DBs-Short supply, but not endangered species

Submitted by ijohnb on

Having only now recovered somewhat from a 3 day panic attack, I have taken a look at what Michigan has left in the secondary.  While their mission at this point with the amount of youth in play is a dauting one, there is remaining stock in the defensive secondary.  In order for the secondary to be serviceable, not great, not really even good, not really even average, but just sufficient to place on a D1 field and be viable, I think the following moves need to be made.  I am not playing D coordinator here, just a layperson's opinion as to what needs to transpire to patch this gaping hole.

1.  One of the bandit recruits needs to play a traditional safety position, and now.  My guess, based on high school game film and news out of summer practice is that such person would be Marvin Robinson.  Reason, see number 2.

2.  More than one, possibly more than 2 of those listed (either playing as or recruited as) safety are going to have to move to corner.  From the looks of things, body type, game film, and strengths and weaknesses, Carvin Johnson (I know he is true freshman and a raw one at that), Teric Jones, and possibly even a Floyd Simmons/Thomas Gordon are going to have to move to corner and contribute.  Michigan is actually fairly deep, if you will, at players that theoretically play safety, though often not very well.  I think the Adkins diet and a lot of game film are in order for many such players.

3.  Despite RR's assurances to the contrary, I think that one or two offensive players are going to have to convert.  Notwithstanding the above, the glaring problem in the secondary despite the make-do-able personnel is speed.  As we have seen in the past, most notably from Morgan Trent, a wide receiver with speed that can learn the position or cornerback, and possibly even safety.  Michigan has 67 wide receivers, most young, and many right in the 6'0, 185 range.  I think by seasons end, and possbly by summers end, we are going to see some of these receivers convert to the defensive side of the football.

If there is any more attrition back there, all bets are off.  Sure there are going to be nicks and dings, but the remainder of our defensive backfield needs to stay healthy and improve.  I think there will be substantial bleeding at the beginning of the season, I have gone from hoping to beat both UConn and ND, to hoping (and believing) that we will still win one of those games despite the the developing situation in our defensive backfield.  The good news is, as last year showed, quick starts are often fools gold.  Hopefully the experience that a lot of the young DBs gain due to the current situation will pay off, and this team can improve as the season progresses instead of the other way around.

JGP

August 20th, 2010 at 8:48 AM ^

Assuming Christian is a servicable starter, why are people thinking we need to convert more than 1, maybe 2, players to CB?

Blazefire

August 20th, 2010 at 8:56 AM ^

why are people thinking we need to convert more than 1, maybe 2, players to CB?

Because it is really hard to convert half a guy to CB.

It's just for depth. They may never play there, but should another guy go down, you don't want to be tossing a kid that has NEVER PLAYED CORNER even in practice out there.

ijohnb

August 20th, 2010 at 8:57 AM ^

and even if he is serviceable, Floyd, Christian, Avery, and Talbott, those are our corners.  Cornerback is a position that requires almost rotational depth at times, especially when the secondary is going to be targeted from the jump.  We can't go into the season with 4 cornerbacks and believe that is all that we are going to need.  Cullen Christian being serviceable doesn't shore up the position.

Quail2theVict0r

August 20th, 2010 at 8:56 AM ^

I don't think either of the Gordans are going to move - aren't they starting at the moment? Unless Vlad moves ahead of them - but I'm sure they dont' want to get rid of all their starting depth there.

It's just so hard to say because we don't know the curent condition of the guys. For all we know Avery, Christian and Tallbott have been playing well so the coaches think they're fine at CB.

Quail2theVict0r

August 20th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^

That's probably a good guess. He would make a good corner. In fact, I hope they move him there permanently. That kind of speed at the position would be great.

He would be a pretty big corner though - Scout has him listed as 6-2 200lbs. But hey, if he's fast he's fast. He would be able to go after the big threat WR's because of his size and speed.

Isaac Newton

August 20th, 2010 at 8:56 AM ^

Moving the bandit to a traditional safety position completely changes the defensive schemes.  At this late date, with this young squad; there's no way the coaching staff makes this move.

In reply to by ijohnb

Magnus

August 20th, 2010 at 9:35 AM ^

Safety (as in free safety) is already manned by Cam Gordon and Vlad Emilien.

Bandit is already manned by Jordan Kovacs and Marvin Robinson. 

Spur is already manned by Josh Furman and Thomas Gordon and Michael Williams.

So it's not a personnel move.  It's not anything.

OSUMC Wolverine

August 20th, 2010 at 9:11 AM ^

Iowa and Wisconsin field excellent defenses with a bunch of DBs that ranked far worse than even our backups and scout team players (walk-ons excluded of course).  Its about development, recognition, and knowing your assignments.  We have to get our two deep settled and get them in the books to learn this stuff. 

sman13

August 20th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^

I think a lot of our season is going to hinge on -in addition to JT Flyod coming forth as a leader in the secondary- the ability of the true freshman CB recruits (CC, Talbott) to respond to the pressure/opportunity and develop quickly/early. Based on what the coaches have been saying about Christian it seems very possible that he may be able to do this. As for safety, there really doesn't seem to be any other solution than moving a recruit to that position or just hoping that someone else who has been basically benched the past few years to show hidden talent. Depth is nevertheless an issue and we just really have to hope the karma gods have already dealt us our bad luck for the season (knock on wood).

It also would seem that with our defense in such a dangerous situation, there is going to be a lot more pressure on our offense to score points consistently. I feel good about this since Denard and Tate hopefully have shed their true freshman jitters, and have an experienced receiver and OL core to back them up.

Let's just wish for the best and scream our lungs out come September 4th

jmscher

August 20th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^

Isn't he a prime candidate to make a move, we have nice depth at wideout and he played in the secondary in HS if I remember correctly.  Wouldn't mind seeing him move even if Woofolk was healthy I think he can do pretty well back there.

Magnus

August 20th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^

Our depth at wideout (not counting Roundtree and Odoms):

1. Stonum

2. Hemingway

3. Stokes

4. Jerald Robinson

5. Ricardo Miller

6. Jeremy Jackson

One of the freshmen is basically already on the two-deep at WR, whether it's Robinson or Miller.  There are slot guys who could play on the outside that will likely lessen the load that freshman will have to carry, but still...our depth at WR isn't all that great.

jmscher

August 20th, 2010 at 10:56 AM ^

But if need be, we have plenty of slots, and could use one of Odom or Roundtree outside right?  Still have the other and Gallon/T.Robinson plus maybe Shaw on occassion at sot.  Seems like we could still have 6 outside guys w/ two true freshman and more than enough talent in the slot.  Not saying its ideal but Jerald Robinson seemed like he was pretty well regarded defensively and even if as you say we sacrfice some depth at outside WR depth at DB is way scarier and I think his d pedigree makes him the best candidate to move.  Also if Denard is going to start i think outside WR might be one where while we can make use of talent to be sure we might not need a ton of depth.

PhillipFulmersPants

August 20th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^

is a better candidate, IMO, as it wouldn't impact Jerald Robinson's future at what's likely his best position, WR, while possibly not risking a lot for Williamson. Everyone knows DJ can fly but my suspicion is DJ's a track guy who plays football rather than a football player who blisters on the track.  I hope I'm wrong, though.  Florida and LSU have done all right with guys like Jeff Demps and Trindon Holliday.

msoccer10

August 20th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^

Rodriguez's press conference made it clear that the scheme allows for the free safety and cornerbacks to switch positions without too much problem. I believe all three spots drop deep to cover and prevent anything getting behind them. That means for three spots we have Gordon, Emelien, Christian, Floyd, Avery, Talbott, Jones, Rogers. More than a two deep. Not great but it doesn't require changing the whole defensive scheme two weeks before the season starts.

Without Woolfolk and the other players we have lost since last year, we cannot play a tight man coverage with our cornerbacks. We are going to give up a ton of yardage through the air but most of it will come underneath our coverage in the flats. Hopefully Kovacs and whoever is at the other close safety spot can cover the short passes enough that we don't give up a ton of points and our offense can score enough to win.

This makes our run defense and the play of the linebackers crucial.

Magnus

August 20th, 2010 at 11:50 AM ^

The 3-3-5 or 4-2-5 is inherently a defense that has a Cover 3 look most of the time.  That doesn't mean you can't switch to Man Free, 2 Man, etc., but most plays will see the FS and two CBs dropping into a deep third.

However, you can't go an entire season of playing strictly Cover 3.  College quarterbacks and coordinators will pick you apart.  Our cornerbacks still have to have the ability to play man coverage on occasion.  So while I know you didn't say that the free safeties can easily move to cornerback, I want to stress that these positions aren't exactly interchangeable.  For example, Cameron Gordon should never ever ever be a cornerback.

Logan88

August 20th, 2010 at 2:50 PM ^

I have not heard much about him as a significant contributor on offense and he would have the requisite speed to play the position, would he not?