MVN - Most Valuable Network

MYNC: Mike Hart

He’s small, but he’s got heart.

Ick.

Sorry about that. Just regurgitating the basic point of every stinking article out there on Michigan running back Mike Hart. Okay, okay. We get it: he’s small. And, yes, we understand: despite his stature, he plays BIG. Or, to be even more accurate and witty, he plays with…wait for it…wait for it…HEART.

Oddly enough, Hart is by far the most recognizable name drafted by the Colts. Maybe I say that because I live in Big Ten Country. Still, when it comes down to it, I’ve actually heard of Mike Hart. I’ve seen the guy play multiple times. I’m not the biggest Michigan fan in the world (and that’s probably an understatement), but Hart was always impressive for the Wolverines. Sure, some would call him cocky or arrogant, but to many fans of the Maize and Blue, Mike Hart was simply “The Guy.”

Hart put together an impressive resume during his time at Michigan; he owns basically every single record associated with running backs there. Whether you love or hate Michigan, that’s impressive. Maybe I have too much of a fondness for the Big Ten, maybe those “inside scouts” know something I don’t, but it floors me that Hart dropped all the way to the sixth round. I understand he’s not the biggest guy around; I understand he’s not the fastest guy around; I even understand he’s got a whole lot of mileage on those wheels of his. I just can’t believe that a guy with that polished of a resume from a school known for its football prowess doesn’t get a look until late in the sixth round.

The Colts had to be pretty happy to have those compensatory picks so they could grab a guy like Mike Hart.

So, what does the team get out of him? He’s a tough runner who’s shifty and isn’t afraid to put his head down and bowl a guy over. He’s not afraid to drag a few tacklers with him for some extra yards. He has the kind of all-around game the Colts love in a running back. Word has it he’s not afraid to take on pass rushers. Just ask Hart’s college coach, Lloyd Carr:

“There’s a lot of ways to miss a linebacker when he’s coming if he’s 240 pounds and you’re 200. Sometimes you want to. Mike Hart never wants to. He met (Penn State linebacker Dan Connor) head up and didn’t give an inch.”

The Michigan Daily, October 5, 2007

Hart’s college career was exceptional, although I think we’d all agree it was marred somewhat by a disappointing senior season. It wasn’t that Hart was bad; it was that Michigan fell flat on its face, losing the opener to Appalachian State. After that, it seemed all downhill. It was so bad at one point, no one was sure whether Michigan or Notre Dame would win the Futility Bowl early in the season.

Hart also struggled with injuries during his senior campaign. It’s as if all those carries finally caught up with him. A bruised thigh and a sprained ankle led Hart to miss four whole games and parts of two others. Yet, he still led the conference in rushing. He was fourth in all-purpose yards.

I guess that shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially if you ask Hart’s teammate, the first pick of the 2008 NFL Draft for your Miami Dolphins, Jake Long:

“He’s definitely a humble dude. For all the accolades and all the publicity, he’s friends with everybody on the team.”

“He definitely leads. He’s a high-tempo guy. If you’re not going 100%, he’ll get in your face. He’s a leader both ways.”

USA Today

That’s Long on Hart, indeed.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 11:05 am and is filed under Mike Hart, Colts, NFL, NFL Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.