Your Michigan FB Alumni Team
This might be pushing the limits of legitimate game week content, but this was a fun distraction for me, so it might be fun for others, too.
The challenge is to assemble the best possible starting roster of current and former Michigan players to play one season right now (in the shape they're likely in today). Assume that no one's injured and feel free to be creative with positions.
I'm probably forgetting some guys, but the toughest spots for me were tight end (couldn't bring myself to include Carson Butler), fullback (?), and safety (surprise, surprise).
Offense
QB Tom Brady
RB Mike Hart
WR Braylon Edwards
WR Mario Manningham
WR Steve Breaston
TE Kevin Koger
OT Jake Long
OG Steve Hutchinson
C David Molk
OG David Baas
OT Jeff Backus
Defense
DE Brandon Graham
DT Alan Branch
DT Mike Martin
DE James Hall
LB LaMarr Woodley
LB David Harris
LB Dhani Jones
CB Leon Hall
CB Morgan Trent
S Charles Woodson
S Marlin Jackson
Special Teams
K Jay Feely
P Zoltan Mesko
KR Denard Robinson (needed an excuse to get him in)
PR Breaston
Yours in procrastination,
TF
EDIT: By the way, this would be a totally respectable NFL starting lineup, wouldn't it?
August 30th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
Tom Harmon > Tom Brady
August 30th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
I think I would take Brady right now over Harmon right now.
August 30th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
It would be hard for Tom Harmon to play a season "right now" as the OP says.
August 30th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
no way. he'd be awesome. zombie football players are almost impossible to tackle.
August 30th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
August 30th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
He's also 41.
August 30th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
gabe watson might crack that lineup. also, i think hart has officially retired.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
Even after Hart turns 60 years old, it'll be hard to believe that he isn't shifty and clever enough to include on a list like this.
August 30th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
I might probably go with Minor over Hart (right now.) Blasphemy? I feel like it, but hey, I think Minor is more physically suitable now.
Also, I'd find a place for Avant. Even if it means compromising super mario or braylon.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^
Agreed. I'd take Avant over Braylon.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
I would give the rock to Denard before Hart(plus he is retired)
Gabe Watson would get the nod over Martin (maybe not in a year)
Larry Foote might get in there before Jones...maybe....
August 30th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
I assume you're talking about active alumni in real playing shape?
August 30th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^
Denard absolutely HAS to be in there somewhere, even if just as a kick returner.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:13 PM ^
He is... as a KR. And yes, I'm talking about guys in the condition that they're likely in right now.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:20 PM ^
Reading is Fundamental! My bad.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
Jason Avant.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
Possibly Marlin Jackson as a DB over Morgan
August 30th, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^
marlin is in there as a safety already
August 30th, 2011 at 3:55 PM ^
Oh, Turd Ferguson. You are a crafty one. You got my panties all bunched up when I thought you left Woodson off your Alumni Team, only to be replaced by Morgan Trent. But you lined Woodson up at safety.
I still think Trent should not be on the Alumni Team. Move Woodson back to CB, and pick from other safeties like Marcus Ray, Vada Murray, Tripp Welborne (before injury), Dave Brown, etc. I know Trent looks dashing in a Bengals uni, but I don't think he's a top pick for historic CB play as a Wolverine!
August 30th, 2011 at 3:59 PM ^
In the shape they're in todayI will now shut my mouth about all the players I previously mentioned. I suck.
August 30th, 2011 at 4:02 PM ^
I'm now editing my original post as a Trent-inspired Haiku as penance for not following the OP's instructions:
Morgan Trent is God.
He is fast like the wind, but
Bengals uni's suck.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
For the most part, I agree with your team. I would make the following changes;
Jonathan Goodwin is the starting center for a team that won the super bowl two years ago. I love Molk, but he is too small when you are talking about current NFL studs, of which Goodwin is one.
Agree with some above. Martin might be there but I think Gabe Watson might edge him out. Also, run four wide, take out Koger and put in Avant.
Finally, I love Hart, but I think Minor might be better right now.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
Good call on Goodwin. I'd probably put him at OG and send Baas back to center.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^
No offense to Molk, but Jonathan Goodwin was a Pro-Bowl reserve at center after playing center for the Saints on their run to the Super Bowl. I think I would give him the nod at center.
ED. Oops. 1 minute too late.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^
Where is AC?
August 30th, 2011 at 3:20 PM ^
The point would be to assemble a team that could play right now. A.C. isn't in shape any more.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:16 PM ^
Are those really our best receiving options. I would honestly take Avant, Arrington, Roundtree or Hemingway over Braylon.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^
Avant maybe, Arrington, pushing it, Roundtree/Hemingway over Braylon? I know he's kind of a mess off the field, and occassionally suffers from the dropsies... but you're out of your mind.
August 30th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
Braylon is a mess mentally. If we're playing an entire season I'm taking team chemistry into account.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:24 PM ^
RB: Biakabatuka? And TE Mark Campbell or Jay Riemersma? Forgot to mention Bennie Joppru (doesn't he hold a record for a TE?)
August 30th, 2011 at 3:28 PM ^
Apparently you've missed the reiteration over and over again of the "right now" point
August 30th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
would give anything for those linebacks back right about now
August 30th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
linebackers*
<br>
August 30th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
I'd take Brandon Minor at RB.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^
i'd rather have threet. /s (but barely)
August 30th, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^
Tyler Ecker, and Massaquoi, I would probably still take Koger, FOR GOD'S SAKE TYLER, PITCH THE BALL TO BREASTON!!!!!
Hell I might even take my chances and see what kind of shape Tuman, Joppru or Mark Campbell are in. I bet Campbell could still play.
FB- I would bet money that Kevin Dudley and Aaron Shea can still bust some heads, and I sure as shit wouldn't tell them that they couldn't to their face.
August 30th, 2011 at 4:10 PM ^
Ernest Shazier was a good safety. I believe he hurt his knee some at point between the time he left Michigan and the combine which contributed to him not making it in the NFL. If we're assuming all players are healthy, he might be a solid option.
August 30th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^
Who?
August 30th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
I like looking at things like this, it's fun to compare to other schools who put a lot of guys into the NFL (Miami, Florida, Florida St, SC, etc.) to see how they would matchup if they played a game like this
August 31st, 2011 at 1:37 AM ^
Offense
QB Tom Brady
RB Denard Robinson
FB Jonas Mouton
WR Mario Manningham
WR Steve Breaston
TE Tyler Ecker
OT Jake Long
OG Steve Hutchinson
C David Molk
OG David Baas
OT Jeff Backus
Defense
DE Brandon Graham
DT Alan Branch
DT Gabe Watson
DE Mike Martin
LB LaMarr Woodley
LB David Harris
LB Dhani Jones
CB Leon Hall
CB Marlin Jackson
S Charles Woodson
S Donavan Warren
Special Teams
K Jay Feely
P Zoltan Mesko
KR Denard/Stonum?
PR Breaston
I know i didnt change much but it was a fun excersise to think about each position
I would also possibly give sean crable a chance at tight end
August 30th, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^
I'd take Chris Perry over Hart. Heisman finalist, Doak Walker winner, and beat OSU
August 30th, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^
My TE is Jerame Tuman. If I get a second TE it is Jay Riemersma.
Desmond Howard replaces Super Mario at one of the WR spots.
Chris Floyd is in at FB
Tyrone Wheatley gets the second RB slot if you'll give me 2.
August 30th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
all of those people are too old
August 30th, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
all time regardless of physical condition? I would have Tom Harmon for 18 of the 22 positions.