2011-2012 Defensive Breakout Players
I don't normally start topics so I apologize if this is repetitive or it sucks, but I am just trying to see where you guys think the improvement will/HAS TO come from on D.
We can't necessarily count on this year's recruits to contribute a lot immediately, but I am wondering where our biggest improvements can/need to come from for our defense to be decent, or is it just too early to really discuss this because we don't know exactly what kind of defense we will run...
D-line...We know what to expect from MM, and hopefully we can get more out of Roh, but anyone else?
LB...Other than Demens continuing development, I've got nothing here.
Defensive backfield...Marvin Robinson? Avery? Christian? Obviously the return of T-Wolf and JT, but is that going to be enough to make the secondary decent?
January 20th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^
I expect to see improvements all the way around. But, I'm interested to see what Campbell can do for us next year on the DL with the new staff. Would be nice to see JB Fitz and Roh have break out seasons
January 20th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^
I was surprised to hear he would be moving back to DL...what did the new coaches see on film? Excited to see what he can do with all that great DL coaching..
January 20th, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^
all of them?
January 20th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
I'm not sure all will have a break out season, but I think that we will def. see much improvement on all the players on our defense. There will def. be a huge improvement in players that is in my opinion it will really show what good coaching can do for these players. I'm personally really excited to see the strides that this defense can make with this coaching staff.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:48 PM ^
I think our LB's could be significantly better next year. I was impressed with Mike Jones before he broke his leg, and I think he can come back and contribute in a big way. I also think that Cam Gordon will have a much better year at LB full time. Furman was getting a lot of positive press at the end of the year, and he should also be someone to watch at LB.
Not quite sure where MRob will be playing, but I think he sees the field and shows promise whether it is at FS or LB.
One player a few others have mentioned is Ken Wilkins. The kid is a beast and was highly rated out of high school. I think he could see some time and really improve, but it will most likely be as a 2nd teamer as our DL of Roh, Martin, Van Bergen and Black should be a strength next year. Black could really end up being a great pass rusher in a new defensive system.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
"Roh, Martin, Van Bergen, and Black" I just got chills thinking of how good this group could be in a 4-3 defense that has a good coaching staff!
January 20th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
What's nice about that first-team? There will be solid backups available: Campbell, Washington, Paskorz, Ash, Talbott, Wilkins.
It's nice that five of those guys got redshirt years to add weight and develop, a luxury BWC, Roh, Martin and Black did not get. At the least, there should be a proper two-deep along the line that can contribute in 2011.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:48 PM ^
I had forgotten about many of these guys who redshirted last year that are likely to see the field this year. I would say Furman would be my choice for breakout player either at an OLB spot or safety. I think Jordan Kovacs' days of playing are numbered now that we seem to have some depth in the defensive backfield. Too bad, because I like the way he plays, but he's just too slow.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:14 PM ^
I love me some offseason speculation!! Seriously I do!
I am curious to see where they play Furman and MRob, but I think they will be good from FS-LBs.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
will hopefully stay healthy and turn into Ndomukong Suh at DT now that he wont have to take on 2/3 of the Oline himself. He'll truly be a beast this year if those ankles hold up.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:34 PM ^
I think Courtney Avery and Cam Gordon are gonna have stronger years with the experience that they gained from this year and they should be getting adjusted defensively to the size, speed, and football IQ of the Big Ten
January 20th, 2011 at 1:54 PM ^
I remember during the season last year Brian talking about Demens replacing Ezeh and he said "either this will show that Demens is in fact worse than Ezeh, or that our coaching staff on defense is completely incompetent for not having made this substitution earlier." So, along those lines, maybe with a new coaching staff, a ton of guys coming off of redshirt or lots of experience as freshmen, they will be able to take bigger leaps and show more improvement than anything that happened under GERG. I mean, we can't show any LESS player progress right?
January 20th, 2011 at 2:04 PM ^
January 20th, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^
I think he will make a very nice strong safety for us in the future. Guy has a nose for the ball.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^
These two are the guys I think breakout next season.
I like the idea of them coming from both ends!
January 20th, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^
I look to Carvin Johnson to break-out next. My only evidence is that RichRod had faith to start him for the first game of the season. Sure, what other choice did he have, but still, I got a good feeling about him.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
The fact that MM was regularly blasting through O-Lines on 3 man rushes (before he got hurt) makes me very excited to see him on a 4 man front.
Also, considering Hoke and Mattison's backgrounds I think it's safe to say that our deffensive front as a whole will have a fantastic year.