I've missed Michigan's last several games, for various reasons but mainly because I've found myself very busy on Saturday afternoons. This is kind of a shame, because Jabrill Peppers is turning into Charles Woodson. He's Michigan's best defender - he covers well, tackles well, slips past blocks like they weren't even there. He's also a very useful offensive player, with 6 carries for 24 yds and 2 tds, plus 3 catches for 38 yards. He'll run as a wildcat QB, a decoy on a play fake, or line up as a traditional RB or WR. He's also Michigan's main kick & punt returner. He hasn't been the ball-hawk that Woodson was, but he's getting on the field A LOT and making a positive impact. He'll be a Heisman candidate in a year or two.
Some recruiting news, per ESPN Insider:
Jim Harbaugh is targeting the state of New Jersey in a big way. Since the Class of 2011, only twice has a school inked three of the top-seven prospects in the Garden State -- Rutgers in 2011 and Penn State in 2015. To date, the Wolverines also have commitments from three of the top seven in ESPN 300 end Ronald Johnson Jr., athlete Jordan Fuller and receiver Brad Hawkins. While that is quite a haul in itself, and with the Wolverines seemingly leading for No. 1 overall player Rashan Gary and top running back Kareem Walker, Michigan could have an all-time run in New Jersey. If Harbaugh pulls it off, Michigan would not only be sending a national message by inking Gary and Walker, but also putting a stake down in the Garden State that could create a future tidal wave of momentum in the state.If Harbaugh can pull off that NJ coup, this could be the best class of recruits Michigan has had in a LONG, long time. And that's saying something, because Hoke & Rich Rod had some good classes come in. Rashan Gary, the #1 overall prospect, is a big DT who could turn your defense from being kinda good to top 5 in college. Every school in the NCAA seems to have extended an offer, but Michigan was his first visit, whatever that's worth. A strong finish to the season would go a long way toward convincing the top recruits that Michigan is back.
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After stringing together a couple of losses in a row, I have some clearer ideas about who the Pistons are and I have some concerns. The ball movement has never been good this year, but it was especially clear in the last 2 games that this offense is sick. It seems that PG Reggie Jackson and Coach/GM Stan Van Gundy are at philosophical differences on how the offense should be run. The Freep's Vince Ellis wrote piece on this very issue, with Reggie Jackson criticizing the pace of play and SVG bemoaning the lack of passing.
They're both right, although I'd say SVG is MORE right. This is a young team playing at one of the slower paces in the league. They need to run more. On the other hand, you can't always run, and the play on offense has been very selfish. Even facing set defenses, Jackson's primary complaint, this offense should be performing a lot better. They aren't finding open shooters. They pound the air out of the ball and then either jack up a contested jumper or drop it off to Morris and watch HIM take a contested jumper, hoping Drummond gets the rebound.
I'm hoping they can come to some sort of compromise. If they can, with Jennings on track to come back next month, I think the Pistons make the playoffs. If Reggie Jackson and SVG remain at odds and the ball movement doesn't improve, they're headed back to the lottery. It's that simple. The defense is a lot better than I expected they'd be, and that will be enough to win them some games. But the offense is so unhealthy the best they can hope for is middle of the road, the way things are currently going.
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