BBrown: Michael Ferns Midseason Highlights
Michael Ferns Sr. is one of the people I communicate with the most out of all the contacts I've made covering recruiting and he sent me this link of his sons first five games.
October 13th, 2013 at 10:33 PM ^
Do we have his tackling stats for the season thus far, out of curiosity? According to 247, he's got over 300 for his high school career (besting 130 for the last two seasons), which is great, but I was just curious as to the progress this year. Great film though.
October 13th, 2013 at 10:38 PM ^
Michigan's defense is going to be elite in short time. It's tough to always remember that all these awesome recruiting classes we've been getting are sophmores, freshmen, and seniors in high school. We gon be good real soon
October 13th, 2013 at 10:53 PM ^
October 13th, 2013 at 11:50 PM ^
Ok, well I've read through threads all day and now I can't take it anymore. After reading this comment, I can barely believe half of what I am reading. Please, if you're going to have problems with the team, stick to the hundreds of other problems. The defense being developed properly is NOT one of them. I'm absolutely sick of reading this stuff by people who clearly are just following the "trend."
Note to everyone this is all about the defense, I'm not speaking on the offense. Do people here actually realize that it takes time to develop players? Specifically let's just look at Pipkins. Everyone wants to talk about how he's a 5 star player, without taking into account he's true sophomore. Hardly any true sophomore defensive tackles make a big impact on their team ever, and Pipkins was doing a heck of a job in the rotation.
Next let's think about Q-Wash. Before Mattison and Hoke got here, Q-Wash was no where near the player he is now, and was thought to be a better offensive lineman.
Now let's talk about the fact that Michigan has or did have a cornerback tied for first place in interceptions. Not sure if he still is, but if not then he's near the top. This guy has only ever been coached by the staff here. He also rehabbed with Wellman, and clearly Wellman did a heck of a job with him.
You want to talk about development? How much more do you expect out of Mattison and Hoke? Countess is one of the best in the Big Ten and probably arguably in the top 10 in the country.
Desmond Morgan? James Ross? Jarrod Wilson? The defense is progressing and developing very nicely. What's so funny is people blindly follow others that say Wilson is an issue. Not only did he have an interception last night, he also made a couple great plays. One of those including blitzing Christian and forcing him to make a bad throw. You do realize Ross and Wilson are true sophomores right?
People read that we have a young team and then just dismiss it. Let me put it this way. If Wilson and Ross are developing this well, think of how good they'll be as seniors. Then tell me what more you legitimately expect out of them?
Ross is headed for All-Big Ten with the way he's playing, and surprisingly that's exactly what his projection was. God forbid players aren't all All-Americans yet, though they are headed for their potential. If you don't think that's what developing is(players being on schedule for their projected contributions throughout their career), then please get a clue.
It's laughable to sit here and read people act like Mattison and Hoke are doing bad on the defensive side of the ball. People are angry about the lack of a pass rush. Funny thing is Michigan is only two sacks behind OSU(who is top 25 nationally). This is without their best pass rusher and/or playmaker. Michigan is also top 10 nationally in rushing defense.
Interceptions? Michigan has 9 which is top 20 nationally and one pick away from being top 10. Consistency is some players, looking at Frank Clark, is an issue. Does that mean that the staff can't develop players? No, it means Clark needs to work more on consistency. I just can't to sit back and listen to people talk about the defense not developing. I'd love for someone to give an example of that. The defense is young, and everyone can disregard it as much as they want. They are just now getting back their best player, that will certainly help.
I understand if people want to talk offensive development. But for the love of everything good, the defense can only do so much. They are not super-humans. Mattison knows what he is doing with them. Ferns is a defensive recruit, and a linebacker at that. If you want to bring up development issues, maybe try it somewhere else. Seeing as how the linebackers are easily the best group of players on the team. And it's not even close.
October 14th, 2013 at 12:14 AM ^
October 14th, 2013 at 12:16 AM ^
Oh so the other groups are so bad that they're not even close? So what you're saying is.... FIRE MATTISON
October 14th, 2013 at 12:36 AM ^
Can we make this the new banner?
October 13th, 2013 at 10:57 PM ^
October 13th, 2013 at 11:06 PM ^
October 13th, 2013 at 11:51 PM ^
Get outta here.
October 13th, 2013 at 11:19 PM ^
October 13th, 2013 at 11:21 PM ^
October 14th, 2013 at 12:13 AM ^
October 14th, 2013 at 1:32 AM ^
October 14th, 2013 at 1:42 AM ^
October 14th, 2013 at 8:53 AM ^
Can he play OL?
October 14th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^
He looks thicker in the lower body than he did last year. He's definitely filling out. He also seems to have taken a step forward in decisively diagnosing plays, which I thought was a bit of a weakness for him a year ago.
October 14th, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
In terms of reaction time at the college level, how much of an issue is a false step backwards before he flows to the ball?
October 14th, 2013 at 1:54 PM ^
If you're playing against Oregon, it's probably a touchdown.
If you're playing against a team who is trying to run the ball, but simply cannot, it probably doesn't matter at all (I swear I am not referring to 2013 Michigan).