Any insider word on how Big Will is handling the S&C program? Any chance we see him have a Mike Martin type freshman year?
the just released schedules were a flat-out statement that the B10 doesn't believe SOS will matter in playoff selection
Big Will
July 10th, 2009 at 3:40 PM
#1
Big Will
July 10th, 2009 at 3:59 PM | 
Unlikely he matches Martin's Fr year
Unlikely he matches Martin's Fr year
July 10th, 2009 at 4:22 PM |
I go to the same high school
I go to the same high school
I go to the same high school as Martin went to. Some of the stuff he could do was just ridiculous. He'd be benching 400-450 with no problem at all and everyone in the weightroom would just be watching him.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:24 AM |
You're in High School?
You're in High School?
Then my compliments. I haven't noticed any dumb posts from you, which means you are in the top quintile of high school kids fo sho.
Edit-not meant to be condescending at all to you, but to HS sports fans in general
"Everyone gets dumped Gabe. Let me give you some advice: a little coverup on your Adams Apple will make it appear smaller. Which will make you appear less like a transvestite."
July 10th, 2009 at 8:54 PM |
I think Stonum was the only
I think Stonum was the only
I think Stonum was the only early enrollee last year.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:02 PM |
Will has dropped a ton of
Will has dropped a ton of
Will has dropped a ton of weight. There's no question that enrolling early has helped him immensely. I expect him to be a solid contributor this fall.
go blue go
July 10th, 2009 at 4:03 PM |
He did really well in the
He did really well in the
He did really well in the spring in regards to S&C, but has a lot of technique work to do with his play. Like Rorschach said a RS would be necessarily normally, but he probably won't.
I doubt he'll play like Martin did, but you never really know.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:16 PM |
Thats good
Thats good
Thats good news. Especially when dealing with big guys. If they don't stay dedicated in the weightroom and to the diet, they put on the pounds fast.
For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. RMS 13:4
July 10th, 2009 at 4:19 PM |
He will also probably have
He will also probably have
He will also probably have fewer opportunities to contribute than Martin did. Martin could rotate in with both DTs last year. This year there will be large amounts of time in which there's only one true DT on the field, with guys like Van Bergen, Banks, and Patterson playing the under tackle.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:21 PM |
Any Sagesse in there?
Any Sagesse in there?
Any Sagesse in there?
July 10th, 2009 at 4:32 PM |
Yeah, I think Sagesse's ahead
Yeah, I think Sagesse's ahead
Yeah, I think Sagesse's ahead of Campbell on the depth chart as of now.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:00 PM |
Magnus, is there any chance
Magnus, is there any chance
Magnus, is there any chance of Big Will being able to redshirt?
July 10th, 2009 at 5:13 PM |
I'll jump in and answer this
I'll jump in and answer this
I'll jump in and answer this one - no, not really. If there was more depth besides Martin and Sagesse, maybe. But there isn't, so he'll be in there.
Big Will, like pretty much every PSL player, is very raw coming out of high school. They don't really teach proper technique, and with a guy like Big Will, they probably didn't even bother trying to at all since he could just throw the guy in front of him backwards. Obviously that won't work at this level, so he has some big adjustments to do, and a huge part of this is his attitude, which I am happy to say is 100% dedicated to learning. He's completely bought in to Barwis's workouts and reshaped his body, and he is very focused on learning from Tall (and his fellow D-linemen). He has the perfect attitude to succeed, and while I wouldn't expect much out of him this year, he has all the makings of being a monster down the line.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:28 PM |
So The Other Brian and
So The Other Brian and
So The Other Brian and Magnus, do you guys feel Sagesee is in front of Campbell because Sagesse has actually performed well in practice, or is it because you guys just don't feel Campbell is ready? As much as I think Martin is going to have a great season, any injury he might sustain could doom our defensive line. Unless, of course, you guys feel like Sagesse (or maybe Patterson or Banks) is a decent option as a back-up
"I think you are my favorite poster. The polar bear avatar definitely helps." - ShockFX
July 10th, 2009 at 5:53 PM |
At this moment, Sagesse is
At this moment, Sagesse is
At this moment, Sagesse is ahead of Will as Martin's backup. Not so much because Will isn't "ready", but Sagesse has been around longer. And at this point it's not really important. Anything can happen once fall practice starts.
And Martin is VITALLY important to any sort of success Michigan has this year. Graham and Minor are the best players on the team...but in terms of "most important", it's (in my opinion anyway), Graham and Martin, followed by Tate. Michigan needs Martin to not only stay healthy, but be a difference maker.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:28 PM |
Bummer, that's what I
Bummer, that's what I
Bummer, that's what I thought. Hopefully we'll have some luck on our side this season and Martin can stay healthy
"I think you are my favorite poster. The polar bear avatar definitely helps." - ShockFX
July 10th, 2009 at 6:29 PM |
Even in the spring game, I
Even in the spring game, I
Even in the spring game, I saw a shortage of technique on Campbell's part. Even though he had about 13 practices up to that point, he still wasn't where he needs to be. He might know some techniques, but it's difficult to employ those things instinctively within a few days of learning them. It's one of those things where he might take the right step or use his hands properly in a drill when that's the only thing he's concentrating on, but when he has to worry about the snap count and different blocking techniques and finding the ball and maintaining leverage and so forth, his own technique probably goes out the window.
So I do think that a big part of it is that Will won't be ready for a big role. Sagesse is a big body and he has pretty good athleticism. I don't think we'll see him getting drafted to the NFL or anything, but he can hold his own.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:24 PM |
As The Other Brian said, no,
As The Other Brian said, no,
As The Other Brian said, no, I don't think there's any chance that Campbell will redshirt. There's too little depth and Helmuth probably isn't a viable option on the DL at this point. At the very least, I would expect Campbell to get some snaps in goal line and short yardage situations where we need three DTs on the field.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:21 AM |
I wonder if Ferrara is a candidate to move back to D-line
I wonder if Ferrara is a candidate to move back to D-line
given the supposed progress of the o-line depth?
"Everyone gets dumped Gabe. Let me give you some advice: a little coverup on your Adams Apple will make it appear smaller. Which will make you appear less like a transvestite."
July 11th, 2009 at 12:55 PM |
I doubt it. He could be a
I doubt it. He could be a
I doubt it. He could be a starter next year, once Moosman leaves. Banks, Patterson, Martin, Campbell, Sagesse, etc. all have at least two years of eligibility left. Making a position switch would basically just be conceding a chance to ever see a meaningful snap. It's not that easy to play offense for a couple years and then immediately revert back to a defensive mentality.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:06 PM |
I don't know shit compared to
I don't know shit compared to
I don't know shit compared to Magnus, but I will give you my 2 cents worth. I would not want him to redshirt because he seems to have the kind of talent to leave college for the pros after 3 years.
OT. does anyone know how in the hell Vick was redshirted, what a waste of a redshirt.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:13 PM |
Looking at the crimes he
Looking at the crimes he
Looking at the crimes he committed he probably was too stupid to understand the offense.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:17 PM |
There is very little interest
There is very little interest
There is very little interest in turning over the reins of the offense to a true freshman unless the situation absolutely dictates it, even if that freshman is as physically talented as Michael Vick.
Go Blue!! Viva La Revolucion!!
www.wolverineliberationarmy.com
July 10th, 2009 at 7:15 PM |
If Virginia Tech had a good
If Virginia Tech had a good
If Virginia Tech had a good situation at QB, unlike us, I would have gotten Vick involved in the game somehow.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:32 PM |
There are VERY few redshirt
There are VERY few redshirt
There are VERY few redshirt sophomores who head off to the NFL. I'm sure there are more, but I can only think of Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, and (I think) Amobi Okoye off the top of my head. I'm not into making guarantees, but I'm pretty sure we'll get at least three seasons of football out of Campbell.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:04 PM |
Was Maybin from PSU a RS
Was Maybin from PSU a RS
Was Maybin from PSU a RS Soph?
July 10th, 2009 at 7:58 PM |
Yeah, I don't think he'll be
Yeah, I don't think he'll be
Yeah, I don't think he'll be as good as those guys. Bradford could have left and could have been the #1 pick. I'm thinking he didn't want the Lions to ruin his career so he stayed.
July 11th, 2009 at 8:15 AM |
Knowshon Moreno?
Knowshon Moreno?
Knowshon Moreno? I think he was a RS Soph last year.
We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!
July 11th, 2009 at 11:03 AM |
yes
yes
as were Crabtree and Maclin.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:22 PM |
Darren McFadden.
Darren McFadden.
Darren McFadden.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:42 PM |
McFadden was a junior.
McFadden was a junior.
McFadden was a junior.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:52 PM |
You are correct sir. My bad.
You are correct sir. My bad.
You are correct sir. My bad.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:11 PM |
I have a bad feeling he maybe
I have a bad feeling he maybe
I have a bad feeling he maybe more of the Big Gabe type rather than a Alan Branch type. I hope I am wrong.
http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/
Latest MM Post(3-22-13) DENARD ROBINSON SIGNED MY SONIC!
July 10th, 2009 at 7:15 PM |
Completely inaccurate
Completely inaccurate
Completely inaccurate comparison. Watson was never in shape, and he was a softie to boot. He was like a giant teddy bear. Big Will's mindset is essentially the exact opposite.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:23 PM |
Good.
Good.
Exact opposite mindset of giant teddy bear = right football mindset.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:16 PM |
The problem is that Watson
The problem is that Watson
The problem is that Watson had all kinds of expectations from the start (being a 5-star from Southfield) and Branch was a 3-star (Scout) or 4-star (Rivals) from a galaxy far, far away (New Mexico) who had very few expectations.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:18 PM |
Alan Branch looked huge from
Alan Branch looked huge from
Alan Branch looked huge from row 100, I have never seen a Michigan D-lineman anywhere near that big.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:01 PM |
Jason Kates' girth made Alan
Jason Kates' girth made Alan
Jason Kates' girth made Alan Branch look like a middle schooler.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:09 PM |
Never saw Kates on the field.
Never saw Kates on the field.
Never saw Kates on the field.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:16 PM |
He was standing next to the
He was standing next to the
He was standing next to the "water cooler"...
...the one he paid a GA to fill with bacon grease.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:46 AM |
barwis
barwis
had good things to say about big will's work ethic, if i remember correctly. i don't know if he was just being gracious, but if it's true, with barwisian leadership big will is going to be something else.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:58 PM |
I tell youth what, that
I tell youth what, that
I tell youth what, that Williamth Campbell ith a heckth of a football player.
We're gonna go inside, we're gonna go outside, inside and outside. We're gonna get 'em on the run boys and once we get 'em on the run we're gonna keep 'em on the run.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:34 PM |
MGoBlog is really going places
MGoBlog is really going places
I like that we're getting a lot of specialized users now. We've got the guido Boutros, the haiku guy and now Doctor Lou. I know I'm missing someone, but I'm looking forward to all your contributions.
Galileo was also chastised.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:24 PM |
Well the shape Big Will came
Well the shape Big Will came
Well the shape Big Will came in at may suggest he is a bit lazy. Lets hope it can be killed early and he won't become a big bust..Like Big Gabe.
http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/
Latest MM Post(3-22-13) DENARD ROBINSON SIGNED MY SONIC!
July 10th, 2009 at 9:32 PM |
You will be hard pressed to
You will be hard pressed to
You will be hard pressed to find many DTs who are in excellent shape. It's the nature of the beast. It's pretty difficult to be 300+ pounds and fit enough to be on the cover of romance novels. Mike Martin is the exception, not the rule.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:33 PM |
It's already been killed.
It's already been killed.
It's already been killed.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:00 PM |
Teric....
Teric....
Teric, Thomas, and Will all have a really good mentality of wanting to be the best, and doing anything it takes to get there. Will is going to be fine.
Tom VanHaaren I TomVH on Twitter I U Recruit I Email
July 11th, 2009 at 11:49 AM |
Saw Will on campus the other day
Saw Will on campus the other day
While no one is ever going to be calling him "Slim", he looked noticeably more fit to the casual observer.
July 11th, 2009 at 8:44 AM |
big fat guys and the transition
big fat guys and the transition
1. Alan Branch was from Rio Rancho, NM. It is essentially a suburb of Albquerque, middle class, and features a large Intel plant.
2. Although Branch performed better in college than Watson, I see Watson on the field for the Cardinals, and I do not see Branch on the field. Discuss.
3. Both of them dropped because of concern over work ethic.
4. Who is the last really good Michigan DT to be a starter in the NFL? Is this one of our weakest positions, and can we be a valid BCS team (i.e. at least competitive with USC etc.) without better DTs?
July 11th, 2009 at 10:37 AM |
2. I believe Branch has
2. I believe Branch has
2. I believe Branch has suffered from injury problems in both of his NFL seasons so far. To what extent, I don't know. You might know more than me since you're from NM.
4. I don't know that Michigan has ever produced a really good NFL defensive tackle, at least not in the modern era. Sometimes I wonder if this hurts our recruiting for the position, because our biggest success stories in the past 20 years have been guys like William Carr (played for the Bengals a little, I think he was a late-round pick), Watson (4th rounder, hasn't done much), and Branch (see above). For that matter, production of defensive linemen altogether has been pretty poor. James Hall has been the best NFL player we've produced in the last two decades at those positions*, and he's been a solid NFL starter, but never a star.
*I'm not counting Woodley, since he's an NFL linebacker, but I guess you could make the argument that he should count.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:35 PM |
Josh Williams was a starter
Josh Williams was a starter
Josh Williams was a starter for the Colts for like 5 years. That's all I can come up with.
wolverineliberationarmy.com/blog
Martin was a noted gym rat and was in terrific playing shape coming in. (sidenote: did Martin enroll early? I can't remember.)
Will apparently came in around 335 thanks to inactivity and poor dieting. Having enrolled early may give him enough time to get in playing shape though. We'll see.
I'd expect he probably sees some time in the rotation later in the year. Ideally he would redshirt, but d-line depth == scary.