Christine Michael (2 Viewers)

[ATB]

Seriously...

Was CMike ever the starter (sans injury) for Texas A&M in his 4 seasons?

Yes. Even though Cyrus Gray had a nice college career and has been a backup in the NFL, it was always pretty clear that Michael was the better back. Had it not been for injuries, Gray wouldn't have ever gotten the chance to break out and probably wouldn't have been drafted.

I remember watching him mistakenly steal the ball from Tannehill on what was supposed to be a fake handoff for a play-action pass and take it for like a 32 yard score. That play really epitomizes him as a player. Supremely talented but boneheaded.

Wow. That is a priceless example of Michael's "special traits."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBQnOz6nhxEI got it wrong. It was a straight up pass play and it was 48 yards. Play starts at 0:09 (second play of the clip). Best angle is at 0:27. Effing hilarious.

That's hysterical - you can practically see the "WTF?" thought bubble over Tannehill's head.

Yeah, that's exactly what I assumed was going through his mind around 0:28. But hard to argue with results. Watching that whole youtube clip made me want to hang onto him (took him as a trade/cut list flyer late in a few leagues, not a dynasty owner).

How do the announcers not even comment on that?

Pretty clear fake from Tanne there. If you replay the "handoff," it's too seamless to not be purposeful. If Tanne wasn't planning to hand it off, there would be a pause when CMike essentially takes the ball from him. But there's not. Tanne seamlessly drops the ball in CMike's pocket and promptly fakes a throwing motion.There's no miscommunication there. Clear pass fake.

What? No, that was absolutely not intentional. And if I recall correctly, they slowed it down and the announcers did eventually catch on to what happened and said something.

The announcers don't comment on the play whatsoever in the clip provided. Probably because it's a simple fake and handoff.

Find any other clip of a RB ripping the ball away from his QB and I guarantee it isn't seamless. A handoff is seamless. Miscommunication isn't.

 

[Chaka]

I have beaten the "depth chart" drum quite a bit in here but to be fair depth charts are really just a mental exercise and they are often compiled by the teams media department. They are not necessarily an indication of how things would play out on the field in the event of an injury to the starter.

I think a lot of people in here hit in on the head when they suggested that if Lynch had gone down at some point at best Turbin would have been the lead in a committee with maybe 50-55% of the touches and not some kind of 3 down back who had a hammer lock on 70% of the snaps like Lynch.

I think very few people in here think Turbin has elite skills. By all indications he is solid and dependable and coaches like that.

 

[FF Ninja]

Seriously...

Was CMike ever the starter (sans injury) for Texas A&M in his 4 seasons?

Yes. Even though Cyrus Gray had a nice college career and has been a backup in the NFL, it was always pretty clear that Michael was the better back. Had it not been for injuries, Gray wouldn't have ever gotten the chance to break out and probably wouldn't have been drafted.

I remember watching him mistakenly steal the ball from Tannehill on what was supposed to be a fake handoff for a play-action pass and take it for like a 32 yard score. That play really epitomizes him as a player. Supremely talented but boneheaded.

Wow. That is a priceless example of Michael's "special traits."

That wasn't seamless. I'm telling you, I watched the game and that was definitely a successful blown play. I can't find a longer clip of it, but maybe you can and then you'll see the different angles and the announcers talking about it. I don't really care to argue something I know to be true with someone who is deliberately delusional. I've got no agenda here. I only brought it up because it was so hilarious that I still remembered it four years later.

 

[ATB]

It's an interesting play, for sure. I'm not trying to argue about it either, just pointing out that I don't see the same thing. If I have the time, I'll search for another version of the video.

 

[FF Ninja]

It's an interesting play, for sure. I'm not trying to argue about it either, just pointing out that I don't see the same thing. If I have the time, I'll search for another version of the video.

Check out the blocking. It seems like every player except Michael is blocking for a screen to Ryan Swope (#25). If it was a designed run play they would've blocked differently. The right guard and right tackle pretty much ignore those two rushers because they know the play is going to the left.

 

[Todem]

No doubt he has elite level skills.

Oh there is doubt, lots of it actually.

Have you watched him run? I'd be surprised if you would not think he has elite level running skills after actually watching him. But hey ... we all end up with different viewpoints after watching the same player. Supposedly Breshad Perriman has skills ... I don't see them.

Elite athletic measurables -- yes. Elite running skills -- TBD. 52 career carries is waaaaay to early to slap an elite label on anyone, IMO.

When your speculating on picking up players, drafting players whatever it may be, you can only use the measurable's and film of what you have seen.

It is the essence of being a great GM. It's how you draft guys like Chris Johnson, Jamal Charles etc late in the first or early second rounds of rookie drafts (fantasy dynasty drafts that is)......or more recently Lamar Miller who is now about to break into RB 1 status. And then you have busts like T-Rich and the like.

It's a crap shoot.

IMO based on the film I have seen and the limited playing time he has received in the NFL, he has Elite potential. It's a matter of getting the opportunity to showcase his skill set. Something that would never happen in Seattle unless Skittles went down. I think his upside is high in the right situation.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

No doubt he has elite level skills.

Oh there is doubt, lots of it actually.

Have you watched him run? I'd be surprised if you would not think he has elite level running skills after actually watching him. But hey ... we all end up with different viewpoints after watching the same player. Supposedly Breshad Perriman has skills ... I don't see them.

Elite athletic measurables -- yes. Elite running skills -- TBD. 52 career carries is waaaaay to early to slap an elite label on anyone, IMO.

When your speculating on picking up players, drafting players whatever it may be, you can only use the measurable's and film of what you have seen.It is the essence of being a great GM. It's how you draft guys like Chris Johnson, Jamal Charles etc late in the first or early second rounds of rookie drafts (fantasy dynasty drafts that is)......or more recently Lamar Miller who is now about to break into RB 1 status. And then you have busts like T-Rich and the like.

It's a crap shoot.

IMO based on the film I have seen and the limited playing time he has received in the NFL, he has Elite potential. It's a matter of getting the opportunity to showcase his skill set. Something that would never happen in Seattle unless Skittles went down. I think his upside is high in the right situation.

I personally weigh Seattle's opinion on the guy higher than the way he looks on a very limited number of touches on film or how he did in combine tests two and a half years ago. YMMV of course, but a smart franchise just dumped Michael at a huge loss and almost for free, and that's a hugely significant piece of information.

 

[GregR]

It's an interesting play, for sure. I'm not trying to argue about it either, just pointing out that I don't see the same thing. If I have the time, I'll search for another version of the video.

The entire game broadcast is on youtube. I didn't feel like watching it long enough to find them talking about it again.

 

[Shutout]

I have beaten the "depth chart" drum quite a bit in here but to be fair depth charts are really just a mental exercise and they are often compiled by the teams media department. They are not necessarily an indication of how things would play out on the field in the event of an injury to the starter.

I think a lot of people in here hit in on the head when they suggested that if Lynch had gone down at some point at best Turbin would have been the lead in a committee with maybe 50-55% of the touches and not some kind of 3 down back who had a hammer lock on 70% of the snaps like Lynch.

I think very few people in here think Turbin has elite skills. By all indications he is solid and dependable and coaches like that.

I agree with that line of thinking.

The NFL mindset always seems to be, when a player goes down, to let everyone else do what they do and then ask the replacement guy to "just don't lose the game for us". That leads coaches to really like guys that are just predictable and steady, even if they aren't upside guys.

In ff we think the opposite. We will trade our Anquan Boldin, our Reggie Wayne, our guy that does the same thing "ho hum" every year in a heartbeat for a guy that is a little younger yet unproven or a guy that is completely unproven yet represents a huge upside.

Michael is the type of guy that could be more, but Tubo is the guy that coaches feel better about so they roll with him and why not? They know they have a team that is capable of continuing to do what they like to do...and win...by changing very little. You can be the Seahawks and still win games with 40 less yards or a td less but the quickest way to get upset in the NFL is to turn the ball over or, worse yet, not get your assignment right, and get your QB killed.

 

[gethugefast1]

Sorry if article duplicated, didn't read all 84 pages on CM topic.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/jason-garrett-on-new-dallas-cowboys-rb-christine-michael-he-just-needs-to-get-in-here-and-learn-what-were-doing.html/

Jason Garrett on new Cowboys RB Christine Michael: Talented, physical, explosive, downhill runner

IRVING — Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said adding new running back Christine Michael was about making the team better. He wouldn’t say if trading for Michael was about adding a more physical back than the trio of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar.

“I think as much as anything else, you’re looking for opportunities over the last few days to just improve your football team,” Garrett said Monday. “He’s a guy who was regarded fairly highly coming out of school and hasn’t had a ton of success in Seattle the first couple of years but he has a lot of traits. He’s a young player who we think has some ability to run the football in this league. We just wanted to make our team better by adding a guy like that and getting him into our structure and trying to teach him how we want to play and see if he can help our team.”

The Cowboys traded a 2016 seventh-round pick to Seattle on Sunday for Michael, a 2013 second-round pick out of Texas A&M. Michael (5-10, 221) played in 14 games over his two seasons with Seattle and rushed for 254 yards on 52 carries.

“I think he’s a talented guy,” Garrett said. “He’s a big guy. He’s physical. He’s quick. He’s explosive, can be a downhill runner. Got a good change of direction. So all those things are the things you see on tape of him coming out of school and also when he’s had opportunities in Seattle. We’ll try to get him up to snuff as quickly as we can and put him out on the practice field and begin our evaluation.”

Garrett was noncommittal about how Michael fits into the Cowboys’ group of running backs.

“He just needs to get in here and learn what we’re doing,” Garrett said. “Again, like with all the new guys coming in, their big challenge is to get acclimated to how we do things, our systems of football. So there’s going to be a lot of work initially just to see where they are. And then we’ll integrate them into practice and we’ll make our evaluations from there.”

Garrett said a change of scenery for a player “absolutely” can help him if he’s struggled early in his career with one team. Garrett was asked if he believes the Cowboys can help Michael with his ball security issues that sometimes plagued him during his time with the Seahawks.

“Well again, you just try to coach him every day,” Garrett said. “They have great coaches in Seattle, no question about that, so I’m sure they were coaching him hard and well each and every day but hopefully he’ll come in here, we’ll give him a chance to learn our system of football and we’ll try to address some of the things that we think might be issues. He’s a young player and we’re going to get him into the mix and see where he fits in.”

 

[gethugefast1]

Why’d Seattle trade him?

Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times recently wrote that Michael, who was selected with Seattle’s second round pick (62nd overall) of the 2013 draft, might be the biggest bust of the Pete Carroll era. The following comes from his column. Michael touched the ball only 53 times in two seasons, but the play that defined his tenure in Seattle was a 12-yard catch last year in San Francisco — the only catch of his career. As Michael neared the first-down marker — it was second-and-13 — he slowed up and stuttered before stepping out of bounds. Had he lowered his shoulder, had he used his powerful 221-pound body, he would have easily picked up the first down. But as inexplicable as that decision was, it was what happened right after that cemented the play: Michael kept running into the end zone, yelling all the way, celebrating his run — and he hadn’t picked up the first down. He was immediately taken out of the game. It was always that way with Michael, a strange cocktail of talent, potential, immaturity and inconsistency.

 

[sontzu]

No doubt he has elite level skills.

Oh there is doubt, lots of it actually.

Have you watched him run? I'd be surprised if you would not think he has elite level running skills after actually watching him. But hey ... we all end up with different viewpoints after watching the same player. Supposedly Breshad Perriman has skills ... I don't see them.

Elite athletic measurables -- yes. Elite running skills -- TBD. 52 career carries is waaaaay to early to slap an elite label on anyone, IMO.

When your speculating on picking up players, drafting players whatever it may be, you can only use the measurable's and film of what you have seen.It is the essence of being a great GM. It's how you draft guys like Chris Johnson, Jamal Charles etc late in the first or early second rounds of rookie drafts (fantasy dynasty drafts that is)......or more recently Lamar Miller who is now about to break into RB 1 status. And then you have busts like T-Rich and the like.

It's a crap shoot.

IMO based on the film I have seen and the limited playing time he has received in the NFL, he has Elite potential. It's a matter of getting the opportunity to showcase his skill set. Something that would never happen in Seattle unless Skittles went down. I think his upside is high in the right situation.

I personally weigh Seattle's opinion on the guy higher than the way he looks on a very limited number of touches on film or how he did in combine tests two and a half years ago. YMMV of course, but a smart franchise just dumped Michael at a huge loss and almost for free, and that's a hugely significant piece of information.

I don't think that's the complete narrative. Michael's contract is up after 2016 season. They signed Fred Jackson. They found Thomas Rawls. They now view spending development capital on Rawls as more beneficial than on Michael. I think gm's around the league understood what was going on Seattle so were probably just circling like vultures for the day Seattle cut Michael. Seattle got what they could get in the market environment.

 

[Sabertooth]

Look. Obviously you can succeed at Rb in the NFL with little to no brain. Travis Henry, Lawrence Phillips, Adrian Peterson, the list goes on of absolute morons who can carry a football around. Here's hoping he gets a true shot.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

No doubt he has elite level skills.

Oh there is doubt, lots of it actually.

Have you watched him run? I'd be surprised if you would not think he has elite level running skills after actually watching him. But hey ... we all end up with different viewpoints after watching the same player. Supposedly Breshad Perriman has skills ... I don't see them.

Elite athletic measurables -- yes. Elite running skills -- TBD. 52 career carries is waaaaay to early to slap an elite label on anyone, IMO.

When your speculating on picking up players, drafting players whatever it may be, you can only use the measurable's and film of what you have seen.It is the essence of being a great GM. It's how you draft guys like Chris Johnson, Jamal Charles etc late in the first or early second rounds of rookie drafts (fantasy dynasty drafts that is)......or more recently Lamar Miller who is now about to break into RB 1 status. And then you have busts like T-Rich and the like.

It's a crap shoot.

IMO based on the film I have seen and the limited playing time he has received in the NFL, he has Elite potential. It's a matter of getting the opportunity to showcase his skill set. Something that would never happen in Seattle unless Skittles went down. I think his upside is high in the right situation.

I personally weigh Seattle's opinion on the guy higher than the way he looks on a very limited number of touches on film or how he did in combine tests two and a half years ago. YMMV of course, but a smart franchise just dumped Michael at a huge loss and almost for free, and that's a hugely significant piece of information.

I don't think that's the complete narrative. Michael's contract is up after 2016 season. They signed Fred Jackson. They found Thomas Rawls. They now view spending development capital on Rawls as more beneficial than on Michael. I think gm's around the league understood what was going on Seattle so were probably just circling like vultures for the day Seattle cut Michael. Seattle got what they could get in the market environment.

He was traded for a conditional 7th round pick just 2 years after they spent a 2nd on him -- you can put whatever spin you want on it, but Seattle clearly wanted no part of him anymore. And that's a huge red flag if you're looking at it at all objectively.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Look. Obviously you can succeed at Rb in the NFL with little to no brain. Travis Henry, Lawrence Phillips, Adrian Peterson, the list goes on of absolute morons who can carry a football around. Here's hoping he gets a true shot.

Yeah, but there's a difference between street smarts, book smarts, and football smarts. If Michael doesn't know blitz pickup, where to look for cutback lanes, basic down & distance stuff, etc he's gonna have a hard time getting on the field no matter how big and fast he is.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Look. Obviously you can succeed at Rb in the NFL with little to no brain. Travis Henry, Lawrence Phillips, Adrian Peterson, the list goes on of absolute morons who can carry a football around. Here's hoping he gets a true shot.

Lawrence Phillips succeeded in the NFL?

 

[Sabertooth]

Maybe a bad example. I'm sure there are better ones. OJ Simpson, Bam Morris, heck Brick Tamland killed a guy.

 

[RealReactions]

No doubt he has elite level skills.

Oh there is doubt, lots of it actually.

Have you watched him run? I'd be surprised if you would not think he has elite level running skills after actually watching him. But hey ... we all end up with different viewpoints after watching the same player. Supposedly Breshad Perriman has skills ... I don't see them.

Elite athletic measurables -- yes. Elite running skills -- TBD. 52 career carries is waaaaay to early to slap an elite label on anyone, IMO.

When your speculating on picking up players, drafting players whatever it may be, you can only use the measurable's and film of what you have seen.It is the essence of being a great GM. It's how you draft guys like Chris Johnson, Jamal Charles etc late in the first or early second rounds of rookie drafts (fantasy dynasty drafts that is)......or more recently Lamar Miller who is now about to break into RB 1 status. And then you have busts like T-Rich and the like.

It's a crap shoot.

IMO based on the film I have seen and the limited playing time he has received in the NFL, he has Elite potential. It's a matter of getting the opportunity to showcase his skill set. Something that would never happen in Seattle unless Skittles went down. I think his upside is high in the right situation.

I personally weigh Seattle's opinion on the guy higher than the way he looks on a very limited number of touches on film or how he did in combine tests two and a half years ago. YMMV of course, but a smart franchise just dumped Michael at a huge loss and almost for free, and that's a hugely significant piece of information.

I don't think that's the complete narrative. Michael's contract is up after 2016 season. They signed Fred Jackson. They found Thomas Rawls. They now view spending development capital on Rawls as more beneficial than on Michael. I think gm's around the league understood what was going on Seattle so were probably just circling like vultures for the day Seattle cut Michael. Seattle got what they could get in the market environment.

He was traded for a conditional 7th round pick just 2 years after they spent a 2nd on him -- you can put whatever spin you want on it, but Seattle clearly wanted no part of him anymore. And that's a huge red flag if you're looking at it at all objectively.

I read an article from a source in seattle saying the kid has talent but just doesn't fit in the system as it is to complex so that is the only reason they gave him up. It really isn't a huge red flag it also saves them money and they needed room for Fred Jackson. Way i see it is Cowboys clearly have no faith in the ribs they got and plan on using michael sooner rather than later.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I read an article from a source in seattle saying the kid has talent but just doesn't fit in the system as it is to complex so that is the only reason they gave him up. It really isn't a huge red flag it also saves them money and they needed room for Fred Jackson. Way i see it is Cowboys clearly have no faith in the ribs they got and plan on using michael sooner rather than later.

On the flipside, if it were just a scheme thing you'd think there would have been more teams interested in him leading to a better buying price. There are plenty of teams that could use 2nd round talent at RB for the cost of a 4th or 5th round pick, but no one was willing to give that up for Michael.

 

[Rudakus]

Seriously...

Was CMike ever the starter (sans injury) for Texas A&M in his 4 seasons?

Yes. Even though Cyrus Gray had a nice college career and has been a backup in the NFL, it was always pretty clear that Michael was the better back. Had it not been for injuries, Gray wouldn't have ever gotten the chance to break out and probably wouldn't have been drafted.

I remember watching him mistakenly steal the ball from Tannehill on what was supposed to be a fake handoff for a play-action pass and take it for like a 32 yard score. That play really epitomizes him as a player. Supremely talented but boneheaded.

Wow. That is a priceless example of Michael's "special traits."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBQnOz6nhxE

I got it wrong. It was a straight up pass play and it was 48 yards. Play starts at 0:09 (second play of the clip). Best angle is at 0:27. Effing hilarious.

That's hysterical - you can practically see the "WTF?" thought bubble over Tannehill's head.

Yeah, that's exactly what I assumed was going through his mind around 0:28. But hard to argue with results. Watching that whole youtube clip made me want to hang onto him (took him as a trade/cut list flyer late in a few leagues, not a dynasty owner).

How do the announcers not even comment on that?

The blockers also clearly thought it was a run play though... if it would have been a pass there would have been a flag for ineligible down field. Not sure what happened on that play may have been QB's mistake actually

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

It's an interesting play, for sure. I'm not trying to argue about it either, just pointing out that I don't see the same thing. If I have the time, I'll search for another version of the video.

I agree with you. As soon as I saw it I thought it was planned. It was way tio smooth to be a botched play.

 

[biju]

What I want to know is, if he's so damn talented why hasn't he passed Randle and McFadden or even Dunbar on the depth chart yet? If he's so talented why is he 4th of the depth chart?

<end hater troll>

 

[I Am the Stig]

This thread is good but it is missing something that the Josh Gordon thread had.

 

[RealReactions]

I read an article from a source in seattle saying the kid has talent but just doesn't fit in the system as it is to complex so that is the only reason they gave him up. It really isn't a huge red flag it also saves them money and they needed room for Fred Jackson. Way i see it is Cowboys clearly have no faith in the ribs they got and plan on using michael sooner rather than later.

On the flipside, if it were just a scheme thing you'd think there would have been more teams interested in him leading to a better buying price. There are plenty of teams that could use 2nd round talent at RB for the cost of a 4th or 5th round pick, but no one was willing to give that up for Michael.

Because running back is now the most replaceable position in football. You won't see anyone give up a high draft pick for a rb in the near future unless he has truly shown talent and has started in the league and proven himself.

What I want to know is, if he's so damn talented why hasn't he passed Randle and McFadden or even Dunbar on the depth chart yet? If he's so talented why is he 4th of the depth chart?

<end hater troll>

Uhm i don't know maybe the fact that he just got to the team and needs to learn the playbook?

 

[Chaka]

Teams probably suspected that Michael was going to be a roster casualty and some of those who were interested probably rolled the dice that the could get him off waivers. The Cowboys obviously didn't want to take that chance so they made a modest trade offer.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

This thread is good but it is missing something that the Josh Gordon thread had.

A 40 point per game season behind the player it's about?

 

[Coeur de Lion]

I read an article from a source in seattle saying the kid has talent but just doesn't fit in the system as it is to complex so that is the only reason they gave him up. It really isn't a huge red flag it also saves them money and they needed room for Fred Jackson. Way i see it is Cowboys clearly have no faith in the ribs they got and plan on using michael sooner rather than later.

On the flipside, if it were just a scheme thing you'd think there would have been more teams interested in him leading to a better buying price. There are plenty of teams that could use 2nd round talent at RB for the cost of a 4th or 5th round pick, but no one was willing to give that up for Michael.

Because running back is now the most replaceable position in football. You won't see anyone give up a high draft pick for a rb in the near future unless he has truly shown talent and has started in the league and proven himself.

You miss the Bryce Brown trade a few months back?

 

[ATB]

Seriously...

Was CMike ever the starter (sans injury) for Texas A&M in his 4 seasons?

Yes. Even though Cyrus Gray had a nice college career and has been a backup in the NFL, it was always pretty clear that Michael was the better back. Had it not been for injuries, Gray wouldn't have ever gotten the chance to break out and probably wouldn't have been drafted.

I remember watching him mistakenly steal the ball from Tannehill on what was supposed to be a fake handoff for a play-action pass and take it for like a 32 yard score. That play really epitomizes him as a player. Supremely talented but boneheaded.

Wow. That is a priceless example of Michael's "special traits."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBQnOz6nhxE

I got it wrong. It was a straight up pass play and it was 48 yards. Play starts at 0:09 (second play of the clip). Best angle is at 0:27. Effing hilarious.

That's hysterical - you can practically see the "WTF?" thought bubble over Tannehill's head.

Yeah, that's exactly what I assumed was going through his mind around 0:28. But hard to argue with results. Watching that whole youtube clip made me want to hang onto him (took him as a trade/cut list flyer late in a few leagues, not a dynasty owner).

How do the announcers not even comment on that?

The blockers also clearly thought it was a run play though... if it would have been a pass there would have been a flag for ineligible down field. Not sure what happened on that play may have been QB's mistake actually

It's an interesting play, for sure. I'm not trying to argue about it either, just pointing out that I don't see the same thing. If I have the time, I'll search for another version of the video.

I agree with you. As soon as I saw it I thought it was planned. It was way tio smooth to be a botched play.

Exactly. It looks like a designed play with a strang handoff. All the replays I've seen, the handoff isn't in clear sight - almost like QB nearly dropped the ball. Whatever happened, it looked like a running play with a fake throw.

 

[ATB]

It's an interesting play, for sure. I'm not trying to argue about it either, just pointing out that I don't see the same thing. If I have the time, I'll search for another version of the video.

Check out the blocking. It seems like every player except Michael is blocking for a screen to Ryan Swope (#25). If it was a designed run play they would've blocked differently. The right guard and right tackle pretty much ignore those two rushers because they know the play is going to the left.

I'm a believer in Occam's Razor. Simplest explanation is usual correct. Is it a simpler explanation that the whole offense was thinking pass but the RB ripped the ball away and barreled through the line for a miraculous TD or that the play was designed as a fake throw and that the RB simply took the path of least resistance (found a hole on the weak side as often happens)?

I'm going with #2. Simplest explanation. No blown play. Dude saw a hole and ran through it.

 

[Manster]

One thing that keeps sticking in my mind.....Dallas REALLY wants to run the ball....they've built a bruiser of an O line and pounded the rock with great success last season..don't let preseason scare u off. Once the reg sEason starts, that line is road gradin defenses...I think u grab randle as his perceived value is dropping and grab Cmike late.....one of these guys is going to have a solid year.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Gregg Bell ‏@gbellseattle 45m45 minutes ago

OC Darrell Bevell on Christine Michael's failings w #Seahawks "We articulated very clearly what we expected..just was not able to work out"

 

[Coeur de Lion]

One thing that keeps sticking in my mind.....Dallas REALLY wants to run the ball....they've built a bruiser of an O line and pounded the rock with great success last season..don't let preseason scare u off. Once the reg sEason starts, that line is road gradin defenses...I think u grab randle as his perceived value is dropping and grab Cmike late.....one of these guys is going to have a solid year.

Agree that they'll put up good stats as a team -- but IMO it's equally, if not most, likely that the production is split enough ways that no one is all that great in FF.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Couple runs:

This one from practice, last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=33&v=3V3JiOhFOxA

One from the 2nd (I think?) preseason game vs SD:

https://vine.co/v/eIJuAIlEe5w

 

[Manster]

One thing that keeps sticking in my mind.....Dallas REALLY wants to run the ball....they've built a bruiser of an O line and pounded the rock with great success last season..don't let preseason scare u off. Once the reg sEason starts, that line is road gradin defenses...I think u grab randle as his perceived value is dropping and grab Cmike late.....one of these guys is going to have a solid year.

Agree that they'll put up good stats as a team -- but IMO it's equally, if not most, likely that the production is split enough ways that no one is all that great in FF.

Yea, u may be right. But I could also see someone emerging to be the leaf dog, and it ain't gonna be dmac or dunbar. This is a high powered O with a lot fantasy points available....and they wana keep Tony from takin big hits.....

 

[mnmplayer]

Couple runs:

This one from practice, last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=33&v=3V3JiOhFOxA

One from the 2nd (I think?) preseason game vs SD:

https://vine.co/v/eIJuAIlEe5w

Guy will get his chance and shine most likely. It's easy to get excited about a guy that weighs 220+ and can move like that. Those moves are usually reserved for sub 200 lbs. guys.

 

[cstu]

Took him in the 12th round of a redraft tonight - high chance he could be worthless but how many players available that late have a chance to win you a title?

 

[Sabertooth]

I scooped him up as the last player picked in our auction last night. Hoping he grabs the job.

 

[Sabertooth]

Took him in the 12th round of a redraft tonight - high chance he could be worthless but how many players available that late have a chance to win you a title?

4

 

[spreagle]

Michaels chances to play are improved by the fact that Dallas fans got spoiled last year, a couple lackluster, unexciting running games and fans will be clamoring for something that at least looks somewhat like Demarco Murray. That's when Michael gets his chance to be the main guy.

 

[FF Ninja]

It's an interesting play, for sure. I'm not trying to argue about it either, just pointing out that I don't see the same thing. If I have the time, I'll search for another version of the video.

Check out the blocking. It seems like every player except Michael is blocking for a screen to Ryan Swope (#25). If it was a designed run play they would've blocked differently. The right guard and right tackle pretty much ignore those two rushers because they know the play is going to the left.

I'm a believer in Occam's Razor. Simplest explanation is usual correct. Is it a simpler explanation that the whole offense was thinking pass but the RB ripped the ball away and barreled through the line for a miraculous TD or that the play was designed as a fake throw and that the RB simply took the path of least resistance (found a hole on the weak side as often happens)?

I'm going with #2. Simplest explanation. No blown play. Dude saw a hole and ran through it.

I'm guessing you never found the whole clip? Because I feel I should remind you that I only remember this play because it was a blown play that led to a TD. The slow motion from different angles made it quite apparent. Otherwise, I'd have liked to have forgotten this game entirely since A&M blew it late in the 4th. But even if you don't buy that, the blocking makes it quite apparent.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Meanwhile...

(USA Today) Seattle Seahawks RB Fred Jackson ran with the starting offense Monday, Sept. 7, in place of RB Marshawn Lynch, who was tending to a personal matter. Head coach Pete Carroll said Jackson picked up the offense effortlessly and that Jackson will "play a lot" in the Week 1 opener against the St. Louis Rams. Jackson will step into the role of former RB Robert Turbin. Carroll sees Jackson having a key role in third-down situations, both blocking and receiving.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Can't get over the fact that with Turbin hurt the Hawks were staring directly at the prospect of Michael spelling Lynch, and the Hawks said 'nah.'

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Meanwhile...

(USA Today) Seattle Seahawks RB Fred Jackson ran with the starting offense Monday, Sept. 7, in place of RB Marshawn Lynch, who was tending to a personal matter. Head coach Pete Carroll said Jackson picked up the offense effortlessly and that Jackson will "play a lot" in the Week 1 opener against the St. Louis Rams. Jackson will step into the role of former RB Robert Turbin. Carroll sees Jackson having a key role in third-down situations, both blocking and receiving.

You desperation is obvious and a little sad.

I'm a Michael owner. And Fred Jackson owner.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Can't get over the fact that with Turbin hurt the Hawks were staring directly at the prospect of Michael spelling Lynch, and the Hawks said 'nah.'

They said "nah" to keeping him around, period -- a conditional 7th is as close as it gets to being totally free.

 

[jurb26]

Meanwhile...

(USA Today) Seattle Seahawks RB Fred Jackson ran with the starting offense Monday, Sept. 7, in place of RB Marshawn Lynch, who was tending to a personal matter. Head coach Pete Carroll said Jackson picked up the offense effortlessly and that Jackson will "play a lot" in the Week 1 opener against the St. Louis Rams. Jackson will step into the role of former RB Robert Turbin. Carroll sees Jackson having a key role in third-down situations, both blocking and receiving.

You desperation is obvious and a little sad.

It's not relevant that Jackson is able to pick up the offense in about a week or 2 and Michael couldn't in 2+ years? Especially now that he's going to a new offense and will have to learn that?

 

[matttyl]

Been offered C Mike for Spiller (dynasty league). What have others been paying to get him?

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

For subscribers, a great (as usual) in-depth analysis of Michael's game by Cian Fahey in his week 1 "Pushing the Pocket" article.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Meanwhile...

(USA Today) Seattle Seahawks RB Fred Jackson ran with the starting offense Monday, Sept. 7, in place of RB Marshawn Lynch, who was tending to a personal matter. Head coach Pete Carroll said Jackson picked up the offense effortlessly and that Jackson will "play a lot" in the Week 1 opener against the St. Louis Rams. Jackson will step into the role of former RB Robert Turbin. Carroll sees Jackson having a key role in third-down situations, both blocking and receiving.

You desperation is obvious and a little sad.

The only desperation I see is that coming from those who invested a ton in a guy that just got traded for a kicking tee and a bag of used footballs. You guys are the ones grasping at reasons why the Seahawks dumped Michael other than the obvious one.

 

[FBG Moderator]

Meanwhile...

(USA Today) Seattle Seahawks RB Fred Jackson ran with the starting offense Monday, Sept. 7, in place of RB Marshawn Lynch, who was tending to a personal matter. Head coach Pete Carroll said Jackson picked up the offense effortlessly and that Jackson will "play a lot" in the Week 1 opener against the St. Louis Rams. Jackson will step into the role of former RB Robert Turbin. Carroll sees Jackson having a key role in third-down situations, both blocking and receiving.

You desperation is obvious and a little sad.

Surely you have something more constructive you can add to the conversation than this?

If not, then refraining from postingwould be a good choice.

 

[rickyg]

I keep coming back in here looking for some actual news on michael and only find bickering be a bunch of people who have no clue how this will turn out for him this year.

Don't over complicate his guys. You have a roster spot to burn for a month or so at the end of your bench? Add michael. A lottery ticket. If he catches fire you're money if he doesn't you drop him. Easy peasy.

I'd like to hear how he's been in practice last few days. Any Cowboys fans in here? Any insight?