Deveon Smith...

[tarun262]

Was thinking about this past season that we wasted and while I know everyone loves Deveon Smith, he was the culprit of the 2 plays that probably cost us a chance at the playoffs:

1. Against Iowa, decideds to dance around in the end zone instead of running straight which results in a safety - 2 points for Iowa.
2. Against OSU, decides to block air - aka, nobody, which results in an OSU defender getting a free pass to tip the Speight throw.

Big heart, talks the talk but I will not be sad to see him go honestly given how mediocre he has been for us.

 

[sappycrease]

Classy post.

 

[JP2Blue]

I'm not sure the safety at IA was his fault.
One thing's for certain - we will have more speed at RB next year.

 

[tarun262]

I'm not sure the safety at IA was his fault.
One thing's for certain - we will have more speed at RB next year.

He had the ability to run straight and get to the 1-2 yard line, decided to dance around instead - which they tell you never to do in the end zone. If you watch the play again you will see it - obviously O-line blocking was terrible.

Nonetheless, I think we keep talking about our O-line, etc but honestly we have had no servicable RBs since Denard was a RB when he got injured. And as for a true RB, you have to go back to Mike Hart. Sad thing though is that we have recruited 3 5-star RBs during that process (potentially 4 since some sights have had Kareen Walker as a 5-star). Green, McGuffie, Isaac, and now Walker. That's probably better then any school not known as Alabama so that has been discouraging to see.

 

[57varieties]

green was severely overrated mcguffie was amommas boy that had to go home or he wouldve been good

if you give deveon and isaac an oline like hart had we would be talking about how great they are

and the last "serviceable" rbs we had were rawls and touissant

fitz had a 1000 yard season his jr year
rawls transferred out

evans will be good if not great if we get good blocking

 

[DrCorona]

Was thinking about this past season that we wasted and while I know everyone loves Deveon Smith, he was the culprit of the 2 plays that probably cost us a chance at the playoffs:

1. Against Iowa, decideds to dance around in the end zone instead of running straight which results in a safety - 2 points for Iowa.
2. Against OSU, decides to block air - aka, nobody, which results in an OSU defender getting a free pass to tip the Speight throw.

Big heart, talks the talk but I will not be sad to see him go honestly given how mediocre he has been for us.

Not gonna say glad to see him go. He must have been our best option most of the time, otherwise our coach (who seems to be highly touted in these parts) would NOT have played him!
I don't THINK he gets out of the endzone even if he barrels ahead with no hesitation, but we'll never know. Maybe we don't win that Indiana game without him?
Some backs seem to feel daylight, others not so much. I'm not a RB by trade so don't know why that is.

 

[DrCorona]

green was severely overrated mcguffie was amommas boy that had to go home or he wouldve been good

if you give deveon and isaac an oline like hart had we would be talking about how great they are

and the last "serviceable" rbs we had were rawls and touissant

fitz had a 1000 yard season his jr year
rawls transferred out

evans will be good if not great if we get good blocking

I think McGuffie was a good back but RichRod got the kid DESTROYED time after time!

 

[ArrowheadBlue]

It was Kalis that allowed the DT to crash in. He brushed blocked him and went to the next level. Can't argue with any logic written about the lack of strong RBs. Frankly I liked Isacc because he never went backward. Dont know how he pissed off the coaches.

 

[Sleeping Storm]

Smith is whatever.

If he got more carries he's probably top 5 in btn rushing yards.

 

[tarun262]

It was Kalis that allowed the DT to crash in. He brushed blocked him and went to the next level. Can't argue with any logic written about the lack of strong RBs. Frankly I liked Isacc because he never went backward. Dont know how he pissed off the coaches.

I don't think Wheatley likes Isaac - he always barks at him every time out. Not sure why. I think O-line being weak is an issue but part of it is also being able to see holes - Smith is not good at that. Smith is a bruiser and that's his style. We have not had a complete back since Hart - one that can block, plow forward, make moves, has speed...our roster right now even if we had a great O-line is: Deveon for contact, Ty for just positive yard of any sort, Evans for speed and moves. Would be great to get someone like a Harris who seems to have the gift to do all of the above.

 

[Reality Man]

Not gonna say glad to see him go. He must have been our best option most of the time, otherwise our coach (who seems to be highly touted in these parts) would NOT have played him!
I don't THINK he gets out of the endzone even if he barrels ahead with no hesitation, but we'll never know. Maybe we don't win that Indiana game without him?
Some backs seem to feel daylight, others not so much. I'm not a RB by trade so don't know why that is.

Let me respond to some of these issues.

Smith was obviously the best according to Harbaugh. Never had a problem with his effort. I think blaming the safety at Iowa which was so early in the game is a reach. I see the two losses more about play calling than Smith. These guys are amateurs and a couple of plays being messed up here and there is part of college football. I look at the entire body of work and don't judge Darboh by one missed catch.

The problem with Smith is UM should have had somebody better but Harbaugh likes big/tough backs whereas if another coach was here then they probably would have played a combo of Evans/Higdon.

It was a coaching decision at the end of the day.