2009 TSUN News (football only discussion)

[3074326]

I think he could get a pretty scary offense going if he had a couple more years. But like you said, his lack of defensive recruiting is likely going to bite him in the ass and other teams will just outscore them. If his offense relies on one or two guys like it did at WVU, I don't like his chances of winning a championship. As we saw at WVU.. when White was out, they were a completely different team. And in the Big 10 he'll be playing a more physical and more competitive schedule, with a rival much better than Pitt at the end of the year......

 

[brutus2002]

They are putting too much stock in their freshmen class. They expect Campbell and Roh to come in and replace Taylor and Jamison. They expect Tate to be better than Henne. They are banking on Vlad and Turner to be better than any DB they have on their roster. Damn thats some high expectations. If 3-4 freshmen step up and play good they should be happy but they are expecting these guys to be all-world freshmen and IMO that is not only delusional but unfair. I think RR is starting to cloud the minds of their fanbase.

I have also heard that they are using walk-ons in their 2-deep defense...talk about a disaster waiting to happen. Michigans margin for error or injury is nill. Injuries to Tate or any defensive starter could be catastrophic. They literally have no depth. We can only hope they lose as many games as last year. IMO it is very possible. Like stated above they better hope Tate or DRob are studs because if not they will be relying on a true freshmen again next year.

Another thing that is nipping them in the ass is losing experienced guys to transfer. Its great to recruit top notch H.S. kids annually but their fans are excited about open scholarships from transfers...this is flawed thinking. When you lose players like Clemons you are losing time and effort...They are in deep shit. I expect more transfers after the 2-deep is established due to promises made by RR.

My question is what happens if OSU stomps them as bad or worse than last year? Are they really gonna gamble with this guy for a third year? We can only hope so.

 

[TheIronColonel]

They are putting too much stock in their freshmen class. They expect Campbell and Roh to come in and replace Taylor and Jamison. They expect Tate to be better than Henne. They are banking on Vlad and Turner to be better than any DB they have on their roster. Damn thats some high expectations. If 3-4 freshmen step up and play good they should be happy but they are expecting these guys to be all-world freshmen and IMO that is not only delusional but unfair. I think RR is starting to cloud the minds of their fanbase.

That's actually not asking a whole lot.

 

[NFBuck]

They are putting too much stock in their freshmen class. They expect Campbell and Roh to come in and replace Taylor and Jamison.

I think they're counting on them for depth this season more than as replacements. I still find it interesting that many "in the know" types outside of aa said Campbell's future was as an OL. I think Roh will eventually be a good one for them, but he's not coming til the summer. Is LaLota already there? They were drooling all over him when he committed, but I've heard very little about him.

They expect Tate to be better than Henne.

I think they're just shooting for "better than Threet/Sheridan" which won't be hard to achieve.

They are banking on Vlad and Turner to be better than any DB they have on their roster.

I think they already are by default, safeties anyway. Their safety play the past couple seasons has been brutal. Will be interesting to see if their talent gets "coached up" or if they struggle just as badly. Either way, starting a true frosh (who didn't play as a senior in HS due to injury no less) is very risky. I'm intrigued to see where Turner ends up. I think Warren and Boo-Boo could be solid corners, but there's not a lot of depth there should one of them get hurt, and Warren has apparently been injury prone though he hasn't missed a lot of game action.

I have also heard that they are using walk-ons in their 2-deep defense...talk about a disaster waiting to happen. Michigans margin for error or injury is nill. Injuries to Tate or any defensive starter could be catastrophic.

Those are the reports coming out of camp and I still don't understand how a program of scUM's stature could allow the situation to become so dire. I wouldn't say an injury to Tate would be "catastrophic" if only because we don't really know what he brings yet. I'd say the loss of Threet in that event would be the worst thing. Sheridan is not a D1 Qb and Robinson is a very raw passer. They need a QB (Tater and Threet, had he stayed) that can keep defenses honest with the pass.

My question is what happens if OSU stomps them as bad or worse than last year? Are they really gonna gamble with this guy for a third year? We can only hope so.

He'll get a 3rd year at a minimum if only because changing coaches again sets them back another 2-3 years, minimum. That would be a bigger disaster than they could have ever imagined. At that point, they're in Nebraska territory as far as falling off the map. Martin has tied his legacy to DickRod and handcuffed the program. If DickRod doesn't work out, they're in very, very bad shape.

Whatever happened to HTM? I'm kinda curious what his take is after all the reports from spring practices...

 

[blueinfla]

They are putting too much stock in their freshmen class. They expect Campbell and Roh to come in and replace Taylor and Jamison. They expect Tate to be better than Henne. They are banking on Vlad and Turner to be better than any DB they have on their roster. Damn thats some high expectations. If 3-4 freshmen step up and play good they should be happy but they are expecting these guys to be all-world freshmen and IMO that is not only delusional but unfair. I think RR is starting to cloud the minds of their fanbase.

Taylor was an utter disappointment last year. When Brandon Minor said after the season that some guys didn't "buy in" and play the right way, I'm sure T. Taylor was one of them.

As far as Vlad and Turner, there has been almost no talk about them up until recently. Vlad was assumed to be a redshirt candidate, but can you keep him off the field if he's gonna be the best safety out there? Reports are that he is a legit player and could see considerable time. You've still got a guy like Cissoko coming off a great freshman year available in the secondary. JT Turner should see playing time, but that's all speculation. We'll see how he plays when he gets to campus. Mike Williams is a SS guy that could step up and have a great year. The former Army AA had a pretty good last year. Reports from AA are that he's trying to make the "big hit" too much instead of just making the tackle. No doubt UM's got some concerns in the secondary, but they are talented, just young.

Also, it looks like UM will be running a 3-man front mixed in with a 4-man. There is a good explanation of what defense UM will likely use HERE. (nice writeup from gsimmons from mgoblog.) I think what excites UM fans most about the secondary is getting Stevie Brown out of it. Hopefully, his new OLB/S position will allow him to use his speed and make some plays.

Anyway, enough from me. Enjoy.

 

[jwinslow]

While homerism is never in short supply (with either UM fans or b2002 tales about them), most if not all are expecting nothing of Craig Roh this year, but then you also gave us updates about UM "losing" Austin Gray. Folks are expecting Tate to be markedly better than Threet, not Henne.

When Brandon Minor said after the season that some guys didn't "buy in" and play the right way, I'm sure T. Taylor was one of them.

Brandon Minor has no room to run his mouth there.

I think what excites UM fans most about the secondary is getting Stevie Brown out of it

Hopefully, his new OLB/S position will allow him to use his speed and make some plays.

Many of UM's best NFL "LBs" were playing different positions at UM. Shazor would have benefited from moving towards the LOS. I think it should be an upgrade for the "LB" corps (that's generally what he is now) even if his play stays at a similar level. As for Stevie himself, it remains to be seen which version shows up in the fall. Brown was a standout at safety last spring.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

How is Vlad's rehab going from his ACL injury?

 

[jwinslow]

How is Vlad's rehab going from his ACL injury?

He's been playing with a green (injury) jersey on but hitting and moving well. He's recovered quite well, but it's hard to judge him without a frame of reference.

Stevie Brown was very inconsistent.
Brandon Smith is a LB playing safety.
Mike Williams lacks speed.
I need to see Woolfolk in action before judging him.
And of course the past liabilities back there like Harrison, Barringer, Adams, etc make a new, competent safety look even better.

 

[NFBuck]

As far as Vlad and Turner, there has been almost no talk about them up until recently. Vlad was assumed to be a redshirt candidate, but can you keep him off the field if he's gonna be the best safety out there? Reports are that he is a legit player and could see considerable time.

I think Vlad has all the potential in the world and was at one point really hoping he would be a part of our class. The question is will he be developed in aa or will his potential remain untapped like many other scUM DBs the past few years. You guys still have the same DB coach correct? One other area for concern is that, IIRC, he missed his senior year with an injury. Expecting him to plug and play is asking a lot for any true frosh, yet alone one who hasn't played a game in nearly two years.

You've still got a guy like Cissoko coming off a great freshman year available in the secondary. JT Turner should see playing time, but that's all speculation. We'll see how he plays when he gets to campus.

I think you guys should be fine at CB if they stay healthy because it doesn't look like there's a lot of depth. Turner is a good get (I don't buy the #1 in Ohio stuff though), but is still another true frosh.

Also, it looks like UM will be running a 3-man front mixed in with a 4-man. There is a good explanation of what defense UM will likely use HERE. (nice writeup from gsimmons from mgoblog.) I think what excites UM fans most about the secondary is getting Stevie Brown out of it. Hopefully, his new OLB/S position will allow him to use his speed and make some plays.

That should only help, though Vlad may be prone to many of the same gametime mistakes being so young.

Anyway, enough from me. Enjoy.

Enjoy your insight around here.

Many of UM's best NFL "LBs" were playing different positions at UM. Shazor would have benefited from moving towards the LOS. I think it should be an upgrade for the "LB" corps (even if he's a hybrid) even if his play stays at a similar level.

Ah, yes...that name can always induce a chuckle.

As for Stevie himself, it remains to be seen which version shows up in the fall. Brown was a standout at safety last spring.

Which is why it would be wise for them to limit the expectations on young Mr. Vlad. He has a cool name though.

 

[blueinfla]

Brandon Minor has no room to run his mouth there.

Really? Why's that? Brandon Minor, when healthy, was the best option at RB that UM had. I think he's due for a break out year this year. The OLine really started to gel as the season moved on. It should be a balanced attack between Minor, Brown, Shaw, and Smith. I bet Vincent Smith sees a good amount of playing time. Despite being small, he's got a great, low center of gravity and can absorb hits. Him and Minor have been two bright spots at spring camp. Minor has emerged as a real team leader.

 

[jwinslow]

Really? Why's that? Brandon Minor, when healthy, was the best option at RB that UM had.

I'm talking off of the field. I thought Minor played well on it.

 

[blueinfla]

I'm talking off of the field. I thought Minor played well on it.

I guess I'm still missing your point... maybe you could elaborate. I've never heard of any off-the-field issues with Minor. Perhaps you know more than me, please share.

 

[jwinslow]

Go Blue Michigan Wolverine: Michigan Football Tidbits: Leaders on the team and the S&C program

Okay, I am going to try to put this diplomatically -- Minor had no reason, nor no right, to call other players out at the end of the year. Many fans thought it was great for him to take charge and show he was a leader. Well, those were just words -- and actions speak louder than words.

Let's review what really happened in 2008. Minor was the best player in the spring, as we documented here when we went to spring practices, and continued his good work in the summer of 2008. Then in the fall of 2008 he had some injury issues, along with C. Brown. This is a very important point -- injuries were NOT the reason he did not play ahead of McGuffie, early in 2008.

People can dispute this all they want, we stand by this statement. There were other issues (which we will not publicize), but lets just say everyone around the football program (players and coaches) understood why he was not playing. So for him to call out other players after he had a couple good games (calling out players who had done everything asked of them) was hard to accept, and met with skepticism if not outright resentment, by almost everyone in the program. The general sentiment was, "Shut your pie hole! We were with the program all along, where were you until now?"

So let's hope Minor has learned his lesson and let's hope he leads by example this year -- on and off the field -- for 52 weeks, 365 days. If he does, we expect a big year from him.

 

[blueinfla]

Go Blue Michigan Wolverine: Michigan Football Tidbits: Leaders on the team and the S&C program

Hmmm...first time I've seen that. While that's great and all, I still take that with a grain of salt. There could be some truth behind it, but I've got no reason (with any proof) to think any differently about Minor. Thanks for the link though.

 

[NFBuck]

Hmmm...first time I've seen that. While that's great and all, I still take that with a grain of salt. There could be some truth behind it, but I've got no reason (with any proof) to think any differently about Minor. Thanks for the link though.

Begs the question...do you take the good stuff that site says with the same grain of salt?