Speed, speed, & more speed Michigan is the fastest team in the Big 10

Looking over the roster from RichRod's last 2 recruiting classes it has dawned on me Michigan now has speed at almost every postition. I think that bodes well vs. the rest of the Big 10 who let's face are not build on as much speed but more bulk.
 
Now the question is can they mold that speed into a humming machine? When I see teams like the Badgers, PSU, MSU & U of Minn. & OSU I think Michigan can run circles around them. If they know their assingments then they may even hand with them and beat them.
 
We all know you can't teach speed. So RichRod and coach's need to coach players with speed which is now up and down the roster.
 
I'm not going to call for a win total next fall. But, I am going to watch and follow Spring practice and the spring game like a hawk. I fully expect to see a much better team next fall and one that will compete better.
 
As good as they looked AT TIMES last fall I expect with the talent coming in they will look better more often than last season.
 
 
Thoughts?

John 3:16 

I don't think our starting 22 is the fastest in the Big 10. Now in 2 years that might be different but the majority of the speed on the roster right now rest in the sophomore and freshmen classes. From a starting standpoint we're still lacking a speed advantage at key positions, WR, LB, and the secondary.

A Star is Born

The speed is definitely there. How well they progress in their awareness is going to be the biggest key to how we play this year. We cannot have breakdowns at crucial moment like last year (especially in the back 7). The offense will be only as good as Tate (or Gardner if he somehow beats him for the starting job). Tate needs to limit the fumbling. Interceptions will be less this year as he should be making better reads though are still going to happen with underclassmen, but his fumbling is on him. Anyway I think we will definitely look better on O than last year which should help the D in making up for the losses of Graham and Warren. The speed is there, the question is the awareness?

How well did all of that speed work out for teams like Oregon and GT this year?

As important and as nice is it is to have, until that speed is fully-utilized in combination with discipline and understanding on defense, you're still not going to be a good football team.  Remember speed kills, but it can also cause you to get out of position quicker.  It's as simple as that.

 

While speed is important, it's also one of those annoying cliches that the media pundits use all the time as the be all end all of football. Football is still a game that is played in the trenches. As "speedy" as any team is, a good defense will almost always shut it down! This year's bowl season showed that.

It's great to have all this speed and I think we would do great in a track meet. I want to see good fundamental football being played, particuarily on defense.

MaizeRageWolverine


How well did all of that speed work out for teams like Oregon and GT this year?

As important and as nice is it is to have, until that speed is fully-utilized in combination with discipline and understanding on defense, you're still not going to be a good football team.  Remember speed kills, but it can also cause you to get out of position quicker.  It's as simple as that.

lol Oregon and GT WERE good football teams this year. 11-3 (7-1) for GT and 10-3 (8-1) for Oregon. They played in the Rose Bowl and the Orange Bowl. If you are looking for other teams that were bad despite good speed, keep looking lol

MaizeRageWolverine


How well did all of that speed work out for teams like Oregon and GT this year?

As important and as nice is it is to have, until that speed is fully-utilized in combination with discipline and understanding on defense, you're still not going to be a good football team.  Remember speed kills, but it can also cause you to get out of position quicker.  It's as simple as that.

Let's not forget it (speed) can get you into position quicker as well. That is something I have grown of seeing since Carr's last season players out of position and no speed to recover.

John 3:16 

Speed kills...but so do turnovers and lack of tackling.

With that said, the right kind of players in the right kind of system will succeed.  If you're Wisconsin, you don't recruit "spread players."  If you are Oregon, you don't recruit "pro-style" players.  You have to find kids that fit your system and the overall plan of the team.

Look at the Indianapolis Colts.  Their team is predicated on their offense giving them a lead and the defense flying around the field making plays and attacking.  What have we heard all week about the Colts D?  They are FAST, but small.  However, it works b/c that is the philosophy of the Colts and the way they have chosen to build their team.

Go Blue!!

Speed is only valuable when you can win at the line of scrimmage first, as stated by the Buckeye. The Florida Gators and Texas Longhorns have elite team speed, but it's no coincidence that they both have solid offensive and defensive lines. Speed is used to reach the open field offensively or to stop anyone from reaching it on defense, but nobody finds the green without a win on the line of scrimmage.

Once we solidify our front seven on defense and block consistently on offense we're going to be deadly; you won't be able to get behind us on defense or catch us on offense.

Speed is not there at WR position. See Illinois game.

wolverine4life:
cheer for Michigan all the way? BS! You like all the other RRod haters avoid every topic about the positive, but the minute we decline, you guys come out of your caves and have a man loving bash fest with each other.

Since our thumping from Florida a few years ago, JT learned speed can be a good thing.

Just ask Oregon.  We matched up pretty good with their speed.

Back to the topic of speed. After reading MGOBLOG it occurs to me that this fall Michigan will have the 2 fastest players from the state of Florida in consecutive years. Denard's speed is well documented and Dorsey is in the same category when it comes to speed. I for one will be very interested to see Dorsey's upcoming track results.

''was kind of disappointed in myself to run a 10.44, but I will accept that,'' Robinson said. ``Running the No. 2 time in the nation is pretty good. I was trying to run a 10.3, but there was strong wind. I'm working harder on it and expect to hit a 10.3 by states.''

Boyd Anderson's Demar Dorsey finished second in 10.60 and Northeast's Isaac Gafferd third in 10.73. Gafferd's more heralded teammate, Sean Lange, couldn't overcome a late start and finished seventh.

A Star is Born

MaizeRageWolverine


How well did all of that speed work out for teams like Oregon and GT this year?

As important and as nice is it is to have, until that speed is fully-utilized in combination with discipline and understanding on defense, you're still not going to be a good football team.  Remember speed kills, but it can also cause you to get out of position quicker.  It's as simple as that.

i think it worked out pretty well for them.  both made bcs bowl games, won 10+ games and finished in the top 15.