Akem, thoughts

[PDXGrizzly]

Plus, Grossman is a terrific TE.

Grossman is a terrific receiver. But a big part of a TE's job is pass and run blocking when not running a route. I haven't seen that. While everyone like to rag on our OL and leaves them solely accountable for our spotty pass protection, they have had little support from undersized RBs and TEs that are not getting the job done. Teams that protect their QB well have great blocking from their RBs and TEs (or H-backs).

Grossman and the HBs are all frosh that haven’t filled out yet. They can only improve (hopefully)

 

[AZGrizFan]

Grossman is a terrific receiver. But a big part of a TE's job is pass and run blocking when not running a route. I haven't seen that. While everyone like to rag on our OL and leaves them solely accountable for our spotty pass protection, they have had little support from undersized RBs and TEs that are not getting the job done. Teams that protect their QB well have great blocking from their RBs and TEs (or H-backs).

Grossman and the HBs are all frosh that haven’t filled out yet. They can only improve (hopefully)

Grossman is a college senior.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I think it's precisely the opposite. Akem is opening it up for guys like Grossman and Roberts.

I agree with this. When Grossman caught his TD pass Akem had the DB and took the safety with him which allowed Cole to be wide open once he cleared the LB.

Yep. Been that way most of the season. Teams have decided they’re not going to let Akem beat them…and UM has had difficulty adjusting to what the other teams are giving them.

 

[kemajic]

Grossman and the HBs are all frosh that haven’t filled out yet. They can only improve (hopefully)

Grossman is a college senior.

He's listed as a RS freshman on the roster.

https://gogriz.com/sports/football/roster/cole-grossman/6026

 

[AZGrizFan]

Grossman is a college senior.

He's listed as a RS freshman on the roster.

https://gogriz.com/sports/football/roster/cole-grossman/6026

I know. But he’s in his 4th year of college. Grey shirt/RS/Free year/This year.

 

[garizzalies]

IMHO, the best Griz receiver going into the fall was Sulser while Akem had possibly the third best hands (behind GS and MR).

Sulser was a huge loss; Griz could do so much with him, and so much more than just screens and fly sweeps. That whole chapter of the playbook has been missing, altho KW seemed to bring back some slot plays last week.

Sulser’s route tree looks like the Xmas tree at rockefeller center, while Akem’s looks more like Charlie Brown’s. Seems like there’s only 3-4 routes they call for Akem.

Those are just my thoughs though

 

[cmtgrizzly]

I am really impressed with Roberts. He seems to get open a lot and seems to have really good hands. I have confidence that when we need a catch to move the chains he is a really good option. That could be because Akem is garnering so much attention or maybe Roberts is just dang good.

 

[retiredpopo]

I am really impressed with Roberts. He seems to get open a lot and seems to have really good hands. I have confidence that when we need a catch to move the chains he is a really good option. That could be because Akem is garnering so much attention or maybe Roberts is just dang good.

yup I have said that all year in the clutch he would be my go to guy. gets open and does fights for the ball and never has drops that could have been caught...

 

[AZGrizFan]

I am really impressed with Roberts. He seems to get open a lot and seems to have really good hands. I have confidence that when we need a catch to move the chains he is a really good option. That could be because Akem is garnering so much attention or maybe Roberts is just dang good.

or maybe both.

 

[Cuervohola]

Bobby is playing the standard "Don't use your KR as a WR" even though he is the fastest on the team and nobody is going to kick to him the rest of the year anyway. Other than that, it is the TE's running the show as far as I'm concerned.

 

[SaskGriz]

White had the one drop apparently, but he might end up being the best of the bunch. And yeah, it's cuz he's Canadian.

 

[kemajic]

I am really impressed with Roberts. He seems to get open a lot and seems to have really good hands. I have confidence that when we need a catch to move the chains he is a really good option. That could be because Akem is garnering so much attention or maybe Roberts is just dang good.

or maybe both.

Roberts and Grossman are both great possession receivers. But neither is a great deep threat. With Sulser, and now Flowers, out of the equation, our receiving corp is not the awesome threat we thought it was at the start of the year. Akem is exposed for extra coverage.

 

[AZGrizFan]

or maybe both.

Roberts and Grossman are both great possession receivers. But neither is a great deep threat. With Sulser, and now Flowers, out of the equation, our receiving corp is not the awesome threat we thought it was at the start of the year. Akem is exposed for extra coverage.

Yep. I’ll take 10-12 play possession drives all day long. :lol: Having Akem on the field certainly helps Roberts and Grossman.

 

[Grizzlies1982]

Akem is a damn fine receiver. He draws extra attention from the defenses which does open up opportunities for our other men. When we throw to him he often needs to leap for it. It’s been damn rare to see a throw in front of him in stride. Instead it’s send him to the sidelines and have him jump.

As others have said, improving our running game could do wonders for all our receivers

 

[griz4life]

I'd challenge any goofball who thinks Akem, or any other athlete deemed to "not care", to turn up for 5 a.m. winter work outs, or summer PRPs, or show up in the training room, Look that young man in the eye and tell him he doesn't care as much as you do.

I see a lot routes where Akem is open, but the play doesn't develop, or develops too slowly. There were some good crossing routes in this last game where Akem was available until he wasn't anymore.

 

[retiredpopo]

Roberts and Grossman are both great possession receivers. But neither is a great deep threat. With Sulser, and now Flowers, out of the equation, our receiving corp is not the awesome threat we thought it was at the start of the year. Akem is exposed for extra coverage.

Yep. I’ll take 10-12 play possession drives all day long. :lol: Having Akem on the field certainly helps Roberts and Grossman.

Amen.

 

[fanofzoo]

White had the one drop apparently, but he might end up being the best of the bunch. And yeah, it's cuz he's Canadian.

Maple syrup come off on the miss, fixed that.

 

[blackfootipa]

Someone needs to step up and beat man on man coverage. That dude should be Keelan White but he hasn't made the play yet. I'm praying that he makes a couple plays and the confidence starts to click.

 

[hunt-ducks]

Some posters are suggesting that Grossman is not a good blocking TE. Not sure that is true. I know he weighs only 220. But, if he is not, who don't we use some double TE sets with Grossman and Elwell? Joey is 6'3", 245 lbs., and should be able to block. The double TE set can still be a very effective passing set, with drag routes, slants, TE screens, etc. Hell, if we're going to feature mostly short passes anyway, at least we might be better at protecting Brown with two TEs.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Some posters are suggesting that Grossman is not a good blocking TE. Not sure that is true. I know he weighs only 220. But, if he is not, who don't we use some double TE sets with Grossman and Elwell? Joey is 6'3", 245 lbs., and should be able to block. The double TE set can still be a very effective passing set, with drag routes, slants, TE screens, etc. Hell, if we're going to feature mostly short passes anyway, at least we might be better at protecting Brown with two TEs.

Agreed on all fronts. I havent’ noticed any issues with Grossman’s blocking, but honestly havent’ paid a shitload of attention to that. More slants, drags and screens would be welcome.