Woolfolk at CB or FS next year?
Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I'd like to hear opinions on what people think would be best for the defense. To me, it makes much more sense to have him play FS, assuming he is healthy. He was certainly going to play CB this year, because frankly, we didnt have any other options. But next year it would seem that Cam Gordon would be better suited at Spur where his lack of speed is not an issue. With Woolfolks speed, I'd like to have him covering the back half of field, and its his more natural position. Seems like I read something that our defense was much better with TW at FS and we went downhill when he was forced to move to CB. Obviously there would be some switching around because we would have a logjam at Spur. Here are my projections as to what we could see..interested in hearing other opinions.
Spur: C. Gordon/ T. Gordon/ Hawthorne
CB: Floyd/ (Backup one of the 3 current freshmen)
CB: Winner of Spring battle between Avery, Christian and Talbott
FS: Woolfolk/ Carvin (Can he play FS?)/ Vinopal/ (Perhaps Avery Walls
SS: Kovacs or M Robinson
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:21 PM ^
I think it may be juuuuuust a bit early for this post....
The Wolverines are 5-2 and have some very important games left this year. And there are plenty of questions about this year's team to go around.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:27 PM ^
Why is it always too early to ask a question about something pertaining to Michigan football that doesnt occur in the next week? Honestly, there's only enough arguing we can about the current season. This board would get pretty stale quickly. If anyone wants to strictly live in the now and never think about the near future..feel free to skip to the next topic.
October 22nd, 2010 at 7:07 PM ^
I have never understood the "lets not talk about the future, lets talk about now. What do you think is going to happen next week" routine. Next week, of course, is in the future (as is the rest of this season). Where is the supposed magic line that separates the "now" future from the "future" future?
October 22nd, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
I have also seen gripes that we can't talk about last weeks game by Sunday night/Monday morning. Every post must be about the next opponent. This is equally stale. (Of course this only seems to apply when we lose...)
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^
But I hate comments like these. We're not coaches, why can't we look ahead and conjecture? Especially since it's been a week since our last game and another week before our next. It's an interesting question to think about, IMO.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:09 PM ^
Agreed. Prognostication is part of the life of a fan.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:19 PM ^
Personally, at this juncture, I would rather see him at corner. With the way James Rogers has been abused, and the way Floyd is giving up slants, I would rather see TWolf inject some competence in the CB corp. Of course, this is based solely off the bodies we have now, while ignoring the incoming recruiting class.
October 22nd, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
Based on what we have seen from this crop of freshman CB's, I don't think we can expect much positive contribution from the next class of freshman CB's.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:19 PM ^
Has it been confirmed that he is coming back next year? That would be great if he was.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:23 PM ^
his coming back is obvious. He needs to show his athletecism is back after the injury for nfl scouts to even take a peek at him.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
The question is: what was the severity of his injury? Ankle injuries like his can end one's career if they are severe enough. The hope is that Woolfolk will make a full recovery and be able to play football next season
October 22nd, 2010 at 7:51 PM ^
His recovery is the major issue. He may never be the same, no matter how hard he works. If he was healthy, we'd have a decent starter at CB, and this defense would be much, much better. Rogers is just a disaster, unfortunately.
October 22nd, 2010 at 11:11 PM ^
The good thing is he has a full 12 months from the injury before the start of next season to rehad. Often this injuries occur during the season and you don't have that long. It can make a difference.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:35 PM ^
not sure where the negs are coming from. I was more asking if he would be done with his degree and/or if he would be moving on with his life from football. I didn't think it was that ridiculous of a question, or out of the realm of possibility. I wasn't insinuating that he would be going pro next year.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:44 PM ^
He's going to be coming back. Looking at his Twitter page, he is extremely ansty to be back on the football field for the maize and blue. Seems like he feels responsible for how bad the secondary is and wants to make up for it. Just my interpretation.
EDIT: apparently I'm incredibly slow with responses. Geaux_Blue's link is probably better than my Twitter observations.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^
said Woolfolk was in good spirits and had committed to returning, excited to do so, etc. came out about 1-2 weeks after his injury
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:40 PM ^
thats what I was asking.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
Sauce, you're smarter than this. I know you. Come on.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
Whoa. Easy on outing people's real names their Jrich. Sheesh.
October 22nd, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^
Someone's real name is "Sauce"?
October 22nd, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^
Since it's the bye week I will play along, I think it really depends on where the most help is needed.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^
assuming (and that is a big assumption) that we play the same defense w/ 1 safety, i would prefer CB. we need much more help there (especially veteran help), and a second year cam gordon wouldnt be that bad.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^
His tackling is way too dodgy.
October 22nd, 2010 at 6:15 PM ^
Should play OLB - Mouton's position
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
I can imagine he starts off training for that same position next year.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:40 PM ^
Yeah, but we also had paper-thin depth at CB going into the season. Next year it's plausible that some combination of Floyd/Avery/Talbott/Christian gives us enough to allow Woolfolk to play FS.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:27 PM ^
Although the defense needs help at CB I think he would play a bigger role as FS. A fifth year senior as the last line of defense? Yes please.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^
i cast my vote for CB.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^
I suppose I could be wrong, but it just seems to make more sense to have him at FS. He's a safety by nature, and played ok last year, but never really showed that he had true CB skills. As a FS with his speed, he was more effective. From an experience standpoint, next year we will have 4 cornerbacks with significant playing time. Dont underestimate that. Unless the 3 freshmen we have are bums, with a full year under their belt, they should be ready to contribute. Floyd will progress to at least average. (Hopefully) I'm just not sure how comfortable I am trotting Cam back to FS again, he isnt going to get much faster. And if he's not back there, and TW isnt...who is?
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:39 PM ^
ANYWHERE.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:47 PM ^
1. we are assuming he will be healthy and able to return. Let's hope so.
2. I think he plays where we have the biggest need. If the CBs develop quicker than the S, then i would hope he plays S (or vice versa).
I hope he ends up at safety, since he could prevent more TDs than Cam due to better speed.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:44 PM ^
My only concern with Woolfolk at FS is how well he can fill in the run game. I know he played it when our defense looked passable at the start of last year, but does anyone recall how good his run support was? Cause Cam has been pretty decent there, especially for a Freshman position switcher.
If Woolfolk does move to FS could we see Cam switch to Bandit to have it out with Kovacs? Kovacs would admittedly win that right now, but someday a more athletic kid will get his head on as straight as Kovacs, right?
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:47 PM ^
But will they ever be as gritty?
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^
I would guess that Woolfolk moves to free safety next year to prevent 95 yard passes to the tight end. I would also guess that Cam Gordon moves to the back up role, behind Woolfolk. I don't see Kovacs moving anytime soon, unless Marvin Robinson pushes him for time in spring practice.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
I have high doubts that Kovacs will be starting after this season. MRob is far more athletic, and just needs fundamentals.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^
Plus he looks great with his shirt off.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^
I don't. Kovacs is the best tackler on the team. He might get shifted around but definitely needs to see the field.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
Honestly, he is something like the 3rd or 4th best guy on the whole defense, and the best guy in the secondary. I find it difficult to believe that, between now and next September, enough guys will suddenly develop the skills to push Kovacs to the bench.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^
it will depend on two things:
1. which of the young db's develop.
2. how we finish out the recruiting class
Based on sheer number, there is a greater likelihood that one of the three freshman cornerbacks makes the jump than one of the free safeties. Plus all of the CBs are playing their natural position. I don't think Cameron Gordon is a natural fit at FS and I dont think he will remain there beyond this season.
It seems very possible that we will close out the 2011 recruiting class with a 4 star db. The only issue is that safety tends to be a position where experience is of the utmost value. With Woolfolk having only a yr left of eligibility, it seems like a good opportunity for an incoming freshman to take a backseat and learn the position.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:09 PM ^
I don't want a true freshman as our starting FS. I don't care how talented he is. That's asking too much.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
Byron Moore would not be a true freshman.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:24 PM ^
Brain fart.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
October 22nd, 2010 at 8:25 PM ^
Moore will be a sophomore next year.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:14 PM ^
Did you see the defense last week?
At this point the obvious answer is CB
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:17 PM ^
It depends on if Michigan has a better free safety than Cam.. if Walls or Moore come in and are solid at the position, I'd say move Woofolk to corner. That will be an instant upgrade over Floyd who will move to take Rogers old spot.
If we don't land a good free safety prospect.. then I'd like to see Troy at free safety. Our defense was better off last year when he played free than at corner.
October 22nd, 2010 at 6:50 PM ^
Woo! for Woofolk.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
Whichever spot will get us more team speed. Guys like Floyd/Rogers/Cam Gordon can be good players, but none of them are blazers. If Woolfolk is 100% back, then just put him wherever it'll help our team speed. Our D would be a lot better if we had guys in those back positions with a lot of speed, even if they were still making the same mistakes. Sure they'd still get beaten, but they could at least run the guy down and turn a 40-95 yard TD into a 20-50 yard completion/run. That would be huge, IMO.