CFB51 College Football Fan Community

The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: Mdot21 on November 25, 2017, 08:53:42 PM

Title: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 25, 2017, 08:53:42 PM
season is over. don't give two shits about a bowl game. only thing I care about is the bowl practices these young guys will get. hopefully J'Oke gets absolutely zero reps. Why even waste them on him? Give every single one of them to Peters and McCaffrey. Wouldn't even give any to Speight. He's had plenty of experience on the field and he's going on his 5th year. Really hope they court Jacob Eason if he transfers from Georgia and Shea Patterson as well if he transfers from Ole Miss. Eason would have to sit, but Patterson might be able to play right away if Ole Miss gets hit by the NCAA. Stack up the talent and have an all-about battle in spring and fall for QB.

2018 they'll lose:

John O'Korn, QB - Lol.
Ty Isaac, RB - barely played all year. Higdon emerged as the clear cut best RB anyway.
Mason Cole, LT
Patrick Kugler, C

Everyone else on that offense returns. True frosh Cesar Ruiz started the last 4 games at RG because of an injury to starting RG Mike Onwenu. Ruiz probably slides over to C and starts there. Onwenu starts at RG. Ben Bredeson starts at LG. Those 3 are virtual locks. Juwann Bushell Beatty played well enough at RT the last half of the season to probably earn the right to start there going into 2018. Finding the replacement at LT is going to be key. I think that one all rests on how well Grant Newsome's rehab has been. He's back healthy- he's the starting LT. He's not. Eeeeegh. Could get dicey.

All the WR's and TE's return. Tarik Black and DPJ together for an entire season could be something lethal. IF they get a QB. RB's Higdon and Evans return.

Defense everybody on that entire two deep returns except DT Maurice Hurst Jr. and LB Mike McCray. Don Brown is gonna have a good defense again. My only hope is he learns to oh...I don't know...mix up his play-calling a little bit. It's OK to play some zone Don. It's OK.

think they could be really good next year if a QB emerges between Peters or McCaffrey. Speight has some of the some dumb football player issues that J'Oke had- just not to the insane degree. They don't get a QB to really break out- just gonna be same shit different year.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on November 25, 2017, 09:29:28 PM
Nice write up JH has to go with Peters or McCaffrey.Old dependable QB's won't get you to the next level.Either of those two emerge & Black/DPJ should be happy.Losing Hurst hurts but everything else is attrition.RB's should be decent also
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 25, 2017, 10:02:36 PM
If Michigan doesn't at minimum win a Big Ten title next year, the criticism will be legit
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 25, 2017, 10:09:23 PM
well, the East title better come down to "the game"

at minimum
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 25, 2017, 10:12:28 PM
If Michigan doesn't at minimum win a Big Ten title next year, the criticism will be legit
I'm with you. He's returning virtually every body. Only way it could've been sweeter is if he was able to get Mason Cole and Mo Hurst back. Other guys he's losing aren't that important because they just aren't that good.

If he can't develop an actual QB in year 4 and a capable back-up- something is wrong and all that criticism will be warranted. I think Peters should probably be the starter and Speight and McCaffrey should fight it out for the role of the back-up.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Hawkinole on November 25, 2017, 11:50:09 PM
Off-Season thread? It's premature. That said, the fan base should be patient. Harbaugh was a QB, and can develop QBs. He just hasn't had much to work with, yet. He did a great job with Rudock, who started slow. Rudock had some ability, but he had a ceiling.

After what's his name left . . . Hoke, Harbaugh went from 5-7 to 10-3. He was 10-3 a year ago. In 2017 so far he is 8-4. His overall winning percentage is better than both Lloyd Carr, and Gary Moeller. The sky is not falling even though it's rivalry day, and Michigan was defeated. Almost no one was coming back on the defense, and the Michigan defense was darn good this year.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: TresselownsUM on November 26, 2017, 10:00:16 AM
I think UM has a really good chance at the east next year, OSU is going to lose some DL, WRs, QB. MSU however I think will be really good as well and UM will have to go to east Lansing and Columbus. The wolverines have had some bad luck in that I think their better teams have cycled in years they are on the road at sparty and OSU. Assuming Barkley leaves, penn st will maybe be in mix.

The pieces are there, they might need a little depth and obviously they need better qb play. But they're not far off. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on November 26, 2017, 10:07:09 AM
Agree.  PEters is the real deal. DPJ is going to unstoppable and T. BLack may be just as good. Great RBs coming back. MIchigan will be a major force next season, with the offense finally able to get some consistent production.

Excellent corners and LBs coming back and some studs on the defensive line. They lose Hurst, maybe Winovich, but Gary is turning into the beast we knew he would and Soloman looks to be another outstanding inside guy.  
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on November 26, 2017, 12:07:58 PM

Speight should transfer, either by his own realization or by the coaches telling him his best college football is at another school. Let him know there's room at Central Michigan where a recent Michigan transfer happened to make the best of it. Speight should've never been brought onto the roster; the story as I've heard it is that Hoke and another assistant flew down to Richmond VA, sat through one of Speight's practices, noted about 8 or 9 of his passes, and offered his a scholarship on the spot. Meanwhile, no one else of significance bothered recruiting Speight, which should've been the giveaway. Time to move on from Speight.

Peters has looked like the real deal at times but I think it's worth bringing in another transfer (that might not be eligible until 2019 anyway). I've heard one of Harbaugh's big recruiting targets, Eason from Georgia, is leaving. He's certainly more promising than O'Korn's play this season.

Beyond QB, it's time to win the big games, starting by simply beating the winning teams. Michigan's wins, in order, are against teams with records of 4-7, 4-8, 5-7, 6-6, 5-7, 4-8, 5-7, & 4-8. 

Meanwhile losses are against teams with records of 9-3, 10-2, 12-0, & 10-2. Granted opponent's records are what the schedule gave them, but there's still not much to show for this year. Looking at next season's schedule five opponents are given winners - 9/1 Notre Dame, 10/13 Wisconsin, 10/20 Mich St, 11/3 Penn St, and 11/24 Ohio St. Got to go 3-1 or better Vs the Big Ten opponents.

Save for the QB position working itself out, I'm not worried about the roster. It's the on-field follow through and finishing games for which there was a glaring lack of in these last two games.

Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on November 26, 2017, 12:10:24 PM
Odd to declare that you don't care about a bowl game, when the match ups haven't even been decided yet. 

If Michigan draws, say, Notre Dame? I believe that the waning interest in the Bowl Game will all of a sudden sky rocket. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 26, 2017, 01:49:08 PM
If Michigan draws, say, Notre Dame? I believe that the waning interest in the Bowl Game will all of a sudden sky rocket.
or Washington, USC, Stanford
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 26, 2017, 02:06:33 PM
Care more about the bowl practices than the actual game itself. They need to spend that time getting young guys ready for 2018. Hopefully they give Peters and McCaffrey all the reps.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 26, 2017, 03:17:54 PM
Seems like Michigan against the USC-Stanford loser in the Holiday is pretty likely.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on November 26, 2017, 03:25:47 PM
Wow, I hadn't realized that Michigan didn't beat a single team this year that finished above .500. 

All the more reason to care about a bowl game, I suppose. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 26, 2017, 03:33:38 PM
Wow, I hadn't realized that Michigan didn't beat a single team this year that finished above .500.

All the more reason to care about a bowl game, I suppose.
I think I saw Michigan and Missouri were the only bowl eligible teams to get there without beating a single team with a winning record.
Granted Missouri also had some meh losses, while all 4 of Michigan's losses we're to top 15 teams.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 26, 2017, 04:57:43 PM
I think I saw Michigan and Missouri were the only bowl eligible teams to get there without beating a single team with a winning record.
Granted Missouri also had some meh losses, while all 4 of Michigan's losses we're to top 15 teams.
And 3 of them were with the J'OKe QB starting. 4th was with the J'OKe finishing up the 2nd half after Peters got knocked out.
There is a huge difference in that entire team when the J'OKe is playing vs. Speight or Peters. It permeates throughout that entire team. I don't think anybody on that team believes in J'OKe a little bit at all and are just in a "great, what is the dipshit gonna f up next" mode. Having a QB that the entire team believes in makes a huge world of difference on a team.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 26, 2017, 05:14:44 PM
so, with 8 wins, Michigan had a weak schedule 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 26, 2017, 05:16:40 PM
They lose Hurst, maybe Winovich, but Gary is turning into the beast we knew he would and Soloman looks to be another outstanding inside guy.  
yeah, Winovich said he's not sure if he'll be back, but I have a hard time believing he's leaving just based on the fact that he's probably not going to be a big-time NFL draft prospect. If he came out after this year I'd think probably 4th round.

He came off the bench in a situational role as a RS Soph. and this was his first year starting. He's a really good player but he could add 10-15 pounds of muscle, improve his run defense and try to really take his game up to the next level and find himself in the 1st or 2nd round.

Look at Mo Hurst. He played his way into a lot of mock drafts in the 1st. I'll be surprised if he's not at least a 2nd round pick. Had he come out last year he was probably a 3rd or 4th. Sometimes coming back helps, others it hurts.

If you're a projected 1st round pick go, if not- should probably stay IMO. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 26, 2017, 05:18:37 PM
so, with 8 wins, Michigan had a weak schedule
I wouldn't say that the schedule was weak at all. @Wisconsin, Ohio State, and @Penn State are top 10 teams. Michigan State is a top 15 team and rivalry game.

Alabama has played one top 15 or rated better team. And they just lost to them. If Michigan's schedule is weak, then BAMA's is charmin soft.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 26, 2017, 05:21:07 PM
oh, I agree the 4 losses were darn fine quality teams

but, 8 games vs crap teams?

by comparison, the Huskers didn't play 4 teams as good as Michigan's top 4, but they did play 6 teams that finished over 500
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 26, 2017, 05:44:14 PM
Wilton Speight to transfer. My guess? Harbaugh probably told him the job will be Peters' in 2018- so Wilton is going to go somewhere we he can start. CMU or Eastern or maybe back to Virginia.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on November 26, 2017, 07:09:30 PM
Well you've gotten your wish it's either Peters or McCaffrey
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on November 26, 2017, 07:23:31 PM
Isn't Sugar Shane Morris at CMU? 

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cml/32709_football_shane_morrisf.jpg)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 26, 2017, 09:47:35 PM
Well you've gotten your wish it's either Peters or McCaffrey
it's going to be Peters. McCaffrey the back-up.
I'd actually want Speight around as the back-up. I think Speight is a solid P5 back up QB. J'OKe shouldn't ever sniff the P5- he can't play. At all. He's Shane Morris without the arm talent. Speight can be a quality back-up. Should've never been a starter- Michigan just didn't have a viable QB in 2016.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on November 27, 2017, 02:53:12 PM
With the old regime at UCLA moving on, Harbaugh should rehire Jedd Fisch back on as OC. Fisch's work with the offense was the lone bright spot on that otherwise catatonic coaching staff. Total Offense improved from 91st nationally to 21st. Bring Fisch back for a few years before he gets hired into a head coaching gig someday. The guy makes the most of anywhere he goes.


Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 27, 2017, 03:05:13 PM
With the old regime at UCLA moving on, Harbaugh should rehire Jedd Fisch back on as OC. Fisch's work with the offense was the lone bright spot on that otherwise catatonic coaching staff. Total Offense improved from 91st nationally to 21st. Bring Fisch back for a few years before he gets hired into a head coaching gig someday. The guy makes the most of anywhere he goes.
I'm down with this 110%. 
He needs to demote or dump Drevno and let Pep take a HC job somewhere and bring Fisch back.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on November 27, 2017, 03:14:26 PM
It's too bad that fox sports' Brady Quinn appears to have been peddling a little fake news.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 27, 2017, 06:40:48 PM
one of the "insiders" over on the Michigan rivals site is saying Drevno and Pep Hamilton are going to take other jobs this off-season. I think that's a win for Michigan as long as they can land someone like Jedd Fisch to come in and be the OC.

Greg Frey is a heck of an OL coach. When he was here before with RichRod they actually built really solid OL's and recruited and developed Taylor Lewan and Mike Schofield- a starting LT/RT tandem that went in the 1st and 3rd round of the same NFL draft. Last time Michigan had tackles drafted by the NFL was with those two. Frey did a heckuva job at Indiana as well producing NFL O-linemen after he left Michigan.

Really think Drevno is in over his skies as the OC and OL coach and it affects his ability to coach the OL. Probably a bad move to make a guy who had never been anything but an OL coach in his entire coaching career the OC. And I don't think you need two OL coaches who have never worked together before trying to adjust and gel on the fly during a season. Might be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen- where Drevno teaching one thing and Frey teaching another. Make Frey the sole OL coach and let him coach the OL's the way he likes and implement the blocking schemes he likes, hire Jeff Fisch as the OC, re-assign Harbaugh's son back to TE's, and go find a real RB coach who can teach the backs how to properly pass block- and I think a lot of the problems with the offense will probably start to get solved.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on November 27, 2017, 06:50:52 PM
Kind of like tOSU with Ed Warinner.He may be the best OL coach in the country but it did not translate to OC.Gave him a promotion rather than lose him.In reality he could not focus on the line & the rest of the offense.I'd like to have him back in the trenches though
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 27, 2017, 06:58:39 PM
Speight on why he's leaving Michigan. LINK. (http://www.wxyz.com/sports/speight-speaks-out-on-decision-to-leave-michigan-time-to-leave-home?page=2)

Sounds like he's still a little miffed because he thought he'd be the clear cut starter going into the 2017 season and he had to split 1st team reps with O'Korn in practice and he didn't know he was starting until the day before the Florida game. I definitely blame Harbaugh for that. Not for making him compete, but for giving O'Korn those reps to split and not to Brandon Peters. The fact that he let O'Korn even compete for that job and not give Peters those reps is just more mounting evidence to me that Jim is pretty much oblivious to personnel and talent evaluation. I think he probably really liked O'Korn because O'Korn was a high character, high effort, try hard, do good, team first guy. And there's no doubt about it- by all reports O'Korn is a great kid. Unfortunately he absolutely positively sucks at playing football- and at the end of the day- that's what matters most. Can you play or can you not play. And O'Korn can't play. At all. That falls entirely on Harbaugh for not realizing that immediately and pulling the plug on him after after that 2015 season where the guy redshirted. Should've asked him not to return right then and there.

My guess- sounds like Speight thought he should be the clear cut starting QB next year and Harbaugh never gave him those re-assurances, so he's leaving.

I definitely want him to stick around, but I've been pretty consistent on my thoughts on him as a QB. Just look at what he did the last 3 games of last season + the spring game + the 4 games he played in this year. He is mediocre at best. He throws a nice deep ball- probably a B+ to A- deep ball, but he is wildly inconsistent with his accuracy on the short to intermediate throws- lots of high, behind or short passes there- and he really lacks the arm strength to zip passes down the seams on a rope or to throw the 15-20 yard out, and he's not very good at identifying things pre-snap and changing in and out of plays or at reading coverages and knowing where to go with the ball. His lack of physical limitations (arm strength) and his lack of consistent accuracy on the short and intermediate throws would be mitigated if he was like an A+ at reading things pre-snap and post-snap- but he's actually kidna below average at that. He'd be a solid back-up at any P5 school but he should never have been the starter at a place like Michigan.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 27, 2017, 07:03:25 PM
Kind of like tOSU with Ed Warinner.He may be the best OL coach in the country but it did not translate to OC.Gave him a promotion rather than lose him.In reality he could not focus on the line & the rest of the offense.I'd like to have him back in the trenches though
don't know why more of these coaches aren't content just coaching what they coach best. They have to try and make jumps to DC or OC or HC- and not everyone is cut out for those jobs. Nothing wrong with being a great position coach. I'd rather be a great position coach than a mediocre/piss poor OC/DC or HC. Too many of these guys don't know their own limitations.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: PortlandSpartan on November 27, 2017, 07:19:45 PM
Agree.  PEters is the real deal. DPJ is going to unstoppable and T. BLack may be just as good. Great RBs coming back. MIchigan will be a major force next season, with the offense finally able to get some consistent production.

Excellent corners and LBs coming back and some studs on the defensive line. They lose Hurst, maybe Winovich, but Gary is turning into the beast we knew he would and Soloman looks to be another outstanding inside guy.  
Sounds like they are going 20-0.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 27, 2017, 07:25:18 PM
don't know why more of these coaches aren't content just coaching what they coach best. They have to try and make jumps to DC or OC or HC- and not everyone is cut out for those jobs. Nothing wrong with being a great position coach. I'd rather be a great position coach than a mediocre/piss poor OC/DC or HC. Too many of these guys don't know their own limitations.
I think it's natural to want a promotion, and it's not like you can't go back to that type of job if it doesn't work out.  And you never know you aren't a good coordinator until you try, or that you aren't a good head coach.  Nick Saban was a damn good DC, what if he decided not to risk it on a head Coaching job?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on November 27, 2017, 07:49:03 PM
Sounds like they are going 20-0.
Lol.  Never said that, but I do think if Peters puts on 7-10 pounds, and gets first team reps in spring and fall, he will be the best QB at UM since Harbaugh arrived, and with the two WRs ( black and peoples-jones) they will have the run pass balance to be much more dangerous.
Early prediction: UM/MSU game winner wins the east next year.  
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 27, 2017, 08:02:18 PM
I think it's natural to want a promotion, and it's not like you can't go back to that type of job if it doesn't work out.  And you never know you aren't a good coordinator until you try, or that you aren't a good head coach.  Nick Saban was a damn good DC, what if he decided not to risk it on a head Coaching job?
it's fine if they can go back to what they do best
many do, but there are those that just hang onto being a poor coordinator or head coach
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on November 27, 2017, 08:15:01 PM
That's true everywhere in the professional world.

Good employees get promoted until they are in it over their head, then they get let go. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 27, 2017, 08:53:50 PM
Lol.  Never said that, but I do think if Peters puts on 7-10 pounds, and gets first team reps in spring and fall, he will be the best QB at UM since Harbaugh arrived, and with the two WRs ( black and peoples-jones) they will have the run pass balance to be much more dangerous.
Early prediction: UM/MSU game winner wins the east next year.  
I saw more flashes out of Peters in 4 games of action than I ever saw in all of Speight's playing time. Not saying Peters will turn into this amazing player- only time will tell- but he has more of the goods and tools to work with than Speight could ever dream of having. I don't know how good Peters can become, but I think he's already better than Speight. Simple eye test tells you that. He's way more talented and doesn't have dumb football player in him like Speight or O'Korn. Speight has dumb football in him- just not to the insane level that O'Korn has. I've never seen a dumber football player than O'Korn. Peters needs to develop and that OL needs to keep him from getting killed- but he will be more than adequate as the starting QB. Fans of other teams are severely over-estimating Speight's ability and severely under-estimating John O'Korn's level of suckitude.

DPJ had a big play of 20 or more yards on a reverse, catching a pass, or on a return damn near once every single game. That young fella oozes with talent. Tarik Black was the best receiver on that team before he went down very early on with a foot injury. Receivers usually take the biggest jump from year 1 to year 2. McDoom and Crawford both have speed to burn. Grant Perry is a reliable slot/possession receiver. The have TE's coming out of their ass. I think Gentry is a star in the making. 6'7" with wheels. They'll have a lot of options to work with in the pass game.

RB is the best it's been since Harbaugh has been there. Higdon is the best pure runner he's had thus far. Karran Higdon ran for just under 1,000 yards missing games and splitting carries. He can be the feature back but he desperately has to work on his pass protection. His pass protection is horrendous. He needs like 10 more pounds of muscle to add strength and tackle breaking and he needs to work his ass off to get better in pass protection. He does those two things- he's a boderline elite back. Not quite elite- but close to that level. He can really play and his burst and top end speed are more than good enough. Evans is a great change of pace back who is an absolute weapon in the passing game. I want to see more of Evans in the pass game. He is impossible for LB's to cover when they send him out on pass routes out of the backfield. He's basically wide open every time they send him out and he has great hands for a RB.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 27, 2017, 09:27:45 PM
That's true everywhere in the professional world.

Good employees get promoted until they are in it over their head, then they get let go.
called the Peter principle
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 27, 2017, 09:48:45 PM
2018 commit Aidan Hutchinson's newest highlight tape of his senior year. LINK (https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4157812/5a1b67105eed910e041a648b).

The "insiders" on the Michigan boards say he's a guy that staff likes A LOT and that there is a good chance he plays next year in that two deep. He's up to 250+ and plans to enroll early.

Aidan is the son of former Michigan great Chris Hutchinson- who started every game at defensive tackle as a rs freshman for Bo Schembechler's last team and was a first team All-American in 1992, set what was at the time the single season Michigan sack record with 11 sacks, and was the B1G defensive linemen of the year that year.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on November 28, 2017, 10:18:09 AM
Also rumored to be leaving or no 5th year:

Bunting
Harris
Malzone
Mbem-Bosse
Ways
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 28, 2017, 01:00:00 PM
Also rumored to be leaving or no 5th year:

Bunting
Harris
Malzone
Mbem-Bosse
Ways
Bunting and Harris leaving is not surprising at all. They were both high level recruits that got passed over by younger players. Harris had serious injury problems with his hamstrings for 3 years in a row. Missed his entire senior year of HS and had to red-shirt in 2014 and missed most of 2015. Some pretty bad breaks for him. It's really hard to be away from actual competitive football for 3 years in a row and ever get back to where you were. Neither one of them were going to figure much into the WR/TE rotation next year.

Ways leaving is a little surprising- just because he's a depth/special teams guy. I think you want those type of guys around and it's not like he's going to be able to go anywhere- even a MAC school and be a star WR.

Mbem-Bosse leaving is kind of odd. He was only RS Frosh. Could be some kind of home sickness or family issue- he's from Georgia.
 
Malzone- I don't blame him for leaving. I'd be PISSED if I was him. After seeing just how terrible O'Korn was and they never gave him a shot to play- I'd want out too. Really think he got hosed there. I'll tell you what- he might not be biggest or the most physically gifted but he's a smart dude. There ain't a high level of dumb football player in him like there is in Speight or O'Korn- and his arm strength isn't any worse than Speight's. I think he got a bit of a raw deal, so if he is really leaving I don't blame him.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 28, 2017, 01:37:39 PM
yeah, safe to say Michigan F***D up the handling of AJ Dillon's recruitment trying to talk him into playing LB. They'd be heading into 2018 with a 3-headed monster at RB had they signed Dillon. Dillon just ran for 1,400+ yards as a true freshman at fricken' Boston College and is 1st in the ACC in total missed tackles forced and 1st in yards after contact. Probably Harbaugh's single biggest F*** up in recruiting/personnel since he's been at Michigan. Even bigger than taking John O'Korn and keeping him around for 3 years IMO.

Just gonna leave this PFF graphic on Dillon here....

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPq1u8LVwAA5Wza.jpg
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 28, 2017, 01:41:31 PM
I will never get over Harbaugh losing AJ Dillon. THAT is what a Michigan RB should look like physically. Just a fricken bully.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 28, 2017, 07:02:07 PM
WR Drake Harris announces he's going to transfer.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on November 28, 2017, 07:15:38 PM
I will never get over Harbaugh losing AJ Dillon. THAT is what a Michigan RB should look like physically. Just a fricken bully.
According to 247 he was ranked 407 best prospect.Man how wrong they can be.Wasn't real aware of him with the Akers/Dobbins recruiting war going on
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 28, 2017, 07:48:04 PM
According to 247 he was ranked 407 best prospect.Man how wrong they can be.Wasn't real aware of him with the Akers/Dobbins recruiting war going on
Thank ESPN's terrible recruiting rankings for that overall rating. 247 had him has a 4* and in their top 247 players overall, Rivals had him as a 4* just outside their top 250.

ESPN? 3* and the 64th at his position. Their rankings suck and should probably die. Dillon just ran for 1,400+ yards as a true freshman- the most for a freshman in Boston College history, and he just won ACC freshman of the year- the first Boston College player to ever win that award.

Dillon is from Massachusetts, a state that doesn't produce a whole lot of talent so that probably hurt his rankings a little bit. He was a ND legacy as his grandfather and father played there, but they recruited him strictly as a LB. Harbaugh and his staff identified him early, sold him on a shot to play RB and if it doesn't work we'll move you to LB and the kid committed. Harbaugh kept recruiting RB's and the kid basically wanted to play RB and only RB- so he flipped to his hometown Boston College, and the rest as they say is history.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on November 28, 2017, 08:29:02 PM
Dillon had a UW offer until he committed to Michigan. Then UW turned its attention to Taylor.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 28, 2017, 08:35:00 PM
Dillon had a UW offer until he committed to Michigan. Then UW turned its attention to Taylor.
tell you what whoever is scouting RB's for Wisconsin is on the money, because Dillon is an absolute stud for BC and so is Taylor for Wisconsin. Off the top of my head those are probably the two best true freshman RB's in 2017. Both will be playing on Sundays.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on November 29, 2017, 09:00:27 AM
In attrition news WR Drake Harris will graduate and transfer for his 5th year.  Freshman OT JaRaymond Hall was granted a waiver to transfer.


http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2017/11/28/ums-drake-harris-transfer-th-season/108108896/ (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2017/11/28/ums-drake-harris-transfer-th-season/108108896/)
 (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2017/11/28/ums-drake-harris-transfer-th-season/108108896/)

 (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2017/11/28/ums-drake-harris-transfer-th-season/108108896/)
 (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2017/11/28/ums-drake-harris-transfer-th-season/108108896/)http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2017/11/28/report-michigan-ol-jaraymond-hall-granted-release-transfer/108115728/ (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2017/11/28/report-michigan-ol-jaraymond-hall-granted-release-transfer/108115728/)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 29, 2017, 09:25:38 AM
Harris leaving is no surprise. Hall- a freshman OL that was red shirting is though.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 29, 2017, 11:34:26 AM
Is Harris transferring to a real football school with great coaches where he can win a National Title?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 29, 2017, 11:49:43 AM
Harris leaving is no surprise. Hall- a freshman OL that was red shirting is though.
He posted on Twitter he hasn't made up his mind yet.  Granted, those rarely result in the kid returning, but it doesn't seem 100% yet
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 29, 2017, 12:49:06 PM
He posted on Twitter he hasn't made up his mind yet.  Granted, those rarely result in the kid returning, but it doesn't seem 100% yet
looks like he's staying. Kinda weird situation.

Might be a case where one coach told him one thing about where his future lies and another coach another thing.

Sounds like he wants to play tackle, he was being told that he would probably be moved to guard, so asked for his release and was granted it, but was talked into staying. He's listed at 6'5", 280. Probably more like 6'4 and 270. Athletic but on the smallish side which is what you'd expect for a freshman. Probably not what they want out of tackles- I think Frey typically likes guys with more length at tackle.

I really hope Drevno is let go. This entire offensive play-calling situation/staff is a mess. Time to re-boot it. Hire a new OC from outside or just promote Pep- have one OC and let him call all the plays. Too many cooks in the kitchen right now. Let Frey take over the OL and do what he wants there. Re-assign Jim's son to another position and go HIRE MIKE HART to be the RB's coach.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 29, 2017, 12:54:27 PM
Is Harris transferring to a real football school with great coaches where he can win a National Title?
did he say that on twitter or something when he de-committed from MSU?

Poor guy bought what Hoke and Shane Morris were selling him. Morris was just so bad at football and Harris was injured for 3 straight years. Never thought either would turn out like that.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 29, 2017, 12:55:14 PM
did he say that on twitter or something when he de-committed from MSU?

Poor guy bought what Hoke and Shane Morris were selling him. Morris was just so bad at football and Harris was injured for 3 straight years. Never thought either would turn out like that.
Indeed he did, couple months before MSU won the Rose Bowl
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 29, 2017, 01:05:36 PM
it was expected, but QB Alex Malzone makes it official now on his twitters. Grad transferring will look for an opportunity to play right away.

Can't say I blame him. He was given a bit of a raw deal. No way in hell anyone will ever convince me that O'Korn was a better option than Malzone or Peters. Wasn't given a fair shake. Meritocracy my ass.

Peters to start the bowl game. O'Korn to back him up. I am actually a little scared, would rather give Peters every single 1st team bowl practice rep and then just throw O'Korn out there to start the bowl game and let him suck it up. I'd rather give Peters a ton of reps in bowl practice and carry that momentum over into spring practice than risk him getting hurt in a meaningless exhibition game against South Carolina. A potential injury could really hurt his development in the spring. Those bowl practices are more important for his development than the actual bowl game.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on November 30, 2017, 08:19:49 AM
Mo Ways will play his final year elsewhere.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2017/11/29/wr-maurice-ways-letter-michigan-m-leaving/108145052/ (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2017/11/29/wr-maurice-ways-letter-michigan-m-leaving/108145052/)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 30, 2017, 11:51:46 AM
whatever happened to program players who stuck around for depth/special teams?

I guess I can understand why most of these guys are leaving, they want more playing time. But if they have a fantasy they are going to go somewhere else be stars and then get drafted- well it's just that, a fantasy.

Drake Harris can't stay healthy. Moe Ways is really slow. Malzone really doesn't have the arm to be an FBS starter at a P5 program that runs a pro style offense- and he doesn't have the running ability to go play in a spread option offense to off-set that lack of arm strength. What's wrong with being a back-up? Speight is living a fantasy if he thinks he's going to go somewhere get handed a starting job play amazing and get drafted by the NFL. He's ceiling was reached at Michigan with Harbaugh- that's as good as that guy is ever going to get with his physical limitations- 6'6 statue that can't run, has very average arm strength, and goes through bouts where he is wildly inconsistent with his accuracy throwing everything wide, short, high, or behind.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Cincydawg on November 30, 2017, 12:16:40 PM
Dawg fans mostly think Eason is staying at UGA, but who knows?  He has not graduated and so would not be eligible to play next season at Michigan if he transferred.  Supposedly Florida contacted him about moving, along with Fields.

Eason would have one year left if he declared for the draft.

QB play is very important for elite level teams.  Duh.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 30, 2017, 12:25:36 PM
Dawg fans mostly think Eason is staying at UGA, but who knows?  He has not graduated and so would not be eligible to play next season at Michigan if he transferred.  Supposedly Florida contacted him about moving, along with Fields.

Eason would have one year left if he declared for the draft.

QB play is very important for elite level teams.  Duh.
God I was so pissed off when Eason wouldn't give Michigan a look. I did hear a rumor from one of the Georgia 247 mods that Eason was looking at a couple schools to transfer to and Michigan was one of them. I don't think Michigan goes after Eason, unfortunately. I'd love to have him, but that probably isn't a fit for either side. If they go for a transfer it will be for a grad transfer who is eligible to play right away and who can battle with McCaffrey to be the back-up. Peters is going to be the guy in 2018. I think Eason should go to FCS, play right away and dominate. Flacco was a 1st round pick out of the FCS. Eason lights up the FCS in 2018 and 2019- he'll be a 1st round pick too.

Harbaugh came in and went full throttle after Josh Rosen in the 2015 class and then Eason in the 2016 class, but both of them stuck with their commitments. Those were the #1 pro-style QB's in their classes. And for good reason. Both of them had ELITE level arm talent. Only a handful of guys every class that are 6'3+ and can sling the rock with that much velocity and accuracy. It's just really rare. Lot of kids have one or 2 of those 3- the elite physical size, elite arm strength, and elite accuracy. Almost none have all 3. Rosen and Eason had that out of the box.

Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 30, 2017, 12:48:57 PM
Eason to Michigan never made a lick of sense
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 30, 2017, 12:51:15 PM
whatever happened to program players who stuck around for depth/special teams?

I guess I can understand why most of these guys are leaving, they want more playing time. But if they have a fantasy they are going to go somewhere else be stars and then get drafted- well it's just that, a fantasy.
They are definitely few and far between, particularly at QB.  If a guy gets passed by a younger player, he's most likely gone.  Damion Terry was asked that in an interview this year, and said he has no regrets, and he's happy he's a Spartan for life.  His career certainly didn't go the direction MSU fans thought it would, when he impressed the moment he stepped on campus, and during the Maxwell-O'Conner-Cook QB debate early in 2013, a healthy segment of the fan base figured Terry was the future, pull his redshirt and let him learn on the fly, since none of the other three were any good.  But he's definitely the exception.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 30, 2017, 12:56:34 PM
Eason to Michigan never made a lick of sense
Would've made sense in 2016 to come in as a true Frosh. Rudock was leaving, job was open and Eason was physically ready to play as a freshman. 
Now? Makes no sense. Eason has to sit a year and Peters is the guy until he loses it. I don't think he loses it. Peters can play. He needed development. Peters played like 4 different sports in his HS career, wasn't a year round football kid and didn't have private QB coach in HS like a lot of kids do these days. Came into Michigan skinny beanpole of a kid, added like 15 lbs, probably needs to add like 10 more then just maintain that size. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on November 30, 2017, 12:59:09 PM
Would've made sense in 2016 to come in as a true Frosh. Rudock was leaving, job was open and Eason was physically ready to play as a freshman.
Now? Makes no sense. Eason has to sit a year and Peters is the guy until he loses it. I don't think he loses it. Peters can play. He needed development. Peters played like 4 different sports in his HS career, wasn't a year round football kid and didn't have private QB coach in HS like a lot of kids do these days. Came into Michigan skinny beanpole of a kid, added like 15 lbs, probably needs to add like 10 more then just maintain that size.
Yeah, I mean the transfer "rumors" never made a lick of sense.  If you are leaving due to losing PT to a freshman starter, why would you transfer, sit out a year, to be in the exact same situation?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 30, 2017, 01:05:10 PM
Yeah, I mean the transfer "rumors" never made a lick of sense.  If you are leaving due to losing PT to a freshman starter, why would you transfer, sit out a year, to be in the exact same situation?
Eason is better than Fromm IMO. Eason was the starter, he gets injured, Fromm goes in and they just kept winning and Kirby was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Fromm just kept winning and if it ain't broke- don't fix. No need to mess with the team chemistry when you're like 10-0 ranked #1. They're 11-1 and one win away from winning the SEC and a playoff spot. If they do pull off the upset- hard to say Kirby made a mistake sticking with the Fromm. AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT!!! Lol.
Eason situation is just really rare. He should absolutely leave though IMO and go to the best FCS program that fits his ability and play right away. Hell he rips it up there 1 year he might actually be able to leave and be a 1st round pick.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 30, 2017, 01:10:29 PM
Speaking of transfers....NCAA to announce its ruling on Ole Miss tomorrow. If they get hit hard, the players might be able to leave and play right away. 

If I'm Harbaugh two guys I'm going after full throttle are LT Greg Little and QB Shea Patterson. Patterson might not want to go compete, but Little could plug in right away and start at LT and if Newsome can come back healthy move him to RT- if he can't recover from that devastating injury- then stick with JBB.

Ole Miss roster about to get poached I think. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on November 30, 2017, 01:13:34 PM
Urban Meyer called Michigan's "No. 73" (Maurice Hurst) "the best we've ever seen at that position." Also cited Rashan Gary and "No. 90" (Bryan Mone) for superb play. "But we kept leaning on them, leaning on them, and finally we got a big run."

Urban Meyer
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 30, 2017, 01:24:28 PM
Urban Meyer called Michigan's "No. 73" (Maurice Hurst) "the best we've ever seen at that position." Also cited Rashan Gary and "No. 90" (Bryan Mone) for superb play. "But we kept leaning on them, leaning on them, and finally we got a big run."

Urban Meyer
Hurst should've been starting last year. They rotated a lot more guys last year because they had more guys. They need to rotate more in 2018 to keep em fresh.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 01, 2017, 12:58:58 PM
Seems like Michigan against the USC-Stanford loser in the Holiday is pretty likely.
very likely we'll see Michigan vs. South Carolina in the Outback bowl in Tampa. Per college football reporter Brett McMurphy- formerly of ESPN - until they fired him in those huge rounds of layoffs last year. Still breaking stories despite being unemployed. Impressive.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 01, 2017, 01:18:57 PM
(https://www.cfb51.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimage.ibb.co%2FnawaAG%2F02_39.jpg&hash=096d321a0a31fb95ceecd90270d256f4)

pretty cool graphic from PFF. Long & Hill #1 and #2 in the conference in passer rating against. Only a RS Frosh and Soph. Feel pretty confident that both these guys will both be playing on Sunday. Might be the most talented CB tandem they've had in awhile.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 01, 2017, 01:21:48 PM
(https://image.ibb.co/jcg8VG/02_40.jpg)

PFF graphic for national leaders in passer rating against. ACC has 3 of the top 4. Long at #3 and Hill at #8 in the country.

Only pet peeve. Utah State shouldn't be included. P5 stats only please. Yes, I am a snob. I want to do away with the group of 5 and FCS opponents. Build up the P5 and play each other and only each other.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 01, 2017, 02:38:53 PM
very likely we'll see Michigan vs. South Carolina in the Outback bowl in Tampa. Per college football reporter Brett McMurphy- formerly of ESPN - until they fired him in those huge rounds of layoffs last year. Still breaking stories despite being unemployed. Impressive.
Apparently UM resisted the Harbaugh/Shaw thing, if USC loses tonight, there's still a chance at it, but it sounds like the Big Ten and TV partners backed down from what they initially wanted.  Being on NYD is better, but playing Stanford in the Holiday is a million times better than South Carolina in the OUtback.
That's the problem with the current bowl alignment in the Big Ten; the Citrus, Outback and Holiday are all treated equally, but because the Holiday is off NYD, it doesn't feel like it.  I think teams in that top group are always going to resist it.
MSU-LSU in the Citrus seems most likely.  OSU or PSU not getting a NY6 bowl throws a wrench in the whole thing though.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 01, 2017, 02:46:47 PM
I'd rather play South Carolina. I feel like Michigan owes them payback for that game with the Clowney hit on Vincent Smith.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 01, 2017, 02:52:56 PM
I'd rather play South Carolina. I feel like Michigan owes them payback for that game with the Clowney hit on Vincent Smith.
They are also pretty awful.  More beatable opponent?  Easily.  UM-Stanford in Cali with Harbaugh-Shaw has some juice.  UM-South Carolina in Tampa?  Blah
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 01, 2017, 03:01:28 PM
They are also pretty awful.  More beatable opponent?  Easily.  UM-Stanford in Cali with Harbaugh-Shaw has some juice.  UM-South Carolina in Tampa?  Blah
we owe them pay back, want an easier game. It's meaningless bowl. Don't need a slobber-knocker with a physical Stanford team. Those guys need to be healthy going into spring ball.

Plus a trip to Tampa would be more beneficial for recruiting. They are recruiting more kids from that area in this 2017 class. Lot of extra time they'd get to spend around 5* OT Nicholas Petit-Ferire- who is from Tampa Bay area and I believe the head coach at his high school is former Michigan kicker Garrett Rivas. He just took his visit to Michigan for the Ohio State game and they were in-home with him last night. They've got a shot but it'll be a battle. Wouldn't hurt at all if Michigan was in Tampa and he got to come to the practice and attend the game. Wouldn't hurt at all.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 01, 2017, 03:10:02 PM
I'd much rather see my team in the Holiday, unopposed on TV, than in some NYD game against an SEC-E also-ran.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 01, 2017, 03:29:57 PM
I'd much rather see my team in the Holiday, unopposed on TV, than in some NYD game against an SEC-E also-ran.
well I don't really give a rats ass about bowl games unless it's the Rose or a playoff, so I'm all for going to Tampa. That 5* OT Petit-Ferrire who lives down the street in Tampa will be able to hop in the car and attend Michigan bowl practices and get passes to watch the game. That little extra recruiting bump is worth it alone if you ask me.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 01, 2017, 05:25:10 PM
we owe them pay back, want an easier game. It's meaningless bowl. Don't need a slobber-knocker with a physical Stanford team. Those guys need to be healthy going into spring ball.
Put steel in your spine  :57:
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 01, 2017, 09:48:47 PM
Ok....so the Shea Patterson to Michigan transfer is picking up huge steam according to Sam Webb. According to him they weren't interested previously but with Speight leaving they'd take him- but they'd probably only take him if he can get a waiver from the NCAA to play right away. Right now he's not eligible to transfer without sitting a year.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 01, 2017, 11:10:35 PM
Not a lot of faith in Peters
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 01:01:54 AM
Not a lot of faith in Peters

Patterson and Eason both had interest in transferring to Michigan. Michigan didn't really pursue either. That's all changed in the past couple weeks. In regards to Patterson. Still not likely to talk with Eason. 

They just lost 2 scholarship QB's. Malzone was sort of expected, but Speight was out of left field.

Speight was told he was going to have to compete with Peters for the job, he felt it should be his, didn't want to do it. He wants a guarantee start, it's his last year and he has NFL pipe dreams.

McCaffrey is going to be a good one, but he's still rail thin. He's realistically still probably another year away physically. He came in at 174 pounds. He is 6 foot 4 plus. That's rail thin at that height. He's added size but he's still got a lot more to add.

They'll go after Patterson but only if he can get a waiver to play right away. Open comp between he and Peters and may the best man win, loser is the back-up.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 01:24:52 AM
Not a lot of faith in Peters
4 scholarship QBs for 2018 as it stands now. I don't think Harbaugh thought Speight would leave. Malzone was 4th string next yr behind Speight, Peters, and McCaffrey had Speight returned. I think it was expected he'd leave.
Peters, RS Soph
McCaffrey, RS Frosh
Joe Milton, Freshman 
Kevin Doyle, Freshman
They are redshirting those freshman. Harbaugh doesn't like playing true freshman QBs. They almost need another guy for depth. If Patterson wants to come and gets a waiver, how do you turn him down? 
Kid grew up a huge Michigan fan too, his dad used to have season tickets. Amazingly Harbaugh didn't recruit him once he got Peters.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 02, 2017, 09:12:45 AM
I think they should stop with the transfer stuff and just develop a QB they already have. Why use up snaps on a transfer who might not pan out?

Ever since Russell Wilson, schools are trying to find the next one. Hell, even mine tried it again and we know how that went.

UW has 4 scholarship players at QB right now; A Sophomore (starter), a RS Fr, and two true Fr. One more recruit is coming for next year.

I don't want them to even thing about a transfer, unless it's Keller Chryst (grad transfer) from Stanford, who could somehow develop into a QB coach or something. I think that runs in his blood.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 02, 2017, 09:25:20 AM
5 ships is plenty in the QB room

but, if that's what it takes to get a great one, ya gotta do it.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 02, 2017, 09:33:48 AM
5 ships is plenty in the QB room

but, if that's what it takes to get a great one, ya gotta do it.
Agree. I do think one of them is a candidate to move to DB though (talking about UW here).
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 02, 2017, 09:39:33 AM
Patterson and Eason both had interest in transferring to Michigan. Michigan didn't really pursue either. That's all changed in the past couple weeks. In regards to Patterson. Still not likely to talk with Eason.

They just lost 2 scholarship QB's. Malzone was sort of expected, but Speight was out of left field.

Speight was told he was going to have to compete with Peters for the job, he felt it should be his, didn't want to do it. He wants a guarantee start, it's his last year and he has NFL pipe dreams.

McCaffrey is going to be a good one, but he's still rail thin. He's realistically still probably another year away physically. He came in at 174 pounds. He is 6 foot 4 plus. That's rail thin at that height. He's added size but he's still got a lot more to add.

They'll go after Patterson but only if he can get a waiver to play right away. Open comp between he and Peters and may the best man win, loser is the back-up.

Nobody like that is transferring to compete for a starting job.  No coach is recruiting transfers to compete for a starting job when he has an incumbent, if he is happy with that guy.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 12:51:17 PM
Nobody like that is transferring to compete for a starting job.  No coach is recruiting transfers to compete for a starting job when he has an incumbent, if he is happy with that guy.
Harbaugh ain't no coach lol. In that interview Speight did with Detroit 7 ABC he said Harbaugh made him compete with O'Korn and Peters for the job in 2017 and didn't know he'd be starting until the day before the Florida game. Reason why he's transferring right now. The way he sees it, he has 1 year left to be the guy and play his way into a potential NFL Draft pick. Probably didn't want to risk losing a competition, or winning competition and then getting yanked if he struggled. Either scenario would likely kill what little NFL shot he has.
And a kid like Patterson thinks he can beat anybody out. Doesn't care about competition. Only way they'd even take him is if he can play this year. He'd have to get a waiver from the NCAA. You never know with the NCAA. 50/50 shot. He's just as likely to get the waiver as he is to get shot down.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 12:54:37 PM
I think they should stop with the transfer stuff and just develop a QB they already have. Why use up snaps on a transfer who might not pan out?

Ever since Russell Wilson, schools are trying to find the next one. Hell, even mine tried it again and we know how that went.

UW has 4 scholarship players at QB right now; A Sophomore (starter), a RS Fr, and two true Fr. One more recruit is coming for next year.

I don't want them to even thing about a transfer, unless it's Keller Chryst (grad transfer) from Stanford, who could somehow develop into a QB coach or something. I think that runs in his blood.
depth. they need a guy who can play right away this year. They're going into 2018 with two playable QB's. Peters and McCaffrey. Should always have 3. Michigan lost Speight to injury in 2017 and went through 3 different QB's this year. What if disaster struck again? Wouldn't be able to play 3 in 2018 as they'll only have 2 that Harbaugh would consider playing.
Speight leaving has really hurt the depth. Harbaugh does not like true freshman QB's. If he didn't play Andrew Luck at Stanford as a true freshman, he's probably not ever going to play a true freshman QB unless he absolutely has to.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 12:58:59 PM
5 ships is plenty in the QB room

but, if that's what it takes to get a great one, ya gotta do it.
5 minimum.

I feel like you want to always have 3 that are RS Frosh or higher. Playing true freshman at QB is the worst.
Most important position on the entire team, bar none.
When Tom Brady got to Michigan in 1995 they had 7 QB's on scholarship and he was the 7th guy on that depth chart.
Speight coming back would've probably left them with near perfect mixture of experience/depth at the QB position. 5th SR, RS Soph, RS Frosh and then two frosh that you redshirt. Some kind of mixture like that is an ideal situation.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 01:08:39 PM
Ever since Russell Wilson, schools are trying to find the next one. Hell, even mine tried it again and we know how that went.
Patterson is a talent for sure, but he hasn't proven anywhere close to what Russell Wilson did before transferring. Totally different situations really. Patterson was a hot-shot recruit, but he's started about 9 games of football. Wilston started like 34 games at NC State. Wilson wasn't that heavily recruited, but he proved it on the field. He was the best QB in the ACC for maybe 3 years in a row and he came real close to all of Phillip Rivers' school records. Might've broken some of them had he stayed 1 more year.
Even if Patterson could get a waiver and come in and compete, I'd put money on Peters to win that competition. He will have had 5 games (including bowl) directing the  offense, 2 spring practices in that offense, 2 bowl practices in that offense, and a 3-year head start in absorbing the offense/playbook.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 01:12:23 PM
No coach is recruiting transfers to compete for a starting job when he has an incumbent, if he is happy with that guy.
also- Michigan wasn't recruiting Eason or Patterson to transfer. Those guys were thinking about Michigan, but Michigan wasn't reciprocating that interest. Georgia 247 mods said as much about Eason. And Sam Webb shot down Patterson rumors weeks ago when it was rumored that Patterson wanted to come to Michigan. Family is from Toledo, big Michigan fans and he wants out of Ole' Miss. The change with Patterson on Michigan's end only came very recently after Speight and Malzone both decided to transfer. They weren't recruiting him- he was recruiting them. If he wants to come- how do you turn that down? Don't think you can.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 01:34:23 PM
per Maize N Brew Michigan blog on SB Nation, Patterson's most recent follows on twitter are Michigan players Rashan Gary, Brandon Peters, Kareem Walker, and Dylan Crawford.

They also re-tweeted a tweet of CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd from back in the spring....

Quote
Shea Patterson: “I had dreams of playing in the Big House.”
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) May 30, 2017 (https://twitter.com/dennisdoddcbs/status/869657053278744576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 02:02:02 PM
well that Patterson to Michigan fire is raging hot now. Ole Miss 247 reporting Patterson has been granted permission to explore a transfer by the school and that Michigan may be the most likely destination spot.

https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Ole-Miss-football-Shea-Patterson-granted-permission-to-transfer-per-sources--111567091 (https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Ole-Miss-football-Shea-Patterson-granted-permission-to-transfer-per-sources--111567091)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 02, 2017, 02:41:12 PM
also- Michigan wasn't recruiting Eason or Patterson to transfer. Those guys were thinking about Michigan, but Michigan wasn't reciprocating that interest. Georgia 247 mods said as much about Eason. And Sam Webb shot down Patterson rumors weeks ago when it was rumored that Patterson wanted to come to Michigan. Family is from Toledo, big Michigan fans and he wants out of Ole' Miss. The change with Patterson on Michigan's end only came very recently after Speight and Malzone both decided to transfer. They weren't recruiting him- he was recruiting them. If he wants to come- how do you turn that down? Don't think you can.
If you are happy with your starter, no, you don't.  Add some random mid major grad transfer for depth?  Sure.  Bring in a new starter, when you ended the previous year with a freshman incumbent?  No thanks.  Unless, like I said, Harbaugh doesn't like what he's seeing from Peters
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 04:04:45 PM
If you are happy with your starter, no, you don't.  Add some random mid major grad transfer for depth?  Sure.  Bring in a new starter, when you ended the previous year with a freshman incumbent?  No thanks.  Unless, like I said, Harbaugh doesn't like what he's seeing from Peters
Bring in a new starter? Harbaugh doesn't strike me as a guy who guarantees anyone a starting job. Patterson doesn't strike me as a kid who thinks anybody can beat him out. He was the Elite 11 MVP, #1 QB in his class, Army All-American Bowl MVP, and he transferred to that football factory high school in Florida filled with 4* and 5* kids IMG Academy for his senior year of high school- wasn't afraid to compete with other 4* QB's on that roster.
The kid is all but begging to come to Michigan. I don't see how you turn talent away. Bring in the talent and may the best man win.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 02, 2017, 04:12:27 PM
Bring in a new starter? Harbaugh doesn't strike me as a guy who guarantees anyone a starting job. Patterson doesn't strike me as a kid who thinks anybody can beat him out. He was the Elite 11 MVP, #1 QB in his class, Army All-American Bowl MVP, and he transferred to that football factory high school in Florida filled with 4* and 5* kids IMG Academy for his senior year of high school- wasn't afraid to compete with other 4* QB's on that roster.
The kid is all but begging to come to Michigan. I don't see how you turn talent away. Bring in the talent and may the best man win.
It's his NFL future we are talking about.  A kid like that isn't transferring anywhere to do anything but be the starter.  He'd be an idiot to do otherwise.  I think waiting so long to finally pull the trigger on Peters when everyone saw how bad O'Korn was, and then this, tells me, that in spite of what he showed in three games against terrible teams, there's something he's showing in practice that Harbaugh isn't liking.
I agree with bringing in talent every year.  That's expected.  You don't bring in a transfer at QB unless you have a problem.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on December 02, 2017, 04:22:02 PM
Bring in a new starter? Harbaugh doesn't strike me as a guy who guarantees anyone a starting job. Patterson doesn't strike me as a kid who thinks anybody can beat him out. He was the Elite 11 MVP, #1 QB in his class, Army All-American Bowl MVP, and he transferred to that football factory high school in Florida filled with 4* and 5* kids IMG Academy for his senior year of high school- wasn't afraid to compete with other 4* QB's on that roster.
The kid is all but begging to come to Michigan. I don't see how you turn talent away. Bring in the talent and may the best man win.
Does he have to sit a year?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 04:24:43 PM
Does he have to sit a year?
right now he does, yes. He has to request and be granted a waiver from the NCAA to play right away. If they reject him- he'll have to sue them to try and be eligible to play right away.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 04:33:24 PM
It's his NFL future we are talking about.  A kid like that isn't transferring anywhere to do anything but be the starter.  He'd be an idiot to do otherwise.  I think waiting so long to finally pull the trigger on Peters when everyone saw how bad O'Korn was, and then this, tells me, that in spite of what he showed in three games against terrible teams, there's something he's showing in practice that Harbaugh isn't liking.
I agree with bringing in talent every year.  That's expected.  You don't bring in a transfer at QB unless you have a problem.
I don't know man. Think you might be reading too much into the situation.
I think you take talent where you can get it. Patterson is clearly talented. Eason is probably the better fit for the style of offense Harbaugh wants to play, but he'd have to sit and doesn't have a prayer of getting that over-turned like Patterson might be able to with the Ole' Miss mess.
Makes way more sense to bring in someone like Patterson than it ever did to bring in someone like O'Korn- who had one of the worst QBR ratings in the FBS the year he lost his job to Greg Ward Jr.- a guy that was maybe 5 foot 10 and had played wide receiver the year before.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 02, 2017, 04:42:29 PM
Yeah I agree.  But you also have to manage a roster.  You don't bring someone like that in to do anything but be the starter, and you don't bring in your 2018 and 2019 starter as a transfer unless you don't care if Peters and/or McCaffrey transfer.

If you know he's better than those guys, than you absolutely do it.  If you don't, then no way would I.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on December 02, 2017, 04:50:45 PM
Yeah I agree.  But you also have to manage a roster.  You don't bring someone like that in to do anything but be the starter, and you don't bring in your 2018 and 2019 starter as a transfer unless you don't care if Peters and/or McCaffrey transfer.

If you know he's better than those guys, than you absolutely do it.  If you don't, then no way would I.
Agree ELA.  It sends a horrible message to guys your recruiting.   
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 05:06:05 PM
if they can really trade Speight for Patterson- that's a talent upgrade at the most important position there is on the team.

If Peters or McCaffrey don't want to compete, they don't want to compete. I doubt either one is built like that though.

As that SB Nation Michigan blog reported, Patterson followed Peters on twitter and Peters followed him back- they were eachothers most recent follows. My guess is they've already been talking about Patterson coming there and competing. They obviously know each other from the Elite 11 and Army Bowl where they were both on the West team.

Makes less sense for Patterson to transfer to Michigan than it is for Michigan to take him. If he did come he wouldn't be handed that job, he'd have to win it. And I don't know if he would over Peters. Patterson is still recovering from an MCL and PCL knee injury that required surgery and he'd be way behind in Peters in that playbook. His best bet would probably be to go somewhere that'd guarantee him a starting job if he has NFL aspirations. Or to just stay at Ole Miss.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MaximumSam on December 02, 2017, 05:09:08 PM
Tie game in the SEC SEC SEC
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 02, 2017, 05:13:32 PM
if they can really trade Speight for Patterson- that's a talent upgrade at the most important position there is on the team.

If Peters or McCaffrey don't want to compete, they don't want to compete. I doubt either one is built like that though.

As that SB Nation Michigan blog reported, Patterson followed Peters on twitter and Peters followed him back- they were eachothers most recent follows. My guess is they've already been talking about Patterson coming there and competing. They obviously know each other from the Elite 11 and Army Bowl where they were both on the West team.

Makes less sense for Patterson to transfer to Michigan than it is for Michigan to take him. If he did come he wouldn't be handed that job, he'd have to win it. And I don't know if he would over Peters. Patterson is still recovering from an MCL and PCL knee injury that required surgery and he'd be way behind in Peters in that playbook. His best bet would probably be to go somewhere that'd guarantee him a starting job if he has NFL aspirations. Or to just stay at Ole Miss.
I agree.  It makes no sense for Patterson, unless he was made guarantees.  Which is why I assume they were.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 05:24:45 PM
I agree.  It makes no sense for Patterson, unless he was made guarantees.  Which is why I assume they were.
Eh. That's not Harbaugh's style to guarantee starting jobs on the recruiting trail or even to incumbents on his own team. If Harbaugh wouldn't guarantee Speight his job going into 2017 or even for 2018 after Speight told him hey coach I'm leaving, boy I just have a hard time thinking he'd guarantee Patterson a job.
Patterson played in a completely different style of offense at IMG and at Ole Miss than what Harbaugh runs. Going from a spread where you're 95% shotgun with 4&5 WR's most plays to under center pro-style with so many different formations, 2&3 TE sets, different personnel groupings, and the play-calling system and terminology is so much more more complex and detailed- I honestly don't see how he'd come in there and just be handed a starting job over a guy with a major head start in that offensive playbook/terminology and that is way more versed in that offense in Peters. Especially coming off a knee injury that still isn't 100%.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 02, 2017, 05:46:05 PM
Either way is an assumption and assuming a guy like Patterson, who could get a guarantee or at least "not a guarantee, wink, wink" from dozens of schools, would risk throwing his whole future away makes no sense.

Particularly when nobody could figure out why Harbaugh waited so long to go to Peters.

You read those things together, to me any other assumption is a hell of a leap.

Patterson has proven to be really good, Harbaugh has proven to be very hesitant about Peters.  Pitt those together, it's a good move, but only if he's ok with losing Peters, which I think he is.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 07:21:36 PM
Don't know if it means anything at all- but I was checking out the Ole Miss 247 site and they are in a panic that Patterson leaving means starting LT Greg Little will be gone. Apparently they are like best friends and room mates, came in the 2016 class together and if Patterson goes Little is gone too.

A guy can fricken dream, right? 

Greg Little is the free agent get of the college football off-season if he can transfer and get a waiver to play right away.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 02, 2017, 07:22:42 PM
Now that makes sense no matter what
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 02, 2017, 07:27:58 PM
Now that makes sense no matter what
Yah he's a plug and play starter at tackle then probably off to the NFL as a 1st round pick.
Essentially the CFB equivalent of a college basketball 1 and done.
Michigan needs a tackle in the worst way with Cole leaving. Just saying. Newsome is going to give it a go in the spring but he might not be the same player he was.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on December 04, 2017, 08:07:14 AM
Wow.  That would be great.  Michigan's need at LT next year is dire.  I'm sure Coach Harbaugh will grit his teeth and accept a transfer from the 2016 #1 QB recruit to get Little.  Given Coach Harbaugh's cozy relationship with the NCAA I'm sure Patterson will have no trouble winning an appeal for an immediate release.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 04, 2017, 01:00:56 PM
Sounds like Patterson is visiting Ann Arbor this weekend. Rumor is he is bringing an Ole Miss WR with him- but nobody has the name of which Ole Miss WR.

That Ole Miss safety Deontay Anderson looking to transfer to Oklahoma. Flood gates could open there. They might wind up losing 10+ players.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 05, 2017, 01:12:58 PM
so apparently Ole Miss players QB Shea Patterson, S Deontay Anderson, and WR Van Jefferson all visiting Ann Arbor together this weekend. All have their releases and looking to transfer.

None of them are eligible to play right away, but they do have a shot to get a waiver from the NCAA for immediate eligibility. WR is already crowded, not sure Jefferson is really a need. Anderson would probably send Josh Mettelus to the bench, so hey I'm all for that. If there was a weak link in that defense this year it was depth at DL, Josh Mettelus at safety, and Mike McCray in space.

An insider who posts on all 3 sites- Mgoblog/Rivals/247 said a few days ago that 7 Ole Miss players sent out feelers, Michigan was only interested in 3-4 of them. We know who 3 of them are for sure now. I'm guessing the 4th one is OT Greg Little. Word on the street though is Little hasn't made up his mind whether to leave or not, still in the air.

If I am being completely honest, Little is the one I really want.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: PortlandSpartan on December 05, 2017, 07:35:11 PM
Free agent season
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 05, 2017, 07:41:37 PM
Free agent season
supposedly 10+ Ole Miss players have lawyered up, trying to get eligible to play right away. That would be all the underclassmen. Because all seniors-to-be can already leave without having to get the waiver, they are eligible automatically, they don't need lawyers.
Ole Miss could be looking at 15 or more kids jumping ship.
Might as well try and take the ones you like/can get.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 05, 2017, 07:43:24 PM
Frost needs a running QB

I'll shoot him a text
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 05, 2017, 09:25:44 PM
supposedly 10+ Ole Miss players have lawyered up, trying to get eligible to play right away. That would be all the underclassmen. Because all seniors-to-be can already leave without having to get the waiver, they are eligible automatically, they don't need lawyers.
Ole Miss could be looking at 15 or more kids jumping ship.
Might as well try and take the ones you like/can get.

Should be able to afford good lawyers with how much they all got paid to go there.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 06, 2017, 09:35:29 AM
Should be able to afford good lawyers with how much they all got paid to go there.
Lmao. Truth.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 07, 2017, 12:46:32 PM
per the website Footballscoop, sounds like Harbaugh has met with former MSU/Arkansas coach Dan Enos to talk about a coaching position. I'd be down with that hire. Enos is a heckuva coach and recruiter. If that is the case, might mean that Drevno is on the way out like the "insiders" have hinted at. Crossing my fingers.

Also, rumors are that Michigan safety coach Brian Smith is going to be hired to be the DC at Rice. No word yet on who would replace him, but I am hoping it'll be Devin Bush Sr. who is on the support staff as a defensive analyst. Just seems like a natural fit, and that guy is more than qualified, and will be a huge upgrade in the recruiting department.

excerpt from the Footballscoop article posted today:

"But, hold the phone. Sources tell us Enos recently met with Jim Harbaugh to discuss a position at Michigan and has been asked to interview for another offensive coordinator position."
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 07, 2017, 02:43:16 PM
MSU fans have wanted a change to bring Enos home for a while.  The only thing that could make them madder that MD hasn't would be him going to Ann Arbor.

I'm not sold on him as a playcaller, but he's got everything else.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 07, 2017, 04:14:57 PM
MSU fans have wanted a change to bring Enos home for a while.  The only thing that could make them madder that MD hasn't would be him going to Ann Arbor.

I'm not sold on him as a playcaller, but he's got everything else.
yeah, I'm with you. Not sure he's the best play-caller, but he's a heckuva coach. Develops players and can recruit his ass off. No word yet on what position he'd be filling, just that he's met with Harbaugh.
I'm of the opinion that Harbaugh needs to make a huge shake up on that offensive staff. Defense is fine and has been fine last two years. As long as Don Brown and Greg Mattison are there together, almost doesn't matter who else is coaching on that defense. Offense is a mess though. I'd love it if they could get rid of Drevno and trade him for Enos. That's a win. Drevno is in over his head as the OC and he's considered one of the weaker recruiters on the staff. And I'd also love it if Jim's son Jay could be either re-assigned from RB's to a different position or go work for his uncle in the NFL so they could bring in Mike Hart to be the RB's coach. I think Mike Hart would absolutely crush it as the RB coach and he would recruit his you know what off.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 07, 2017, 04:15:58 PM
https://twitter.com/UMichFootball/status/938849867585253381/photo/1


Michigan opens next season in South Bend against Notre Dame at night.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 07, 2017, 06:12:06 PM
 Defense is fine and has been fine last two years. As long as Don Brown and Greg Mattison are there together, almost doesn't matter who else is coaching on that defense. Offense is a mess though.
Yup those are mainstays.Long as M can feed those two something to work with no worries there.Wasn't Drevno the O-line coach?Move him back if so if he'd take it,wish Warriner had stayed with the O-line in C-Bus
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 07, 2017, 06:58:42 PM
yeah, I'm with you. Not sure he's the best play-caller, but he's a heckuva coach. Develops players and can recruit his ass off. No word yet on what position he'd be filling, just that he's met with Harbaugh.
I'm of the opinion that Harbaugh needs to make a huge shake up on that offensive staff. Defense is fine and has been fine last two years. As long as Don Brown and Greg Mattison are there together, almost doesn't matter who else is coaching on that defense. Offense is a mess though. I'd love it if they could get rid of Drevno and trade him for Enos. That's a win. Drevno is in over his head as the OC and he's considered one of the weaker recruiters on the staff. And I'd also love it if Jim's son Jay could be either re-assigned from RB's to a different position or go work for his uncle in the NFL so they could bring in Mike Hart to be the RB's coach. I think Mike Hart would absolutely crush it as the RB coach and he would recruit his you know what off.
I will say, he might be just what Michigan needs as a playcaller, a little more vanilla.  Question is if that gets them a win or two more a year, but can't help them against the best of the best, how much help is it?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on December 07, 2017, 07:05:25 PM
https://twitter.com/UMichFootball/status/938849867585253381/photo/1


Michigan opens next season in South Bend against Notre Dame at night.
I'm really glad that this game is back on the annual. 
September just didn't feel right without it. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 07, 2017, 07:42:32 PM
I'm really glad that this game is back on the annual.
September just didn't feel right without it.
me too! Absolutely love that series, and even when both teams were pretty bad they still had some memorable games.
Not glad that it's a night game in South Bend to open the season, especially since the last time the game was played in 2014 it was in South Bend. Michigan should've demanded Notre Dame come to Ann Arbor.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on December 07, 2017, 07:50:18 PM
me too! Absolutely love that series, and even when both teams were pretty bad they still had some memorable games.
Not glad that it's a night game in South Bend to open the season, especially since the last time the game was played in 2014 it was in South Bend. Michigan should've demanded Notre Dame come to Ann Arbor.


ELAINE: I'm trying to get a little squirrel to come over to me here. I don't
wanna make any big, sudden movements. I'll frighten him away.



(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4-DJPGexKQ4/hqdefault.jpg)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 07, 2017, 08:00:40 PM
Lol one of the great television shows ever.

I just think it's BS. Notre Dame backed out of the series and made sure the final game was played in South Bend, and then when it gets put back on, Michigan has to go back to South Bend? Absolute BS.

Edit: it also cost Michigan $2 million to get out of the 2-game Arkansas contract. Had to pay them $1 million a game to break that contract to make room for Notre Dame. 

Michigan AD should've told them to either come to Ann Arbor in 2018 to resume the series or to kick rocks.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 07, 2017, 11:31:38 PM
sounding like QB Shea Patterson, S Deontay Anderson, and WR Van Jefferson are all pretty close to a done deal. Will take something unforeseen to make that fall through. Anderson and Patterson need to apply for waivers for immediate eligibility, Jefferson doesn't need one as he is eligible to play right away.

That team will have basically everything it needs to compete in the playoff in 2018. It will all come down to shoring up the OL and the all-out QB battle between Patterson and Peters. Harbaugh needs those guys to push each other and get the absolute best out of both of them.

On defense everybody returns except Mo Hurst and Mike McCray. That is if Winovich stays, which I am inclined to think he will stay. He's not exactly a big-time NFL prospect like Little Bosa. Luiji Villain and Donovan Jeter were suppose to be in the 2-deep on DL this year, but both got hurt in fall camp and redshirted. I suspect they'll both get into that rotation in 2018. Gary, Mone, Solomon, Winvoich is your probable starting front 4. I think the only guy this year who locked up a back-up role with his play on that DL this year was the true frosh DE Kwity Paye. Rest of the spots are going to be wide open to competition. Long and Hill your returning starting CB's. I'd bet dollars to donuts that Ambry Thomas over-takes Brandon Watson as the nickel CB. If Deontay Anderson is eligible my guess is he'll put Josh Mettelus on the bench. Devin Bush the starting MLB, Hudson the starting "Viper/LB", and my guess is Noah Furbush taking over for McCray. They should have a really good defense again. Could potentially even be a ludicrous defense if Ambry Thomas can seize the nickel job from Watson and Anderson can relegate Mettelus to the bench.

They'll have so many talented TE's and WR's on offense and Higdon/Evans is as good a 1-2 punch at RB as Michigan has had in years. It'll all come down to fixing and developing that OL and finding a real life QB between Patterson and Peters. Huge piece to that OL comes back in the spring. Grant Newsome is going to be cleared for practice in spring, and we'll see if he can regain his form from the 2016 season when he was developing into maybe the best LT that they had in years.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 09, 2017, 01:50:59 PM
well, it's official. Michigan safeties coach Brian Smith has accepted a job offer to be the new DC at Rice.

Devin Bush Sr. has taken over duties as safeties coach through bowl game prep. No decision yet on whether he keeps that job. I am hoping he does.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on December 09, 2017, 02:54:45 PM
sounding like QB Shea Patterson, S Deontay Anderson, and WR Van Jefferson are all pretty close to a done deal. Will take something unforeseen to make that fall through. Anderson and Patterson need to apply for waivers for immediate eligibility, Jefferson doesn't need one as he is eligible to play right away.

That team will have basically everything it needs to compete in the playoff in 2018. It will all come down to shoring up the OL and the all-out QB battle between Patterson and Peters. Harbaugh needs those guys to push each other and get the absolute best out of both of them.

On defense everybody returns except Mo Hurst and Mike McCray. That is if Winovich stays, which I am inclined to think he will stay. He's not exactly a big-time NFL prospect like Little Bosa. Luiji Villain and Donovan Jeter were suppose to be in the 2-deep on DL this year, but both got hurt in fall camp and redshirted. I suspect they'll both get into that rotation in 2018. Gary, Mone, Solomon, Winvoich is your probable starting front 4. I think the only guy this year who locked up a back-up role with his play on that DL this year was the true frosh DE Kwity Paye. Rest of the spots are going to be wide open to competition. Long and Hill your returning starting CB's. I'd bet dollars to donuts that Ambry Thomas over-takes Brandon Watson as the nickel CB. If Deontay Anderson is eligible my guess is he'll put Josh Mettelus on the bench. Devin Bush the starting MLB, Hudson the starting "Viper/LB", and my guess is Noah Furbush taking over for McCray. They should have a really good defense again. Could potentially even be a ludicrous defense if Ambry Thomas can seize the nickel job from Watson and Anderson can relegate Mettelus to the bench.

They'll have so many talented TE's and WR's on offense and Higdon/Evans is as good a 1-2 punch at RB as Michigan has had in years. It'll all come down to fixing and developing that OL and finding a real life QB between Patterson and Peters. Huge piece to that OL comes back in the spring. Grant Newsome is going to be cleared for practice in spring, and we'll see if he can regain his form from the 2016 season when he was developing into maybe the best LT that they had in years.
Good pick ups.  Not confident they can all be eligible.  They would have to sit a year under normal circumstances- and what happened at their school doesn't really give cause to change that.
I think it would be a mistake to let them play, as it just turns the NCAA into a big free agent joke.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 09, 2017, 04:36:48 PM
Good pick ups.  Not confident they can all be eligible.  They would have to sit a year under normal circumstances- and what happened at their school doesn't really give cause to change that.
I think it would be a mistake to let them play, as it just turns the NCAA into a big free agent joke.
well WR Van Jefferson is eligible to play right away as he was part of the 2015 class.
Deontay Anderson and Shea Patterson will have to apply for waivers. Anderson was on the All-SEC Freshman team in 2016 and sat out this year in order to try and transfer and be eligible in 2018- but he never transferred. Sounds like Patterson and Anderson are very likely to get their waivers, but it's the NCAA so you never know.
WR they'll have....
2017 class
DPJ (6'2, 200) - 5*, #12 player, #1 WR
Tarik Black (6'3, 206) - 4*, #116 player, #15 WR
Nico Collins (6'4, 206) - 4*, 138 player, #23 WR
Oliver Martin (6'1, 198) - 4*, 181 player, #29 WR
2016 class
Dylan Crawford (6'2, 187) - 4*, #118 player, #19 WR
Eddie McDoom (6', 181) - 3*, #380 player, #63 WR
2015 class
Van Jefferson (6'2, 195) - 4*, #106 player, #11 WR
Grant Perry (6', 191) - 3*, #879 player, #109 WR
DPJ and Black both looked very promising as true freshman. I think both of them are big-timers, serious potential NFL players. Brimming with all the talent in the world. Key for them is consistency and taking the next step. Perry has proven to be a very dependable slot/3rd down receiver. Crawford and McDoom both show flashes but both are so inconsistent, kind of disappointed in them because they are two of the faster guys on the entire team. Crawford has struggled with injuries and route running, McDoom has really struggled with catching the football. Jefferson has proven himself at Ole Miss to be a very productive #3 WR. Martin and Collins really haven't shown anything as neither have gotten on the field yet.
Likely looking at DPJ, Black, Jefferson, and Grant Perry getting most of the catches/targets next year at the receiver position. TE's are bound to get a lot of the catches and this isn't an offense that throws the ball a ton.
They are only going after a couple WR's in the 2018 class, and even if they somehow sign the one 5* they are in on in JaMarr Chase- I very much doubt he'd even get on the field.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 09, 2017, 05:11:25 PM
Good pick ups.  Not confident they can all be eligible.  They would have to sit a year under normal circumstances- and what happened at their school doesn't really give cause to change that.
I think it would be a mistake to let them play, as it just turns the NCAA into a big free agent joke.
When Penn St was hit with sanctions they had a good RB who transferred to USCw.Forget the kids name but he did not have to wait it out.Perhaps same-same here
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 09, 2017, 05:13:17 PM
When Penn St was hit with sanctions they had a good RB who transferred to USCw.Forget the kids name but he did not have to wait it out.Perhaps same-same here
None of those kids had to wait it out at all. Maybe that's precedent for these kids? Who knows.

All I know is they should do pretty well at Transfer-U with good coaching.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 09, 2017, 05:27:33 PM
How long was PSUs initial bowl ban?

The rule is if the bowl ban is the length of your remaining eligibility, then you can transfer immediately.

If you want to change the rule, ok.  If you don't, there's zero reason to grant a waiver in this circumstance.  If you grant a waiver here, then you have to change the rule.

To be honest, I don't get the rule.  If anyone thinks these kids didn't know what was going on, they are only fooling themselves.  The entire roster knew, and I'd be shocked if all of the rats jumping ship now didn't get paid too.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 09, 2017, 06:03:50 PM
How long was PSUs initial bowl ban?

The rule is if the bowl ban is the length of your remaining eligibility, then you can transfer immediately.

If you want to change the rule, ok.  If you don't, there's zero reason to grant a waiver in this circumstance.  If you grant a waiver here, then you have to change the rule.

To be honest, I don't get the rule.  If anyone thinks these kids didn't know what was going on, they are only fooling themselves.  The entire roster knew, and I'd be shocked if all of the rats jumping ship now didn't get paid too.
think PSU's bowl ban was 4 years. Which meant that literally any player on the team could transfer and be eligible right away.

The Ole Miss situation is a bit different. Any 2014 or 2015 recruit could transfer from Ole Miss and be eligible to play immediately.
2016 or 2017 kids who are trying to transfer have lawyered up and are saying they were lied to and misled by Hugh Freeze.
I actually think it's the opposite. I think the kids that got paid would have to stay and the ones who didn't would leave.
Ones who got paid and would decide to leave would risk having bitter boosters who paid for them go public and effectively ruin whatever would remain of their college careers.
Shea Patterson comes from a wealthy family. His father is a successful businessman. Ole Miss landed him because they hired his brother Sean Jr away from LSU to be an analyst. Arizona hired the brother Sean Jr first, which lead to Shea committing to Arizona. LSU hired Sean Jr away trying to lure Shea. Ole Miss hired Sean and got Shea. I'd talk smack about that, but Harbaugh has done it himself and there wasn't a rule in place to stop that until this year- and even then there are many loopholes in that rule. Van Jefferson's father is a former NFL WR and current NFL coach- he's made millions of dollars throughout his career as a professional athlete and NFL coach. Ole Miss boosters aren't buying him or his son to go there- they have plenty of money.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: PortlandSpartan on December 09, 2017, 07:08:42 PM
A crazy thing I've noticed - many people who have lots of money do everything they can to continue to pile on more. 

I don't know a single thing about any of those situations, but "they already have money" means nothing. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 09, 2017, 07:36:32 PM
A crazy thing I've noticed - many people who have lots of money do everything they can to continue to pile on more.

I don't know a single thing about any of those situations, but "they already have money" means nothing.
yeah, no.
Highly, highly doubt a kid who comes from money takes money to go to school X, Y, Z. How much money do you think is being offered to go to those schools? Newsflash: it's not millions of dollars. There is a risk reward to everything. If you come from means, there really is no reason to risk getting in trouble and losing your eligibility. If you come from absolutely nothing and your family can't pay the heat or electric bill, that's a different story. Patterson/Jefferson fathers are wealthy. Shawn Jefferson played in the NFL for 13 years, retired and got into coaching and he's coached in the NFL for the last 10. He makes about $1 million a year as a position coach in the NFL. Those families are not being bribed by $5,000 here or $10,000 there or free cars to use or having their rent paid.
A kid like Laremy Tunsil or Reggie Bush who come from nothing and whose parents have trouble paying the electric bill and putting food on the table, yeah, they are far more inclined to the take hand outs from boosters and agents to provide for their families. Tunsil's mother couldn't pay her electric bill. I don't blame him one second for taking a hand out.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 09, 2017, 09:14:08 PM
Didn't Winona Rider steal a purse or something?

That's not so much my point as it's laughable to suggest they didn't know what's going on.  Every single person on this message board has been discussing what was obviously going on there for years.

To think a single player didn't know?  And now that they got busted, that they deserve special treatment?

You wanted to not get probation?  Don't go to Ole Miss in the first place when everyone knew what was going on, or at the very least go to the NCAA beforehand and turn witness in exchange for a waiver.  Don't play it out and then play dumb.

My main point is that the rule is the rule.  You want to change the rule?  Cool.  But I don't see any special circumstances here.  If you grant a waiver you might as well just change the rule with the same stroke of the pen.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 10, 2017, 08:35:02 AM
Kind of agree ELA,perhaps there should be a caveat for this particular type of circumstance.The coaches bolt, Pete Carroll & Chip Kelly come to mind.With no real reprisals while recruits/players are shackled to a sinking ship.There has to be a fair middle ground.That or printed out in bold type - tough titty when the L.O.I. is signed - JMO
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 11, 2017, 03:37:28 PM
If Patterson can play in'18 that offense could light it up.With Higdon/Evans  at RB & DPJ/Black at wide out M should move the sticks.I'm not up on the lineman - if they're decent it could be their year
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 11, 2017, 05:05:16 PM
Patterson should be as good as former Hawkeye and Houston starters Rudock & O'Korn
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 11, 2017, 05:07:19 PM
3rd time is a charm
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 11, 2017, 06:56:47 PM
Kind of agree ELA,perhaps there should be a caveat for this particular type of circumstance.The coaches bolt, Pete Carroll & Chip Kelly come to mind.With no real reprisals while recruits/players are shackled to a sinking ship.There has to be a fair middle ground.That or printed out in bold type - tough titty when the L.O.I. is signed - JMO
yeah this is a good point, heard that SEC weasel Finebaum bring it up. Basically said Freeze was fired in disgrace but he could go anywhere and be an offensive co-ordinator no problem but any kid that wants to leave Ole Miss that isn't a senior has to apply for a waiver. Just doesn't seem right.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 11, 2017, 07:14:41 PM
Patterson should be as good as former Hawkeye and Houston starters Rudock & O'Korn
huh? what?
Rudock was pretty rough those first 5 games, but in his defense he wasn't there for spring ball at all, and he didn't get there until late in fall camp. Think he missed the first week of fall camp actually. After that though it just clicked for him and he was just excellent. He threw 9 INT's that year. 6 of them were in those first 5 games. Not all of those INT's were his fault either, some of them were receivers running the wrong routes. Rudock very rarely put the ball in harms way. Which means the last 8 games of that year he only threw 3 picks. Once he got that offense down and figured out how to operate that system, he was really good. They probably would've been a playoff team in 2016 had he been able to comeback. Once he figured out that system, he was dealing man.
O'Korn on the other hand was just pretty much bad from the word go and never improved over 3 years. Rudock started off shaky then made a quantum leap in 8 weeks and got drafted by the NFL. O'Korn was there 3 years and just seemed to get worse.
If he is as good as Rudock, they'll be in business.
Honestly, not fair to really compare either of those kids to Patterson. Rudock and O'Korn were marginal recruits with short offer lists. O'Korn moved to South Florida from Pennsylvania so he could even get recruited, because nobody had offered him any kind of scholarship after his first two years of high school in PA. Patterson had offers from schools as a 9th grader, was committed to Arizona and RichRod at 14. Patterson was one of the most highly recruited QB's in recent memory. He won the Elite 11 QB MVP, went up against the top 24 HS QB's in the nation, won the whole damn thing. He QB'd his team to the 7on7 championship at that huge "The Opening" event in Oregon at the Nike HQ's. He won the Army-All American Bowl MVP. He was the #1 QB and the #3 player in his class in the 247composite.
Patterson only started 10 games in his short career. Three as a true freshman, he was planning on redshirting but star QB Chad Kelly tore his ACL and Hugh Freeze burned Patterson's redshirt and started him last 3 games of that season. Then he started first 7 games of this year before injuring his PCL/MCL and missing rest of the year. So 10 games starting in the SEC. He's passed for 300+ in 7 of those 10 games. Want to know how many times Harbaugh has had a 300 yard passer in his 38 games as Michigan's coach? 5 times. Jake Rudock had 3 of them.
Patterson is way more talented than O'Korn or Rudock. Like way way way way way way way way more talented.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 11, 2017, 07:50:57 PM
I'd rather just see Harbaugh recruit his own kids and develop them. Seriously. Enough with the transfer thing. Just make you're own already. We all know he can do it.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 11, 2017, 08:08:13 PM
I'd rather just see Harbaugh recruit his own kids and develop them. Seriously. Enough with the transfer thing. Just make you're own already. We all know he can do it.
He had to take Rudock that first year. If he didn't take Rudock, they go 7-6, not 10-3 that first year. Speight was nowhere near ready to be a starter and Morris was horrible.
I really think Peters is going to be good. I saw flashes from him as a rs frosh that I never saw from Speight and we all know O'Korn was just terrible.
But Shea Patterson wanted to be at Michigan. I don't think you turn that kind of talent down. Patterson is an enormous talent. You only turn him down if you have an established star at QB. They don't have one of those. Patterson will be with the team for spring ball. Let Peters and Patterson battle it out and may the best man win.
They didn't have a legitimate back-up QB after Speight and Malzone transferred. Dylan McCaffrey is not physically ready. Physically he was always 2 years away. He got to Michigan this year weighing 170 pounds. He's pushing 6'5. Incoming true frosh Joe Milton is a physical specimen but he is a total project that will take at least 2 years to develop before he's ever ready to take a snap in a real game. Another incoming true frosh Kevin Doyle was most likely your back-up if anything happened to Peters. That's not a good spot to be in IMO. They needed a QB transfer for depth. They better hope Patterson gets his waiver.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 11, 2017, 08:20:52 PM
You watch.. McCaffrey is gonna be an excellent WR and maybe even a return guy. Seems to me they are already recruiting over him at QB.

I know it's early still, and time will tell. I just have a gut feeling on him.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 11, 2017, 08:47:13 PM
You watch.. McCaffrey is gonna be an excellent WR and maybe even a return guy. Seems to me they are already recruiting over him at QB.

I know it's early still, and time will tell. I just have a gut feeling on him.
I actually kind of agree with you. McCaffrey is way too small right now to be a QB. If McCaffrey took that kill shot Peters did by Van Ginkel he'd have been broken in half. Peters and DCaff are similar height, both north of 6'4 pushing 6'5. But Peters is pushing 220 lbs. McCaffrey? He reported to Michigan at 170 and word is he's not even 190 right now. In all honestly McCaffrey probably should have never been rated as highly as he was. Saw him in that Army Bowl and his arm strength was really lacking compared to the other top prep QB's there. Think a lot of that ranking had to do with his last name and what school he picked. McCaffrey is really athletic and long though, and he played WR in high school before he switched to QB- so WR could just be where he ultimately winds up.
I think incoming frosh Kevin Doyle is super underrated, just won Gatorade player of the year in DC and won a WCAC title, which is kinda like a version of a state title I guess. He plays against very good competition in a region that produces a ton of FBS prospects. And he is a legit 6'4, 210 as that's what he checked in at one of those Opening Nike combines.
Joe Milton has freakish combination of size, running ability, and arm strength, but I am afraid he might just be a bigger version of Shane Morris. He's insanely raw just like Morris was, but he's even bigger than Morris was and has that same type of ridiculous arm strength.

Milton and Doyle's rankings should be flipped. Doyle should be the 4* and Milton the 3*.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on December 12, 2017, 08:13:30 AM
I don't see the NCAA doing Coach Harbaugh any favors by granting immediate eligibility to Patterson or any other non-senior Ole Miss transfers.  Whatever happens it will be an improvement.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 12, 2017, 12:59:39 PM
I don't see the NCAA doing Coach Harbaugh any favors by granting immediate eligibility to Patterson or any other non-senior Ole Miss transfers.  Whatever happens it will be an improvement.
we'll find out here pretty soon. I guess any players transferring are going to try to say that Hugh Freeze and Ole Miss lied and misled them to believe that the NCAA investigation had nothing to do with Freeze and his staff but were all related to Houston Nutt. A lot of the players trying to transfer have hired the same lawyer that Houston Nutt hired to successfully sue Ole Miss and Freeze. Nutt proved in court that Freeze/Ole Miss was lying. Ole Miss admitted this in court and settled with Nutt for millions of dollars. Freeze/Ole Miss was trying to pin it all on Nutt, when Nutt had nothing to do with it. Players who are trying to leave just might have a case.
Patterson is an upgrade over what they have had at the QB position. No disrespect to Peters, but he's only started 3 games and wasn't really asked to carry the entire offense on his back the way Patterson was asked to carry Ole Miss' offense. I really liked what I saw out of Peters, there were some nice flashes there but the body of work/sample size is very small. Peters was a lot further behind in his development that Patterson coming out of high school. Peters didn't get the kind of QB coaching/tutoring that Patterson did, and Peters played like 4 other sports in high school, he wasn't a year round football kid like Patterson.

Before his injury, Pro Football Focus had Patterson rated #3 in the FBS in terms of average yards per touchdown pass in 2017. He had 17 TD passes and they averaged 33.1 yards per TD pass thru 7 games.

Some other numbers on Shea: this year on passes of 10 yards of more, Patterson has a passer rating of 194.25, completing 50 of 90 pass attempts for nine touchdowns, four interceptions and 1,267 yards. Michigan's QB's were 37 for 114 for 903 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions with a passer rating of 100.04. Against the blitz, Patterson's touchdown-to-interception ratio is 6.0, with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions.

By the way, Patterson is the highest rated QB recruit to come to the B1G since Ryan Mallett came to Michigan in 2007 and Terrelle Pryor came to Ohio State in 2008. Mallett was the #2 QB and #4 player overall, Pryor was the #1 QB and #1 player overall. Shea was the #1 QB and #3 player overall.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 13, 2017, 11:27:39 AM
Michigan to make a change at S&C coach. Color me skeptical. I think the nutty fans on msg boards make a way bigger deal out of S&C coaches than they should.

What really matters are the you know, actual coaches. And until he fires Drevno and makes his son move on, the whole meritocracy line is just a that- a line of BS.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 13, 2017, 02:24:18 PM
I dunno man. The impact that change of strength coach in Madison is noticeable. Like, a lot.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 13, 2017, 05:36:11 PM
per Safety Deontay Anderson, his transcripts didn't clear admissions at Michigan. 

Sounding like WR Van Jefferson's might not clear either.

Bummer. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 13, 2017, 06:27:48 PM
Isn't that the reason people go to Ole Miss in the first place? Lazy admissions and booster handouts. The real world is a cruel place.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 14, 2017, 10:47:32 AM
Isn't that the reason people go to Ole Miss in the first place? Lazy admissions and booster handouts. The real world is a cruel place.
yeah, but I'm just wondering how bad those two kids' grades/class schedules must've been like. Patterson cleared admissions just fine. He must've taken his academics a lot more seriously.
I do wonder if them getting rejected by admissions will cause any sort of rift with Harbaugh. I'll bet he can't be too pleased right now.
Sounds like Van Jefferson is now looking at Louisville and Ohio State is trying to get involved there as well.
Deontay Anderson looking at Oklahoma now.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on December 14, 2017, 10:58:38 AM
Doubt there is any rift between Harbaugh and Admissions.  He's dealt with this before at Stanford.  Better they go somewhere else where they can cut it academically like OSU rather than fail.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 14, 2017, 11:06:30 AM
OSU and Michigan have essentially the same admissions standards (generally NCAA minimums), and both have academic programs to protect/hide athletes.

Almost every school has the latter - some (in Chapel Hill) more than others.

Anyway, if those kids couldn't go to Michigan, they are not going to OSU.

I'd put a dollar on it, Mortimer. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 14, 2017, 11:10:41 AM
Doubt there is any rift between Harbaugh and Admissions.  He's dealt with this before at Stanford.  Better they go somewhere else where they can cut it academically like OSU rather than fail.
there's a big difference between Stanford and Michigan, and also a big difference now in Harbaugh's rep/profile as a coach now than when he first got to Stanford. He was an up and comer when he got to Stanford. He's an established, high profile coach now who wields more power than he ever has.
Anderson and Jefferson could've cut it at Michigan. Don't kid yourself, if Mario Manningham could, I am 100% confident in saying those two could've. Admissions would've let both those kids in out of high school, both met NCAA mins. They looked at their transcripts and thought "we don't think these guys could make it here" which like I said, is a croc of you know what- considering a guy like Mario Manningham made it just fine for 3 years.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 14, 2017, 11:41:58 AM
I dunno man. The impact that change of strength coach in Madison is noticeable. Like, a lot.
I'm not saying it doesn't, matter. Obviously it matters. I just think it's so overblown by fans on msg boards. At this level, most teams are going to have really good S&C programs. And if they don't, I think that's actually kind of rare.

What matters more are the you know, actual coaches. The OC/DC and the positional coaches. They've got to be able to identify talent, recruit and land said talent, and teach/develop that talent. Don Brown, Greg Mattison, Chris Partridge are fantastic at this. All of them are on the defensive side of the ball unfortunately. They don't have one guy on that offensive side that can match those guys. And that's a problem.

My fear is Harbaugh is scapegoating the S&C coach and he won't make changes where they really matter, on offense. I don't think it's a coincidence that they lose Wheatley to the NFL then he moves his son to RB's coach to replace Wheatley, and suddenly there isn't a RB on the entire team that can block anybody ever. The RB pass pro was maybe the worst I have ever seen. Drevno and Pep Hamilton haven't done anything at all on the recruiting trail, and they are both making over $1 million a year. That is unacceptable. They both really need to go, and they need to start over fresh. Go get the best OC money can buy. Don't pay a couple of your buddies who are not qualified for their positions over $1 million each. That's absurd.

S&C coach wasn't the problem. The offensive coaches were the problem.

Former Michigan OL Dave Dawson telling it like it is....

Quote
Damn Tolbert gone
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 14, 2017, 11:55:16 AM
Sounds like Mike Hart is doing a pretty good job on the trail and at coaching for IU. He's only been there a short time though.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 14, 2017, 12:23:45 PM
Sounds like Mike Hart is doing a pretty good job on the trail and at coaching for IU. He's only been there a short time though.
that would be a dream come true and home run hire if Jim did it. I don't know if they've ever buried the hatchet and made up, but there was some bad blood there for awhile. There is going to be a 10th coach allowed starting next year. He'd be an excellent choice. They need to make major coaching changes to that offense.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 14, 2017, 01:40:20 PM
Yeah, but wasn't that started by Harbaugh himself, with his denigrating comments on Michigan's educational programs for athletes?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on December 14, 2017, 01:46:41 PM
"That's a guy I have no respect for," Hart said. " I don't know if maybe he wants to coach here and he's mad because he didn't get a job. He's not a Michigan man. I wish he'd never played here."
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 14, 2017, 01:59:20 PM
"That's a guy I have no respect for," Hart said. " I don't know if maybe he wants to coach here and he's mad because he didn't get a job. He's not a Michigan man. I wish he'd never played here."
Right, but that was after Harbaugh said his stuff.

http://mvictors.com/carr-hart-fire-back-at-harbaugh/
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on December 14, 2017, 02:56:35 PM
Yeah, but wasn't that started by Harbaugh himself, with his denigrating comments on Michigan's educational programs for athletes?
He basically just said Michigan isn't different.  They have the same programs where you can hide athletes, like most other programs, but you can't do that at Stanford.  That much is true.  Most of UM's football team every year is majoring in no preference or General Studies.
That was the weird part about the whole thing.  He wasn't knocking UM's academics.  He was basically just saying it's like everyone elses, save for a couple.  And that they find majors to put athletes in.  I never got why that was controversial.  Look at the majors.  It's true.  And it's not bad, it's just not that Michigan was better than other schools in terms of that, but that seemed to piss some people off.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 14, 2017, 03:10:01 PM
OK, so Michigan and other schools have majors to hide athletes in. But many other kids hide in those majors too, because mommy and daddy tell them they have to get a college degree.

Athlete or not, that fine arts (or whatever) degree ain't gonna get you very far, unless you're a trust fund baby and it doesn't matter anyway.

Let's not pretend that Stanford doesn't have degree programs like that.

https://majors.stanford.edu/majors-alphabetical/a--z
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on December 14, 2017, 03:11:44 PM
What did mike Hart major in?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 17, 2017, 02:07:04 PM
What did mike Hart major in?
don't know, don't care.
I just wish he was Michigan's RB coach. He'd be a hell of a teacher to those RB's and the dude has the personality and pedigree to go into anywhere in the nation and recruit kids. He was a legitimately great college player and NFL draft pick. He's been where these kids all want to be. And he was never the most talented or physically gifted. He did it all with his heart, worth ethic, determination and mental make-up. Have to respect a guy like that. He wasn't an athletic freak of nature that was 6', 235 lbs. and ran a 4.35 in the 40 and just born better than everybody like Tyrone Wheatley. Mike Hart was maybe 5'9 and 190 pounds on a good day and ran a 4.7 in the 40 if he was lucky. He made himself into a great player. If Wheatley had that same kind of drive and mental make-up as Mike Hart he would've just been scary. There was always that "what if" with Wheatley, even during his days at Michigan. Never really reached his full potential. As a lot of insanely gifted people are, he was kinda lazy.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 26, 2017, 04:38:33 PM
sounds like Harbaugh is zeroing on two guys to be the new S&C coach.

Shannon Turley at Stanford, who agreed to come with him to Michigan then backed out at last second.

And Ben Herbert, who was the S&C coach at Wisconsin and Arkansas under Bret Bielema.

Sounding like it'll be one of those two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZB1RMDzwWE


after watching that, I'll take Herbert lol. Borland looked like a genetic mutation lol. Freakish.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 26, 2017, 04:51:40 PM
now for some horrible news. Sounds like Tackles/TE's coach Greg Frey might be off to FSU to be the OL coach there. Frey is originally from the Tampa area and played his college ball at FSU, so the pull of going home is there for sure. But it sounds like FSU is about to give him a promotion and pay bump as well. Nothing concrete yet, but the rumors are catching fire.

This is horrible news. I really hope Jim grows a pair and dumps Drevno and gives Frey Drevno's job. Probably the only way he can keep him.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 30, 2017, 12:40:32 PM
Ben Herbert hired as S&C coach. Spent 11 years at Wisconsin and followed BERT down to Arky for last 4 years.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on December 30, 2017, 04:52:22 PM
true freshman OT Ja'Raymond Hall is indeed transferring. To Central Michigan.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 31, 2017, 01:48:50 PM
Ben Herbert hired as S&C coach. Spent 11 years at Wisconsin and followed BERT down to Arky for last 4 years.
HUGE hire for Michigan.

That guy is amazing and losing him (hiring Jerry Andersen, who didn't retain him) set UW back in a huge way.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: SuperMario on December 31, 2017, 04:13:36 PM
Ben Herbert hired as S&C coach. Spent 11 years at Wisconsin and followed BERT down to Arky for last 4 years.
Wow. This is why this forum is awesome. I hadn’t even heard this. Great hire.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 31, 2017, 05:23:27 PM
Wow. This is why this forum is awesome. I hadn’t even heard this. Great hire.
Herbert was responsible for the strength on the OL that UW once had and is trying to get back to. He's a Badger through and through (4 year DL and two time Rose Bowl Champion), but he'll do great things for Michigan. Trust me on that.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 01, 2018, 10:58:41 AM
Colts and Bears fired their coaches today. Their sights are both set on you-know-who - at least for now.

Those are the two franchises that he would consider, in my opinion, and only those two, but that's just my opinion. There are other openings two, including one just down the road, in Detroit.

So, for the next few weeks I feel bad for M fans, players and assistants while JH's name gets rumored for every job out there.

I don't think he's going anywhere, however, but still, it sucks when these things happen to a school during the peak of the second recruiting season.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on January 01, 2018, 06:21:49 PM
The problems are deeper than the QB position with Michigan. Granted the QB play is bad. There is a reason JOK and Peters were never even thought of to start over Speight until his injury. It was because both were significantly worse than Speight. There are significant coaching issues regarding personnel decisions, player development, and play-calling. Thankfully it resides on one side of the ball, partly two if you include special teams. 

Having an unqualified friend serve as an inept OC is problem #1. The loss of Jedd Fisch was huge. Giving your son a role he isn't qualified for is also a problem, especially at the expense of not having a WR coach on staff. The WR's performed well below expectations throughout the season. Trotting out DPJ as a punt returner all season when he varies between letting the ball bounce 20 yards or fielding the ball running backwards with a Willie Mays type catch shows a total lack of personnel awareness. It bit them in the ass at least 3 times today. 

Overall toughness seems to be an issue as well. 

Wholesale changes need to be made to the offensive staff. That + the Patterson transfer could breathe new life into this offense that has regressed since Jake Rudock graduated. But without significant changes Michigan will be looking at a similar type season next year. They have Notre Dame, Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. Those are all likely losses on the schedule right now. They don't have to be, but without changes they will be. James Franklin made the best move of his career when the masses were restless and he brought in Moorhead as OC and stepped back from significant offensive system decisions. Harbaugh needs to make a similar move. 

I have little concern for the defense. They have breakdowns, but any D will when put in the positions they have been in. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 01, 2018, 06:24:08 PM
I'm sure glad we got White and Rison instead of DPJ
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 01, 2018, 06:50:48 PM
Really?Didn't see half the game but the kid has talent.Not familiar with White/Rison they be talented too but DPJ maybe needs to be coached up
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 01, 2018, 06:57:00 PM
Michigan is in grave danger right now.

Trips to Rome ain't gonna get it done.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: SuperMario on January 01, 2018, 07:06:01 PM
Michigan is in grave danger right now.

Trips to Rome ain't gonna get it done.
Agree. The offense is as bad as the defense is good. It’s honestly very difficult to be a fan right now. QB and receiver play was awful all season and play calling was just bizarre.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 01, 2018, 07:07:00 PM
https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/947934162782183425
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: TyphonInc on January 01, 2018, 07:44:17 PM
https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/947934162782183425
Now that is laugh out loud funny there.
@SuperMario (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1596) - good to see you posting over here. I wasn't sure if you made the transition to the new board.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on January 01, 2018, 08:11:18 PM
Michigan is in grave danger right now.

Trips to Rome ain't gonna get it done.
The Rome trip is actually a pretty darn good example. I am fine with a trip like that, but it should be earned. Meritocracy and all. Going on a little adventure like that without proving yourself leaves a lot to be desired. I actually never thought I would be questioning the toughness of a Harbaugh team, but I kind of am. And I do wonder if things like Rome have something to do with it. On top of coaching changes, it should be a head down and bring your lunch pail to work type of off-season. The less headlines, the better in my book. 
I've never seen a team with such a difference in effort, energy, and talent on each side of the ball. The D had a breakdown or two today, but it was never lack of effort. They went all out from start to finish. Meanwhile you see lazy blocks, half effort routes, and a QB that slides IN FRONT OF THE STICKS on 3rd & 1 with 1 min left in the game and a clock running. It's a strange dichotomy. Almost two completely different cultures between D & O. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 01, 2018, 08:14:27 PM
I think the trips to Rome are irrelevant.  I don't think the results are reltated to them, positive or negative, at all.

I think what Harbaugh was a genius at was attracting media attention.  But as all things that attract media attention, we can't wait for them to fail.  So once he got that, he had to deliver, and the fact that he's underachieving, now that same media that fed into him, as he intended, has turned against him.  It's Big Ten title or bust in 2018.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 01, 2018, 10:20:17 PM
Really?Didn't see half the game but the kid has talent.Not familiar with White/Rison they be talented too but DPJ maybe needs to be coached up
Madison will welcome him for that.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on January 02, 2018, 08:22:27 AM
Michigan's offense has problems as was painfully illustrated yesterday in the Outback Bowl.   Not sure if it was the all the youth and inexperience on the OL, WRs, or QB, and/or something more systemic like coaching or lack thereof.  Some of the play calls were bizarre and some players on the field looked lost so I'm leaning towards the latter at this point.  
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 02, 2018, 08:56:05 AM
MDot has been on Harbaugh about some of the hires.Offensive side of the ball seemed lost after the half.Gotta believe MDoTs on to something
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 02, 2018, 10:09:12 AM
Drevno and Pep should be fired today. Plain and simple. That and move the boy into some desk job or something. There are some really good coaches out there looking for a job.

Has LSU fired Canada yet?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 02, 2018, 11:14:40 AM
Drevno/Hamilton/JR should be shown the door if they are to improve.Quit giving them ideas with Canada
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 02, 2018, 12:00:19 PM
Canada is an excellent coordinator when he's given complete control. I'm not sure that would work in Ann Arbor with the HC being an offensive guy and the nepotism in the room on top of that.

I saw Canada operate with his hands tied by Bielema in Madison. In the CCG, he said "F it, I'm gone anyway and I'm gonna call what I want to call, when I want to call it."

70 points later, he was gone.

Sounds like he is having similar issues at LSU.

He probably needs to be at a place where the HC is a defensive guy that will give him the keys and not look over his shoulder (like Bielema did to him).

How was his short tenure at Pitt? Did Nards let him run with it there?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 02, 2018, 12:02:28 PM
Canada is an excellent coordinator when he's given complete control. I'm not sure that would work in Ann Arbor with the HC being an offensive guy and the nepotism in the room on top of that.

I saw Canada operate with his hands tied by Bielema in Madison. In the CCG, he said "F it, I'm gone anyway and I'm gonna call what I want to call, when I want to call it."

70 points later, he was gone.

Sounds like he is having similar issues at LSU.

He probably needs to be at a place where the HC is a defensive guy that will give him the keys and not look over his shoulder (like Bielema did to him).

How was his short tenure at Pitt? Did Nards let him run with it there?
He was amazing at Pitt
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 02, 2018, 12:12:48 PM
I know that, but was he left alone to do it or was Nards involved too? That's the big question. He needs control.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: PortlandSpartan on January 02, 2018, 12:51:34 PM
I know that, but was he left alone to do it or was Nards involved too? That's the big question. He needs control.
Can't imagine Narduzzi was overly controlling on offense.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 02, 2018, 01:24:29 PM
I know that, but was he left alone to do it or was Nards involved too? That's the big question. He needs control.
It was all him.
I saw some more Enos to UM as OC picking up steam this morning.  He's a good coach, great recruiter, but as the head of my offense, he can't even carry Canada's bags.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 02, 2018, 02:04:10 PM
It was all him.
I saw some more Enos to UM as OC picking up steam this morning.  He's a good coach, great recruiter, but as the head of my offense, he can't even carry Canada's bags.
Some defensive-oriented coach is gonna get himself one helluva coordinator if Orgeron is really that stupid.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: PortlandSpartan on January 02, 2018, 04:05:15 PM
If Enos ends up at UM I'd be disappointed, but would much rather he be there than Canada. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 02, 2018, 04:53:26 PM
If Enos ends up at UM I'd be disappointed, but would much rather he be there than Canada.
Agreed, and it's not even close.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 02, 2018, 07:58:14 PM
Canada is an excellent coordinator when he's given complete control. I'm not sure that would work in Ann Arbor with the HC being an offensive guy and the nepotism in the room on top of that.
this.
Harbaugh would need to relinquish control. Period. Canada wouldn't be a fit unless that happened.
Drevno and Pep select plays and Harbaugh picks the one he likes best that they give him. It's a complete clusterf*&&k and a complete mess. Drevno and Pep are both grossly over-paid and need to be on the street ASAP. They are mediocre coaches and terrible recruiters. Drevno was struggling coaching a position group and co-ordinating an offense so they went and brought in another OL coach to help carry the load. That 2nd OL coach is on his way to FSU. Time to cut bait with Drevno and just re-boot.

Jim's unqualified 25 year old son was the fricken RB coach and they literally did not have a WR's coach. There was a GA helping out but it's limited how much on the field coaching those guys can do. It's no wonder the RB's coughed up the ball and sucked terribly in pass pro. No wonder why the talented frosh WR's had trouble running their routes and catching the ball. Those two positions literally aren't getting coached.

There needs to be MAJOR overhaul on that offensive coaching staff. Go get a real RB and real WR coach. Fire Pep and Drevno. Get a real OC. Get a real OL coach.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on January 03, 2018, 08:09:57 AM
Drevno is making $1 million per year.   That's some pricey offensive bull crap.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 03, 2018, 08:23:01 AM
Drevno is making $1 million per year.   That's some pricey offensive bull crap.
USA Today has both he and Pep making $1.15 Mil.

https://www.landof10.com/michigan/usa-today-releases-assistant-coaches-salaries-michigan-3-top-10

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/12/06/highest-paid-assistant-football-coaches-worth-overpaid/918708001/
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 03, 2018, 08:30:35 AM
As for the OL coach need.. There's a guy called T.J. Woods out there looking for work. He's a pretty damn good coach, from the Bob Bostad school of OL coaching.

Bart Miller is similarly trained, but he's rowing a sinking boat in MPLS right now. Miller has experience working with Herbert, so that could be a fit. He also took over the OL at UW in 2012 when BB fired Markuson after two games and worked wonders. I bet he'd jump if M offered.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on January 03, 2018, 11:41:19 AM
Rumors are heating up a bit more that Drevno and Pep are pursuing other opportunities. And the Enos and Greg Roman smoke is billowing. If Harbaugh hands over the keys and doesn't meddle that is more important than who they hire. Roman is more of a pistol guy, with some Power I dimensions, which fits nicely withe Patterson. 

The Canada hire would be a much better move to me, but this is a big step in the right direction compared to the current state. 

Now, if they can kick to the curb the ST coach or whoever was coaching the Punt and Punt Returns groups all year, i'll be a little more happy. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 03, 2018, 02:24:26 PM
DE Chase Winovich saying no to
the NFL draft and returning. Big news for Michigan.

They'll return 9 starters on defense. Have to develop that DL depth- Villain and Jeter getting hurt and taking redshirts hurt it a little bit- but both will be back in 2018. 

D could basically be flawless if they develop that DL depth. Only thing that kinda concerns me is the safeties. Kinnel and Mettellus are very mediocre pieces to what should otherwise be a loaded defense. They need to find replacements for both of those safeties IMO.

I just hope that Jim does what is necessary on the offensive side of the ball and makes the necessary coaching changes. I'd hate to see them waste a lights out defense bc they had atrocious offense and QB play for 3 years in a row. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 03, 2018, 02:52:25 PM
Any legs to the Mattison rumors on the Michigan boards?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on January 04, 2018, 09:20:50 AM
Any legs to the Mattison rumors on the Michigan boards?
Heard or read nothing along those lines.   I would not expect to hear about any coaching changes until February.   
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on January 04, 2018, 12:11:48 PM
Having said that Brandon Justice tweets that Michigan will hire Cincinnati's Al Washington to coach running backs.

https://twitter.com/brandonbjustice?lang=en (https://twitter.com/brandonbjustice?lang=en)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 04, 2018, 12:28:28 PM
Having said that Brandon Justice tweets that Michigan will hire Cincinnati's Al Washington to coach running backs.

https://twitter.com/brandonbjustice?lang=en (https://twitter.com/brandonbjustice?lang=en)
Good hire. Anything is better than the kid coaching that position.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 04, 2018, 01:20:12 PM
Good hire. Anything is better than the kid coaching that position.
Not so fast my friend.
Sounds like he'll be coaching defense. Might be stuck with the kid. :(
Supposedly this guy is an ace recruiter. From Columbus, OH has a lot of connections to HS coaches in Ohio. He's also worked with Don Brown before at BC. This hire mainly has to do with familiarity with Brown and Washington's recruiting chops. If Brown wants him I'm sold. And he's suppose to be a heck of a recruiter. Michigan needs more recruiters after losing maybe their best in Wheatley to the NFL.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 04, 2018, 01:22:19 PM
Any legs to the Mattison rumors on the Michigan boards?
What rumors? 
I did see an interview he did a couple weeks ago with the 247 Michigan site where they asked him about retirement and he said not any time soon and that he's got a lot of gas in the tank. 
Mattison might just be the best DL coach in the game. He and LJ Sr are probably tops. Seems like they can take anyone and turn them into real players.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 04, 2018, 01:29:06 PM
If Enos ends up at UM I'd be disappointed, but would much rather he be there than Canada.
I think I'd rather have Enos. Canada is a little overrated imo. Doesn't play well with others and not sure he can recruit at a high level.
Enos will recruit his ass off. Michigan has an offensive staff filled with guys who flat out can't recruit. Pep Hamilton hates it, Drevno is bad at it, Jim's kid is middling at it. The only guy who can recruit at a decent level is Greg Frey and he's off to FSU.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 04, 2018, 01:46:19 PM
What rumors?
I did see an interview he did a couple weeks ago with the 247 Michigan site where they asked him about retirement and he said not any time soon and that he's got a lot of gas in the tank.
Mattison might just be the best DL coach in the game. He and LJ Sr are probably tops. Seems like they can take anyone and turn them into real players.

There are some comments at S&M about retirement. To me it's just rumor.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 04, 2018, 02:58:55 PM
I think I'd rather have Enos. Canada is a little overrated imo. Doesn't play well with others and not sure he can recruit at a high level.
Enos will recruit his ass off. Michigan has an offensive staff filled with guys who flat out can't recruit. Pep Hamilton hates it, Drevno is bad at it, Jim's kid is middling at it. The only guy who can recruit at a decent level is Greg Frey and he's off to FSU.
He can recruit, but as a playcaller, he's lousy.
If I'm Michigan, I don't need an elite recruiter.  Hoke was pulling in top classes while losing.  Michigan could pull in a top 25 class without trying.  I'd prefer the playcaller, and that's Canada by a long shot.  Either one is an upgrade though.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 04, 2018, 03:29:54 PM
Sounds like Enos is gonna be a Co-OC if he comes and that Pep and Drevno would be out. 

Greg Roman is the name being bandied about as other Co-OC.

Think Enos hire would be solid, he can coach RBs or QBs and is a high level recruiter. Upgrade over Pep or Drev for sure. Not thrilled about the Greg Roman chatter, but he'd be better than Drevno or Pep. Drevno was in way over his head and Pep Hamilton is just awful. There's a reason why he's been fired everywhere he's been in the NFL. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on January 05, 2018, 08:15:02 AM
Michigan hires Ben Herbert as new strength and fitness coach.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/01/04/michigan-hires-ben-herbert-new-strength-coach/109164490/ (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/01/04/michigan-hires-ben-herbert-new-strength-coach/109164490/)
 (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/01/04/michigan-hires-ben-herbert-new-strength-coach/109164490/)
 (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/01/04/michigan-hires-ben-herbert-new-strength-coach/109164490/)
And, OT/TE assistant coach Frey is off to Florida State.  Story also mentions possible hire of Al Washington from Cincy as outside linebackers and special teams coach.  Some of us thought Washington was being brought on to coach running backs and baby Harbaugh would go back to TEs.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/01/04/reports-um-add-cincy-assistant-washington-staff/109157478/ (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/01/04/reports-um-add-cincy-assistant-washington-staff/109157478/)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on January 05, 2018, 02:35:45 PM
Bruce Feldman says Michigan will hire Dan Enos. 

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB (https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 05, 2018, 08:20:24 PM
Bruce Feldman says Michigan will hire Dan Enos.  

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB (https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB)
if Feldman says it's happening, it's happening.
I like the hire. Love the hire though if it means Drevno and Pep are both on the way out and someone is coming in to be the Co-OC with Enos.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 05, 2018, 08:31:47 PM
so apparently former Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley got offered the OC position at Missouri and has taken it.

former Michigan pass co-ordinator and UCLA OC Jedd Fisch was going to take a job at Missouri in some capacity on offense. Wonder if he backs out now that Dooley has been named OC.

PERFECT opportunity for Harbaugh to scoop Fisch back up and make him the Co-OC and QB coach and play-caller. Give Enos the Co-OC tittle and let him coach RB's as well. Move JayBaugh back to TE's. Find a new OL coach. Find a WR's coach. Problems solved.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 06, 2018, 11:01:06 AM
probably nothing, but a bunch of Michigan players and coaches have started following Matt Canada on twitter.

Doubt anything happens there, but if they can actually land him and dump Drevno and Pep and exchange them out for Canada and Enos- holy smokes.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 06, 2018, 11:28:18 AM
If players following and out-of-work OC on twitter isn't an indictment on Drevno and Pep, I don't know what is.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 06, 2018, 11:38:59 AM
If players following and out-of-work OC on twitter isn't an indictment on Drevno and Pep, I don't know what is.
Rumors from the "insiders" are that Hamilton is gone. Drevno probably gone but that's not 100%. Need them both to leave. Drevno would be a solid OL coach if that's all he was doing was coaching OL's 24/7. He's a bad co-ordinator and a horrible recruiter, so even if he is a solid OL coach- the whole recruiting thing is a big negative for him. And at this point it's like- why take a demotion to OL coach? Would just be awkward. Didn't work out here- have some dignity and just move on Tim.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 06, 2018, 12:05:22 PM
some bold predictions for Michigan's defense in 2018.

sophomores to be CB Ambry Thomas and CB/S JKP will both play a heckuva lot more in 2018. Thomas will be the starting nickel CB and JKP will take a safety job. 4* CB/S Myles Sims will wind up being a starting safety at some point in the season. He's too good in man coverage to ride the pine all year, and the guys starting now are mediocre (Mettellus) to poor (Kinnel) in man coverage. Don Brown plays a lot of man coverage with his safeties. If those two don't improve, sooner or later they'll have to get replaced- and both of them look athletically limited to me.

If there was a weakness on the defense in 2017 it was safety play and DL depth. Luiji Villain and Donovan Jeter getting hurt in fall camp really hurt DL depth at WDE and SDE. Kwity Paye stepped up late and looks like a potential stud at WDE. Villain will just add to that depth. Losing Jeter really hurt because it gave more snaps to Carlo Kemp- who is pretty bad. Worst graded player by PFF on Michigan's D was Kemp. He doesn't have the raw physical talent or size that Jeter brings to the table. Jeter and Villain are locks to be in the rotation in 2018. DL depth should be better in 2018. Aidan Hutchinson and the DE from Germany will both play as true frosh according to Greg Mattison- they really like both those guys. Might wind up being able to rotate 10 DL's like they did in 2016. SDE/DT Lawrence Marshall better bring it in the spring or he might not be asked back for a 5th year when fall camp rolls around.

DBush Jr and Khaleke Hudson are locked in at their LB spots. There is going to be an epic all-out battle to replace Mike McCray between Noah Furbush, Drew Singleton, Josh Ross, Devin Gil, Josh Uche, Jordan Anthony, and rookie Cameron McGrone. I'd like to see Uche or McGrone win that job. They are explosive athletes. Legit 4.5/4.6 in that 40. SPEED. SPEED. SPEED. Got to get faster.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 06, 2018, 01:00:11 PM
He can recruit, but as a playcaller, he's lousy.
If I'm Michigan, I don't need an elite recruiter.  Hoke was pulling in top classes while losing.  Michigan could pull in a top 25 class without trying.  I'd prefer the playcaller, and that's Canada by a long shot.  Either one is an upgrade though.
sounds like Pep is gone. Drevno more than likely gone.
Lorenz over at 247 is saying Enos will be a position coach. Not an OC position. Home run hire if he's not calling the plays. Really good position coach and ace recruiter. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 08, 2018, 08:23:56 AM
Agreed.  Also might lend some credence to the rumors that him and Dantonio had some major falling out
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 08, 2018, 08:13:09 PM
Agreed.  Also might lend some credence to the rumors that him and Dantonio had some major falling out
I don't know if I buy the whole Dantonio/Enos fall-out.
Enos left MSU as an up and comer to try his hand as a HC in the MAC. Didn't work out and he got hired to an OC for an SEC team. That coach and that entire staff got fired so he was a free agent. Not sure Enos going to Michigan is a sign of any thing. Sounds like complete nonsense to me honestly.
So he's currently unemployed, and he's not suppose to take a high paying job at Michigan- which just happens to be close by where he's from and grew up and most of his friends/family he grew up with still live- just because he used to go to Michigan State and coached under Dantonio? This bs floating out there by Sparty boards that the only reason he'd take that job is because of some rift with Dantonio is complete nonsense.
Only way I'd buy that story was if MSU offered him a job and he turned them down to take the Michigan job. Far as I know, MSU never offered him a job and they aren't currently in the market for an offensive coach right now.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 08, 2018, 08:37:33 PM
Those talks have been out there for years, long before this.  Hell, back when he left CMU for Fayetteville that was named as the reason why he'd never come back to EL as OC as long as Dantonio eas there.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 08, 2018, 10:02:52 PM
The RB that the Michigan head coach wanted to be an LB (AJ Dillon) was just named to the freshman AA team by the FWAA (Taylor too, and the UAB kid).
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 09, 2018, 12:59:23 PM
The RB that the Michigan head coach wanted to be an LB (AJ Dillon) was just named to the freshman AA team by the FWAA (Taylor too, and the UAB kid).
ugh. Don't remind me. Harbaugh should've just promised him he'd play RB and never mentioned LB. Only move him to LB if he didn't work out at RB. Which obviously he would have given the year he just had.
Harbaugh was trying to make room for Najee Harris out of Cali, the #1 player and #1 RB in the 2017 class- who had been committed to Alabama forever. Harris signed with Alabama.
Colossal F up by Harbaugh right there. Bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush. No doubt in my mind that kid is the starter at RB in 2017 had he come. Higdon would be a terrific back-up, they'd have made a great combo- and would've freed up Chris Evans to be what he truly is- a WR/RB hybrid. Have my doubts though they'd have figured out how to use Evans properly even if that was the case. Major lack of creativity from that offensive staff.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 09, 2018, 01:41:10 PM
Unless they really, really thought they had Harris.  Dillon is great, but let's be honest, nobody thought he had that in him, or he would have had more offers.  Harris looked even better last night than Dillon though.  I know the lines are very different, but he was doing stuff on his own that was just scary for an 18 year old.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 09, 2018, 02:35:52 PM
Unless they really, really thought they had Harris.  Dillon is great, but let's be honest, nobody thought he had that in him, or he would have had more offers.  Harris looked even better last night than Dillon though.  I know the lines are very different, but he was doing stuff on his own that was just scary for an 18 year old.
Dillon had a committable Wisconsin offer (so that should mean something in itself) when he chose Michigan after visiting Madison a few days before. By the time he figured out he was being messed with and de-committed from Michigan in December, UW had already moved on and took Taylor (in November). In fact, most of his other options moved on. December is too late to start looking again. BC was his only real option at that point.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 09, 2018, 03:28:59 PM
Unless they really, really thought they had Harris.  Dillon is great, but let's be honest, nobody thought he had that in him, or he would have had more offers.  Harris looked even better last night than Dillon though.  I know the lines are very different, but he was doing stuff on his own that was just scary for an 18 year old.
They did think they had Harris. But you don't have anyone until that LOI is signed.
No doubt Harris is special and a freak. Which is why they pressed so hard to get him. But you don't dump an athletic freak like Dillon for Harris unless you have that LOI. Dillon would have been better than Isaac, Higdon, or Evans. Isaac got hurt and was never seen from again. Higdon is too small and can't pass block but he's an effective change of pace runner. Evans is a lethal weapon when used properly as a hybrid player in the mold of a Percy Harvin or Curtis Samuel, has yet to be used properly at Michigan imo. Urban would have a field day with that kid and make him a real star. Kid picked the wrong school. Harbaugh doesn't have a clue how to use him right. Dillon was the exact type of bruiser that Harbaugh looks for in his RB's. He was 6'1, 230 in HS running legit 4.53's at that size. He's 240 now running that same speed and just runs over and right by people. Perfect type of RB for that power run scheme.
Harbaugh has to get this team better at QB, RB, and OL. Passing on a guy like Dillon was flat out a mistake. Weakened the talent pool at the RB position. I see some nice talent at WR and TE, but it's extremely inconsistent. There are some next level NFL type athletes with size and speed. I think the inconsistency has a lot to do with lack of coaching and youth there.
QB, RB, and OL however? I think that's just lack of coaching and a lack of talent. Patterson could help out that problem at QB if he's eligible right away and if Pep Hamilton isn't the one coaching him, but the RB position and OL position- looks pretty bleak. Higdon is a nice player but he's not an NFL RB. AJ Dillon is a future NFL draft pick at RB. I really like Evans- he is a hell of a weapon but they have no clue how to use him right.
Even if Higdon can be the guy as a SR and develop more physically and improve his pass blocking, even if Patterson is eligible and proves to be the best QB that Harbaugh's had in 3 years, even if they get a damn clue and figure out how to really use Chris Evans- that OL is probably gonna be really ugly in 2018. They should be OK on the interior but the tackles are a mess.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on January 10, 2018, 05:08:19 PM
QB Eason from Gerorgia just announced his transfer to Washington. Would've liked to have him in the future Michigan backfield; seems like Harbaugh lost out if he didn't try for an Eason transfer. Or if he did, as Eason was in a close recruiting relationship with Harbaugh before Georgia signed him.

Not high on the current vanilla state of Michigan QBs going forward.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 10, 2018, 05:35:01 PM
QB Eason from Gerorgia just announced his transfer to Washington. Would've liked to have him in the future Michigan backfield; seems like Harbaugh lost out if he didn't try for an Eason transfer. Or if he did, as Eason was in a close recruiting relationship with Harbaugh before Georgia signed him.

Not high on the current vanilla state of Michigan QBs going forward.
Why would Eason have considered that with Patterson already coming in and McCaffrey and Peters on the roster?  If you are transferring away for PT reasons, you aren't going to transfer somewhere that's still far from home, where you still wind up possibly as the third string QB.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 10, 2018, 06:05:17 PM
with Patterson coming on board and having a shot to be eligible immediately, an Eason transfer would make no sense for all parties involved. Eason has to sit a year, no other way around it. Michigan is also bringing in two 2018 kids in Joe Milton and Kevin Doyle. They are both likely redshirts. Which means if nobody left, in 2019, Eason would have to beat out Shea Patterson, Brandon Peters, Dylan McCaffrey, Joe Milton, and Kevin Doyle. He's certainly talented enough and capable of doing so, but it doesn't make a lot of sense for him to sit a year and risk it.

Makes a lot more sense to go somewhere like Washington, sit a year, learn the system and take over in 2019 after Browning has graduated.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 11, 2018, 12:48:20 AM
Bruce Feldman is reporting that Gruden is trying to hire Pep Hamilton to be an assistant with the Raiders. PLEASE GOD LET THIS HAPPEN. PLEASE.

Michigan should offer a 2 for 1 to take Drevno while they're at it.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on January 11, 2018, 09:07:15 AM
ELA, Getting Eason isn't so much about what's good for Eason, but more so about Michigan getting what's good for Michigan.

I was hoping Harbaugh could work his crootin' magic and land another QB by maybe spending the night amongst the gym sneakers and discarded yellow lunchables boxes of Eason's dorm room floor.

Point is we shouldn't be at this point going into Harbaugh's fourth year,  where the QB position is such an uncertainty that even with the stable full we might as well be drawing straws. If that's what it's come to' might as well add another straw.

Plus, I'm not too optimistic on Peters. IMO he's injury prone, and when one-dimensionalized by opposing defenses, quits.

In Peters defense I think he'll be bettered with solid competition for his job, which Speight and O'korn were hardly.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 11, 2018, 10:22:47 AM
ELA, Getting Eason isn't so much about what's good for Eason, but more so about Michigan getting what's good for Michigan.

I was hoping Harbaugh could work his crootin' magic and land another QB by maybe spending the night amongst the gym sneakers and discarded yellow lunchables boxes of Eason's dorm room floor.

Point is we shouldn't be at this point going into Harbaugh's fourth year,  where the QB position is such an uncertainty that even with the stable full we might as well be drawing straws. If that's what it's come to' might as well add another straw.

Plus, I'm not too optimistic on Peters. IMO he's injury prone, and when one-dimensionalized by opposing defenses, quits.

In Peters defense I think he'll be bettered with solid competition for his job, which Speight and O'korn were hardly.
Well yeah, every school should want every good QB.  Obviously adding every good QB is good for Michigan...or any other school.
But if your main reason for leaving is PT, going to Michigan doesn't make much sense.  Washington makes all the sense.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 11, 2018, 06:09:56 PM
11 Warriors reporting Kareem Walker dismissed.Evidently 4th violation of team rules in 2 yrs
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 11, 2018, 10:50:32 PM
Apparently hiring the CMU TE coach.  So that puts them at even right?  Two in, one out?  Any further additions means additional guys leaving.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 20, 2018, 02:29:51 PM
UM hires Minnesota OL coach Ed Warriner.  Not a good OC, but a hell of an OL coach.  Really good hire.  With his son being an MSU signee, wish Dantonio had cut bait with useless Bollman and gone after Warriner.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 20, 2018, 03:16:45 PM
Crap,the guy can coach the Big Uglies with the best of them.Funny he goes from ND-tOSU-Minny,all bitter/sworn Wolverine foes to AA,great addition
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 20, 2018, 03:19:04 PM
Seems like it's just an analyst spot, weird.  I'm guessing he doesn't too much enjoy working for Fleck, for this to make sense.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 20, 2018, 03:21:25 PM
Evidently he got sick of rowing the boat and left them up that creek w/o a paddle.If JH has a kle-e-e-w he'll get him up front
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on January 20, 2018, 06:01:29 PM


(https://www.printyourbrackets.com/college-football-schedules/printable-michigan-football-schedule.png)



Pretty rough schedule, getting all three rivalry games on the road.

Not to mention the most winnable of the three becomes a lot less winnable, when factoring in the Wisconsin effect. 

Speaking of the Badgers, they and the Lions aren't exactly gimme home games. 

And we still don't know what Nebraska with Scott Frost looks like. Or Maryland with healthy QBs, for that matter. 

Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 21, 2018, 12:37:23 PM
Wonder if GR can chime in on why EW left the Gophs
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 21, 2018, 01:07:09 PM
Seems like it's just an analyst spot, weird.  I'm guessing he doesn't too much enjoy working for Fleck, for this to make sense.
2nd coach to bolt in less than a week. Probably more to follow.

I could not imagine working for that clown, and for guys to go from that clown to Jimbo Fisher and Jimbo Harbaugh says a lot about the clown.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MaximumSam on January 21, 2018, 05:30:56 PM
Some chatter Warriner might actually end up with the Titans.  Ryan Day also rumored to end up there under new coach Mike Vrabel
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 21, 2018, 07:12:12 PM
Some chatter Warriner might actually end up with the Titans.  Ryan Day also rumored to end up there under new coach Mike Vrabel
Seeing the same.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 25, 2018, 05:54:31 PM
And now Sam Webb reporting Enos considering an offer from Alabama and there might be a bidding war?

Huh?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 25, 2018, 08:26:51 PM
And now Sam Webb reporting Enos considering an offer from Alabama and there might be a bidding war?

Huh?
Leaving to be Associate HC and QB coach for Bama
https://twitter.com/Are_you_seri0us/status/956684943014465536
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 25, 2018, 10:29:48 PM
Saban...

Evan Petzold @evanpetzold
1h
Dan Enos' contract at Arkansas had a non-compete clause with other SEC schools (like Alabama) through Feb. 15, 2018. 

Going to Michigan for 17 days allowed Enos to avoid the agreement in his contract regarding other SEC schools.


Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 26, 2018, 01:35:39 AM
let's see if Harbaugh will try to keep Enos. Maybe he decides he wants to keep him and pushes Pep Hamilton or Drevno out the door and gives Enos a raise and a better title.

Still seems crazy af that Enos would take a job for 2 weeks then leave for Alabama. Who does shit like that?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 26, 2018, 08:48:37 AM
Actually, it happens more than you'd think.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 26, 2018, 10:04:49 AM
Still seems crazy af that Enos would take a job for 2 weeks then leave for Alabama. Who does shit like that?
WOW,did Enos even sign a contract yet?If not then maybe he sees how things worked out for Kirby Smart.Still plenty of good coaches out there but that's bizarre
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 26, 2018, 10:05:14 AM
wish it would happen to me
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 26, 2018, 10:14:30 AM
You prolly wouldn't like Saban.And he prolly doesn't like Bud Fat or Cigars
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 26, 2018, 10:17:00 AM
ahh, doesn't have to be with Saban at Bama

I'm a little too Yankee for that gig

just want to take a better job for 2 weeks and then leave for an even better job than that
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on January 26, 2018, 10:49:30 AM
Seems like Warriner is staying though, and not jumping to the Titans.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on January 28, 2018, 11:56:39 AM
Seems like Warriner is staying though, and not jumping to the Titans.
Hiring him and keeping Drevno makes no sense. Drevno should've been out on his ass, Warriner should've been named sole OL coach, and Enos should've been named Co-Oc and given more than $175k per year. Harbaugh f####ed this ish up bad.
This off-season will have been a complete and utter failure if Pep and Drevno are both back in 2018 making $1+ million a year each.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on February 08, 2018, 12:59:17 PM
Apparently they interviewed McElwain for an assistant job.  That would be a nice hire.  Him as the face of a program seems not so great, but him as a cog in the machine, yes.  Although if the rumors are true that Harbaugh won't delegate enough of the offense to his assistants, not sure it'll matter much.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on February 12, 2018, 10:07:15 AM
Michigan football spring practice begins March 22nd and the spring game is tentatively schedule for April 14th.  The trip to France will be around April 26th.

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2018/02/michigan_football_notes_shea_p_1.html (http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2018/02/michigan_football_notes_shea_p_1.html)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 12, 2018, 12:37:59 PM
so the trip to France isn't part of Spring football - doesn't count towards practice days - just a vacation?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 12, 2018, 02:52:15 PM
Study a broad.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 12, 2018, 02:56:24 PM
yeah, talked my daughter out of that folly

but, hey, if UNL was paying for everything........... She'd be silly not to go
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on February 12, 2018, 08:10:22 PM
so the trip to France isn't part of Spring football - doesn't count towards practice days - just a vacation?
I think they use less than their full allotment of practices in AA, then use the balance in Europe.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on February 12, 2018, 08:11:01 PM
yeah, talked my daughter out of that folly

but, hey, if UNL was paying for everything........... She'd be silly not to go
I did an internship abroad, and I think it was the most useful experience I had in 7 years of higher education.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 12, 2018, 08:40:36 PM
I suppose it could be for some, otherwise it wouldn't be so popular today

wasn't a deal in the 80's.  at least for the Engineering college or college of education

daughter is in the college of education working on her teaching certificate for elementary school 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 12, 2018, 09:09:09 PM
It was pretty much unheard of when I was in school.

I suppose I could have learned a little bit from over there. I'm pretty sure the Italians are big on concrete.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on February 15, 2018, 08:10:10 AM
Jim McElwain is reported as having been hired by Michigan as OC and WR coach.  Let the shark jokes and photos commence.


https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Sources-have-informed-TMI-that-Jim-Harbaugh-set-to-add-his-10th-assistant-115102203 (https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Sources-have-informed-TMI-that-Jim-Harbaugh-set-to-add-his-10th-assistant-115102203)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 15, 2018, 09:07:27 AM
I'm not sure how I think about this hire.

The guy lost his job at Florida because Florida's offense was no good. How will that translate?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on February 15, 2018, 10:35:01 AM
I just don't think his personality translated to head coach.  I think he's a pretty ok OC.

He was WR coach/ST coach/assisstant HC at MSU under JLS, and he was fine.

He's only been an FBS OC for 5 seasons.  1 at Fresno, where they were #38 in offense, but it's hard to judge anything off a one year snapshot.  Then he was at Bama for 4 years.  Again, fine, but how much under Saban is Bama fine with whoever his coordinators are?

I think it also all comes down to how much control Harbaugh is willing to give him.  If it's still Harbaugh running the offense, it doesn't matter who the OC is.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 15, 2018, 03:20:26 PM
Drevno was the OL coach at Stanford with Harbaugh, wasn't he?

They seemed to do pretty well back then.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on February 23, 2018, 12:09:58 PM
Rumors are flying that Coach Drevno will resign soon and will follow his son to Vandy who is an incoming freshman there.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on February 23, 2018, 01:01:32 PM
Confirmation now; Drevno out. Now things are starting to play out a little more favorably. Love the Warriner hire and now he can slide in to O-Line Coach. Still need to understand who is going to be calling the plays with this staff though.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on February 23, 2018, 02:25:18 PM
Confirmation now; Drevno out. Now things are starting to play out a little more favorably. Love the Warriner hire and now he can slide in to O-Line Coach. Still need to understand who is going to be calling the plays with this staff though.
I would guess Pep Hamilton with Harbaugh in his ear.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on February 23, 2018, 05:05:11 PM
great move for Michigan.

Drevno was in over his skis. McElwain was a mediocre OC. Drevno was horrendous.

Ed Warriner is a hell of an OL coach. McElwain will do a better job than Drevno. That's an upgrade at two spots if you ask me.

Still should have gotten rid of Pep Hamilton. Really won't matter who the OC is though if Harbaugh won't yield some control. It's still his offense at the end of the day.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on February 23, 2018, 05:25:50 PM
great move for Michigan.

Drevno was in over his skis. McElwain was a mediocre OC. Drevno was horrendous.

Ed Warriner is a hell of an OL coach. McElwain will do a better job than Drevno. That's an upgrade at two spots if you ask me.

Still should have gotten rid of Pep Hamilton. Really won't matter who the OC is though if Harbaugh won't yield some control. It's still his offense at the end of the day.
All of this
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on February 24, 2018, 03:55:08 PM
Is Pep really a qualified play-caller with Harbaugh lurking? Agree with others that they haven’t moved the needle much with that. These are some nice improvements but there are a couple things that still strike me as concerning.  

1. Lack of a well regarded play caller with autonomy. I would have loved to see Fisch come back in a true OC role.

2. Jay Harbaugh coaching any position. I’m fine with him recruiting or being a desk jockey. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 24, 2018, 05:34:37 PM
The worst case for UM would be if Jay lands in a play calling role, or even in a game planning role. It could still happen.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on February 26, 2018, 01:40:28 PM
great move for Michigan.

Ed Warriner is a hell of an OL coach. 

Pains me to admit it but hell yes.Wish he would have stayed in C-Bus in that capacity.There was no going back after being bumped up to O.C. however.He has taken TE's,DL's or anything off the scrap heap and turned them into good/great O-Linemen.Hopefully he forgets how he did it
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on February 26, 2018, 07:52:20 PM
The worst case for UM would be if Jay lands in a play calling role, or even in a game planning role. It could still happen.
that would be horrible, but don't think that's the case here.
Sounds like it'll be Pep/McElwain doing the game-plan and play-calls with heavy input by Jim.
Jim needs to hire a Matt Canada type and just leave him be and let him run the offense the way he lets Don Brown run the defense.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Riffraft on March 01, 2018, 09:39:32 AM

You have to love it when UM uses Ohio State Players to recruit.

https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2018/2/28/17064074/ohio-state-football-michigan-twitter-ed-warinner (https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2018/2/28/17064074/ohio-state-football-michigan-twitter-ed-warinner)

Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on March 02, 2018, 02:06:17 PM
You have to love it when UM uses Ohio State Players to recruit.

https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2018/2/28/17064074/ohio-state-football-michigan-twitter-ed-warinner (https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2018/2/28/17064074/ohio-state-football-michigan-twitter-ed-warinner)
I don't get why Buckeye fans think this is a big deal. It is not.
Did he coach and develop those players or not? End of story. If he didn't then yeah, call him out. But pretty sure he coached and developed them all. Dude worked wonders with Ohio State's 2014 OL. Was a bunch of young, inexperienced guys who played like crap to open the season but by the end of the season they might've just been the best OL in the nation.
Ed Warriner is a hell of an OL coach. It's recruiting. He's got to sell himself to young impressionable HS kids. That's all it is. Not a big deal. At all. Did he develop and coach those OL or not?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on March 19, 2018, 09:54:18 AM
Michigan picked up a 2019 commitment from Reno, NV QB Cade McNamara last week.  McNamara recently de-committed from Notre Dame for some reason.  


https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/03/16/report-michigan-lands-star-quarterback/33018015/ (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/03/16/report-michigan-lands-star-quarterback/33018015/)


No news on Michigan QB Sean Patterson's appeal to the NCAA for 2018 eligibility along with six other former Ole Miss players scattered around the country.  The last I heard the NCAA has yet to forward their applications to Ole Miss which would start a 10 day clock for Ole Miss to respond or not.   I have no doubt the NCAA has good reason for allowing the applications of these players to languish on some bureaucrats desk.  At a minimum they deserve to be punished for transferring away from an SEC school.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MaximumSam on March 19, 2018, 09:58:44 AM
I don't get why Buckeye fans think this is a big deal. It is not.
Did he coach and develop those players or not? End of story. If he didn't then yeah, call him out. But pretty sure he coached and developed them all. Dude worked wonders with Ohio State's 2014 OL. Was a bunch of young, inexperienced guys who played like crap to open the season but by the end of the season they might've just been the best OL in the nation.
Ed Warriner is a hell of an OL coach. It's recruiting. He's got to sell himself to young impressionable HS kids. That's all it is. Not a big deal. At all. Did he develop and coach those OL or not?
Oh don't think Urbs will mind that Harbaugh is recruiting based on the success of Urbs' players. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on March 19, 2018, 10:07:57 AM
Oh don't think Urbs will mind that Harbaugh is recruiting based on the success of Urbs' players.
Doesn't bother me.   If Warinner can fix Michigan's years long OL problems I wouldn't care if he's the illegitimate son of Woody and Urban.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MaximumSam on March 19, 2018, 10:36:00 AM
It shouldn't, he's a great coach
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Riffraft on March 19, 2018, 10:48:54 AM
I don't get why Buckeye fans think this is a big deal. It is not.
Did he coach and develop those players or not? End of story. If he didn't then yeah, call him out. But pretty sure he coached and developed them all. Dude worked wonders with Ohio State's 2014 OL. Was a bunch of young, inexperienced guys who played like crap to open the season but by the end of the season they might've just been the best OL in the nation.
Ed Warriner is a hell of an OL coach. It's recruiting. He's got to sell himself to young impressionable HS kids. That's all it is. Not a big deal. At all. Did he develop and coach those OL or not?
I don't think it is a big deal. I just love the irony of Michigan using Ohio State players to recruit. Of course, you use it if you are Michigan, but as an Ohio State fan I find it entertaining. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on March 22, 2018, 05:07:12 PM
(https://res.cloudinary.com/cmgverticals/image/upload/c_crop,g_north_west,h_630,w_1200,x_0,y_138/c_fill,h_589,w_1120/e_sharpen,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/v1521732843/DY5wgseW0AMFCRY_ixv2dc.jpg)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on March 30, 2018, 08:47:01 AM
Michigan paying VT $350,000 to back out of their home and home, and instead will play a singular home game against...Arkansas State.  Ugh
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 30, 2018, 10:55:12 AM
bummer, Dude
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 30, 2018, 11:38:37 AM
Michigan has Washington on the schedule for each of the years that they cancelled VT (20/21).
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 30, 2018, 12:22:02 PM
that's great, but cancelling VT still sucks
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on April 03, 2018, 08:15:21 AM
2019 DE Gabe Newburg of Clayton, OH has committed to Michigan.  6'5" 230 lbs and Michigan fan for life.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/04/02/ohio-three-star-de-gabe-newburg-commits-michigan/33498551/ (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/04/02/ohio-three-star-de-gabe-newburg-commits-michigan/33498551/)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on April 03, 2018, 08:19:12 AM
Michigan has Washington on the schedule for each of the years that they cancelled VT (20/21).
It has me wondering if they're giving themselves a break in 2020 and making room for the Irish on the 2021 schedule.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on April 03, 2018, 08:22:09 AM
2019 DE Gabe Newburg of Clayton, OH has committed to Michigan.  6'5" 230 lbs and Michigan fan for life.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/04/02/ohio-three-star-de-gabe-newburg-commits-michigan/33498551/ (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/04/02/ohio-three-star-de-gabe-newburg-commits-michigan/33498551/)
His recruitment moved so fast, I never even saw video.  MSU offered him like a month ago, and I think was his first P5 offer?  He wasn't even rated by 2 of the services.  Then Iowa came through a couple weeks later, then Michigan, and he was committed.  We hardly knew ye Gabe.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 03, 2018, 09:52:25 AM
It has me wondering if they're giving themselves a break in 2020 and making room for the Irish on the 2021 schedule.
ND's schedule looks full that year. They have UW at Soldier Field too.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on April 03, 2018, 11:29:22 AM
Michigan has Washington on the schedule for each of the years that they cancelled VT (20/21).
Roughly 1-2 years back, there was scuttlebutt that Michigan was going to drop the UWash series. Of course I'd rather drop neither but if one was to go, they chose correctly. Junk replacement, though. I'd have preferred a directional Michigan school.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: TyphonInc on April 09, 2018, 10:10:59 AM
Michigan paying VT $350,000 to back out of their home and home, and instead will play a singular home game against...Arkansas State.  Ugh
Just saw this. Lame.
VT is my personal top get in the race to 16. It would have been nice to let their fans see what playing the Big Dogs in the B1G looks like. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 09, 2018, 10:25:12 AM
Who are the Big Dogs in the B1G?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 09, 2018, 10:28:13 AM
the dogs in the east
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on April 09, 2018, 11:24:18 AM
Michigan's Spring game is this Saturday night at 7 PM under the lights and will be carried by BTN.  It will be interesting to see some of the new QBs but I would not read anything into OL play.  I believe players for the maize and blue teams will be drafted again so you will not see the starting OL playing together as a unit.  Should get a feel for the QBs pocket awareness, scrambling ability, ability to make plays with feet and throw on the run. Fun!
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on April 09, 2018, 01:24:19 PM
Curious if anyone has seen much of the Amazon Prime series yet. I am through two episodes. Much more focused away from the games (thank god) and even the practice field than on it. Follows a similar model to Hard Knocks or The Journey, but more through the whole season, than just a small segment.

A couple of interesting nuggets to me. And all of this should be taken with a grain of salt since the editing room floor can really make this look how they want with hundreds of hours of film.

1. Harbaugh comes off a little more CEO like than I may have thought. Not fully hands on like a Belicheck or Urban. That works on the defensive side of the ball with the talent and the experience of that coaching staff. It obviously hasn't amounted to success on offense.

2. Speight doesn't come off well. Worried about what people are saying about him on Twitter, zero leadership skills, coached into what to say to the offense from Pep Hamilton. He seemed somewhat annoyed by a relationship with O'korn. O'Korn tries and appears to be likeable and respected. The tools just weren't there.

3. The coaches appeared to know from the get go, they didn't have a horse they could trust at QB. Not announcing a QB before the Florida was at least somewhat genuine. There was disagreement amongst the staff and they all saw negatives in whatever path they chose.

4. Beyond Don Brown's success as DC, he has genuine relationships with his players. They would run through walls for him. Much is often said about having young coaches on your staff to recruit the millennial generation. A guy like Don Brown disproves that theory.

I will be very curious to see if the offensive tweeks help in any way this year. Harbaugh going more hands on with the offense in partnership with PeP, the hire of Warriner for O Line, and the potential of Shea Patterson being eligible.

Tarik Black being healthy should help too. DPJ isn't a pure split receiver (more athlete and slot, even with his size) and Crawford was underwhelming. Black could be a legit #1 WR.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 09, 2018, 01:48:32 PM
Do M fans worry about the seemingly constant procession of transfer QB's coming on board?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: TyphonInc on April 09, 2018, 02:17:10 PM
Who are the Big Dogs in the B1G?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 09, 2018, 02:33:01 PM
Do M fans worry about the seemingly constant procession of transfer QB's coming on board?
Not really. Obviously you'd like them to groom a guy they recruit and stick with him. Peters was suppose to be that guy but he was pretty bad against a mediocre South Carolina team in that bowl game.
They've had 3 QB transfers. Rudock started off struggling but wound up being quite good in that system. Had he been able to play in 2016, I think they just might have played for it all. O'Korn was a complete disaster and really probably should have never been granted a scholarship. Dude couldn't play.

We'll see if Shea Patterson can be eligible, but that's the type of QB transfer you take 10 times out of 10. If he wants to come, you take him.

QB position was left pretty barren by Hoke & Co. Wilton Speight at his very best was slightly above mediocre with a lot of deficiencies in his game. Speight and Shane Morris were pretty much all the QB's they had on the roster. Had to take transfers especially when one of the first QB's Harbaugh signed was Zach Gentry and he moved to TE almost immediately.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on April 09, 2018, 04:06:27 PM
Do M fans worry about the seemingly constant procession of transfer QB's coming on board?
Sure.  I think the worry is that there was a need for those transfers.  Hopefully there is enough talent in-house now that Harbaugh can develop and the OL and pass blocking will function well enough to keep them healthy and confident they will live if they're on the field.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 09, 2018, 04:33:14 PM
Sure.  I think the worry is that there was a need for those transfers.  Hopefully there is enough talent in-house now that Harbaugh can develop and the OL and pass blocking will function well enough to keep them healthy and confident they will live if they're on the field.
That's part of what I'm thinking. But the other part is what it could do to hurt the recruiting efforts. Why would I go to Michigan as a QB, knowing the coaches bring in a transfer all the time? McCaffery could have gone to a lot of places last year, and he sat out thinking he'd compete for a job this season. If Patterson is approved and cleared to play, it sounds like McCarrery (and Peters) are toast for a couple of years. Ouch.

I get that Patterson* could be very good and all that, but Gentry, McCaffery and Peters were all 4* recruits. I understand Gentry was moved to TE, so he's out. Who is supposed to be developing the QB's? Malzone was a 4* too. What happened there, that he couldn't beat out Speight or anyone else? Is he still leaving the program?

* I'm still in "show me" mode with Patterson. He hasn't looked like a 5* recruit yet.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 09, 2018, 04:45:45 PM
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 09, 2018, 04:59:01 PM
That's part of what I'm thinking. But the other part is what it could do to hurt the recruiting efforts. Why would I go to Michigan as a QB, knowing the coaches bring in a transfer all the time? McCaffery could have gone to a lot of places last year, and he sat out thinking he'd compete for a job this season. If Patterson is approved and cleared to play, it sounds like McCarrery (and Peters) are toast for a couple of years. Ouch.

I get that Patterson* could be very good and all that, but Gentry, McCaffery and Peters were all 4* recruits. I understand Gentry was moved to TE, so he's out. Who is supposed to be developing the QB's? Malzone was a 4* too. What happened there, that he couldn't beat out Speight or anyone else? Is he still leaving the program?

* I'm still in "show me" mode with Patterson. He hasn't looked like a 5* recruit yet.
Well QB recruiting efforts don't seem like they've taken any hits. Harbaugh signed Joe Milton as part of the 2018 class, he was a 4* top 250 player from Florida. Michigan flipped a 4* QB/top 250 player in the 2019 class from ND in Cade McNamara. One of the top national 'crootin gurus over at 247 just put in a Crystal Ball for Michigan for a top 2020 QB prospect from Georgia in Harrison Bailey. Bailey is currently ranked as the #2 Pro QB and the #68 player in 2020, he's a guy that could push for 5* status when it's all said and done.
As far as McCaffrey goes, he'd have to sit out no matter where he went. Physically not ready to play at this level. Still probably a year away. He showed up to Michigan at 180 pounds. He's pushing 6-foot-5. Showing up to college at 180 lbs at that height trying to play QB is a problem. If he wanted to play he needed to show up at like 210.
Gentry was more freak athlete playing in the shotgun and running around like a man amongst boys against inferior New Mexico competition than he was refined pro-style QB. Again, an athlete you have to take, but he was more runner than thrower even in high school. What was so unusual about him was his athletic ability at his size. That's really why he was a 4*. And by the way, the TE move looks like it was a great move. Gentry looks like he could be a future NFL TE to my eyes. As far as Alex Malzone goes, still feel like he got a bit of a raw deal. He was given zero shot but that bum O'Korn was given every shot. Probably shouldn't have been rated a 4* to be honest. Didn't have the size or arm talent. His 4* ranking was probably due to HS production and the helmet school boost.
As far as Shea Patterson goes, pretty hard to say one way or the other. Very small sample size. He's played in about 10 games. 3 as a true freshman after Chad Kelly tore his knee and he was thrust into the starting role, and like 6 and half games last year as a true soph. before he had a season ending knee injury. 10 starts. He's thrown for 300 yards in 7 of those 10 starts as a true frosh/soph. For the record, I believe in Harbaugh's 3 years at Michigan, Michigan has had like 5 games of 300 yards passing. So there's that. I realize vastly different systems and numbers don't tell the entire story, but c'mon man. This kid threw for more 300 yard games in 10 starts than anything Michigan had for like 39 fricken games.
Patterson was the MVP of the Army Bowl game and clearly the best QB at that event. He was the MVP of the Elite 11 competition. He was the best player on a loaded HS All-Star team at IMG in Florida. He was the #1 rated QB and #3 rated player in his class in the 247Composite. The talent is clearly there. His freshman season highlights are as impressive as I've ever seen out of a true frosh QB playing at this level. He has yet to really breakthrough into the elite category, but he hasn't really played a whole lot of football. Only played in 10 games, not even a season, and he didn't have the benefit of a redshirt like most QB's do. Patterson is a guy you take 10 times out of 10 if he wants to transfer to your school IMO.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 09, 2018, 05:07:28 PM
So is Malzone still leaving then?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: TyphonInc on April 09, 2018, 10:49:35 PM
QB position was left pretty barren by Hoke & Co. 
Year 4 of current coach, gotta stop blaming last coach for problems. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: TyphonInc on April 09, 2018, 11:52:37 PM
Yeah, whatever. Rest assured, VT will be playing UW in 2024 and 2025, and PSU in 2020 and 2025. Purdue, Rutgers and Maryland are also on future schedules for them.

So, you'll get to see your favorite [target for B1G expansion] play against B1G schools as you wish. :PDT_Armataz_01_37:
FIFY.
But only PSU will get national exposure.
Cool to see 4 games vs. Maryland.
Bummer the TTUN canceled.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 10, 2018, 06:53:50 AM
FIFY.
But only PSU will get national exposure.
Cool to see 4 games vs. Maryland.
Bummer the TTUN canceled.
Try again.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: TyphonInc on April 10, 2018, 09:35:47 AM
Try again.
Rutgers? Purdue? Really? You think fans outside of normal fan bases really care that much who VT is playing in 2024? Or Disney will put those games into a prime time slot? 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 10, 2018, 09:39:31 AM
VT draws eyeballs. I'm certain when they and UW meet the games will be national and probably in prime time. Probably not so much for Rutgers, but it's possible. They were on prime time with Washington last year, albeit on a Friday.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on April 10, 2018, 10:59:59 AM
If Harbaugh doesn't have a future QB out of the Milton, McCaffrey crop then I think criticism and worry is warranted. Neither will be quite ready this year. That is where Patterson fits in, provided he gets his waiver he has applied for. I am hopeful Milton or McCafferey rises to the top as a gamer in 1-2 years from now.

Maybe in some delusional homer Michigan world Malzone, Peters or others were seen as future stars, but they never looked the part and I think were seen more as class and depth fillers more than anything else. Regardless of the star rating.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on April 10, 2018, 12:06:38 PM
So is Malzone still leaving then?

I believe he's transferring to Miami (OH).  Alex is not listed on Michigan's spring rooster.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on April 10, 2018, 01:12:03 PM
I believe he's transferring to Miami (OH).  Alex is not listed on Michigan's spring rooster.
Right.  I believe because it's a grad transfer, and he won't graduate until May, it's not officially official yet.  But he's going to Miami.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on April 11, 2018, 12:35:02 PM
Michigan cancels their spring game too.  That one makes sense considering I've been hearing for six months how football games in the rain don't count anyhow.  :88:
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MaximumSam on April 11, 2018, 12:36:16 PM
Burnnnnnnnn
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 11, 2018, 02:28:53 PM
(https://i.impiri.us/nba-lakers-reaction.gif)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 14, 2018, 01:27:09 PM
So, Wilton Speight. Is he really Chip Kelly's kind of QB?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 16, 2018, 09:54:33 AM
So, Wilton Speight. Is he really Chip Kelly's kind of QB?
terrible fit. At first I thought it had something to do with Jedd Fisch being at UCLA. Then I remembered he took an NFL job.
That one really makes no sense. At all.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 16, 2018, 09:58:44 AM
Welp, that's what I was thinking. Kelly is using up a scholarship on a guy who probably won't play there.

That said, a graduate degree from UCLA is pretty nice. And the weather.. there's that.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 16, 2018, 10:10:05 AM
Year 4 of current coach, gotta stop blaming last coach for problems.
QB position isn't an easy fix. RS frosh/true frosh are rarely ready enough to play. Especially in a pro-style system like the one Harbaugh/Pep Hamilton are trying to run. Harbaugh was left with trash in Morris and Speight and had to seek out transfers from O'Korn and Rudock to try and stabilize the position. Before NSD 2015 he had like a month on the job to find a HS QB. That class he let Hoke's QB stay on board and he went out and found Zach Gentry who was more ATH playing QB in HS than refined pocket passer. His first real recruiting class he landed Peters who just finished his RS frosh year and the next class he landed McCaffrey who redshirted as true freshman. This class he landed Joe Milton who will be a true freshman. QB's take time to develop, man.
Andrew Luck wasn't OMG FUTURE #1 PICK ANDREW LUCK until his RS Soph. year.
Hoke and Borges don't get enough heat for the absolute CRAP they trotted out and recruited at QB during their run. Denard Robinson went from a record breaking stat machine in an offense like Rodriguez' to seeing his #'s and production across the board decline drastically. His skill set only fit a certain type of offense, and when they tried to fit the square peg into the round hole it completely changed the trajectory of his career. Those two clowns also took maybe the most gifted QB at Michigan from a complete physical package since Drew Henson in Devin Gardner and just absolutely derailed any hope he had of being an adequate QB. And to top it off they recruited the position like complete idiots. Promised Shane Morris they wouldn't take a QB the class before or in the same class as him. Recruited guys who don't have the physical tools and obviously don't belong like Russell Bellomy and Alex Malzone. Recruited someone like Wilton Speight- who had no other offers. Literally none. Borges in his infinite wisdom saw him throw live once, offered him, and took his commitment right away and shut down QB recruiting when other top QB's in the 2014 class were interested. Those two were a giant pair of f'in idiots.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 16, 2018, 10:20:51 AM
so I just finished watching the Amazon Michigan Doc. Quick take aways....

- Harbaugh is more CEO and hands off than I thought.

- Pep came across looking better than I thought he would. Clearly an intelligent dude. MAYBE too intelligent and advanced for college game?

- Tim Drevno- wow talk about someone who came across as an absolute floppy penis who brings nothing to the table.

- Donnie motherf'n Brown. Talk about the hire of the century for Harbaugh. That guy is absolutely fantastic. Best coach on that team. Sorry Jim.

- QB's. All of them came across looking bad. Wilton Speight came across as a floppy penis and a douchebag I thought. Zero leadership skills, not serious enough, no killer instinct, and too full of himself. And he's full of himself for no reason. He's got very little talent. He's flat out not good. He's mediocre at best. And he's not a guy who would command respect or lead men IMO. O'Korn came across as trying way too hard and trying way too hard to convince himself he's something he's not. Also very douchey. Man does he flat out just suck at playing football. Takes dumb football player to new levels. Thank f'in god they are both gone. Brandon Peters came across as the most likeable of the 3 but also the way too timid and just a little bit off. Just seemed like a weird dude. And not someone those players will follow. Seems like a good kid though. Seems like he's really lacking confidence or something. Don't know. But he's got to fix that fast if he wants to be the starting QB.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 16, 2018, 10:29:24 AM
as far as spring ball goes....lot of insider spring hype on defense for Mike Dwumfor (DT), Donovan Jeter (DE/DT), and Ambry Thomas (CB). Thomas and Jeter were pretty highly rated recruits, not that surprised to hear the hype on those guys. Thomas played a little bit as a true frosh, Jeter was on track to play but redshirted bc of an injury. Dwumfor's name though has been a pleasant surprise. They'll need an interior DT to step up with Hurst gone.

On offense the 3 names that keep popping up are Tarik Black, Cesar Ruiz, and Shea Patterson. Word is Black is back and better than he was a frosh, Ruiz has performed like the best OL on the entire squad, and Patterson is way ahead of the other QB's. Only thing that would stop him from getting the starting nod is the NCAA.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: TyphonInc on April 17, 2018, 05:59:13 AM
I'm on episode 2 of All or Nothing.

I'm really liking seeing the players as people past football. Except for interjecting the moms with what seems like "reality tv" type drama; Gary's Mom "Don't you ever say you don't have a father." Gary "I havn't seen him sense before High School." - Sounds like his dad hasn't been around for 6+ years, why we having this tear inducing drama? Oh the camera man is right over there, thanks. 

Does Harbaugh have knee problems? his walk bothers me like he is constipated, or has an injury that makes him walk awkard.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 17, 2018, 10:10:00 PM
I'm on episode 2 of All or Nothing.

I'm really liking seeing the players as people past football. Except for interjecting the moms with what seems like "reality tv" type drama; Gary's Mom "Don't you ever say you don't have a father." Gary "I havn't seen him sense before High School." - Sounds like his dad hasn't been around for 6+ years, why we having this tear inducing drama? Oh the camera man is right over there, thanks.

Does Harbaugh have knee problems? his walk bothers me like he is constipated, or has an injury that makes him walk awkard.
Gary is a budding superstar IMO.
Jim walks like that bc he's a weird ass dude imo.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 17, 2018, 10:14:29 PM
police investigating former Michigan football player Elysee Mbem-Bosse for twitter death threats aimed at Harbaugh. Crazy af.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/04/17/police-investigating-tweets-potential-threat-against-jim-harbaugh/33926575/
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 19, 2018, 01:18:13 PM
latest in the Shea Patterson saga...

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/04/18/attorney-case-ums-patterson-ready-decided/33961643/
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 26, 2018, 09:56:58 PM
The NCAA is reportedly granting Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson immediate eligibility at Michigan, which could mean a similar ruling for Nebraska linebacker Breon Dixon.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on April 27, 2018, 05:24:39 AM
QB competition in Ann Arbor just heated up.  Whoever wins will be good.  Michigan may be good enough to contend if they can find a serviceable OT
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 27, 2018, 08:49:03 AM
QB competition in Ann Arbor just heated up.  Whoever wins will be good.  Michigan may be good enough to contend if they can find a serviceable OT
Not sure there's a real competition. Shea Patterson is QB1. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 27, 2018, 05:50:28 PM
Any chance that Peters announces a transfer (after the France trip, of course)??
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on April 27, 2018, 10:58:17 PM
Any chance that Peters announces a transfer (after the France trip, of course)??
Not sure. I doubt it to be honest. 
He'd have to sit a year unless he went small ball route. 
He stays at Michigan finishes up his degree before the start of next season he could leave and play right away anywhere he wants. 
Plus lot of chatter if Patterson is the QB and performs well he's going to declare for the NFL draft. Which would mean 2019 the QB job would be wide open.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on May 04, 2018, 10:20:32 AM
Shea Patterson was a huge addition but I'd argue that Ed Wariner coming in as the sole OL coach and Jim McElwain & former Michigan WR Roy Roundtree coming in to coach the WR's are bigger additions. 

All of their WR's were true soph or true frosh and they literally had no WR coach last year and it showed. They have way too many talented athletes at the WR position for the production to be so horrible there. 

And the Drevno/Frey OL coach combo was a complete disaster. Drevno was in over his skis imo trying to be an OC and OL coach and while Frey is a really good OL coach but the blocking schemes he's coached in the past are vastly different from the ones Drevno coached in the past.

If Michigan has a turnaround season in 2018 it'll be because of the coaching hires to address lack of development at OL and WR imo moreso than getting Patterson to transfer. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on June 05, 2018, 09:16:05 PM
Kareem Walker and Kekoa Crawford transferring
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on June 05, 2018, 10:42:51 PM
What a long strange trip it's been
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 05, 2018, 10:58:44 PM
Nothing Matters But The Weekend...From A Tuesday Point Of View
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on June 13, 2018, 06:48:15 AM
Illinois QB Jeff George Jr. is transfering to Michigan.  Will sit out this year then have two years eligibility left.  Kind of thought Michigan was set for QBs.

https://www.landof10.com/illinois/illinois-football-jeff-george-transfer (https://www.landof10.com/illinois/illinois-football-jeff-george-transfer)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MaximumSam on June 13, 2018, 07:32:34 AM
Illinois QB Jeff George Jr. is transfering to Michigan.  Will sit out this year then have two years eligibility left.  Kind of thought Michigan was set for QBs.
That's...weird
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 13, 2018, 08:03:59 AM
Like father, like son.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on June 13, 2018, 12:15:45 PM
Seems like a waste of a scholarship.  Kid lost his starting job at Illinois.  Sort of like the kid they took from Houston.

I'm guessing Harbaugh knows Peters and/or McCaffrey is transferring.  Otherwise it makes absolutely zero sense.  Unless he's walking on.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 13, 2018, 01:16:16 PM
Seems like a waste of a scholarship.  Kid lost his starting job at Illinois.  Sort of like the kid they took from Houston.

I'm guessing Harbaugh knows Peters and/or McCaffrey is transferring.  Otherwise it makes absolutely zero sense.  Unless he's walking on.
It could be "and" on this one. Two transfer QB's in one year. Surprised they didn't go for three with the kid who went to NU.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on June 13, 2018, 02:02:34 PM
Seems like a waste of a scholarship.  Kid lost his starting job at Illinois.  Sort of like the kid they took from Houston.

I'm guessing Harbaugh knows Peters and/or McCaffrey is transferring.  Otherwise it makes absolutely zero sense.  Unless he's walking on.
Sounds like this is the case
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 13, 2018, 05:58:13 PM
Sounds like this is the case
That's what his old man did at Illinois. He left Purdue after one year, committed to Miami and then to Illinois.
He had to walk on at Illinois as intra-conference transfer rules dictated at the time. He bailed on Miami when Jimmie Johnson wouldn't promise him the starting job.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on June 25, 2018, 09:08:31 AM
Michigan picked up three commitments over the weekend:

2019 TE Erick All, Fairfield, OH
2019 RB Zach Charbonnet, Westlake, CA
2019 DT Mazi Smith, East Kentwood, MI
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on June 25, 2018, 12:35:13 PM
Sounds like this is the case
Yeah, it never occurred to me that people would call this one controversial. Aside from not occupying a scholarship, he'll almost certainly not even be in the top four of the depth chart. So this can't be about the depth chart. I wouldn't even wager it's about adding a warm body to the roster. I think it's about giving the kid of a sort-of-friend a shiny graduate degree and improved chance at entering the coaching profession.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on June 26, 2018, 06:19:57 AM
Michigan picked up a couple more yesterday:

2019 CB DJ Turner, Suwanee, GA

2019 Athlete, George Johnson III, FL
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on July 02, 2018, 07:52:31 AM
Michigan picked up a commitment from 2019 RB Eric Gray of Memphis, TN yesterday.  

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/07/01/nations-no-1-all-purpose-back-eric-gray-picks-michigan-wolverines/749996002/ (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/07/01/nations-no-1-all-purpose-back-eric-gray-picks-michigan-wolverines/749996002/)


And 2019 DE David Ojabo of Blairstown, NJ just now.

Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on July 03, 2018, 07:48:16 AM
Michigan gets commitment from 2020 DT Denver Warren of Aurora, IL.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/07/03/michigan-lands-four-star-defensive-tackle-denver-warren-2020/753874002/ (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/07/03/michigan-lands-four-star-defensive-tackle-denver-warren-2020/753874002/)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on July 04, 2018, 06:19:07 AM
Michigan picks up a commitment yesterday from 2019 safety Quintin Johnson of Washington DC.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on July 18, 2018, 01:32:41 PM
One of the WTKA (Ann Arbor) personalities saying he's hearing Nebraska at UM, UM at MSU and PSU at UM will all be night games
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 18, 2018, 02:35:26 PM
I like night games.  Makes for good TV ratings
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 27, 2018, 01:11:00 PM
It's that time for baseless rumors about Week 1's Game Day location. I may have watched the show two or fewer times across the last twelve years, but because hype has utility I'll admit I continue to hope they pick Michigan games.

This time, I'm guessing the top options are either Auburn-Washington (neutral: Atlanta) or ND-Michigan (South Bend). The former will have better combined AP/Coaches ratings. The latter will secure more eyeballs.

Meanwhile, while I don't believe the past predicts the future when the matter is of such small sample size and the mechanism this indirect, I also don't hate that Michigan is 5-1 v. ND with Game Day present (Ws: 1994, 99, 03, 11, 13; Ls: 1998) and would be glad to tack another on.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on July 27, 2018, 01:23:33 PM
It's that time for baseless rumors about Week 1's Game Day location. I may have watched the show two or fewer times across the last twelve years, but because hype has utility I'll admit I continue to hope they pick Michigan games.

This time, I'm guessing the top options are either Auburn-Washington (neutral: Atlanta) or ND-Michigan (South Bend). The former will have better combined AP/Coaches ratings. The latter will secure more eyeballs.

Meanwhile, while I don't believe the past predicts the future when the matter is of such small sample size and the mechanism this indirect, I also don't hate that Michigan is 5-1 v. ND with Game Day present (Ws: 1994, 99, 03, 11, 13; Ls: 1998) and would be glad to tack another on.
Looking at the list, I'm surprised Notre Dame hasn't hosted it more.  8 times, tied for 11th with MSU and Wisconsin.
Granted that's not the weirdest part.  Some schools that have actually hosted it less?  Oklahoma (7), Penn State (6), Nebraska (6), Texas (6), Virginia Tech (6), Clemson (5), Georgia (3).
OSU (16), Alabama (13) and Florida (12) have hosted the most, followed by UM, FSU and LSU at 11 each.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 27, 2018, 01:52:53 PM
That led me to learn that Michigan does a lot better when Game Day is in Ann Arbor  (8-3, 0.727) than when away from (7-10, 0.412).

Makes sense. 

50-50 at ND.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 27, 2018, 01:56:34 PM
Also, although ND has hosted surprisingly seldom (8), they have been hosted a lot (20), for sixth in the rank.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on July 27, 2018, 02:25:12 PM
Also, although ND has hosted surprisingly seldom (8), they have been hosted a lot (20), for sixth in the rank.
Actually, maybe not so surprising, considering those Notre Dame home games are likely NBC games, and ESPN is less likely to promote a game they won't show (which is also working against this one).  I know SEC fans complained about that for a long time, although once ESPN and the SEC tightened their relationship through the network, they became more willing to take the show to a CBS game.  Not so for NBC.
I think ESPN really upped that corporate synergy once the whole ESPN on ABC thing happened, making the 8:00 ABC game a permanent thing in 2006, which would line up with all of those South Bend trips except one happening in 2005 or earlier.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 27, 2018, 03:21:34 PM
I considered that, but only qualitatively (sometimes Game Day does attend Fox, NBC and ABC games). I don't doubt you're correct that even if they do show games they won't air, they do it less often. 

Of course it would have to be normalized for the fact that ESPN airs more modern CFB games than anyone else to begin with. Guess Id like to see a side-by-side of, e.g., Top 25 games since 1993 by broadcaster and see how the GameDay breakdown by broadcaster compares. No doubt it's tilted. But a quick search showed that it would be challenging to assemble the data, so...I won't.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on July 27, 2018, 04:55:15 PM
I considered that, but only qualitatively (sometimes Game Day does attend Fox, NBC and ABC games). I don't doubt you're correct that even if they do show games they won't air, they do it less often.

Of course it would have to be normalized for the fact that ESPN airs more modern CFB games than anyone else to begin with. Guess Id like to see a side-by-side of, e.g., Top 25 games since 1993 by broadcaster and see how the GameDay breakdown by broadcaster compares. No doubt it's tilted. But a quick search showed that it would be challenging to assemble the data, so...I won't.
I'd also be curious to break it down by year.  My take is that early on it was truly the best game.  That over time it became the best game on ABC/ESPN, which was very ingrained from 2006-12 after they made the ABC Primetime Game an weekly occurrence.  Then I suspect it tilted back a little bit beginning in 2013, after the announcement that spring, of the ESPN-SEC Network.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 30, 2018, 02:09:00 PM
RB Kareem Walker has long been suspected as a guy that was transferring. Well, it's officially official now. Kareem Walker transferring to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.

He came into Michigan overweight and had to redshirt because of academics. There should've been red flags about him. He was a 5* and #1 RB at one point and then his play as a Sr was pretty bad and he just kept falling in the rankings. Hopefully for his sake he gets his stuff together at this community college.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 30, 2018, 03:54:04 PM
nice fluff piece article from Michigan247 site on RS Frosh LT James Hudson.

https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Michigan-football-coaches-excited-by-offensive-lineman-James-Hudsons-special-potential-120211482/

Hudson was a 4* recruit from Ohio, came in as a DL and was flipped to OL almost immediately. Bill Greene- one of the top Ohio guys at Scout/247 loved him as an OL recruit said he was special, thought he was just OK at DL. Lots of the "insiders" have said he's the most talented OL on the team for the past year plus. Apparently up to 6'6, 302 lbs. We'll see if any of that hype comes to fruition this fall.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 30, 2018, 04:02:02 PM
Greene is pretty tuned in. He gets a lot right so it wouldn't shock me with this kid. I just think a RS year is good for OL and DL if at all possible.

A RSF at 6-6, 302 can look a whole lot different than a true F.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 30, 2018, 04:09:20 PM
5 pre-camp predictions.

1) Shea Patterson will win the QB job.

2) Aidan Hutchinson will crack the two deep and be in that DL rotation as a true frosh.

3) Ambry Thomas will be the nickel CB and essentially get starter minutes. Michigan will have the best 1-2-3 punch at CB in the conference with Hill-Long-Thomas.

4) starting OL will be Juwann Bushell-Beatty at LT, Ben Bredeson at LG, Cesar Ruiz at C, Mike Onwenu at RG, and John Runyan Jr at RT.

5) Nick Eubanks will leapfrog Sean McKeon. He's just way more talented than McKeon. He was ahead of McKeon early but got injured last year which let McKeon get all those minutes. Eubanks and Zach Gentry on the field together in two TE sets could be a nightmare for defenses.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 30, 2018, 04:12:02 PM
Greene is pretty tuned in. He gets a lot right so it wouldn't shock me with this kid. I just think a RS year is good for OL and DL if at all possible.

A RSF at 6-6, 302 can look a whole lot different than a true F.
agree 100%. OL's and DL's should redshirt. Unless you have a DL like Bosa or Gary who you know is just going to be their for 3 years and then off to the 1st round- then there's no point in redshirting them imo.
Hudson might wind up winning the LT job down the line, but sounds like he's still a year away and that 5th year senior Juwann Bushell Beatty who has a lot more experience will probably be the starter day 1 vs ND.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 30, 2018, 04:34:37 PM
Chickens are nervous animals,
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 30, 2018, 04:38:55 PM
Chickens are nervous animals,
Heh. I read that too.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on July 30, 2018, 04:50:11 PM
CTE is a bitch
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 30, 2018, 05:42:10 PM
Heh. I read that too.
Haha. Mgoblog called it a crypto-Lamarckian perspective. I liked that.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 30, 2018, 05:46:29 PM
nice fluff piece article from Michigan247 site on RS Frosh LT James Hudson.

https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Michigan-football-coaches-excited-by-offensive-lineman-James-Hudsons-special-potential-120211482/

Hudson was a 4* recruit from Ohio, came in as a DL and was flipped to OL almost immediately. Bill Greene- one of the top Ohio guys at Scout/247 loved him as an OL recruit said he was special, thought he was just OK at DL. Lots of the "insiders" have said he's the most talented OL on the team for the past year plus. Apparently up to 6'6, 302 lbs. We'll see if any of that hype comes to fruition this fall.
I can't take that leap. I don't think any offensive lineman has more potential than Cesar Ruiz - much less one who hasn't started yet. I also think Hudson is a promising prospect, full stop.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 30, 2018, 05:54:08 PM
Greene is pretty tuned in. He gets a lot right so it wouldn't shock me with this kid. I just think a RS year is good for OL and DL if at all possible.

A RSF at 6-6, 302 can look a whole lot different than a true F.
James Hudson had his redshirt OL year in 2017. He might be ready. But first he'll have to beat out a couple guys. Those guys (Bushell-Beaty and Stueber) may not be as physically impressive, but they also may know the nuances better. Should be a great Fall battle. If you believe Shea is a lock, then this is by far the most important battle remaining on the whole team. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 30, 2018, 06:01:39 PM
5 pre-camp predictions.

1) Shea Patterson will win the QB job.

2) Aidan Hutchinson will crack the two deep and be in that DL rotation as a true frosh.

3) Ambry Thomas will be the nickel CB and essentially get starter minutes. Michigan will have the best 1-2-3 punch at CB in the conference with Hill-Long-Thomas.

4) starting OL will be Juwann Bushell-Beatty at LT, Ben Bredeson at LG, Cesar Ruiz at C, Mike Onwenu at RG, and John Runyan Jr at RT.

5) Nick Eubanks will leapfrog Sean McKeon. He's just way more talented than McKeon. He was ahead of McKeon early but got injured last year which let McKeon get all those minutes. Eubanks and Zach Gentry on the field together in two TE sets could be a nightmare for defenses.
I'd call #1 and #3 locks unless something weird happens. 
For Hutchinson, I'm excited about him, but whether he goes weak or strong side, his path to the field is crowded. I really doubt he hits the two-deep. But with the new redshirt rules, he will still get plenty of snaps.
For the OL, I think that's a really great interior. However, Spanellis may beat out Onwenu. Along with JBB/Hudson, that's the last true OL battle remaining (Bredeson, Ruiz and Runyan are the lockiest locks).
For McKeon, maybe. But I liked him last year. Eubanks has seniority and athleticism but he hasn't been productive yet (I get it though - injuries). In any event, I'm really excited to see Gentry in an offense with a real QB. That opportunity was stolen from us last year.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 30, 2018, 06:50:44 PM
I keep thinking Michigan has great RB depth, but they keep recruiting as if they don't believe it themselves. I think Karan Higdon was great last year and that, sure, Chris Evans can't hold up as a bell cow but at 12-18 snaps per game, he's perfect in the role of lightning. And then they have Samuels/Turner/Haskins/Taylor/Barrett.
Anyway, Keegan Jones from the 2018 class was set for Navy but changed his mind and it appears Michigan wants him seriously...though he would be a grayshirt as he could not enroll until January. 
And since Michigan is now at 83 or 84 scholarships, they definitely have the room.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 30, 2018, 07:25:58 PM
I'd call #1 and #3 locks unless something weird happens.
For Hutchinson, I'm excited about him, but whether he goes weak or strong side, his path to the field is crowded. I really doubt he hits the two-deep. But with the new redshirt rules, he will still get plenty of snaps.
For the OL, I think that's a really great interior. However, Spanellis may beat out Onwenu. Along with JBB/Hudson, that's the last true OL battle remaining (Bredeson, Ruiz and Runyan are the lockiest locks).
For McKeon, maybe. But I liked him last year. Eubanks has seniority and athleticism but he hasn't been productive yet (I get it though - injuries). In any event, I'm really excited to see Gentry in an offense with a real QB. That opportunity was stolen from us last year.
Donovan Jeter, Lawrence Marshall, and DIB have all moved inside. Who are the guys ahead of Hutchinson at WDE or SDE? Guys with little or no experience themselves- true soph Kwity Paye who barely played last year and RS Frosh Luiji Villain who was hurt last year and the incredibly mediocre Carlo Kemp. Hutchinson is going to be too good to keep on the bench. Villain is still rebounding from an injury and Kemp honestly kinda sucks. After the reports of his play during the Army Bowl practice and his performance in that game- I'd be surprised if Hutchinson doesn't leapfrog Kemp & Villain.
As far as the Spannellis talk goes, really think that's just the coaches trying to light a fire under Onwenu's ass. Onwenu is the most physically talented guy on that interior. His conditioning has been terrible and he hasn't kept himself in shape. I'll believe Spannellis wins the job when I see it.
McKeon and Eubanks came together in the same class. I thought McKeon was pretty mediocre last year. I just don't see it. He's not that talented or good in my opinion. Gentry on the other hand? Now that is a special talent. Super athletic and long. Eubanks has that same kind of athleticism, probably even faster, and he flashed it in the first couple games of the season before getting hurt and having to miss the rest of the season. Not sure McKeon gets many snaps if not for that injury to Eubanks.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 30, 2018, 07:31:18 PM
I keep thinking Michigan has great RB depth, but they keep recruiting as if they don't believe it themselves. I think Karan Higdon was great last year and that, sure, Chris Evans can't hold up as a bell cow but at 12-18 snaps per game, he's perfect in the role of lightning. And then they have Samuels/Turner/Haskins/Taylor/Barrett.
Anyway, Keegan Jones from the 2018 class was set for Navy but changed his mind and it appears Michigan wants him seriously...though he would be a grayshirt as he could not enroll until January.
And since Michigan is now at 83 or 84 scholarships, they definitely have the room.
Higdon should have a big SR year and Chris Evans is electric as hell and if they ever learn to use him properly he could be a big star on the college scene imo.
But after that they have a bunch of guys, but no one truly special in my opinion.
I really like Michael Barrett, he's super talented and versatile- and he's actually been practicing with the defense and special teams as well as the offense. He could very well up on defense before it's all said and done. O'Maury Samuels is an athletic freak of nature so he might be the one to watch in the future. Those are the only two I look at and say, OK they belong. The other backs they've recruited on that roster are pretty ordinary imo.

Their 2019 class looks pretty damn good though. Zach Chabornnet and Eric Gray are both big-time RB prospects.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 30, 2018, 08:06:10 PM
Yeah those are the guys I think Hutch is behind - Kwity, Vilain and Kemp. Of those, I bet he'll have the easiest time passing Kemp, who seems smart enough but is also just a guy so far, physically. I think Vilain will be healthy and is primed for a breakout.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 30, 2018, 08:08:53 PM
Ah you're right about McKeon and Eubanks being 2016 kids. I thought Eubanks came in JH's first class. My mistake. Wasn't McKeon already beating out Eubanks for snaps as of UF - that is, by the coaches' design before they knew about Nick's injury? If not, then I'll have to give up on this one.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 30, 2018, 08:13:17 PM
That's right, if you have Charbonnet and Gray joining Evans (presumably Higdon hits the draft), O'Maury and Barrett plus some other guys, why put such a premium on Keegan Jones?
The answer is onviously because they know more than I do...but what is that exactly? Are they down on Samuels? I don't get it yet.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 31, 2018, 10:37:28 AM
That's right, if you have Charbonnet and Gray joining Evans (presumably Higdon hits the draft), O'Maury and Barrett plus some other guys, why put such a premium on Keegan Jones?
The answer is onviously because they know more than I do...but what is that exactly? Are they down on Samuels? I don't get it yet.
well they did just lose a RB in Kareem Walker. And I'd bet that Kurt Taylor probably leaves as well. Barrett very well could wind up on defense.
Jones is very similar to Wandale Robinson and Giles Jackson, guys they are recruiting in the 2019 class to be slot-ninja/return man/sometimes RB. Maybe Robinson and Jackson have both silently told the Michigan coaches they aren't coming?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 31, 2018, 10:42:47 AM
Yeah those are the guys I think Hutch is behind - Kwity, Vilain and Kemp. Of those, I bet he'll have the easiest time passing Kemp, who seems smart enough but is also just a guy so far, physically. I think Vilain will be healthy and is primed for a breakout.
Paye and Villain are probably more weakside ends. Both of them have high ceilings but Paye is like completely new to football and played really poor competition in HS and Villain is rebounding from a nasty leg injury. Hutchinson is 6'6, 265. Few more lbs and he'll be perfect size for the strong side. Carlo Kemp was the lowest graded player on Michigan's entire defense on PFF. I believe they had him graded as like a 39.3 on a scale from 0-100. He just isn't all that good. He's better off as a 3rd stringer than he is a 2nd. Kemp had also been splitting reps in practice on the inside at tackle this spring. I really think Hutchinson will have zero problems blowing past him.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 31, 2018, 02:03:05 PM
If Kemp moves inside then yes. But even if he stays outside and is a mediocre veteran backup, that can be (and often is) more productive than a freak freshman. Plus, it's too soon to give up on a junior lineman, especially with Greg and Don as coaches.
Also, while I agree Hutch is destined for SDE, freshmen ends often begin on the weak side because it has fewer heady responsibilities.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on July 31, 2018, 02:57:21 PM
James Hudson had his redshirt OL year in 2017. He might be ready. But first he'll have to beat out a couple guys. Those guys (Bushell-Beaty and Stueber) may not be as physically impressive, but they also may know the nuances better. Should be a great Fall battle. If you believe Shea is a lock, then this is by far the most important battle remaining on the whole team.
Warinner will probably work wonders with these guys if they're half way decent.OL not OC is his calling
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on July 31, 2018, 04:30:37 PM
Warinner will probably work wonders with these guys if they're half way decent.OL not OC is his calling
sounds like he's already helped those guys on that line out a lot.
He's one of the best in the business for sure, and he's coaching the position all by himself and that's all he's coaching is OL. I have high hopes about him.
If Warriner sticks around as OL coach and OL coach only, Michigan could have a heck of an OL 2-3 years down the line with Hudson, Mayfield, and Hayes.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on July 31, 2018, 06:25:03 PM
I don't know if Drevno was a bad coach. In truth, I'd be surprised given his success elsewhere. But we did often hear how his OL coaching was stupidly complicated. And no matter how good Drevno's record was, Warriner's is definitely better. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 02, 2018, 01:14:28 PM
CDC says chicken is the food most likely to make you sick. Looks like Jim wasn't that far off on his rants against chicken......

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chicken-is-americas-most-sickening-food-cdc-data-show/
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 02, 2018, 03:02:35 PM
But, the question is, 

Is Chicken the food most likely to make you nervous?

hah
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 02, 2018, 03:27:43 PM
That's not crypto-Lamarckian but it's still funny.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 02, 2018, 04:22:11 PM
MLive's 8 storylines to watch in fall camp

https://www.mlive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/08/7377152c458808/8-storylines-to-watch-as-michi.html

my prediction on the DL looks something like....

SDE- Rashan Gary, Jr. (Aidan Hutchinson, Fr.)
WDE- Chase Winovich, RS Sr. (Kwity Paye, Soph. or Luiji Villain, RS Fr.)
DT-Mike Dwumfour, RS Soph. (Aubrey Solomon, Soph.)
DT- Bryan Mone, Sr. (Donovan Jeter, RS Fr. or Lawrence Marshall, 5th Sr.)

still firm believer in Hutchinson being able to come off the bench give Gary a break as a true frosh in that 2nd wave and wreak havoc. Carlo Kemp doesn't play much this year and if he does it'll be inside at tackle in my opinion.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 02, 2018, 07:42:25 PM
If I'm wrong, the outlook for Michigan is amazing, but I can't yet imagine anyone except Carlo Kemp as Gary's back-up.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 02, 2018, 07:47:14 PM
I also expect to see a *lot* of formations with Dwumfour and Solomon simultaneously inside.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 02, 2018, 08:16:49 PM
If I'm wrong, the outlook for Michigan is amazing, but I can't yet imagine anyone except Carlo Kemp as Gary's back-up.
Mattison has said Kemp has moved inside.
Mattison also seems enamored with Hutchinson. I think he's a safe bet to play as a true frosh. Might even wind up as the back-up to Gary at SDE and be counted on to start in 2019 once Gary leaves for the NFL draft. Mattison keeps raving about the kid.

The defense should be really good. That entire two deep is back and then you have 2nd year guys who have made a lot of noise in spring and summer like Ambry Thomas, JKP, and Brad Hawkins. According to Chris Partridge, Hawkins was the highest graded safety by the staff the last 4 practices of spring. They also have the grad transfer from Utah, Casey Hughes who has a ton of experience and has been getting reps at both nickel and safety. Hopefully Hawkins or Hughes can make a push and unseat Josh Mettellus at safety. He was the real weak link of that defense last year. Well he and Mike McCray. Both of them struggled a lot in man coverage. Devil Gil is a former HS safety and Josh Ross has been described as a freak athlete by the insiders. Probably safe to say both are more athletic and fluid in space than Mike McCray. And as far as Hawkin, JKP, and Hughes go, all 3 are way better athletes than Josh Mettellus has ever been accused of being.

That defense had so many young players starting or as back-ups. They should only be that much better. And they'll have more depth along the DL with guys coming back from injury and coming off their redshirts. More talented bodies there means more competition which should mean a deeper and better DL.

Most of the starting positions are pretty much set on that defense, will be interesting to see who wins the LB battle between Devin Gil and Josh Ross.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 02, 2018, 08:40:22 PM
fall roster up:

https://mgoblue.com/roster.aspx?path=football


true frosh Aidan Hutchinson shows up to fall camp at 6'6, 268 and true frosh from Germany Julius Welschof shows up 6'6, 253.

true frosh OL Jalen Mayfield comes in at 6'5, 296. At that size he just might wind up playing as a true frosh. I know the guys over a 247 liked him a lot more than ESPN and Rivals. One of the things holding him back from maybe playing early was his size. He was only 270ish. He's put on a lot of weight in the last year. 

edit: no Tyrone Wheatley Jr or Kekoa Crawford on the roster. Sounds like TWJr is officially gone, no word on Crawford but that seems likely.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 02, 2018, 10:27:46 PM
I fully expected Kekoa to transfer; it's really for the best. I hope the TWJr news is untrue, though. Michigan's use of TEs will be soooo different than in 2015/2016 with Asiasi and now his big in-line frame gone as well. I know he was struggling with injuried, but I'm still clinging to maybe. I want him back.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on August 03, 2018, 07:18:55 AM
Rumor is Wheatley Jr. did not put the work in over the Summer and is over 300 lbs. looking like a OT or DT.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 03, 2018, 08:50:21 AM
Rumor is Wheatley Jr. did not put the work in over the Summer and is over 300 lbs. looking like a OT or DT.
Yeah sounds like he's an OT now but refused to switch. He has always battled his weight. Will he transfer or just be done with football?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on August 03, 2018, 09:28:36 PM
Wheatley looked over 300 last year. The big TE loss was Asiasi last year. He fit the system so well
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 03, 2018, 09:31:00 PM
Wheatley looked over 300 last year. The big TE loss was Asiasi last year. He fit the system so well
yeah Asiasi was a blocking machine and surprisingly nimble for a 6'3, 275 pound guy. He was the best blocking TE on the team by far. Really sucked to lose him.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 05, 2018, 12:21:00 PM
South Bend for the first Gameday itnis
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 05, 2018, 08:31:34 PM
I haven't seen that quote from GMatt on Carlo - I.E., I haven't seen a quote calling him a full time inside lineman, only in the sense that he's sometimes positioned there, much like Gary who is the same weight sometimes is. 

And on Friday, mgoblog continued to report him as a SDE. So you could still be right but it's not obviously the case. Kemp would be by far the smallest tackle on the roster. Absent a solid GMatt quote, I'll just wait to see.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 05, 2018, 08:37:00 PM
Re: GameDay, I wonder if the campus versus neutral site aspect was decisive.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 06, 2018, 01:38:23 PM
He may be a hack but its content and not terrible:
CFB's Top 50 players per Kiper:
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24264151/college-football-preseason-player-rankings-ed-oliver-leads-way
Michigan with 3 of the Top 25 and 4 overall. I'm no doubt biased but it seems fair.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 08, 2018, 06:06:56 PM
Eddie McDoom has left the team.

Means a RB, 3 WR and a TE from the 2016 class are now gone.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 08, 2018, 11:40:38 PM
From Don Brown today: "Carlo Kemp we've moved full time inside."

So step on up, MDot, for a tip of my cap.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on August 09, 2018, 07:45:41 AM
Michigan is -2 to -2.5 over the Irish on Sept. 1st.

Is there something I'm missing?  Notre Dame ranked higher and game is in South Bend.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 09, 2018, 08:52:32 AM
I don't think you're missing anything except that Vegas always makes money.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 09, 2018, 11:51:35 AM
A great defense travels.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 09, 2018, 11:54:56 AM
ND has a really good OL. It will be interesting to see them match up with the UM DL.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 09, 2018, 12:03:21 PM
ND has a really good OL. It will be interesting to see them match up with the UM DL.
Didn't they lose their top two OL early in the draft.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 09, 2018, 12:07:11 PM
A great defense travels.
Always?   ;)

(https://mediaassets.wxyz.com/photo/2017/10/21/GettyImages-864810662_1508640900341_69418837_ver1.0_640_480.jpg)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 09, 2018, 01:06:26 PM
Heh. Never always.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on August 09, 2018, 01:16:17 PM
That was a nightmare from the first whistle. I had a very anxious feeling Michigan was walking into a buzzsaw that night. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 02:44:09 PM
ND has a really good OL. It will be interesting to see them match up with the UM DL.
Um didn't ND lose 3 OL starters? 2 of which to the 1st round of the NFL draft. Didn't they also lose Harry Heistand- their great OL coach of the last 6-7 years to the Chicago Bears of the NFL as well?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 09, 2018, 02:49:58 PM
Didn't they lose their top two OL early in the draft.
Yes, but I read that the backups were pretty tuned up. Quinn is an excellent OL coach in his own right.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 03:12:29 PM
Always?   ;)

(https://mediaassets.wxyz.com/photo/2017/10/21/GettyImages-864810662_1508640900341_69418837_ver1.0_640_480.jpg)
Michigan D will be a lot better this year imo.
A lot of those breakdowns on D vs PSU and OSU were on Don Brown. He's a great D.C. for sure. But he continually put mediocre athletes in position to fail, and that's on coaching. Mike McCray and Josh Mettellus should never be in man coverage on TE's, WR's, or RB's. Zone coverage ain't bad. Just saying. 
If Don Brown ever gets an athlete at LB like Jaylon Smith or an athletic safety that can play man like a CB look out. His defenses will truly be terrifying.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 03:19:05 PM
Yes, but I read that the backups were pretty tuned up. Quinn is an excellent OL coach in his own right.
big difference between being a back up and a starter and then having to face Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich week 1. Michigan DL will have something it lacked last year- depth- which should only make Gary and Winovich better seeing as they'll be able to be more fresh down the stretch. 
Never heard of Quinn, he may be a fine OL coach, but losing Heistand was big. He was one of the top few OL coaches in CFB period. Maybe even the top. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on August 09, 2018, 03:36:44 PM
I am a little surprised by the Michigan - Notre Dame line. Last I checked Michigan was now favored by 2 points. It moved a lot over the offseason. I think it started with Notre Dame as a 6 point favorite. Notre Dame lost a lot on offense, but they are at home and they return 9 or so defensive starters. 

I would typically say Michigan is getting the typical large fanbase, helmet school inflated expectation bump in the betting line, but Notre Dame usually gets that as well.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 03:43:59 PM
I am a little surprised by the Michigan - Notre Dame line. Last I checked Michigan was now favored by 2 points. It moved a lot over the offseason. I think it started with Notre Dame as a 6 point favorite. Notre Dame lost a lot on offense, but they are at home and they return 9 or so defensive starters.

I would typically say Michigan is getting the typical large fanbase, helmet school inflated expectation bump in the betting line, but Notre Dame usually gets that as well.
ND betting fan base is just as big if not bigger.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 03:44:40 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 03:47:16 PM
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. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 09, 2018, 04:04:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 09, 2018, 04:34:15 PM
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
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 04:48:28 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 06:42:48 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 09, 2018, 06:52:57 PM
Will he ever play again? I had thought I'd read that he was still hopeful.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 09, 2018, 07:29:02 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 10, 2018, 02:20:31 AM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 10, 2018, 02:29:25 AM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on August 10, 2018, 06:54:03 AM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on August 10, 2018, 07:03:59 AM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 11, 2018, 01:00:09 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 11, 2018, 01:07:25 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 11, 2018, 01:12:42 PM
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.
Yeah, some people were down on Michigan's D last year for some odd reason. Pretty sure they finished top 5 across the board in every defensive stat despite replacing 9 starters from 2016 and having an absolute putrid offense.

That two deep on defense was maybe the youngest in CFB and that offense gave them zero help and put them in bad spot after bad spot.

If that offense can just be effective and sustain drives and put up some points and that defense isn't always on the field in bad spots bc the offense is actually doing it's job that defense will go to another level.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 11, 2018, 01:25:13 PM
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.
"insider" over at Mgoblog umbig11 saying that RS Frosh James Hudson and true frosh Jalen Mayfield have both been getting a lot of reps with the 1's at LT and RT. Coaches experimenting right now with a lot of different OL combos trying to find the best 5. He also added some observers (idk what he means by this- maybe former players watching the practices?) feel like Jon Runyan Jr is going to win the LT job and that he's the best athlete among the OL's. He also said the two practices he saw that the best starting 5 appeared to be Runyan-Bredeson-Ruiz-Spannelis-Mayfield- and that the only certain starters are Runyan, Ruiz, and Bredeson. Have heard that from other sites/sources- that Spannelis has made a move at guard and Mike Onwenu's conditioning is still a problem.

umbig11 also saying that Patterson is the clear front runner at QB. Peters and McCaffrey in a battle for QB 2. The true frosh Joe Milton has taken a slide, he hasn't really picked up where he left off when he had a great spring. Grant Perry and DPJ have been lights out at WR. Zach Gentry is killing it- the best TE on the roster. And Ambry Thomas is the fastest/most athletic guy on the roster and he's pushing the CB's hard.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 11, 2018, 01:50:18 PM
Rashan Gary in an interview after practice:

On Aidan Hutchinson:
Quote
He's tied to my hip...
He wants to be great...
I'm trying to be that big brother... If you mess up on something, short memory.
On where he feels he is right now:
Quote
Eating better. Working on the little things....
Wearing contacts now. Seeing the field better... I wish I had done that sooner.
Greg Mattison on Aidan Hutchinson:

“We also have a young man…and I never like to talk about freshman, but I'm going to put my name on this guy pretty early, and that's Aidan Hutchinson. I've watched him down there lifting weights or working out, and uh… we'll find out we'll see. I always said that his dad was one of the best I've ever had a chance to coach, but I have a feeling that his son may be a hair better. I think he's weighed over 265, 267 maybe. You're talking about a 6-6, 265 lb. freshman that's been here all summer lifting with our guys, and comes from a family where you aren't going to take a backseat. I don’t ever like to say a freshman is going to step up in there but, if I were a betting guy, I'd say you watch this one close because he's really shown (ability) when I watch him.”

Hutchinson is playing as a true frosh. Gary's back-up at SDE I bet. Also- how is Gary only starting to wear contacts on the field right now?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 11, 2018, 02:11:15 PM
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.
I did. Though many roster measurements seem like nonchalant lies to me these days. 
I think the number change is perhaps more likely to mean that Runyan despite shorter stature is a lock to start at tackle (and the department wants to signal to scouts and media that he's closer to archetype than they think). 
I fully expect he's thicker but I'm unconvinced he's actually taller.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 11, 2018, 02:16:29 PM
"insider" over at Mgoblog umbig11 saying that RS Frosh James Hudson and true frosh Jalen Mayfield have both been getting a lot of reps with the 1's at LT and RT. Coaches experimenting right now with a lot of different OL combos trying to find the best 5. He also added some observers (idk what he means by this- maybe former players watching the practices?) feel like Jon Runyan Jr is going to win the LT job and that he's the best athlete among the OL's. He also said the two practices he saw that the best starting 5 appeared to be Runyan-Bredeson-Ruiz-Spannelis-Mayfield- and that the only certain starters are Runyan, Ruiz, and Bredeson. Have heard that from other sites/sources- that Spannelis has made a move at guard and Mike Onwenu's conditioning is still a problem.

umbig11 also saying that Patterson is the clear front runner at QB. Peters and McCaffrey in a battle for QB 2. The true frosh Joe Milton has taken a slide, he hasn't really picked up where he left off when he had a great spring. Grant Perry and DPJ have been lights out at WR. Zach Gentry is killing it- the best TE on the roster. And Ambry Thomas is the fastest/most athletic guy on the roster and he's pushing the CB's hard.
That came from ChatSports.com. ChatSports is a fraud that preys on narratives fans want to read and then writes them without evidence or insider info. If that's true of Hudson and Mayfield, then it is a sheer lock that ChatSports landed a lucky guess. 
We can be absolutely sure that Yoder (ChatSports) doesn't know ANYTHING beyond what you and I know from following free message boards.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 11, 2018, 02:18:23 PM
Umbig11 on the other hand is clearly in touch with Schembechler Hall. I have *very* high expectations for Ambry Thomas.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 11, 2018, 02:24:08 PM
Yeah, the hype train has left the station on Hutchinson. I know I'm becoming more convinced. Holy moly if it ends up true.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 11, 2018, 02:53:01 PM
That came from ChatSports.com. ChatSports is a fraud that preys on narratives fans want to read and then writes them without evidence or insider info. If that's true of Hudson and Mayfield, then it is a sheer lock that ChatSports landed a lucky guess.
We can be absolutely sure that Yoder (ChatSports) doesn't know ANYTHING beyond what you and I know from following free message boards.
no that actually came from umbig11. he posted all that on Mgoblog yesterday in a thread. he said Chatsports stole some of that info from the Michigan Rivals board- where umbig11 posts most of his info.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 11, 2018, 02:56:36 PM
Yeah, the hype train has left the station on Hutchinson. I know I'm becoming more convinced. Holy moly if it ends up true.
the hype on him started to get loud during the week of practice in the Army Bowl where he was facing some of the top HS OL prospects in the country and dominating them in practice. Rivals and 247 both had him listed as one of the top performers all week in practices. Then he went out in the game and dominated. 247 shot him up in their own rankings from the 240's to like #80 overall just based off that Army Bowl week.
He's got the blood lines, and he was a guy that Mattison scouted early and wanted badly, and I'll always trust Mattison when it comes to d-linemen.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 11, 2018, 04:41:26 PM
the hype on him started to get loud during the week of practice in the Army Bowl where he was facing some of the top HS OL prospects in the country and dominating them in practice. Rivals and 247 both had him listed as one of the top performers all week in practices. Then he went out in the game and dominated. 247 shot him up in their own rankings from the 240's to like #80 overall just based off that Army Bowl week.
He's got the blood lines, and he was a guy that Mattison scouted early and wanted badly, and I'll always trust Mattison when it comes to d-linemen.
He had a weird trajectory.  When the first 2018 ratings came out in 2015 or whatever, way too early, he was the top recruit in the state, then he slipped over the next couple years, then had really good AA circuit last year as you said, and shot back up.  I'm usually wary of those guys, as it usually means they look best in shorts, but then he played well in the game, and the early returns seem to match.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 11, 2018, 04:42:32 PM
"insider" over at Mgoblog umbig11 saying that RS Frosh James Hudson and true frosh Jalen Mayfield have both been getting a lot of reps with the 1's at LT and RT. 
That was the crazy recruitment, where all of the CBs kept flipping back and forth.  Thinking that one is going to keep smarting MSU.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 11, 2018, 07:14:33 PM
no that actually came from umbig11. he posted all that on Mgoblog yesterday in a thread. he said Chatsports stole some of that info from the Michigan Rivals board- where umbig11 posts most of his info.
I checked his history. You're right.
However, I think it is already outdated info though. He did say they were rotating with the first team for a while. Later, he noted that Warriner was experimenting with many combinations. And today he said Filiaga and Mayfield are outsiders behind JBB/Hudson and Onwenu/Spanellis for the remaining tackle (unknown whether L or R) and RG spots, specifying that Runyan was a mortal lock for one tackle spot (side, unspecified) and that Bredeson and Ruiz were certain locks for LG and C, respectively, too.
My thoughts? Runyan was NOT a popular starter option at tackle among message board fans through the summer. And since he doesn't have archetype height, I get it. But he sounds like the best technician and most playbooksmart of the tackles. And I trust Warriner. So I'm all aboard that experiment.
I even think Runyan could be our most compelling LT option. And, if Hudson beats JBB, I'd honestly like Runyan at LT even more. (For however primed Hudson could maybe be as a starting tackle today, I think starting LT is almost always too much for a RSFr.)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 11, 2018, 08:41:42 PM
I checked his history. You're right.
However, I think it is already outdated info though. He did say they were rotating with the first team for a while. Later, he noted that Warriner was experimenting with many combinations. And today he said Filiaga and Mayfield are outsiders behind JBB/Hudson and Onwenu/Spanellis for the remaining tackle (unknown whether L or R) and RG spots, specifying that Runyan was a mortal lock for one tackle spot (side, unspecified) and that Bredeson and Ruiz were certain locks for LG and C, respectively, too.
My thoughts? Runyan was NOT a popular starter option at tackle among message board fans through the summer. And since he doesn't have archetype height, I get it. But he sounds like the best technician and most playbooksmart of the tackles. And I trust Warriner. So I'm all aboard that experiment.
I even think Runyan could be our most compelling LT option. And, if Hudson beats JBB, I'd honestly like Runyan at LT even more. (For however primed Hudson could maybe be as a starting tackle today, I think starting LT is almost always too much for a RSFr.)
Runyan might be 310, but he isn't 6'5. Probably more like 6'3 and change. Also doesn't have those super long arms you look for in a LT. He is the best athlete of the bunch by all accounts though and he backed it up posting the best testing #'s of all the OL's in the conditioning tests the staff put the team through. If he's a lock to start, that's probably because he's been the most consistent with his technique and made the fewest mistakes.
umbig11 just posted some more info today....
"There are 8 different configurations on the Offensive line being looked at.Three positions are locked up. Bredeson, Runyan, and Ruiz.. Two are up for grabs and the most likely candidates are JBB, Spanellis, Onwenu, and Hudson. An outside shot for Mayfield and Filiaga.

One DB will play both ways and it is not Hawkins. Some Freshman turning heads are Mayfield, Bell, Hutchinson, and Myles Sims.

 There isn’t an OC, JH has control. More shotgun and spread as expected."


My guess is the DB playing both ways is Ambry Thomas. Not surprised to hear Mayfield and Hutchinson are turning heads. Ronnie Bell and Myles Sims are pleasant surprises though. Bell was a huge under the radar recruit and Sims is playing at a loaded position. Not thrilled about Jim having control and not having an OC. If he fails to win big at Michigan it will be because of his inability to let go of the offense and get a "Don Brown of the offense".
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 12, 2018, 01:11:19 AM
He won't be the most important this year, and I'm still doubting he even wins a CB spot over Long or Levert, since they have 1-2 years on him and are already among the best in the nation, but there's an argument to be made for Ambry being the best player on the entire roster, at least by the time every guy puts a bow on his Ann Arbor career.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 12, 2018, 04:20:37 AM
He won't be the most important this year, and I'm still doubting he even wins a CB spot over Long or Levert, since they have 1-2 years on him and are already among the best in the nation, but there's an argument to be made for Ambry being the best player on the entire roster, at least by the time every guy puts a bow on his Ann Arbor career.
that's a bold statement right there. Ambry Thomas is definitely talented, but not remotely willing to go that far.
Rashan Gary, Donovan Peoples Jones, and Zach Gentry might have something to say about that. All 3 of those guys are basically ideal body types combined with exceptional athleticism for their positions.
Gary is a legit 6'5, 280+ and a freak athlete for his position- can play any position on the DL at a high level. DPJ is a legit 6'2, 200+ runs a legit 4.4 in the 40 and can leap out of the gym with a 45+ inch vertical. Gentry is a legit 6'7, 260+ and just a really fluid athlete. His length/catch radius and speed are all A+ for the position. Gentry got his first real playing time last year as a Soph and put up 17 catches for 303 yards and 2 TD's. He averaged nearly 18 yards a catch. With some pretty mediocre QB play. He keeps developing and gets solid QB play out of Patterson he could really take off this year. All 3 of those guys scream 1st round NFL draft pick ability imo. Thomas is really talented for his position no doubt, but not quite at those other 3 level imo.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 12, 2018, 02:59:23 PM
Michigan247's Steve Lorenz with a small update on the DL.

Aidan Hutchinson is the one guy he's heard the most about. Sounds like he's gonna play as a true frosh imo.

Don Brown singled out Lawrence Marshall and Bryan Mone as veteran guys who will step up for them inside. Carlo Kemp has moved inside full time.

Kwity Paye is up to 260 from 247 last year when he was a true frosh. Could be starting for a lot of teams across the country this season. Feels like he's "next". Paye is a guy that Don Brown loved and went after hard and stole him from Boston College.

Luiji Villain is full go back from injury. Villain was the #5 WDE and the #36 player overall in the 2017 class. Highly rated guy coming off a redshirt, should be in that rotation.

IMO this could be the deepest DL they've had since Harbaugh's been there.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 12, 2018, 03:07:51 PM
I know that comment about Ambry is bold. That's the point and definitely just a hunch. I'll stand on it and we'll see.
I'm still more excited about Paye/Vilain than Hutch, which is saying something.
As for Marshall and Mone, I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'm less trustworthy there.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 12, 2018, 03:24:36 PM
I know that comment about Ambry is bold. That's the point and definitely just a hunch. I'll stand on it and we'll see.
I'm still more excited about Paye/Vilain than Hutch, which is saying something.
As for Marshall and Mone, I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'm less trustworthy there.
Ambry is supremely talented. No doubt about it. I actually think they should play him at safety just to get him on the field. Also with his speed, ball skills, and man coverage ability he'd hold up in coverage better than say Josh Mettelus. Brown puts his safeties in man so much they almost have to have CB skills.
Paye was productive at WDE and got on the field as a 247 lbs true frosh. He should only be better now that he's up to 260+ and with a year under his belt, bowl practices, spring practices, and fall camp. Villain would've gotten on the field last year if not for the injuries. Excited to see what he can do now that he's healthy. Hutchinson is going to be an animal before he leaves imo. Mattison LOVES that young pup and Mattison knows d-linemen.
As for Marshall- I'll believe that when I see it. As for Mone- he's shown lots of flashes- just never been healthy for an entire year. Hopefully he can be this year.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 12, 2018, 03:27:54 PM
Mone has always had difficulty stacking consecutive plays. But yes when he's a planet on a mission for one snap, he's superb. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 12, 2018, 03:39:56 PM
Mone has always had difficulty stacking consecutive plays. But yes when he's a planet on a mission for one snap, he's superb.
his weight and injuries have held him back from really breaking through. He's also had some pretty good guys in front of him.
When Harbaugh and his staff first got there they ranked all the players on the entire roster. Mone was 3rd on that list. He's got the talent.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 12, 2018, 07:38:35 PM
That's true of his injuries. Even then, I've come to think that #3 ranking was a mistake. It may not be fair but it's been my sense for a long time.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 13, 2018, 07:43:59 PM
There's no way his release is actually that quick, right? Bad video or something?
https://mobile.twitter.com/MichiganOnBTN/status/1029144537158049794
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 14, 2018, 10:13:46 AM
This one is lingering with me. I think it has to 100% be a product of video manipulation (that transition between starting in slow-mo before going to a real frame rate...a modern highlight video annoyance). 
Because if it weren't from film tricks, that n=1 release would be the fastest I've ever seen at Michigan...by far. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 14, 2018, 05:32:30 PM
I don't know if the video was doctored, but his release is pretty damn quick on all his film. His release, mechanics, and footwork are a thing of beauty. His arm strength is probably B+ to A-, somewhere in that range and more than good enough. He's a pretty good athlete too. Not blazing fast, probably more like a 4.7-4.8 guy- similar to Baker Mayfield in that he can run a little bit but it's not a huge part of his game.

Patterson is really talented. No doubt about it. He's got to put it all together. Has yet to do that in his brief career at Ole Miss. He's only played in 10 games and made 9 starts coming off his true sophomore year. I think a lot of people forget that. He's not a proven or finished product by any means. He's still a young, inexperienced QB who still has to prove himself. He's got a hell of a lot of talent though. For sure the most talent that any Michigan QB has had under Harbaugh.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 14, 2018, 05:54:20 PM
I'm excited to see it. 
I'm also excited about whoever wins right after between Peters and McCaffery (and Milton), but that seems to be at least one year away.
Its clearly the strongest QB roster we've had in a long time. Given how Denard and Devin were mismanaged, I'm not sure whether this should be called the best QB roster since them or since 2007.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 20, 2018, 03:20:03 PM
https://twitter.com/FauxPelini/status/1031617940016312320

:043:
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MaximumSam on August 20, 2018, 06:11:05 PM
Grant Newsome officially calls it a day. Must be so disappointed
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 20, 2018, 06:59:05 PM
https://twitter.com/FauxPelini/status/1031617940016312320

:043:
Heh
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 20, 2018, 07:03:35 PM
Grant Newsome officially calls it a day. Must be so disappointed
Yeah. That one hurts. And not just because it was so gruesome.
His was the one position Michigan could least afford to lose a promising RSFr starter for years (or forever). Fans have slowly gotten over it since early 2016, but he's been fighting like hell despite all the forgetting. 
I can't imagine how anyone convinced him he had done everything he could and it still wasn't enough. I've seen him talk, though, and have heard rumors of his coursework. It's possible he could shine even more without football.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 20, 2018, 10:26:07 PM
Deron Irving-Bey transfers to CMU.  Kind of odd
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 20, 2018, 10:32:50 PM
I thought so, too. I had wondered where he fit in (he hadn't been on any interior lineman 3-deeps for 2018), but figured he had plenty of time. Granted after this year the DTs only lose Mone and Marshall. So I kind of get it. But still that's a weird time to transfer. 
My guess? He didn't like his prospects if staying and really valued the idea of 2018-19 being his "one season to sit out."
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 21, 2018, 01:55:03 PM
to the surprise of no one, Shea Patterson named the starting QB by Harbaugh.

sounds like the DL rotation will go 10 deep.

Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich, Kwity Paye, Aidan Hutchinson, and Luiji Villain at DE.

Michael Dwumfour, Aubrey Solomon, Bryan Mone, Carlo Kemp, Lawrence Marshall at DT.

Also sounds like RS Frosh safety Brad Hawkins and RS soph LB Josh Uche have made big impressions in fall camp. Both superior athletically to the other safeties and LB's. Don't know if they'll have the guts to bench Josh Mettellus at safety and give the job to Hawkins, but they rotate the LB's on pass rush downs and I'd expect Uche to get lot more of those minutes. Sounding like he's the best edge rusher on the entire team period.

On offense word is sophomore WR Nico Collins has been the best WR in camp and that RS Frosh OT James Hudson has gained the edge on 5th year senior OT Juwann Bushell Beatty at the RT spot.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 21, 2018, 02:15:24 PM
Uche may be great, but I reeeally don't think Michigan's LB cohort (Bush, Hudson, Ross, Singleton, Anthony, Gil) is lacking in terms of athleticism.

At safety, I like the depth with Hawkins and JKP. But I also feel good with Metellus and Kinnel tacking on an extra year with Don Brown. Especially with everything Ambry can do when floating around in nickel packages.

That detail about Nico at WR is fascinating. I've been excited for him and am not fully in-line believing this rumor. But if it is true that he passed DPJ and/or Black, that's incredible. There are two camps on Jim McElwain at Michigan: that (1) he's a doofus HC and what are we doing or (2) holy crap, that's a tremendous WR coach hire and that we really lucked into his HC career tanking. Either way, I doubt he stays more than 1 year, and even if that, I'd even further doubt he lasts beyond 2. But if he gets back to his original chops and takes this chance seriously, this WR roster can really blossom.

And then for Hudson > JBB? Man I hope so. I don't know who would be better v. ND, but I am persuaded that Hudson has significantly more upside and would improve more as the season progresses.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 21, 2018, 02:31:17 PM
Uche may be great, but I reeeally don't think Michigan's LB cohort (Bush, Hudson, Ross, Singleton, Anthony, Gil) is lacking in terms of athleticism.

At safety, I like the depth with Hawkins and JKP. But I also feel good with Metellus and Kinnel tacking on an extra year with Don Brown. Especially with everything Ambry can do when floating around in nickel packages.

That detail about Nico at WR is fascinating. I've been excited for him and am not fully in-line believing this rumor. But if it is true that he passed DPJ and/or Black, that's incredible. There are two camps on Jim McElwain at Michigan: that (1) he's a doofus HC and what are we doing or (2) holy crap, that's a tremendous WR coach hire and that we really lucked into his HC career tanking. Either way, I doubt he stays more than 1 year, and even if that, I'd even further doubt he lasts beyond 2. But if he gets back to his original chops and takes this chance seriously, this WR roster can really blossom.

And then for Hudson > JBB? Man I hope so. I don't know who would be better v. ND, but I am persuaded that Hudson has significantly more upside and would improve more as the season progresses.
Uche is a freak. The other LB's aren't 6'3, 240+ like he is and he's faster and more agile than every single one of them except Bush. Hudson isn't really a LB'er, he's undersized and more of a hybrid so I don't think that's a fair comparison.
Kinnel is an average B1G starter at safety. They can work with him. But Metellus is pretty bad though. He's below average. If there was a weak link in last years defense it was lack of depth at DL and Metellus, Mike McCray, and Brandon Watson in man coverage. None one of them were that good at it. And Don Brown asks his safeties and LB's to play a lot more man coverage than pretty much any other DC in the college game. I think the best thing for the style of defense that Don Brown likes to play is for Ambry Thomas to leap Watson at the nickel and for him to get more athleticism on the field at safety and LB. Devin Gil is a really good athlete- was a HS safety who has grown into LB'er- and I'd bet he wins the open LB job. Josh Ross is more of a thumping MLB run stuffer.
That 2017 WR haul was one for the ages. I'd bet that all 4 of them are big-time producers before they leave. Don't think Nico has leapfrogged DPJ or Black, he's just had the strongest camp. Michigan is lucky to have McElwain coaching WR's. Beats the hell out of last year when they didn't have a WR coach at all.
Hudson should start imo. JBB can't pass block. At all. He was a turnstyle last year. Solid run blocker. Horrible at pass blocking though.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on August 22, 2018, 08:10:09 AM
Michigan has a lot of talent on offense much of which is largely unproven and/or did squat last year.  Do I think they'll be better?  Yes, but that's not saying much.  If they can run the ball against the better Big Ten run defenses they may have something to contend with.   If you're hoping a couple of underclassmen OTs bring this about you may be kidding yourself.

Go Blue!
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 22, 2018, 12:28:23 PM
Michigan has a lot of talent on offense much of which is largely unproven and/or did squat last year.  Do I think they'll be better?  Yes, but that's not saying much.  If they can run the ball against the better Big Ten run defenses they may have something to contend with.   If you're hoping a couple of underclassmen OTs bring this about you may be kidding yourself.

Go Blue!
I didn't think the run game was the problem last year. Even with a trash passing game, they ran more roughshod over the lesser and medium competition than any Michigan team I've seen in years. No doubt the productivity hit a wall against the top teams, but with the top 2 QBs injured, the season finished with truly no passing threat. Even elite rushing teams will hit a wall if the defense has the benefit of 9- and 10-man boxes.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 22, 2018, 03:34:30 PM
Sounds like Michigan will have an open practice Sunday night. That's very unusual for Harbaugh. What's the interpretation for giving the fans/media/opponent those kinds of kitchen scraps? I guess that he's feeling very good about things(?).
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 22, 2018, 03:46:32 PM
How are ticket sales going? Still strong?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 22, 2018, 04:01:33 PM
How are ticket sales going? Still strong?
I haven't read, but I don't know why they wouldn't remain sold out.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 22, 2018, 04:18:45 PM
I didn't think the run game was the problem last year. Even with a trash passing game, they ran more roughshod over the lesser and medium competition than any Michigan team I've seen in years. No doubt the productivity hit a wall against the top teams, but with the top 2 QBs injured, the season finished with truly no passing threat. Even elite rushing teams will hit a wall if the defense has the benefit of 9- and 10-man boxes.
take away sacks and the run totals were just fine even against the better competition. Sacks shouldn't be counted against the rush totals imo. Should be the passing.
And yes, having zero passing game or even the threat of a QB that can burn you with a deep ball can make it hard to run the ball against the better competition. No doubt that was a major problem last year.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 22, 2018, 04:21:26 PM
Well, like many/most schools, ticket sales are definitely trending down. That's why I asked - sometimes coaches are made to do these things like what is happening Saturday, whether they like it or not.


https://mgoblue.com/sports/2017/6/16/tickets-fbl-index-html.aspx
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 22, 2018, 04:30:43 PM
Yeah maybe. But if that were true, it would have been true last season, too. And he'd have been suggested to hold a more engaging spring. I don't believe those forces have changed.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on August 23, 2018, 07:07:47 AM
Well, like many/most schools, ticket sales are definitely trending down. That's why I asked - sometimes coaches are made to do these things like what is happening Saturday, whether they like it or not.


https://mgoblue.com/sports/2017/6/16/tickets-fbl-index-html.aspx

I haven't heard any bad news about lagging ticket sales post Dave Brandon.  I think the athletic department retains many seats to sell through StubHub and they vary widely in price.  Section 1 tickets to the Wisconsin game were going for just under $500 each after StubHub fees a couple months ago.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 23, 2018, 11:11:30 AM
I think the athletic department retains many seats to sell through StubHub and they vary widely in price.  
seems odd, any other programs selling tickets on-line or through brokers
season tickets or just single game?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 23, 2018, 01:29:51 PM
I thought that was commonplace. Michigan has had a relationship with StubHub for years. Single game. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 24, 2018, 09:47:43 PM
Jeff George Jr. transferring after being in Ann Arbor for all of 5 minutes. That one never made a lick of sense. Why would he want to come there and be 5th string?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 24, 2018, 09:48:36 PM
Jeff George Jr. transferring after being in Ann Arbor for all of 5 minutes. That one never made a lick of sense. Why would he want to come there and be 5th string?
That's what everyone said, but then it came out he was a walk on, and was basically a de facto GA, who wanted to be a coach 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 24, 2018, 09:54:32 PM
5 true freshman to watch per 247Sports midwest analyst Allen Trieu

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/08/22/trieu-five-true-freshmen-watch-season-michigan/1066398002/
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 24, 2018, 10:31:18 PM
That's what everyone said, but then it came out he was a walk on, and was basically a de facto GA, who wanted to be a coach
sounds like he's going to Pitt.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 25, 2018, 05:50:44 AM
That's what everyone said, but then it came out he was a walk on, and was basically a de facto GA, who wanted to be a coach
Yeah, I can't tell for sure what happened. I'm thinking JGJr either flaked on his plan to be on the coach track or he had lied to himself about where he expected/insisted to be on the depth chart (I'd be shocked if he expected to be in the Top 4 though). Of course, I'm thinking that despite insufficient information.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 25, 2018, 07:10:32 AM
Yeah, I can't tell for sure what happened. I'm thinking JGJr either flaked on his plan to be on the coach track or he had lied to himself about where he expected/insisted to be on the depth chart (I'd be shocked if he expected to be in the Top 4 though). Of course, I'm thinking that despite insufficient information.
I can't think he thought he'd be higher than 4th.  That's why before it came out that he was walking on, my suspicion was that McCaffrey and Peters were transferring, and Harbaugh just wanted a warm body to not be be forced to burn Milton's redshirt if Patterson got nicked.  Because absent that, the move made no sense, for either side.  The walk on thing made perfect sense...until this.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 25, 2018, 12:01:15 PM
The last time Don Brown faced Brian Kelly:

https://mobile.twitter.com/PFF_Gordon/status/668322924424781824
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 25, 2018, 12:02:38 PM
I can't think he thought he'd be higher than 4th.  That's why before it came out that he was walking on, my suspicion was that McCaffrey and Peters were transferring, and Harbaugh just wanted a warm body to not be be forced to burn Milton's redshirt if Patterson got nicked.  Because absent that, the move made no sense, for either side.  The walk on thing made perfect sense...until this.
Yeah. So we are guessing that either there was a falling out or he flaked(?)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 25, 2018, 12:42:31 PM
Yeah. So we are guessing that either there was a falling out or he flaked(?)
The name makes me think flaked, but that may be unfair to him.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 25, 2018, 12:48:39 PM
Yeah I've seen that as the punch line in a few jokes, but i never followed the NFL and don't yet understand about his dad.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: SuperMario on August 25, 2018, 12:56:03 PM
The name makes me think flaked, but that may be unfair to him.
Lol. That was my initial reaction as well. Apples don’t always fall far
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 25, 2018, 09:52:42 PM
Rumors are popping that Tarik Black, Rashan Gary, Karan Higdon and Sean McKeon are all injured. All in one practice or recently? That seems like news too ludicrously bad to be true. No mention of severity or confirmation that they are real. But maybe. Eff. Time will tell.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 25, 2018, 09:57:42 PM
Also, we have captains. That they settled on four(!) and neither is Rashan or Winovich tells me there were unusually many great options this year.
(https://mgoblog.com/sites/default/files/users/user177994/DlfEv0DW0AYqyIN.jpg)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 25, 2018, 10:32:02 PM
Rumors are popping that Tarik Black, Rashan Gary, Karan Higdon and Sean McKeon are all injured
Poster on 11 Warriors said Black had broke his foot.last season Black IMO played better than DPJ & Nico Collins in limited opportunities.Nico I don't think played a whole lot.Regardless Black looked good.Hope it's not season ending - I was looking forward to watching him play
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 25, 2018, 10:49:10 PM
I think Michigan has a *lot* of receiving options with high end Big Ten potential:
Black, DPJ, Nico Collins, Oliver Martin, Perry, Zach Gentry, Nick Eubanks and Sean McKeon (this last one, Mdot may scoff at but I thought he played well and the fact that nearly by himself he pushed Ian Bunting to transfer was very meaningful to me)
Unfortunately, on that list, I think only DPJ and Tarik Black can be elite blow-the-top-off-the-defense types like Breaston/Manningham. The rest are built - if they can get there - would only max out in the Jason Avant or Jake Butt mode (or maybe more Travis Beckum in the case of Gentry).
If Michigan loses Black, even just against ND, it's a massive deal. Having two guys to take the top off is **way** more than twice as good as having one.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 25, 2018, 10:57:34 PM
Hopefully he's back in pads,barring this kind of crap he could be playing on Sundays.Looked sharp last season
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: ELA on August 26, 2018, 08:39:15 AM
Sounds like Michigan will have an open practice Sunday night. That's very unusual for Harbaugh. What's the interpretation for giving the fans/media/opponent those kinds of kitchen scraps? I guess that he's feeling very good about things(?).
I guess we'll get some answers on the injuries tonight.  Not the severity, but at least their existence
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 26, 2018, 08:42:21 AM
Michigan could end up being the best 9-3 team in the country, or best 10-2 team in the country, or even 8-4.

That is a tough schedule indeed.  I don't know who has a tougher one, maybe USC or ND.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 26, 2018, 11:42:42 AM
Ela: yup. We'll at least see who's dressed

Cincy: no doubt. Still, expectations are what they are. 9 wins is what we need for basement levels of satisfaction. 10 for pride. 11 for bliss.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 26, 2018, 11:43:55 AM
Michigan just gave out three one year scholarships to walk-ons. Congrats to them:

WR - Nate Schoenle
OL - Andrew Vastardis
LS - Camaron Cheeseman
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: HailHailMSP on August 26, 2018, 02:08:53 PM
It’s weird to say this, because expectations should be high for this team, but I would take 10-2 in a heartbeat. That would mean 3-2 against the big 5 (ND, Wisc, PSU, MSU, OSU), plus no missteps on the rest of the schedule. Unfortunately, unless one of those losses is to ND, that would likely mean no chance at a B1G championship appearance. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 26, 2018, 03:05:57 PM
If a team in the East were to lose to, let's say, UW and PSU and only those two, finishing 10-2, they might be best positioned for the tiebreakers. Not guaranteed to tie but I am all but excluding the odds of a 12-0 east. And think that 10-2 is roughly as likely as (if not more likely than) 11-1.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 26, 2018, 03:12:00 PM
Schembechler Hall confirms Tarik's injury. Severity remains unknown. Sounds like an MRI is scheduled today. Lots of discussion of a break. I think the odds that an MRI would even be ordered (or be important in deciding recovery timeline) if it were a true break is low. At least partly increments the odds of soft tissue injury or hairline fracture. Not that those can't be just as pestersome. Though the least among those will heal faster than most true breaks.
My point: lots of ifs. He could be back soon, mid season, next season, never, but mid season now looks most likely.

No word on Rashan, Karan or Sean. Will they be on the field tonight?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: SuperMario on August 26, 2018, 04:15:52 PM
Schembechler Hall confirms Tarik's injury. Severity remains unknown. Sounds like an MRI is scheduled today. Lots of discussion of a break. I think the odds that an MRI would even be ordered (or be important in deciding recovery timeline) if it were a true break is low. At least partly increments the odds of soft tissue injury or hairline fracture. Not that those can't be just as pestersome. Though the least among those will heal faster than most true breaks.
My point: lots of ifs. He could be back soon, mid season, next season, never, but mid season now looks most likely.

No word on Rashan, Karan or Sean. Will they be on the field tonight?
Bummer news. Have to feel bad for the kid.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 26, 2018, 07:04:17 PM
Sounds like the rumors about Sean, Karan, and Rashan (I just like the rhyme) were empty as they all dressed.

Who didn't dress? Tarik Black, Casey Hughes, Benjamin St. Juste, Mustapha Muhammad, Brad Robbins, and Luiju Vilain. And except for Black, Muhammad and St. Juste, I think we knew about all of those before today.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 26, 2018, 09:44:32 PM
Shea looked exactly like I was hoping he would. The release from that video I posted a few pages ago is real. I've never seen that at Michigan. Of course the ball looks pretty, but I was way more interested in the placement. So consistent.
Missing Black is still a big deal but unless this was a rare day for Shea, he could even make above-average receivers look v. good.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: SuperMario on August 26, 2018, 10:26:58 PM
Shea looked exactly like I was hoping he would. The release from that video I posted a few pages ago is real. I've never seen that at Michigan. Of course the ball looks pretty, but I was way more interested in the placement. So consistent.
Missing Black is still a big deal but unless this was a rare day for Shea, he could even make above-average receivers look v. good.
Show me a big performance and fast release against MSU or OSU and I’ll be happy. Until that happens, it’s the same kind of hype we’ve had for a decade. I need substance.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 26, 2018, 11:18:36 PM

I get it. And didn't mean to promise anything about the season. I'm just saying that his hand releases the ball faster than I've ever seen at Michigan. Whether he is an awful or an excellent QB, this one detail is already true.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on August 27, 2018, 07:24:58 AM
Sucks that Black injured his other foot.  I was really looking forward to seeing the kid tear it up this year.  Next up is red-shirt freshman Nico Collins.  Collins is even bigger and will remind you of Funchess. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 27, 2018, 08:01:00 AM
Nothing wrong with that DF is in the Sunday League.With Black the passing game really could have come together early.Not that it won't or someone else will emerge picking up the slack
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 27, 2018, 12:17:52 PM
Collins has been said by all the insiders to have been the best WR all camp. They've been saying that for weeks before Black got injured a couple days ago. DPJ and Grant Perry have also been getting praise. Sucks. But next man up.

Sucks to see such a talented young kid like Black injured yet again. But the severity is unknown. He could be back in 4-6 weeks. Or he could be gone the entire season. They just don't know what the injury actually is yet. Hopefully it's not as serious as his injury last year and he'll be back in 4-6 weeks. Knock on wood.

Sounds like Utah grad transfer DB Casey Hughes is transferring. Makes sense. Wasn't going to beat out Hill or Long, sounds like Ambry Thomas and Brandon Watson prevented him from winning that nickel spot- and they tried Hughes at safety but he didn't stick.

Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on August 27, 2018, 12:24:42 PM
Shea looked exactly like I was hoping he would. The release from that video I posted a few pages ago is real. I've never seen that at Michigan. Of course the ball looks pretty, but I was way more interested in the placement. So consistent.
Missing Black is still a big deal but unless this was a rare day for Shea, he could even make above-average receivers look v. good.
people like to piss on the recruit rankings- and honestly they should- but there's a reason Shea Patterson was the #1 QB and #3 player overall in the 247Composite rankings. He is extremely talented. He was the best player in HS on a loaded IMG Academy team that's filled with blue-chip recruits. He won the Elite 11 MVP against 20+ of the other top HS QB's in the nation. He won the Army Bowl MVP playing against the top HS players in the nation.
His transition in college hasn't been smooth, he's been inconsistent but he was only a true frosh and true soph who played in 10 games on a team with zero defense. My guess is he pressed and tried to do way too much because he probably felt like if I don't get us to 40 points were gonna lose this game because our defense sucks. In only 10 starts the kid threw for 300+ yards in 7 of those starts.
There is no doubt he's got the talent. Has to put it all together.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 27, 2018, 04:31:39 PM
I've read where DPJ & Collins are both looking much better so far than last season.For M hopefully that's the case as I thought Black was going to break out.Like to see him come back after some rest..Few years back I always liked Taco last season I took to liking Tarik as he believed in himself and looked more finished than the 2 ranked above him
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 28, 2018, 12:27:43 AM
It's possible Nico had the best camp all August. We definitely heard it a lot. But it's also seemed kind of fluffy. In any event, he was really coming from behind, and what if the hype was about improvement instead of productivity? Also ... imagine all three at once. Losing Black sucks.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Off-Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on August 28, 2018, 12:30:37 AM
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2018/08/rashan_gary_injured_you_dont_h_1.html

Greg Mattison on Rashan: 

"You don't have to worry about Rashan. I saw him today and he's chomping at the bit. All of our guys are. He looks great. You know how when somebody gets a bruise and falls down, you say, 'Oh my goodness? No, don't worry about that."


Jim Harbaugh on Tarik:
"The return is very much possible. We haven't closed the door at all."
Title: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: LukeBK on September 08, 2018, 07:57:32 PM
For years it was painful to see Michigan struggle against Mac teams. Great to see Michigan blowing them out again.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: MaximumSam on September 08, 2018, 08:09:50 PM
Make Michigan Great Again
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on September 08, 2018, 08:23:39 PM
Congrats. 

There won't be any question who the second best team in the state is this season. 
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: Honestbuckeye on September 08, 2018, 08:45:13 PM
What kind of thread is this?  
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: Temp430 on September 09, 2018, 06:18:18 AM
Patterson impressive.  OL work in progress.  D as advertized.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 09, 2018, 09:48:56 AM
For years it was painful to see Michigan struggle against Mac teams. Great to see Michigan blowing them out again.
Welcome back.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: SuperMario on September 09, 2018, 10:11:36 AM
What kind of thread is this?  
One you would find on the ESPN comments section.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: Honestbuckeye on September 09, 2018, 10:29:34 AM
One you would find on the ESPN comments section.
On a good day.  People posting just to be a- holes. 
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: MrNubbz on September 09, 2018, 10:43:11 AM
Watching highlights this morning.Some QB from Memphis had a 15yd TD run that was actually more like 80yds.Zig-zagged,back/forth all over the field.Navy won 22-21
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 09, 2018, 10:43:29 AM
I didn't take the post that way, but I get it.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: CatsbyAZ on September 09, 2018, 11:14:25 AM
For years it was painful to see Michigan struggle against Mac teams. Great to see Michigan blowing them out again.
It’s the Lloyd Carr Way repeating itself: blow out the underdogs all the way to a New Year’s Day Bowl despite losing the most important games on the schedule every year.
I think the newer generation of Wolverine fans are finally seeing through it, that Michigan is more Iowa than Ohio State, except Iowa wins their division and beats Ohio State.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: iahawk15 on September 09, 2018, 11:21:15 AM
It’s the Lloyd Carr Way repeating itself: blow out the underdogs all the way to a New Year’s Day Bowl despite losing the most important games on the schedule every year.
I think the newer generation of Wolverine fans are finally seeing through it, that Michigan is more Iowa than Ohio State, except Iowa wins has won their division and beats Ohio State.
Ha, FIFY. Let's not make it sound like either of those are a regularity!
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: SuperMario on September 09, 2018, 11:28:05 AM
It’s the Lloyd Carr Way repeating itself: blow out the underdogs all the way to a New Year’s Day Bowl despite losing the most important games on the schedule every year.
I think the newer generation of Wolverine fans are finally seeing through it, that Michigan is more Iowa than Ohio State, except Iowa wins their division and beats Ohio State.
Lloyd Carr won the Big 10 5 times and also won a national championship. 
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 09, 2018, 11:29:41 AM
Lloyd Carr won the Big 10 5 times and also won a national championship.
I really liked him. Probably the most under-appreciated head coach in my lifetime of watching college football.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: SuperMario on September 09, 2018, 11:32:50 AM
I really liked him. Probably the most under-appreciated head coach in my lifetime of watching college football.
I did too. I really liked how he carried himself. Ohio State bested him at the end of his career, but Lloyd has a very good run.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 09, 2018, 11:39:14 AM
I still have the autographed picture of him, that one of the old-days M posters sent to me in the mail.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: ELA on September 09, 2018, 11:51:44 AM
It’s the Lloyd Carr Way repeating itself: blow out the underdogs all the way to a New Year’s Day Bowl despite losing the most important games on the schedule every year.
I think the newer generation of Wolverine fans are finally seeing through it, that Michigan is more Iowa than Ohio State, except Iowa wins their division and beats Ohio State.
Lloyd Carr won a lot.  We just weren't used to the new reality that it wasn't the Big 2 anymore, so he wasn't appreciated enough in his times.
I also don't think the criticism was that Lloyd lost big games, it was that he stumbled too often when favored.  Again, not more than most, but simply a byproduct of fans not realizing this was an era where you could just expect to win every non PSU game on your schedule anymore.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on September 09, 2018, 01:42:52 PM
Carr gets a bad rap because UM's annual 4-loss seasons started under him.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: SuperMario on September 09, 2018, 01:47:06 PM
Carr gets a bad rap because UM's annual 4-loss seasons started under him.
He had more than 3 losses only 3 times in an 11 year career.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: bayareabadger on September 09, 2018, 02:27:47 PM
A nice follow on our play-calling chat in the ND thread. Good stuff here from a UM guy (no idea where this should actually go).

http://breakdownsports.blogspot.com/2018/09/film-review-bad-play-calls-arent-really.html

Anyway, Carr was an early paradigm of a modern coach. They live in a world where expectations will either grow past you or have expanded a great deal before you arrive. People were mad at Carr. With the same attitude, they'd be mad at Bo or Gary. It was interesting that Carr lived in this narrow realm between Cooper and Tressel's success
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on September 09, 2018, 04:59:34 PM
He had more than 3 losses only 3 times in an 11 year career.
Uhhhh, check again?  He lost 3+ games in 10 of 13 seasons.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on September 09, 2018, 05:03:00 PM
Under Moeller, UM had consecutive 4-loss seasons.  While UM could claim being elite under Bo, Moeller's 4-loss seasons necessitated a change.  While Carr won a NC, UM's elite seasons were fewer and fewer.  Under Carr, I'd argue, UM lost the ability to claim being an elite program.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: SuperMario on September 09, 2018, 08:29:39 PM
Uhhhh, check again?  He lost 3+ games in 10 of 13 seasons.
I think you should read my post again. If that doesn’t help, then read your original post.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on September 09, 2018, 09:59:18 PM
My point stands.  Thanks for your contribution.
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: SuperMario on September 09, 2018, 10:36:14 PM
My point stands.  Thanks for your contribution.
Well, your facts were wrong and so was your point. My contribution wouldn’t have been needed if your point was fair or accurate, which it was neither. But hey, the guy that points out wrong data is the bad guy right?
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: ELA on September 10, 2018, 11:56:37 AM
Don't we have a Michigan season thread?
Title: Re: Its Great to See Michigan Blowing Out Mac Teams Again...
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 10, 2018, 12:21:53 PM
Don't we have a Michigan season thread?
Yes. Feel free to merge this to that if it's possible. I don't know how.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: ELA on September 10, 2018, 12:24:16 PM
Yes. Feel free to merge this to that if it's possible. I don't know how.
It is, and it's better than the old boards, you don't need both threads to be located on the same page, so you don't need the old "Bump for Merge"
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 10, 2018, 12:25:19 PM
I guess I need to learn how to drive this thing.     :67:
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on September 13, 2018, 08:16:11 PM
Watching this Wake Forest Boston College game with my Michigan fan cousins:

Me: This AJ Dillon guy is an old fashioned workhorse RB

Michigan Cousins: He was once committed to Michigan. We have fast backs but no power backs. We could sure use Dillon this season.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on September 13, 2018, 08:55:27 PM
Watching this Wake Forest Boston College game with my Michigan fan cousins:

Me: This AJ Dillon guy is an old fashioned workhorse RB

Michigan Cousins: He was once commuted to Michigan. We have fast backs but no power backs. We could sure use Dillon this season.
yeah, don't remind me.
Harbaugh tried to get him to switch to LB. He said no thanks, flipped to hometown school Boston College.
He'd be starting for sure at RB at Michigan. Dillon is FAR superior to Karan Higdon or Chris Evans. Chris Evans is a change of pace guy. Higdon honestly doesn't belong as a starter at this level. He'd be a really good 3rd string back though. Should've taken Dillon as a RB. He should be the starter right now with Evans the change up guy and Higdon the 3rd string. They really screwed the pooch on that one.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on September 13, 2018, 09:04:01 PM
Above all else, if there's a chance he'll write your performance review, never get on MDot's bad side.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on September 16, 2018, 07:40:19 AM
The Sun Belt refs in the SMU game were terrible.  Could not believe the replay refs buzzing down to the field to call Hudson for targeting.  Not as bad as the 2005 Alamo Bowl so I guess they’re making progress.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on September 17, 2018, 07:32:30 PM
Booting off some points on the Michigan-SMU game from the SoC thread over the weekend, is O’Maury Samuels 4th string RB until further notice?

Samuels played late against SMU and was productive from the two plays I can remember. I know his recruiting profile lists him as an RB, but it seems charging him up the middle late in games is a bit of a waste; his speed and shiftiness works well in space so if you brought Samuels all the way from New Mexico why not try him on some end-arounds or screen passes where he’ll work well in space?

Or is there not enough room in the Michigan Two-run offense for more creativity on the third down? (The two-run offense - think two step dancing: two runs up middle before maybe passing.) Not to be completely dismissive of the offensive staff because they’ve made a good move in finding a home at TE for Gentry (oddly, also from NM).

Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on September 17, 2018, 11:49:30 PM
The Sun Belt refs in the SMU game were terrible.  Could not believe the replay refs buzzing down to the field to call Hudson for targeting.  Not as bad as the 2005 Alamo Bowl so I guess they’re making progress.
I didn't care as much about the targeting being buzzed down. Yeah, it's unusual that none of the refs on the field cared but the booth did, but it was a borderline play. I mean, the rules suck, but them's the rules, so...
Anyway: there were several things I couldn't believe from those refs. Almost all of the things I couldn't believe were PI's. I doubt it was personal. I think they just don't see or understand tight man coverage in their Go5 conference. Reminded me of the refs in the MSU@ND game around 2013 +/-1 year.
There was one personal moment though. The cherry on top. It was when the umpire pushed Bush out of his carefully chosen alignment riiiiight before the snap "because that's where *I* stand." It was super juvenile. Until Saturday, that was something that even the worst refs didn't do.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 18, 2018, 10:53:43 AM
imagine if Bush would have given the ump a shove right before the snap because he was trying to play football
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on September 25, 2018, 12:53:41 PM
Sounds like Vilain recently had a (knee?) operation. Also reported that St. Juste has been lost for the season. Bummer on both. Was important to get BSJ snaps for next year and Vilain is needed this year. I think Paye may be fine, but if not the DE depth is getting scary. Damn.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on September 25, 2018, 02:37:11 PM
Sounds like Vilain recently had a (knee?) operation. Also reported that St. Juste has been lost for the season. Bummer on both. Was important to get BSJ snaps for next year and Vilain is needed this year. I think Paye may be fine, but if not the DE depth is getting scary. Damn.
feel terrible for him. Vilain was a boderline 5* guy in 247's own rankings. He was just 4 spots away from being a 5* in their rankings. And he was the #5 WDE and the #57 player overall in the 247Composite in that 2017 class. Big-time athletic talent. Injured his leg last year in fall camp got shut down for the year. Sucks to see him injured again this time his knee. They don't need him this year. But they'll definitely need him next. Would've been nice for him to get his feet wet this year. Even if he did, still think he'd be behind Paye and Hutchinson. Both of them look like big-time talents and both so young.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on September 25, 2018, 02:51:27 PM
Sucks having no idea how good Vilain is. You could be right re: Paye/Hutch, though Vilain definitely had the best recruiting profile and feels like a major 2-year loss.

Totally different player than either Paye or Hutch, though. 

Paye is really impressing me, btw. I thought he was going to be a pure pass rusher. But he's complete. Holding the edge really nicely, and flashed examples of those speed-to-power moves that are getting more and more popular versus Nebraska (popular because they don't risk one's edge responsibilities and really collapse the pocket [and when they get home, they make for just the most badass sacks]). 

So glad his "injury" (hopefully it was just having his crotch stepped on - not fun, but also not longlasting) is being shrugged off as nothing. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on September 25, 2018, 07:43:23 PM
Sucks having no idea how good Vilain is. You could be right re: Paye/Hutch, though Vilain definitely had the best recruiting profile and feels like a major 2-year loss.

Totally different player than either Paye or Hutch, though.

Paye is really impressing me, btw. I thought he was going to be a pure pass rusher. But he's complete. Holding the edge really nicely, and flashed examples of those speed-to-power moves that are getting more and more popular versus Nebraska (popular because they don't risk one's edge responsibilities and really collapse the pocket [and when they get home, they make for just the most badass sacks]).

So glad his "injury" (hopefully it was just having his crotch stepped on - not fun, but also not longlasting) is being shrugged off as nothing.
I think Villain will wind up being a really good player. Just had some really unfortunate injury luck to start his career.
IF they can somehow convince Rashan Gary to come back in 2019 that defensive line will be ridiculous.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2018, 11:18:23 AM
This doesn't really belong anywhere else, but it blows the mind:

Schlissel just announced (https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/5b?erid=30400776&trid=92a4cb30-c2e6-48f0-a245-ad6c7508bcce&efndnum=000000001274027810) that Michigan completed by far the most successful fundraising campaign in public university history. Five billion dollars. All donations. 

"Of more than 382,000 donors, 94 percent gave less than $5,000, and more than half made their first gift to U-M through the campaign."
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: ELA on October 04, 2018, 11:35:14 AM
This doesn't really belong anywhere else, but it blows the mind:

Schlissel just announced (https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/5b?erid=30400776&trid=92a4cb30-c2e6-48f0-a245-ad6c7508bcce&efndnum=000000001274027810) that Michigan completed by far the most successful fundraising campaign in public university history. Five billion dollars. All donations.

"Of more than 382,000 donors, 94 percent gave less than $5,000, and more than half made their first gift to U-M through the campaign."
Well now that people know donations to UM are really just a shelter to evade tax laws.  :57:
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2018, 12:35:18 PM
Ha, I can't see the emoji or image there. Maybe a wink?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: ELA on October 04, 2018, 12:54:00 PM
Indeed
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 10, 2018, 03:14:20 PM
It's been 15 years to the day. Still remember many of the snaps vividly. Sorry Gophers.

https://twitter.com/MVictors/status/1050014370942644225
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 10, 2018, 03:15:38 PM
Was that Haskin's throwing the ball?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: ELA on October 10, 2018, 03:25:14 PM
It's been 15 years to the day. Still remember many of the snaps vividly. Sorry Gophers.

https://twitter.com/MVictors/status/1050014370942644225
Kicked off the best weekend of college football I can ever remember
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 10, 2018, 03:29:42 PM
Ha, nope. Navarre and Asad Abdul-Khaliq. Man, just typing those names is a blast from the past. Navarre was one of my all-time favorites. He didn't have the talent of guys who came after him, but he may be Michigan's most productive QB of the millenium. I didn't check a stat book for yards per year or comp%, so I might get some facts in my face for saying this.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: ELA on October 10, 2018, 03:37:49 PM
Ha, nope. Navarre and Asad Abdul-Khaliq. Man, just typing those names is a blast from the past. Navarre was one of my all-time favorites. He didn't have the talent of guys who came after him, but he may be Michigan's most productive QB of the millenium. I didn't check a stat book for yards per year or comp%, so I might get some facts in my face for saying this.
His career completion percentage of 56.1% trails only the following UM quarterbacks to follow him:
Denard Robinson (57.2%)
Wilton Speight (58.8%)
Chad Henne (59.7%)
Tate Forcier (60.0%)
Devin Gardner (60.4%)
Jake Rudock (64.0%)
Matt Gutierrez (65.9%)
Shea Patterson (68.8%)
He is ahead of O'Korn though!  :bravo_2:
But yes, I actually like him too, and he immediately preceded a major change in college football, such that it's kind of unfair to compare.  Actually both he and Henne are surprisingly low on UM lists that aren't cumulative.  For example, both Devin Garnder and Denard Robinson had a better passer rating, higher yards per attempt and better completion percentage than Navvare, and same when compared Henne except for Denard-Henne completion percentage.  Shows how quickly our expectations of quarterbacks has changed.  
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 10, 2018, 03:49:18 PM
Egg on face.

You're exactly right about the passing revolution. 60% almost used to be statue deserving on its own. Now praise is very mixed until the guy consistently hits 70%.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 10, 2018, 06:19:07 PM
https://collegesportsmaven.io/michigan/football/zach-charbonnet-highlights-michigan-commitment-J9Z8tqGdNka-fQWClkFiiA/

Yeah. He's good. Zach Chabornett is by far the best RB recruit Harbaugh has landed yet. Not quite Najee Harris level but damn is he close. Instant starter next year in my opinion.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 14, 2018, 03:58:28 PM
I've been very impressed with Warrinner so far. Last season we could NEVER run zone. This year, Zone and Down G (with little tweaks each week) is the majority of our offense. We run almost zero Power & Counter anymore. I don't have the education to analyze it much deeper than that. But even for an amateur like me, this turnaround speaks for itself.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 14, 2018, 04:13:57 PM
As for that OL, I don't know whether it's MSU or PSU but one of these will be the best defense they've faced since ND (and unless OSU really turns it around) the best they'll face until the postseason. The next two games are acid test time.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 14, 2018, 04:33:36 PM
As for that OL, I don't know whether it's MSU or PSU but one of these will be the best defense they've faced since ND (and unless OSU really turns it around) the best they'll face until the postseason. The next two games are acid test time.
Not sold on Penn State’s defense at all. That secondary sucks and it cost them a game. Lewerke was trying his best to give Penn State that game and those DBs just wouldn’t take it. Plus it’s a home night game for Michigan- and they seem to play much better in that situation than any.
Much more sold on Sparty’s D and the game is on the road where Harbaugh has proven to struggle. The only thing giving me hope is it’s a noon start and MSU won vs PSU. Had they lost they would’ve been backed into a corner and that’s not an MSU team I want to face. 
I don’t know what to think of Ohio State’s defense right now. 
I’m rolling with Sparty having the best D they’ll see the rest of the way.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 14, 2018, 04:41:30 PM
Up front, I think that's absolutely true. It's MSU. Through the air, maybe no one (but PSU > MSU), though OSU has by far the most coverage talent. They just *seem* to be reeeeally missing Kerry Coombs (word emphasized bc it's my best guess).
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on October 14, 2018, 06:27:45 PM
Up front, I think that's absolutely true. It's MSU. Through the air, maybe no one (but PSU > MSU), though OSU has by far the most coverage talent. They just *seem* to be reeeeally missing Kerry Coombs (word emphasized bc it's my best guess).
The question is Health.  If you have to face a healthy Bosa, Landers, Jones and young- there will be no comparison to anything they have seen, including PRACTICE.  
The big weakness has been LBs, and one of the safety spots.  OSU seems to have a pattern of giving up huge plays in first half, and shutting teams down in the second. But runs or passes, mostly can be traced to LB over pursuing or otherwise being out of position and giving up gap integrity. Who knows if it gets better, but the team speed on D will be as good as you have seen including ND.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 14, 2018, 06:39:29 PM
True about Bosa. My (partially educated) hunch is that he's out until the post season, but of course j haven't read his charts for that guess to be worth much. What do you think about Sheffield, meanwhile? All the talent in the world, but he seems to be consistently picked on for his mistakes whenever I view.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on October 14, 2018, 06:48:25 PM
True about Bosa. My (partially educated) hunch is that he's out until the post season, but of course j haven't read his charts for that guess to be worth much. What do you think about Sheffield, meanwhile? All the talent in the world, but he seems to be consistently picked on for his mistakes whenever I view.
You may be on to something with that Coombs observation. Sheffield is a track star with great hips, but often loses the battle for the ball because he does not turn his head. Seems to be a common thing for Arnette. And Okudah too.  Rarely are they beaten by separation.
But most of the passing yardage given up has been on RPOs, in that area just behind the LBs.  And for whatever reason, it’s all or mostly in first halves.  From Eleven Warriors:
“The Jekyll and Hyde defense was on full display yesterday as it surrendered 14 points, 238 total yards, 128 rushing yards on 6.4 per carry and a 67% completion rate while failing to register a sack with just two tackles-for-loss in the opening half. But after regrouping at intermission, the Buckeyes came out and held the Gophers to zero points, 150 total yards, 50 rushing on 3.8 per carry and a 45% completion rate while tallying two sacks, three tackles-for-loss and four pass breakups over the final two quarters.


You'll recall the same thing happened last week as Indiana put up 20 points and 317 total yards including 7.8 yards per carry in first half only to muster just six points, 89 total yards and 0.5 yards per carry in the second.


Look, there are a ton of things wrong with this defense but if you're searching for a positive, it rests on the unit's ability to tighten the screws in the second half. And of course that its poor first half showings haven't cost the team a game yet.


OSU has only given up 53 points in 2nd half- 8 point average. But against a really good team that will eventually bite them.”


I think Meyer needs to put his foot down. Schiano’ high pressure press man is statistically better than when Ash was running zone schemes like quarters coverage ( copied from MSU).  But teams did not have explosive plays and usually had to put together long drives to score.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 16, 2018, 05:35:49 PM
Some crazy stats:

Michigan's leading tacklers:

1. Devin Bush, average tackle = 2.1 yards from LOS
2. Chase Winovich, average tackle = -0.2 yards from LOS

An offense that not even fans thought could become "merely ok":

#1 nationally at getting into 3rd and short (21% of the time)
#2 nationally at avoiding 3rd and long
#1 for average yards to go on 3rd down (5.6)    -- but maybe this is a BS stat as there must be offenses (Bama?) that rarely see 3rd down at all

Of course, Michigan is also #129 at converting 3rd and long. So there's your recipe for stalling them. Be awesome versus the ground game and competent versus the pass.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 16, 2018, 06:02:10 PM
Mgoblog had this to say in the Wisconsin game recap and (because opponent slants have been the D's main weakness and Don Brown's willingness to switch to zone at Michigan has been an unknown) it feels major:

The other half: spooky zones. James Light has been tweeting about Don Brown's "trap" coverages since his hire, but they were rarely called and rarely made an impact in his first couple years. In year three with a bunch of veterans they've become more prominent, never more so on the Metellus interception. Herbstreit got this exactly right on the fly:

View this at 6:45:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pkSRDRcgs4

Long aligns in press presnap and appears to run man against the outside receiver, but
(https://mgoblog.com/sites/default/files/LaJ9Kmo_thumb.gif) (https://mgoblog.com/sites/default/files/LaJ9Kmo.gif)
He falls off as Michigan baits the very throw Hornibrook made and the deflection falls kindly to Metellus. Long would get another PBU on similar action in the second half.
In addition to this stuff on deep outs, Michigan ended what I expected to be a night full of slants before they even began. On Wisconsin's first third down of the night, Devin Bush buzzed a slant and got a deflection. (Wisconsin actually caught that deflection, but short of the sticks.) That might have been Wisconsin's last slant of the night? I can't remember any completed, or even attempted, afterwards.
Michigan started the year getting a bunch of RPS minuses when Notre Dame successfully attacked their man coverage; since they've been far more crafty about mixing in changeups. It feels like a fully armed and operational battle station.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 18, 2018, 01:41:19 PM
Drew Singleton leaves the team. I'm not sure if this is because
Either way: bummer. DS is a touted guy.
Linebacker became one of the deepest spots on the team, and though he was third so far in his recruiting class, that class (Singleton, Anthony, and Ross) was incredible, so no shame. Plus, Devin Bush is almost certainly leaving early for the NFL this year. He'd have gotten serious playing time next year.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 18, 2018, 02:02:31 PM
that really sucks. Singleton was a borderline 5* kid on Rivals and the #79 player overall and the #5 OLB in the 247Composite.

He was only a redshirt frosh I believe. Recruits these days don't wait their turn man. It's crazy. If they aren't starting by their 2nd year they gone. It's nuts.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: MrNubbz on October 18, 2018, 02:53:08 PM
Drew Singleton leaves the team.
Did he even see the field on defense last season?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 18, 2018, 02:55:37 PM
Redshirted while recovering from a high school ACL tear.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 18, 2018, 03:03:32 PM
Did he even see the field on defense last season?
redshirted in 2017. 
He’s a rs freshman who came in 3rd in the vacant LB race between a pair of sophomores Devin Gil & Josh Ross so he leaves. Makes no sense. 
I get JaRaymond Hall or Corey Malone Hatcher or Derron Irving Bey leaving- those guys got recruited over and probably didn’t have the talent to play at Michigan. 
Singleton though? He just needed to bide his time. He would’ve been a starter here eventually. 
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 22, 2018, 06:39:18 PM
rumors starting to fly that RS Freshman RT James Hudson is transferring. Huge blow if true. He was a 4* DT recruit in the 2017 class that they switched to OL, and he was very close to beating out 5th year senior Juwann Bushell Beatty at RT. The hype on him from the insiders was loud. Everyone was expecting him to start either midway this season if JBB struggled and if not then he was basically called a lock to start next year.

Really don't get this one. Really salty about it if it is in fact true. He was the future at RT.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 22, 2018, 07:08:18 PM
looks like it's confirmed. damn. makes no sense. Drew Singleton and now this? These guys were redshirt freshman that would've both been in line for tons of playing time next year. JBB is graduating and there's a good chance Devin Bush is off to the NFL early. I swear to god I hate seeing this stuff.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 22, 2018, 09:39:21 PM
This is WAY weird. There's a chance that what Harbaugh said about his broken thumb was wrong and Stueber actually passed him by playing in the MSU game. V. (v., v., v., v., v., v., v.) weird either way. Seems absurdly impatient.

Also: bummer. I love Warriner and am no longer as prone to fretting about these things, but damn what a loss.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 23, 2018, 12:48:51 AM
This is WAY weird. There's a chance that what Harbaugh said about his broken thumb was wrong and Stueber actually passed him by playing in the MSU game. V. (v., v., v., v., v., v., v.) weird either way. Seems absurdly impatient.

Also: bummer. I love Warriner and am no longer as prone to fretting about these things, but damn what a loss.
huge loss. Sam Webb was saying before the season started that Hudson was right there with JBB and that it was Sam's OPINION that JBB would start the season and that Hudson would be the starter sometime before the season was over because he was just much more talented than JBB and that the fall camp battle was super close.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on October 23, 2018, 06:57:56 AM
With the way JBB is playing no one is passing him on the depth chart if he stays healthy.  If Hudson is leaving because Stueber was ahead of him on the depth chart that's just nuts.  Maybe he just wants to play defense and the opportunity was not there?  It sounds like Michigan is trying to keep him.  We'll see how the soap opera plays out between the player-parent-coaches.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 23, 2018, 03:02:38 PM
With the way JBB is playing no one is passing him on the depth chart if he stays healthy.  If Hudson is leaving because Stueber was ahead of him on the depth chart that's just nuts.  Maybe he just wants to play defense and the opportunity was not there?  It sounds like Michigan is trying to keep him.  We'll see how the soap opera plays out between the player-parent-coaches.
I often wonder where the line is for these things to be reversed. Would be huge to keep him. I think we maybe beyond freaking out if he's gone but, uh, depth is good.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 23, 2018, 03:07:32 PM
I'm reading about Shea's future. Whether he'll go pro or not (supposedly, this draft is very light on QBs). And how the rest of the season plays into that. Was reminded of 2015 when Ruddock transferred in. Performed at a level of "ok" then rocketed forward after the IDLE week. Shea has been far better than Ruddock to date, but he isn't perfect. Has a lot to work on. It's tempting to dream about what it'd look like if he grew into his potential to end the season. This is an-entirely-other level of team if he does.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 23, 2018, 03:22:22 PM
I'm reading about Shea's future. Whether he'll go pro or not (supposedly, this draft is very light on QBs). And how the rest of the season plays into that. Was reminded of 2015 when Ruddock transferred in. Performed at a level of "ok" then rocketed forward after the IDLE week. Shea has been far better than Ruddock to date, but he isn't perfect. Has a lot to work on. It's tempting to dream about what it'd look like if he grew into his potential to end the season. This is an-entirely-other level of team if he does.
I'd be a little shocked if he left early. He just isn't ready. He needs to come back and really work on his game more.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 23, 2018, 04:20:40 PM
That's definitely what I want. Michigan'll be fine without him, though -- except with significantly less depth. Because (1) I think McCaffery can be really great and (2) there's also no way Peters stays.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 23, 2018, 04:23:24 PM
Imagine, though, how well Shea would have to play to get a CFP bid. Or win a game. At one of these points, I think he will have advertised himself as a top draft pick in a draft with few top QBs to begin with.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 24, 2018, 11:23:21 AM
I'd be a little shocked if he left early. He just isn't ready. He needs to come back and really work on his game more.
100% separate question: If Shea takes off from here until the bowls ... and Black is back ... it could be tricky to attribute the added success to the right person. Even without Black, I think Shea is poised for a leap. With Tarik at full strength?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 24, 2018, 01:39:15 PM
Expected yardage margins nationwide: (https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/9r0r3k/expected_yardage_margin_or_why_michigans_defense/)

Michigan's defense is playing at a level where, if compared to an average defense versus an average offense, Michigan is allowing 161 fewer yards per game. That #1 nationally by more than 50 yards (#2 Miami), which is the same margin as #2-through-#9.

Of course, margins like this - though technically opponent adjusted - are still built off of counting stats and prone to distortion based on tempo. So, this isn't about the D in a vacuum, Michigan's offensive style is helping a lot by limiting opponents' drive #s/TOP.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 24, 2018, 03:23:25 PM
From Rashan's mom, summarized by mgoblog:

Gary details. Rashan Gary's mom decided to put all the cards on the table (https://twitter.com/LGhail/status/1055083652969828352) in re: Gary's injury. Executive summary: he got hurt before Notre Dame, aggravated it by falling on the shoulder in the Northwestern game, and was told that he needed 4-6 weeks for the injury to heal. Penn State is 5 weeks, Rutgers 6. He is not pulling a Bosa. The end.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on October 24, 2018, 03:40:10 PM
From Rashan's mom, summarized by mgoblog:

Gary details. Rashan Gary's mom decided to put all the cards on the table (https://twitter.com/LGhail/status/1055083652969828352) in re: Gary's injury. Executive summary: he got hurt before Notre Dame, aggravated it by falling on the shoulder in the Northwestern game, and was told that he needed 4-6 weeks for the injury to heal. Penn State is 5 weeks, Rutgers 6. He is not pulling a Bosa. The end.
Yeah, kind of what I said AC. Exactly what I said I think actually.
He got hut right before ND, and instead of resting him for first 4-6 weeks of the season they pushed him to show how "tough" he was and now they might not have him back rest of the year.
Harbaugh and staff shit the bed on handling his injury. Period. He should've been resting. Didn't need him for the first part of the season. They need him down the stretch. If they want to beat Ohio State in Columbus and win a B1G CCG and win a playoff game- they need Rashan Gary.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 24, 2018, 03:52:13 PM
I disagree. I interpreted this as opposite of your take (that he's been managed very well).

The main details are that (a) this was never a surgical option, (b) the coaches have managed it perfectly, and (c) because it's been managed well, Gary played in a bunch of games early and will still play in a bunch of games late.

That's all directly from Rashan's mom: That he had a non-surgical (pain only) injury and was able to play at a high level despite that ... until he suffered an additional injury and immediately took time off ... with more than enough time to return at full strength this season.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Temp430 on October 25, 2018, 07:26:12 AM
Six weeks is the normal recovery time for a type 2 AC injury.  That six weeks can be extended easily by re-injury and the severity of the injury increased by continued contact.  He really needs to stay away from contact and upper body workouts for six weeks.  After he's healed up, watch out Big Ten QBs.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 25, 2018, 10:03:46 AM
Six weeks is the normal recovery time for a type 2 AC injury.  That six weeks can be extended easily by re-injury and the severity of the injury increased by continued contact.  He really needs to stay away from contact and upper body workouts for six weeks.  After he's healed up, watch out Big Ten QBs.
PSU is 5. Rutger is 6. Which makes for another funny time to say "Poor damn RU." But honestly if he's not 100% by PSU, that Rutger game isn't worth the risk. Especially with how Paye and Uche** are playing right now.
**(I know Hutchinson is still getting snaps, but unless my eye is missing keying nuances [could be!], he's been a lot less impactful in conference play. In OOC, he was almost rampant. For a TrFr anyway.)
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on October 26, 2018, 03:40:47 PM
Harbaugh is definitely hitting at a far higher rate on 3*'s than Hoke, RR, or Carr.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/hail/14-former-3-star-recruits-making-major-impact-for-michigan-football-this-season
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Mdot21 on November 06, 2018, 07:38:00 PM
former 3* RB from Georgia- Kurt Taylor is transferring from Michigan. Makes sense. Think the chances of him ever playing significant minutes at Michigan was zero. Also think this probably means the coaches at Michigan feel really confident in keeping 2019 4* RB commit Eric Gray.
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on November 11, 2018, 07:23:49 AM
So with yesterday’s win Michigan will finish no worse than 2nd in the div? Meaning I don’t have to hear the crap again about Harbaugh never finishing better than third?
Title: Re: 2018 Michigan Season thread
Post by: Anonymous Coward on November 11, 2018, 11:41:27 AM
It was always a nothing hot take. Less because he took over a rebuilding program in arguably the nation's hardest division than because Michigan was a literal one inch after 4th down from the CFP in 2016. And that one inch was the difference between first and third.
If your take doesn't welcome enough "nuance" to admit something that obvious, then your take is unhinged.