Birk's Eye View: Michigan football team could benefit from using more two-back sets
But don’t expect Minor to win the award given to the nation’s top runner. Among other things holding him back, Minor might end up sharing carries this year. (He’s also playing for a team not expected to contend and competing against some high-profile returning backs like Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer and Cal’s Jahvid Best.)
“One of our formations is a two-tailback set at the same time,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said last week at Big Ten media days. “In fact, we used it quite a bit last year, and a couple years ago (at West Virginia) it was our top formation.”
Minor will get first crack at the job after showing out in the final six games of last year. He topped 100 yards rushing in losses at Penn State and Purdue, and at 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds has an ideal blend of size, speed and physicality.
But Minor’s also battled a mild case of fumble-itis, and one of the few positions the Wolverines are deep at is running back. Speedy Carlos Brown is No. 2 on the depth chart, Michael Shaw and Kevin Grady are rotation backs, and a freshman like Vincent Smith could force his way onto the field.
In 2007, despite returning a 1,700-yard rusher in Steve Slaton, Rodriguez found enough carries to keep freshman Noel Devine happy. In 2003, Quincy Wilson rushed for 1,300 yards, but split time with junior-college transfer Kay-Jay Harris. A year earlier, Wilson shared the backfield with another 1,700-yard rusher Avon Cobourne.
“We’ve always been able to have two tailbacks and play them both at the same time,” Rodriguez said.
With 1,156 career yards and 12 touchdowns, Minor hasn’t done enough at Michigan to guarantee himself a “feature” back role. He still might emerge as that guy in time, but you can bet Rodriguez will give his other options just as exhaustive a look.
Dave Birkett covers the University of Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidbirkett@annarbor.com or 734-623-2552.
Comments
tater
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 1:36 p.m.
I think it's better for the team and the athlete when nobody gets so many carries that he gains more than about 1500 yards. The memory of so many great UM backs being spent by the time they get to the NFL is too fresh in my mind.
nofunforfu
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 11:58 a.m.
Well, I'm also hopeful for the upcoming season. But lay off of whatever your smoking. Let's see....at least 6,000 combined rushing yards over 12 games.... it's been a while since a team has rushed for more than 500 yards a game... How about lets agree to 250 yards a game and call that good?
jimtrashel
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 11:29 a.m.
Minor, Brown, Shaw, and Vincent Smith will ALL rush for 1,000 yards this year. Don't fool yourselves. RR's team is loaded! Also, TForce and DRob will combine for over 2,000 yards rushing and about a 70% completion percentage. Fireworks start September 5th!