Some questions from people on the number of burned redshirts...

[Reality Man]

some say it is a recruiting tool, etc.

I think this is just the way Harbaugh looks at his program. He uses certain players to perfect their own role in the system. You have 6 guys at TE...so utilize everybody differently depending on their skill sets. Why have Bunting do something McKeon can do better and vice versa.

He is maximizing the strengths of every player. Let's use a guy like McDoom. Can he block? Probably not but he can run. Can anyone run the jet sweep and slant (combined) better than he can on this roster?

One other thing to consider...it does allow Harbaugh to incorporate more plays and can confuse the defense. It's the Harbaugh way...get used to it.

It sure looks like Harbaugh will take any skill as soon as he can get it and doesn't worry about whether you are one year older. You either can play and you will leave to play in the NFL or you can't and he can utilize your schollie for someone new and improved.

He is running this program like an NFL operation.



RM

 

[ArrowheadBlue]

the best guy plays. he said that a number of guys have "earned" the right touch the field and they did.

I really think he has to make up for his first recruiting class which had few solid players.

 

[detroitjohn]

some say it is a recruiting tool, etc.

I think this is just the way Harbaugh looks at his program. He uses certain players to perfect their own role in the system. You have 6 guys at TE...so utilize everybody differently depending on their skill sets. Why have Bunting do something McKeon can do better and vice versa.

He is maximizing the strengths of every player. Let's use a guy like McDoom. Can he block? Probably not but he can run. Can anyone run the jet sweep and slant (combined) better than he can on this roster?

One other thing to consider...it does allow Harbaugh to incorporate more plays and can confuse the defense. It's the Harbaugh way...get used to it.

It sure looks like Harbaugh will take any skill as soon as he can get it and doesn't worry about whether you are one year older. You either can play and you will leave to play in the NFL or you can't and he can utilize your schollie for someone new and improved.

He is running this program like an NFL operation.



RM

Really nice points, especially about utilizing talent in unique, player-specific ways that will drive most of our opponents batty. How do you plan for tendencies when you have a player tucked away that can do one thing really well and is brought out every once-in-awhile?

He really is hitting on the issue of entitlement that has needed to be addressed for a couple decades. This program ran on the capital earned by Bo, but along the way forgot how to be hungry and not assume that your position was yours every game/year. I love this part of Jim's coaching game, it's refreshing, aggressive, and produces hungry players. You know you have a shot if you work your ass off and are hungry as hell.

 

[Reality Man]

Really nice points, especially about utilizing talent in unique, player-specific ways that will drive most of our opponents batty. How do you plan for tendencies when you have a player tucked away that can do one thing really well and is brought out every once-in-awhile?

He really is hitting on the issue of entitlement that has needed to be addressed for a couple decades. This program ran on the capital earned by Bo, but along the way forgot how to be hungry and not assume that your position was yours every game/year. I love this part of Jim's coaching game, it's refreshing, aggressive, and produces hungry players. You know you have a shot if you work your ass off and are hungry as hell.

First to AB...you are right. That first class is not going to do it especially with Johnson not panning out. If UM wants to win big next year it's going to need this last class to strike it big and the upcoming class to have some immediate big time players like Gary/Evans/Bredeson.

Not saying their aren't some guys like McCray or Perry or even Higdon/Harris/Wheatley that won't be important and influential but more is needed...much more.


To Dj...you are spot on. Even in the Carr era there was a mindset that UM wasn't going to push itself to the top of the heap. With Harbaugh...you get the sense that a Big Ten title isn't the top of the heap. I get the impression that Harbaugh wants to conquer all.

A buddy of mine...Cincinnati Bengal fan and OSU fan said something interesting to me. He said that he thought Harbaugh loves the challenge of going up against Saban/Meyer. He loves the fact that UM is down the pecking order. He inferred that if UM was near the top of the heap then he wouldn't have been nearly as attracted.

I found it insightful.



RM

 

[ArrowheadBlue]

There are only a half-dozen of "good" coaches in college, in my opinion, who play by the rules and win. JH, Saban and (the new) Meyer are obvious. Duke does a nice-honest job. FSU has zero academics so therefore gets quality athletes with no academic responsibility so I'm not sure if that qualifies as good coaches or higher payroll (like Miss.). Stanford wins by the book with incredible academic responsibilities and I have always liked the U-Dub coach, which will become the Pac-12 powerhouse. I have a feeling that Houston's coach will end up in the SEC (auburn) although if Houston is allowed into the "12" it might stay things a bit.

 

[BHWolverine]

Other than an OL who may need a year to get stronger or a quarterback who will sit behind 2 others I say play them and don't worry about 2 or 3 years down the road. If they're any good they will leave early for NFL anyways.