldn't have the quickness to make that kind of shift, and that includes kick returning.

He could probably play LB, though.

(07-31-2012 08:54 PM)EagleHawk Wrote:  Any word on QB Michael Simpson or K Dylan Mulder? Neither are listed on the roster.

Could it be because they will be RS or maybe because they are walk-on's

Or greyshirts that will enroll in January 2013

(08-01-2012 11:43 AM)NUPudge Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 08:54 PM)EagleHawk Wrote:  Any word on QB Michael Simpson or K Dylan Mulder? Neither are listed on the roster.

Could it be because they will be RS or maybe because they are walk-on's

I think walk-ons (preferred) is the reason.

I think we've been through this but the preferred walkons can show up tomorrow with the rest of the squad.

Today they are not EMU FB players.

(08-01-2012 03:02 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-01-2012 11:43 AM)NUPudge Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 08:54 PM)EagleHawk Wrote:  Any word on QB Michael Simpson or K Dylan Mulder? Neither are listed on the roster.

Could it be because they will be RS or maybe because they are walk-on's

I think walk-ons (preferred) is the reason.

I think we've been through this but the preferred walkons can show up tomorrow with the rest of the squad.

Today they are not EMU FB players.

Some freshmen walk-ons are already listed. The QB from Dexter, the TE from Saline...

Dear Friends,
Looking at the roster, I also see Jeffery Xaver at WR, and Ariues Towns at LB, and both are listed as freshmen, but no vitals.
Anyone have something on these two?

Ken:

More ?

Tim Harrison RB, Jake Haviland LB, Tony Thomas, Alex Jones, Mulder, Josh Peterson, Oliver Holbrook, Brendan Renves (sp).

(08-06-2012 03:57 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Ken:

More ?

Tim Harrison RB, Jake Haviland LB, Tony Thomas, Alex Jones, Mulder, Josh Peterson, Oliver Holbrook, Brendan Renves (sp).

I am only guessing but I also believe these are the preferred walk-on players. I am not sure of the rules for this.

If I am not mistaken, can't we have 100 kids on the team but only offer a total of 85 scholarships?

Lots of questions should be cleared up within 2 weeks with who-is-who.

(08-06-2012 08:34 AM)NUPudge Wrote:  

(08-06-2012 03:57 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Ken:

More ?

Tim Harrison RB, Jake Haviland LB, Tony Thomas, Alex Jones, Mulder, Josh Peterson, Oliver Holbrook, Brendan Renves (sp).

I am only guessing but I also believe these are the preferred walk-on players. I am not sure of the rules for this.

If I am not mistaken, can't we have 100 kids on the team but only offer a total of 85 scholarships?

Lots of questions should be cleared up within 2 weeks with who-is-who.

yes, that is the gist of it. Think the limit is 105.

O'Brien at PSU is talking that he has 100+ players but what he doesn't tell folks is the very high number of walkons.

One walkon I'd take is Usain Bolt from Jamaica. 6' 5" and reportedly fast.

Who would want to cover him on a fly pattern... Lol.