Breakout Player of the Year
I am that old guy that got turned on to the MGO community by my oldest son a few years back. We were talking on the phone last night (he is in Georgia now and I am in Minnesota). He asked me the question: "Who is your breakout player of the year?" (Offense and defense)
Good question for the community to answer . . . I said Devin Funchess (great video of him just posted) and Taco Charlton! Who you got?
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^
Kool-Aid Man
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:42 PM ^
Taco Charlton will fuck shit up
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^
That first paragraph is... something.
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^
I might want to read it before I post it next time!
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:32 PM ^
Just go with "respect your elders, youngun".
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:51 PM ^
I have no issues with that paragraph
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^
I'll take James Ross III and Jehu Chesson. Ross is going to be a stud and I can't help but think Chesson has to step up. I would love to have his speed really stretch defenses.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:02 PM ^
From the couple plays Chesson was in during the scrimmage video he looked good. Hopefully he can step up now that Darboh is out.
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^
Wut happened?
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^
suspect alcohol may be involved.
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
I've been saying this since the spring game, but I think Willie Henry is going to surprise some folks and have a big year.
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
I don't get it. That first paragraph doesn't seem to make sense. Who is "he"?
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
Ahh.....makes much more sense now.
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
On offense, I think Jehu Chesson is going to have a very solid year. Especially with the loss of Darboh, there are going to be plenty of opportunities for Chesson and I believe he will make the most of them. I think he finishes the year with 35 receptions for 550 yards and 6 TD's.
On defense, I am going with Cam Gordon. I think back to Hoke's first spring at UM and remember Mattison and Hoke gushing over the amount of potential they saw in Cam. I think he finally reaches that potential en route to an All-Big Ten season. He finishes with 70 tackles, 12 TFL and 5 sacks.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^
Gordon could bring back SR. Steve brown type performances.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:59 PM ^
So, just legitimately curious, do you think that he is continue getting playing time somewhere when Jake Ryan comes back?
August 22nd, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^
Yes in fact I think Ryan will move to another spot but I don't think we will see Ryan until about half way into November.
August 22nd, 2013 at 1:14 PM ^
Just my opinion, but I think Cam will be the starter at SLB the whole season. I might be completely wrong, but I don't think Jake will be close to 100% until at least the bowl game.
August 22nd, 2013 at 1:40 PM ^
Well he is already running and doing conditioning. I think Big10 play in.. 7 weeks should be a very doable "full go".
August 22nd, 2013 at 1:57 PM ^
I understand that, and I think he will play in October as the coaches are saying, I just don't think it will be close to the level he was at last year. I think Cam is the "starter" the whole year, while Beyer is his backup until Jake returns, then Jake takes over the role that Beyer was filling.
August 22nd, 2013 at 1:54 PM ^
The position has been a rotation spot for the last two years in this defense. And even pre-injury the coaching staff was talking up getting Gordon more PT and possibly playing him and Ryan on the field together (they have complementary skillsets with Cam's coverage ability and Jake's pass rushing acumen). With Jake coming off an injury and Gordon (I think) playing well, Cam should be a key contributor even if he gets replaced in the starting lineup midseason.
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^
Who is the "he" to whom you are referring? I think you left part of that first paragraph in your head and forgot to type it in to the comment box.
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^
Damn you OP and your edit which makes me look like a hallucinator!
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^
I say Devin Funchess "broke out" last year.
Hopefully it's a Jake Butt or someone like a Dymonte Thomas if we are going young.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^
I really hope Dymonte has a great season. There has been some really odd mixed reviews for him though as of late, mostly it sounded like he was going to play a lot of nickel, and now Countess will be playing nickel.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:10 PM ^
Is probably for a package. I wouldn't look into to it too much
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:13 PM ^
According to Hoke, Countess will be playing nickel for the nickel package, which (if I'm not mistaken) is all the plays that we have with a nickelback.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:28 PM ^
Until I see it
August 22nd, 2013 at 1:32 PM ^
of course it's a package thing...it's the nickle package and Countess is playing it (as far as the last reports go). So, if when a nickle package is on the field and Blake is playing the nickle....I guess that means Thomas isn't going to be playing nickle (ahead of Blake anyway). Once the nickle package is off the field Blake will go back to his regular corner spot, but then there is no room for an extra CB/NB so again, Thomas is not of the field.
I guess what I am getting at is I am confused by your post as you seem to be inferring that Thomas being beaten out at nickle still leaves open the opportunity for him to still be first guy at nickle.....very confusing IMHE. .
August 23rd, 2013 at 9:43 AM ^
Thomas will be in at nickle when Countess is in at nickel.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:12 PM ^
I have a feeling he is in this safety competition with Wilson and Avery. Which would explain Countess playing the nickel back
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^
Thats what I thought it might be, especially with all the hype he's gotten so far. He definitely seems to have a better safety build than Avery.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^
The Countess-at-nickel announcement slipped by me somehow. So the plan is on nickel packages, Countess slips down into the nickel spot with Taylor and Hollowell (?) at the corner spots? Presumably the safeties will remain Gordon and Wilson/Avery (depending on who's winning that battle at a given moment).
When did the Countess-at-nickel plan come out?
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^
Per Heiko
Blake Countess is the nickel corner for the nickel package. That tentatively means Michigan is experimenting with a nickel package of Raymon Taylor (CB), Delonte Hollowell (CB), Blake Countess (NB), Thomas Gordon (S), and Courtney Avery (S).
So yeah, pretty much exactly what you said
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^
Gotcha, thanks.
Interesting move. And one I have no real opinion of, but will be interested to see how it plays out.
August 22nd, 2013 at 1:21 PM ^
I have a feeling this is for when teams move there top receiver to the slot Michigan had the ability to move countess inside. Covering a guy in the slot is harder usually because the guy is off the line (can't jam) and the sideline isn't there for help. Not to mention you have to be able to tack on a linemen or TE or FB in the run game. If I remember right countess was solid in run defense
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^
during the last presser, I believe.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^
Dude is a Frosh. He will be fine over the course of a career
August 22nd, 2013 at 1:09 PM ^
Everyone knows that if a player isn't a starter on day one, he is never going to be good.
/reallynotreally
But yeah, I'm not worried about him in the long run, I just thought that he could bring a lot to the 2013 team.
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^
Chesson and Frank Clark
August 22nd, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
Defense: between Frank Clark and James Ross III. Leaning toward JRIII
Offense: Can Devin count as a "breakout player" (in a more national sense)? If not, then I'd probably go with Jehu Chesson.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
10 TDs and some 800 yards for Funchess
All conference for Ross
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
Maybe 600 yds is more reasonable... Still, I expect a lot of TDs for Funchess
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
Over/Under on how many more people comment on the first paragraph. 6
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^
Not a popular pick but Richard Ash should make some noise this year
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
GOD DAMMIT ARGH
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
and cam gordon
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:05 PM ^
I don't know if it would count, but I really hope one of the RBs has an outstanding season.
That would mean that our O line questions and concerns are answered positively. And if Gardner has a good running game this season he will tear it up.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:09 PM ^
I really think Tate Forcier and JT Turner are poised to have big years. Can't wait to see what they do for the ol' Maize 'n Blue.