Mailbag question: The running backs

Posted at 8:00am — 7/31/2010

Mailbag question: The running backs

Just curious about which running back most impresses all of the staff. Despite everyone thinking Shaw is the likeliest to start, I have not been impressed with his ability to cut back and find holes.

Peter F
Sent from my iPhone

——————————

Thanks for the question.

If everybody at the running back position is healthy on September 4, and able to play, we like Vincent Smith the best.

He has good vision, super quickness, and is a tough runner. He can go to the outside, along with doing a reasonable good job of getting the tough yards inside.

Vinnie’s hips are very good and loose and that allows him to be a one cut and go type of runner, the type needed to be successful in Michigan’s spread system. Fortunately, his success regarding when and where to make that first cut is quite good.

Michael Shaw is a super athlete who runs hard. When healthy Michael is a solid back. Michael’s primary problem is staying healthy, as his time at Michigan has been marred with injuries. He has missed considerable practice and game time because of injuries the past couple of years.

Mike Cox struggled during the spring holding on to the ball. He would have one good practice and then really have problems the next. Holding on to the ball is always huge, but more so this year because this team, like the previous two Michigan teams, cannot afford a negative turnover margin if it is to break past the .500 mark.

Mike is the biggest returning back UM has, so he is the logical choice for those tough yards between the tackles and short-yardage situations.

Two freshmen enter the conversation, Austin White of Michigan and Stephen Hopkins. Austin is a smooth all-purpose type back who would be well served to red-shirt. If he plays it will be because of injuries or in a third down multi-purpose role.

Stephen Hopkins is big and frankly may be the best third and one back Michigan now has on the roster. He is not a blazer, but he should, over time, be a bruiser. Stephen will not break Slaton type runs, but hopefully, he will move the chains.

Stephen will almost certainly play this fall, but the more he holds on to the ball, the more he will play. That may actually be said for all the Michigan running backs. Laying the ball on the carpet is a disease, hopefully not communicable. There are many cures, the simplest is paying attention to detail and practicing ball security every second of the day, even when asleep.

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!