I'm going to respond to this with several things you need to be educated about before you continue posting on this board. You'd find out eventually, so allow me to speed up the process.
1. If you want to get down-voted, there is no better way to do that than to refer to stars as an indicator of on-field production. You'll get the standard "Pat White/Mike Hart/etc. was lowly ranked" argument. Which for the most part, stands true. If you want a complete list of players that have done well with low stars, check out here. I'm not sure that I agree with several of Brice's points, but it is a very good list. There are lots of reasons why one shouldn't look at rankings for guidance. It would take forever to run all of those down in detail, so I'll try to skim over some of the reasons with specific reference to several of this year's recruits. First, they could have foregone the camp circuit (Carvin Johnson). They could be undersized, either by weight (Davion Rogers) or height (Christian Pace, although he's also undersized by weight). They could have flown under the radar until their senior season, grown several inches, and become a beast (Jake Ryan). They could be tweeners without a definite position that the recruiters could rank them at (most of the defensive class, but one on the tip of my tongue is Kenny Wilkins). They could have been injured for most of their senior season (Marvin Robinson, although the tweener thing applies to him too). These are just SOME examples, I'm sure people on this board could think up more. The scouting lists are assembled on the basis of nfl readiness, which is the main reason these kids get three stars instead of getting ranked higher. All in all, don't base the kid's potential on stars.
2. Banks has had more time in the system than Big Will. He may not have as high of an upside as Big Will, but he's refined his technique so he could be a more effective player with his somewhat lesser talent. Big Will has alot of upside, but watch the Spring Game. There are plays where he single-handedly dominates the interior line and gets great push into the backfield, and there are plays when he stands up and gets pushed straight out of the play because he's playing too high. If you ask me, I'd rather have the less talented but more consistent guy on the line. If you need further proof, watch the Spring Game. He wasn't playing at Brandon Graham level, but he as far more consistent than Big Will.
3. Since Banks has been here for so long, he's had the opportunity to learn from some of the best, like BG, Branch. Woodley, TT, etc. I won't harp on this too much because there's a rivals freebie on it.
4. People are making the assumption that Martin can just slide easily over to the 3-tech. It isn't that easy. Magnus clearly understands the topic much better than I do, so go to him for in-depth analysis. I'm just not comfortable with a line where the returning starters don't return to the position they were playing at. It's silly and not the reason Magnus has RVB-Martin-Banks as the primary line-up, but RVB and Martin were pretty damn good at their positions last year, I don't see why there is such an urge to change that. Anyway I'm bound to be neg-banged for re-stating stuff that's consistently harped around here, but these are the main points to my argument.
Another point; Big Will stats are from 1 year on campus, while Banks had 4.
Will Campbell: 4 tackles in year 1
Greg Banks: After redshirting, had 7 tackles in year 1, 6 tackles in year 2, 5 tackles in year 3.
These numbers are far from conclusive.
You will have to refresh me, I forgot who indicated they were conclusive.
Taking a second look they are pretty conclusive, looks like Banks is on schedule for 4 tackles this year:)
...and Banks has also averaged 6 tackles per year, which is 2 more than Will Campbell.
Meaningless stats are meaningless.
I'm confused. If the Mean is 6 how can they be meaningless?
You still haven't named the party who claimed the stats were conclusive, please enlighten me.
Because then for Will it would be 5 stars X 4 tackles, for a total of 20
Banks would only have 3 stars X 6 tackles, for 18
So clearly Campbell must be the starter.
Actually you multiply stars by their overall rating in NCAA 2011, then divide by 100 to get the "playing stars" which tells you how good a player currently is.
If Big Will wants to start Big Will gonna start, cause he's Big Will. Biggest baddest man since Big Bad John
offense - mike cox
defense - kenny demens
Offense: Fitz Toussaint
Defense: Carvin Johnson
Special teams: Drew Dileo
Offense - Je'Ron Stokes
Defense - Cam Gordon
my favorite will be watching the opposing teams players crying because of the beatdown that was just handed to them.
Oh........Mike Cox and Cam Gordon
For Best Supporting Role on Offense:
Jerald Robinson
For Best Performance in Support of a Dominant Defense:
J.T. Floyd
Bold selections, but im stepping out on this one.
Couldn't agree more with Jerald Robinson. His speed will get him on the field.
My choice for defense is Courtney Avery. With our depth at corner, it is very likely a freshmen will play, and from what I hear Avery has been looking good thus far in summer workouts.
Offense: Shaw. Actually completely healthy for once?
Defense: MRob
Offense- Taylor Lewan
Defense- J.B. Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald? I'm just curious about that. I'd love to see him break out this year, but are you assuming he's going to beat out Mouton? Or are you assuming Mouton's going to be so bad he gets pulled again? I'm not questioning your choice, I'd love to see it happen, I'm just curious as to what circumstances you see him getting playing time.
defense: will campbell
offense: Stonum
offense: QBs
defense: LBs
But with all these possibilities, I can't wait to be surprised.
You know, as boring as we may have been from '95-2006, this thread for some reason reminded me how nice it was knowing that you were going to have an elite defense every year. Dammit.
That said...
Offense: Taylor Lewan
Defense: Carvin Johnson
We didn't exactly have an elite defense in every one of those years. 1998 and 2000 spring to mind as seasons when UM had great teams offensively but poor defense led to disappointing records.
Offense: Taylor Lewan
Defense: Cam Gordon
Offense: Fitz TousSAINT (The patron saint of Michigan Football)
Defense: Marvin Robinson, Josh Furman, and Cam Gordon (couldn't pick just one)
Defense:
Pick your LB, they are going to be great
Offense:
Some sort of outside 'true' WR I hope, because that alone could blow games wide open.
The chances of a LB having a surprise season can't be statistically easy to prove, since there will only be 2 true LB's on the field. Plus, with 2 box safeties covering the flats, won't Ezeh and Mouton actually have more deep responsibilities? Methinks that it was this part of pass coverage where the 2 UFR Failed big time. I'm actually worried about that part of the field this year. We'll have 3 DLinemen and two small LB's/big Safeties trying to take on the blocks of Beef-eatin Olinemen during the run game, which will cause (I think, anyway) our LB's to play closer to the line to avoid the RB getting to the second level. This will cause gaps in the zone coverage 8-15 yards downfield. Any coaches or playbook junkies out there that have had this thought as well?
Lewan and Turner, never heard of them.
Relatively unknown players? Not sure you can call a 4-star and a 5-star player unknown.
Washington, because I like the name "Quinton" and if he gets playing time maybe people will shut up about RR liking small linemen; and Furman, because I like anybody with dreads and glasses and alleged sub-4.4 speed.
No matter who plays, the argument is over about whether Rodriguez likes small linemen. They all beefed up this year.
Regardless, Washington is probably a 3rd-string guard, so you're really going out on a limb. Omameh, Schilling, Mealer, and Barnum are all ahead of him at this point. And if injuries occurred, Huyge or Khoury would probably slide over to play guard.
Offense: Terrence Robinson
Defense: Josh Furman
Special Teams: Jeremy Gallon
When Denard is the QB: Je'Ron Stokes
When Tate is the QB: Mike Cox
Defense: Justin Turner (would love to see him be good enough to play corner, safety, hybrid)
I'd actually say the opposite. If Robinson is able to run the zone read, then he'll require a lot of attention--which would open a lot of room for whomever is the running back.
Forcier's accuracy combined with health, a better line, and not being a Freshman starter could make for some solid receiver numbers.
Justin Turner is another good choice. He has big size for a corner but natural athletic and ball skills that will make him a true force in the secondary. I'm excited to watch him play.
Defense: Thomas Gordon
Offense: Mike Cox is definitely ready to break out and be seen
On D I think Kovacs could be a surprise and have a great year. The Spur/Bandit position is a good fit for him
On offense, I agree about Mike Cox. With the size he has he could really do some damage when he burts through the holes. Good consistent penetration will be key.
Offense: Denard Robinson
Defense: Denard Robinson
Special teams: Denard Robinson
Wildcat: Denard Robinson
Field Goals: Denard Robinson
Punting: Denard Robinson
Pooch Punting: Denard Robinson
Situational Timeouts: Denard Robinson
60 Meter Dash: Denard Robinson
Offense- Darryl Stonum. I think he has too much ability to be held down for one more year. Expecting big things out of him in the passing game and once again as a returner.
Defense- JT Turner
Offense - Lewan
Defense - Cullen Christian
Offense: Mike Cox
Defense: Mike Rotch
Offense: Ricardo Miller
This kid is gonna be someone special, soon.
Defense: Cullen Christian
I know he is known, but with the training and coaching he will receive from the coaches. Then the mentor he has in Woolfolk, Big 10 Offenses beware!
I'm sticking to what I said in HTTV, although the description there was 'breakout' players. But, still, I dont want to reinvent the wheel:
Offense--Kevin Koger. Through two years, his stats are more than comparable, if not better, than some of the UM greats at TE. I think he's going to be a huge X factor in our favor in the passing game. I think he has a decent shot at all conference honors somewhere on the first through third teams they eventuall award.
Defense--Demens. Our LBs have been a let down for several years running now. I'll use the same line as I did in the book: We'll be penning haikus in his honor after his first TFL
I just have to say, Jamiemac, that of all the predictions in HTTV, I disagreed with yours the most. I know we'll never know anything until the season pans out, but when I was reading it, I was like, "Yeah, I don't agree with that...or that...or that..."
I'm not trying to single you out or anything. Hell, I make all kinds of predictions - good and bad - on my blog, so I'm open to criticism, too. But...yeah...I only agree with one or two of yours.
Koger isn't going to contribute much/any more than he did last year, and Demens is going to be a backup if Ezeh stays healthy. Those are my predictions, anyway...
I am only wrong about 46 percent of the time. I dont know how you'll relax the rest of the summer knowing how doomed you are on this one.
Even as I wrote the bit on Koger, I knew you would disagree with it. I will kick your ass if you even think about pink slipping him this fall.
As for Demens, I mean, who wouldnt be a breakout/surprise player on the defense? So I got creative. He looked solid against the run in the spring to merit playing time. Summer practices are huge for him. I think if performs in August, he'll get snaps on the field in September.
That said, I love the idea of Greg Banks. Wish I would have thought of it back in May
I didnt really think the rest of my roundtable stuff was all that reachy. Heck, I was a little embarassed at how good an MGoDisciple I was since I agreed with Brian on three of the questions. It's actually a little bit of a relief to hear you say you didnt agree with a lot of it. I wonder what else? I hope that doesnt extend to much into the main article I wrote. I will say I couldnt wait to read the roundtable. It was driving me nuts all those weeks not know what the others wrote.
Anytime you want to do a vicious electronic questioning between TTB and JCB on Big 10 issues, let me know. Or even something M centric here in the diary section.
I won't pink-slip Koger - he's the best TE we have.
I might hit you up for some VEQ. I like my odds if you're only right 54% of the time. I might get lucky and pull out a narrow victory!
Offense - Stephen Hopkins. We need a consistent big back on this team to run in between the tackles again and Hopkins is that guy. Will really be great in short-yardage situations when we need to pound it out instead of having so much pressure on the QB's to make plays for first/touchdowns. He brings a totally different running style than what we get from V Smith and M Shaw.
Defense - Jonas Mouton. His experience and knowledge within the system will pay dividends this fall and I expect him to go from an average joe at LB to having a surprisingly good season. Not to mention that he'll be able to better utilize his great blitzing and pass-rushing skills. The 3-3-5 will really display his athleticism.
Offense: Shaw
Defense: Floyd
Yes, I know -- buried on the depth chart. But we're talking surprises here, and I like him for a lot of playing time, for two reasons:
1. They switched him from defense to offense in 2008 because he's smart and disciplined, i.e. they thought he could handle it. He's been Academic All-Big Ten the last two years. In his fifth year he's maybe not under as much academic pressure, taking a minimal course load. So more time to focus on football.
2. This is his girlfriend, biochemistry major and SI cheerleader, now entering her second year of medical school and still into him:
