2007 TSUN News

[HailToMichigan]

Exactly. Michigan loses a lot on defense this year (even more if Branch leaves), but the offense should be pretty damn good.

Even with the personnel losses on defense (Woodley, Hall, Harris, etc.) I don't think our defense will be down too badly. This year's run-stopping monster was basically the same personnel as last year's very mediocre version. Being a year older wasn't the difference - Ron English was. As long as Coach English is around the defense is in good hands.

 

[SanAntonioBuck]

Even with the personnel losses on defense (Woodley, Hall, Harris, etc.) I don't think our defense will be down too badly. This year's run-stopping monster was basically the same personnel as last year's very mediocre version. Being a year older wasn't the difference - Ron English was. As long as Coach English is around the defense is in good hands.

Don't forget the defense was in better shape. Improved conditioning.

 

[jwinslow]

Even with the personnel losses on defense (Woodley, Hall, Harris, etc.) I don't think our defense will be down too badly.

Who is your other corner? Is trent actually a #1 corner? Will Harrison be a consistent nickelback?
Who is your mike?
Will the safety play improve under English?

This year's run-stopping monster was basically the same personnel as last year's very mediocre version. Being a year older wasn't the difference - Ron English was. As long as Coach English is around the defense is in good hands.

Ron English? Or LB coach Szabo getting Burgess & Crable to finally play good football consistently?

Szabo did a great job with those two (and Harris). IMO the 06 LBs had more potential/talent than the 07 replacements (especially if Crable departs to support his family).

 

[Jaxbuck]

As long as Coach English is around the defense is in good hands.

Untill someone spreads them out and makes them play in space again.

 

[HailToMichigan]

Who is your other corner? Is trent actually a #1 corner? Will Harrison be a consistent nickelback?
Who is your mike?
Will the safety play improve under English?
Ron English? Or LB coach Szabo getting Burgess & Crable to finally play good football consistently?

Szabo did a great job with those two (and Harris). IMO the 06 LBs had more potential/talent than the 07 replacements (especially if Crable departs to support his family).

I would think Johnny Sears is the front-runner to replace Hall, but Jerimy Finch should push for time (#1 recruit from the state of Indiana - admittedly not a football hotbed but still.) Chris Graham is lined up to play the middle, having made some starts there even this season, but if he falters, Austin Panter is a juco transfer who was named the top juco player this past year.

Basically, a lot of personnel turnover, but coaching ranks so far are holding steady (though most of the new hires elsewhere haven't filled out their staffs yet). There'll be a drop-off, but I don't expect defense to be a weak point. Certainly won't be anything like the 2005 team. Somewhere in between.

 

[jwinslow]

You feel good about Sears as a #1 corner? Most UM fans are worried about him as a #2 CB or nickelback, let alone covering the opposition's #1 WR.
Jerimy Finch is going to play corner?

Graham seemed to struggle at lot this season. He'll have to have a big offseason to be steady, which will still be a big dropoff from Graham.

Who will play SAM (SLB)?

 

[Buckeye737]

Even with the personnel losses on defense (Woodley, Hall, Harris, etc.) I don't think our defense will be down too badly. This year's run-stopping monster was basically the same personnel as last year's very mediocre version. Being a year older wasn't the difference - Ron English was. As long as Coach English is around the defense is in good hands.

I'm sure the defense will be tough next year as well, but those are some pretty tough guys to replace so I think it will be down a notch or two. Any speculation on Branch and his NFL decision?

 

[HailToMichigan]

You feel good about Sears as a #1 corner? Most UM fans are worried about him as a #2 CB or nickelback, let alone covering the opposition's #1 WR.
Jerimy Finch is going to play corner?

Graham seemed to struggle at lot this season. He'll have to have a big offseason to be steady, which will still be a big dropoff from Graham.

Who will play SAM (SLB)?

Heh, didn't say I feel great about it. Only that he seems to be the best option, barring a breakout in spring practice from someone. Anyway, I think it'll be Trent as the #1 corner with Sears opposite him. By default it pretty much has to be Trent. Finch is listed as a corner some places and a safety by others....I haven't paid close enough attention to see if the coaches know where they want him. But corner is iffier than safety with Harrison, Englemon, and Adams coming back.

Besides Graham, I honestly haven't a clue who's going to be at linebacker next season.

737 - If I had to put money on it, I'd say Branch will return. It makes sense from most perspectives. He'd do well in the draft, but he'd be overshadowed by Woodley, just as he has all season. Long and co. are probably beating the c'mon-man-we-gotta-beat-OSU drum, and besides all that he'd be an absolute lock to at least be on the preseason watch list for the Nagurski and sundry other trophies and awards. With all the turnover, it'd be "his" defense, just as Woodley was the leader this year. I think we'll see Branch come back for his senior year.

 

[CleveBucks]

DB, especially corner, is a huge concern for michigan next year. Trent and Sears aren't going to give anybody anything to worry about. A team with 4-5 capable receivers and a QB that is patient enough to find the open man will exploit that all day long.

 

[BuckeyePride]

They'll be OK. Their next year will be similar to our this year.. great O & D is questionable.... However, they'll lose to us again. Our D will remember what Mike Hart said.

 

[BB73]

If I had to put money on it, I'd say Branch will return. It makes sense from most perspectives. He'd do well in the draft, but he'd be overshadowed by Woodley, just as he has all season.

NFL personnel looking for a DT/NG will watch film of every snap that Branch has played all season, without worrying about what Woodley did. They have planty of time and money to fully evaluate Branch on an individual basis.

 

[23Skidoo]

NFL personnel looking for a DT/NG will watch film of every snap that Branch has played all season, without worrying about what Woodley did. They have planty of time and money to fully evaluate Branch on an individual basis.

That's exactly what I was thinking. DL, especially DT -- and evenmoreso one with the size and mind to play in NG in a 3-4 -- will get plenty of attention and propped up in the draft, even if he isn't that good. And, as much as I hate to say it, I think Branch is the real deal.
If he declared, I think he'd easily be a top-15 come draft time. And I wouldn't be too surprised to see him go above Woodley. (But I've also thought for awhile that Branch is a far better player than Woodley)

As a Buckeye, nothing would make me happier than to see Branch and Long kick start their NFL careers. Hart and Henne -- please please please stick around.

 

[kn1f3party]

Future Up North

I would sympathize with the school up North, but they're starting to feel what we did for so many years and I remember their arrogance.

That said, there are some reasons to talk about their future. Les Miles is doing a tremendous job at LSU and will be reloading with even more talent. Many know his roots to scUM. Is it obvious that he will go there next? It seems like Carr's future is getting darker and darker.

 

[Thump]

I would sympathize with the school up North, but they're starting to feel what we did for so many years and I remember their arrogance.

That said, there are some reasons to talk about their future. Les Miles is doing a tremendous job at LSU and will be reloading with even more talent. Many know his roots to scUM. Is it obvious that he will go there next? It seems like Carr's future is getting darker and darker.

Carr's not going anywhere.

Michigan will be tough next year.

 

[OCBucksFan]

Carr's not going anywhere.

Michigan will be tough next year.

It's odd, people seem to forget how long Bo was there and what his bowl record was. Carr managed to get scUM a NC, something Bo never did. Sure, as of recent he's had some issues but there's some things to take into consideration. He's 5-1 in the last 6 years, but if the Bucks beat Florida that leaves him defeated by two National Championship teams, not two 3-4 loss Buckeye teams.

Also, another thing to consider is the fact that he's not actually doing THAT bad, it's not like he's got 4-5 losses, or anything of that nature, people are just comparing him to the successes of rival teams.

If scUM wins in a bowl next year and/or beats the bucks all the heat from the fan-base will fade.