2018 Michigan Season thread

[Mdot21]

From Don Brown today: "Carlo Kemp we've moved full time inside."

So step on up, MDot, for a tip of my cap.

They had no choice but to move him inside imo. He's not athletic enough to play outside. Plus I think Aidan Hutchinson would've beaten his ass in a truly open competition for backup SDE. Mattison loves Hutchinson. Practically gushes about him. That kid is a future NFL draft pick if he stays healthy- on the other hand Carlo Kemp has zero shot at being an NFL draft pick.

[Mdot21]

Eddie McDoom has left the team.

Means a RB, 3 WR and a TE from the 2016 class are now gone.

Expected Kekoa Crawford to leave. He was an outside WR that was getting beaten out by Black and DPJ. 
McDoom leaving is kind of a surprise. He's more of a slot WR and return guy. McDoom had plenty of speed but his hands kinda stunk. Dropped too many that hit him right in the hands. 

[Anonymous Coward]

I predicted McDoom would transfer. After his true freshman year (when he was very creatively deployed on productive gadget plays), he disappeared. Began to fall further and further on the chart. It's too bad. His stadium cheer was incredible.

[ELA]

I predicted McDoom would transfer. After his true freshman year (when he was very creatively deployed on productive gadget plays), he disappeared. Began to fall further and further on the chart. It's too bad. His stadium cheer was incredible.

Maybe throwing him repeated red zone fade routes was a bad idea?
Although it seems like opponents also had his one trick figured out.  He averaged 10.0 ypc as a freshman, and only had one carry longer than 9 yards as a sophomore...it went for 12

[Mdot21]

Maybe throwing him repeated red zone fade routes was a bad idea?
Although it seems like opponents also had his one trick figured out.  He averaged 10.0 ypc as a freshman, and only had one carry longer than 9 yards as a sophomore...it went for 12

Ya those fade routes in the end zone with him made zero sense. He's 5'11 and is more of a speedster than a leaper. 
Those kind of plays should be going to your athletic 6'7 TE Gentry or your 6'4 WR Nico Collins.

[Mdot21]

can't be stated enough how devastating that injury to LT Grant Newsome was. Newsome started two games at LT as a true frosh and was crushing in 2016 as a sophomore before that horrific injury against Wisconsin derailed what was a promising career arch that ultimately looked like it would've wound up as Newsome being an NFL draft pick. 

They have a healthy experienced senior Grant Newsome manning the LT spot and I'd feel great about this OL. You'd have Newsome-Bredeson-Ruiz as a solid foundation and then all out battle at RT between JBB and Runyon Jr. As it stands right now I'm scared to death of this OL. Probably the biggest hindersnce to their playoff chances on what is otherwise a pretty loaded team.

[847badgerfan]

Will he ever play again? I had thought I'd read that he was still hopeful.

[Mdot21]

Will he ever play again? I had thought I'd read that he was still hopeful.

He's still trying to comeback, but he'll never play again imo. He nearly lost his leg from that injury.
Tackle is a disaster spot on this roster. All the tackles are basically RS frosh or true frosh. 
JBB is a RT trying to play LT and Runyon Jr is a Guard trying to play RT.

[Anonymous Coward]

No he won't ever play again. He'd say otherwise, and good for him to think that. But since I doubt he visits here: no.

It was the one position Michigan could least afford to lose a good starter to injury across 2-3 years.

[Anonymous Coward]

Preseason fluffers: PFF poses whether the best defense in the nation is Michigan


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUtgQaaI-i4&feature=youtu.be

At the very least, you have a good starting spot if all three levels of the defense bring two solid candidates for an All-American season.

[Honestbuckeye]

Yes, once again that defense will be sick. 

Now imagine how effective they will be when allowed to be fresh and with offensive points as a buffer- because the offense is also having consistent success?

That’s exactly what I foresee this season.  Several reasons I feel that way, including the return of Black at WR, the further maturation of DPJ (making for a true deadly combo), the addition of Patterson , and the biggest reason IMO, the addition of Ed Warriner.

[Temp430]

Anyone notice that Jon Runyan is listed as 6'5" and 310 on the fall rooster?  Looking every bit like an OT.   JBB is 6'6" 316, Hudson 6'5" 301, and Stueber 6'7" 323.  IF Michigan develop two serviceable OTs from that group it could be very good year.

[Mdot21]

Michigan tied with Clemson at #2 in fewest yards allowed per play on defense in the playoff era at 4.5 yards. Alabama is #1 at 4.3 yards.

[Mdot21]

Preseason fluffers: PFF poses whether the best defense in the nation is Michigan


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUtgQaaI-i4&feature=youtu.be

At the very least, you have a good starting spot if all three levels of the defense bring two solid candidates for an All-American season.

Michigan's defense should be better this year than it was last.
More depth, more experience, Gary finally coming into his own as a dominant force. And I think you'll see young guys take that 2nd year leap like Ambry Thomas, Kwity Paye, and Josh Uche. Michigan lost 2 guys on defense in the two deep. That's it. Mike McCray at LB and Mo Hurst at DT. No offense to Mike McCray, but I think the guys that will be replacing him will actually be better because they shouldn't be such huge liabilities in pass coverage. You can't replace a guy like Mo Hurst- he's one of the best college DT's in the last few years that I've seen. One of the best to ever play at Michigan for sure. But with more depth and experience along the line than there was a year ago and with Gary taking another step up the line should be more than fine.
The only cause for concern on that defense is the safety position. Josh Mettelus should not be a starting safety at Michigan and Tyree Kinnel is average. If they had an elite safety back there that defense would be absolutely terrifying. Hopefully one of Casey Hughes, Jalen Kelly Powell, Ambry Thomas, or Brad Hawkins can put Mettelus on the bench. They need more athleticism there, someone who can survive in man coverage in DB's scheme which puts his safeties in man a lot.