Reusse +: Eric Murray has been standout at corner for Gophers

[BleedGopher]

per Reusse's "+" column:

When the Gophers announce their postseason awards, politics will dictate that Hageman is named the top defensive player. For the assignments he's been given, to go one-on-one with star receivers, and for his role in making this a secondary that's competitive rather than porous, Murray is as worthy a defender for that award.

All that Murray is missing this season is an interception. He has 44 tackles, nine pass breakups and a fumble recovery at the start of the Penn State game. On Saturday, his toughness was visible. He was on punt coverage, took a blow and was on all fours on the middle of the field, vomiting. He was back on defense within a couple of plays.

Murray fits the profile of this Gophers' team. When Bak and receiver Derek Engel were in the lineup, the two-deep for this team included 31 of 44 players who were not made an offer from another school in a BCS conference.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/233228671.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[Governor Sibley]

Kid plays hard. Love it.

 

[mnsports1]

per Reusse's "+" column:

When the Gophers announce their postseason awards, politics will dictate that Hageman is named the top defensive player. For the assignments he's been given, to go one-on-one with star receivers, and for his role in making this a secondary that's competitive rather than porous, Murray is as worthy a defender for that award.

All that Murray is missing this season is an interception. He has 44 tackles, nine pass breakups and a fumble recovery at the start of the Penn State game. On Saturday, his toughness was visible. He was on punt coverage, took a blow and was on all fours on the middle of the field, vomiting. He was back on defense within a couple of plays.

Murray fits the profile of this Gophers' team. When Bak and receiver Derek Engel were in the lineup, the two-deep for this team included 31 of 44 players who were not made an offer from another school in a BCS conference.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/233228671.html

Go Gophers!!

I was certain he had a concussion and was done for the game. Glad I was wrong.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

He is going to be something special the next two years. I'm comfortable moving forward with him as our #1 corner for the next two years. I'm now only worried about the defensive line.

 

[dpodoll68]

When Bak and receiver Derek Engel were in the lineup, the two-deep for this team included 31 of 44 players who were not made an offer from another school in a BCS conference.

I don't know where Fatprick is getting his information, but this is not accurate.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I don't know where Fatprick is getting his information, but this is not accurate.

No way to prove you or Pat are right, but Pat may have better connections to information.

One cool thing I notice about Murray is how level headed he is on the field. He gets beat on the Abbrederis TD and he just turns and head back to the huddle, like he had already forgotten what had happened.

 

[t-docious]

One cool thing I notice about Murray is how level headed he is on the field. He gets beat on the Abbrederis TD and he just turns and head back to the huddle, like he had already forgotten what had happened.

This is a very underrated quality in a player. The mental toughness of this team is pretty remarkable.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

I don't know where Fatprick is getting his information, but this is not accurate.

I think that he meant that 31 of 44 had offers from Western Michigan.

 

[dpodoll68]

I think that he meant that 31 of 44 had offers from Western Michigan.

Yes, that must be it. (And probably pretty close to accurate .)

 

[GophersInIowa]

I don't know where Fatprick is getting his information, but this is not accurate.

But it was printed in the paper so it must be true!!!

 

[MaxyJR1]

But it was printed in the paper so it must be true!!!

@RyanBurnsGI: Crazy stat I saw today on this 8 win Gopher team. Of the 44 in the 2 deep roster, 34 were recruited by Coach Kill. Zero four stars (Cont.)

@RyanBurnsGI: 27 three-stars, 13 two-stars and 4 no stars. 31 of the 44 Minnesota was their only BCS offer! Think this staff can't identify talent? #8wins

Was Reusse his source?

 

[Governor Sibley]

There are tons of kids out there who can play.

In theory, you could win a national championship with kids who'd received no other D1 offers.

Iowa went to the Orange Bowl with a bunch of walk-ons and long-shots.

 

[gopherMD]

Murray wil be better than Willie Middlebrooks before he is done.

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

Murray wil be better than Willie Middlebrooks before he is done.

I agree. That said, Willie was a 1st round pick because he could absolutely fly, not because he was a great CB.

 

[Unregistered User]

Souhan still sucks though, right?

 

[goldfan24]

I am waiting for Eric to learn how to turn toward the ball before the receiver makes the reception to continue another drive. I believe the GREAT d-backs have that ability and that is what makes them GREAT. I do think Eric is a good corner and hopefully makes the next step in his development.

 

[dpodoll68]

It's not that he can't turn - it's that he's being coached not to, as are the rest of our defensive backs. I am looking forward to another defensive improvement when our coaches teach our DBs to not face-guard, which they are coaching for whatever reason this year. That's a big reason why we have so few INTs this year - but, to be fair, also a reason why we have given up less big plays in the pass game than in previous years.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

It's not that he can't turn - it's that he's being coached not to, as are the rest of our defensive backs. I am looking forward to another defensive improvement when our coaches teach our DBs to not face-guard, which they are coaching for whatever reason this year. That's a big reason why we have so few INTs this year - but, to be fair, also a reason why we have given up less big plays in the pass game than in previous years.

This has been a head-scratcher for me this year. I can't believe we don't take even more pass interference penalties with how much face guarding we are doing.

 

[BleedGopher]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kill said Eric Murray has gained a lot of attention from NFL GM's. "He's a no-nonsense young man now." <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Gophers&src=hash">#Gophers</a></p>— Daily at the Bank (@DailyattheBank) <a href="https://twitter.com/DailyattheBank/statuses/405401773726109696">November 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Go Gophers!!

 

[mnsportsgeek]

It's not that he can't turn - it's that he's being coached not to, as are the rest of our defensive backs. I am looking forward to another defensive improvement when our coaches teach our DBs to not face-guard, which they are coaching for whatever reason this year. That's a big reason why we have so few INTs this year - but, to be fair, also a reason why we have given up less big plays in the pass game than in previous years.

Agreed. It's too common practice for it not to be a thing that the coaches are teaching them. Everyone does it. I don't know why. Maybe because they think that is the most effective way to defend with the athletes they have?

 

[jaymil]

Agreed. It's too common practice for it not to be a thing that the coaches are teaching them. Everyone does it. I don't know why. Maybe because they think that is the most effective way to defend with the athletes they have?

Call me crazy but I think it has worked for the most part. We've probably missed out on a few interceptions and obviously the PI calls in the Wisconsin game hurt, but there have also been multiple plays where we knock the ball away from the WR because we are facing them and know when the ball gets in their hands. If you turn around for the ball, there's that moment where you have to pick it up and the WR already knows where it's going and adjusts before the DB, this is when you can lose the WR and give up the catch, and then you aren't in position to knock the ball away. The back shoulder throw, which is becoming increasingly popular, is especially tough to defend when you turn around and try to find the ball.

Wisconsin did a good job to take advantage of our philosophy. Underthrowing the ball and having the WR or TE come back for it with the DB in the way and not looking for the ball is a guaranteed PI call just about every time. It'll be interesting to see if MSU tries this as well and if we've made any adjustments.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Call me crazy but I think it has worked for the most part. We've probably missed out on a few interceptions and obviously the PI calls in the Wisconsin game hurt, but there have also been multiple plays where we knock the ball away from the WR because we are facing them and know when the ball gets in their hands. If you turn around for the ball, there's that moment where you have to pick it up and the WR already knows where it's going and adjusts before the DB, this is when you can lose the WR and give up the catch, and then you aren't in position to knock the ball away. The back shoulder throw, which is becoming increasingly popular, is especially tough to defend when you turn around and try to find the ball.

Wisconsin did a good job to take advantage of our philosophy. Underthrowing the ball and having the WR or TE come back for it with the DB in the way and not looking for the ball is a guaranteed PI call just about every time. It'll be interesting to see if MSU tries this as well and if we've made any adjustments.

It's certainly been effective. It's a large part in why we've been so successful on defense this year. It's just not the type of defense that is going to get these kids serious looks by NFL scouts. They may be interested in Murray as a sophomore, but if he is still face guarding as a senior, the scouts will look elsewhere.

 

[Formo]

@RyanBurnsGI: Crazy stat I saw today on this 8 win Gopher team. Of the 44 in the 2 deep roster, 34 were recruited by Coach Kill. Zero four stars (Cont.)

@RyanBurnsGI: 27 three-stars, 13 two-stars and 4 no stars. 31 of the 44 Minnesota was their only BCS offer! Think this staff can't identify talent? #8wins

Was Reusse his source?

No way. Burns was Reusse's source.

Ok, I kid. I would love to see someone dig this information up, though.

 

[dpodoll68]

I would love to see someone dig this information up, though.

Players with multiple BCS offers currently on the 2-deeps:

Hayes
Campion
Pirsig
Cobb
Kirkland
Nugget
Maye
D. Jones
Wolitarsky
Amaefula
H. Ekpe
R. Johnson
Hageman
D. Wilson
Manuel
Campbell
Vereen

 

[Formo]

It's not that he can't turn - it's that he's being coached not to, as are the rest of our defensive backs. I am looking forward to another defensive improvement when our coaches teach our DBs to not face-guard, which they are coaching for whatever reason this year. That's a big reason why we have so few INTs this year - but, to be fair, also a reason why we have given up less big plays in the pass game than in previous years.

Yes and no. Both the secondary coach and coach Kill have stated that the kids still have to learn to turn for the ball. But that's not even their top priority. In man coverage, you play the receiver, not the QB or ball (like in zone). So, their job is to shadow their guy first. If they find themselves struggling to keep with him, then just 'face guard' them. There's a corner our DBs have yet to turn, and looking for the ball is it. But, alot of times, that's a process you have to feel out. Some WRs are good with their eyes to mask when the ball is coming (or pretend it's coming) to get the DB to look away for a fraction of a second. It's a process of getting the 'rhythm' or 'feel' for when the ball is coming. It's actually a bit of intuition that needs to be developed.

As a former DB, it drives me more insane than everyone else because there have been well over 10 passes that were completed on us that if our DB just simply turned his head around would have had an INT, and in some cases, pick-6s. But, I also know that turning to face the ball is as much of an intuition thing as it is a mechanical thing.

I have faith that our young DBs (which most are) will start clicking and won't be working so hard to keep up with the receiver so as to have the confidence to turn for the ball.

 

[Formo]

Players with multiple BCS offers currently on the 2-deeps:

Hayes
Campion
Pirsig
Cobb
Kirkland
Nugget
Maye
D. Jones
Wolitarsky
Amaefula
H. Ekpe
R. Johnson
Hageman
D. Wilson
Manuel
Campbell
Vereen

Nice.

Also, I love how you label Rod 'Nugget'.

 

[Formo]

Call me crazy but I think it has worked for the most part. We've probably missed out on a few interceptions and obviously the PI calls in the Wisconsin game hurt, but there have also been multiple plays where we knock the ball away from the WR because we are facing them and know when the ball gets in their hands. If you turn around for the ball, there's that moment where you have to pick it up and the WR already knows where it's going and adjusts before the DB, this is when you can lose the WR and give up the catch, and then you aren't in position to knock the ball away. The back shoulder throw, which is becoming increasingly popular, is especially tough to defend when you turn around and try to find the ball.

Wisconsin did a good job to take advantage of our philosophy. Underthrowing the ball and having the WR or TE come back for it with the DB in the way and not looking for the ball is a guaranteed PI call just about every time. It'll be interesting to see if MSU tries this as well and if we've made any adjustments.

That last paragraph is gold. And absolutely spot on.