February 10th, 2015 at 5:40 PM ^
Morgan is a very good player who seems to have the tenacity Harbaugh craves. While expected, this is amazingly great news.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
It's great to see guys who want to come back and appreciate that fifth year.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:02 PM ^
Thanks for posting.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^
I think this has gone as the most overlooked aspect to the 2015 defense. M is getting back what is essentially a 3 year starter with loads of experience and who will arguably be a step up from JMFR at that position. I am really looking forward to seeing the defense perform this upcoming season.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^
Not to mention the fact that with the domino effect, it could possibly give a younger player another year/possible redshirt to develop as well.. Always good news when able to keep players around!
February 10th, 2015 at 1:41 PM ^
While conceptually I agree we need some backup LBs to begin playing this year at least in some role. All our LBs with any experience not named Gedeon are gone after 2015 so we need to see some McCray, Gant, Winovich, Furbush, Wangler out there at some point or we are going to be throwing 2 LBs out there in 2016 and all our backups with no real experience that is not special teams.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:18 PM ^
I like Desmond Morgan, but he won't be a step up from Jake Ryan.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:27 PM ^
I had the same reaction when I read the previous post. Objectively, I think it's an untenable argument that Desmond Morgan is a "step up" over Jake Ryan. This statement, of course, is not a slight to Morgan, as Ryan played at an All-B1G level for the latter half of his career.
My question revolves around your opinion as to whether or not Desmond Morgan's skillset suits the inside LB position on a similar level to Ryan. My extremely novice observation was that Ryan grew into the role as the season progressed after some early-season struggles.
If we were to compare Ryan and Morgan as overall defensive players, I assume you would opine that Ryan would win that comparison going away. The same conclusion would apply for either the SAM or WLB positions. Having said this, how much of a downgrade do you believe the defense will experience going from Ryan to Morgan at MIKE -- assumption being that Morgan will return to 100% health?
February 10th, 2015 at 1:01 PM ^
I think Morgan is better suited to the inside linebacker position that I believe will exist in 2015, which is more of a 3-4 inside linebacker. Morgan is better at stuffing things up, taking on blockers, etc. He is not, however, a bigger playmaker, blitzer, edge defender, etc.
Ryan, like you said, improved significantly throughout the season last year. He was okay for the first few games, but he was pretty darn good by the second half of the year. I think too many people here looked at the first part of the season and said "Ryan isn't any good at this MLB stuff." There was a learning curve that should have been expected, and people jumped to conclusions.
I think we'll miss Jake Ryan for his playmaking ability and his range. But with the defensive tackles returning and if the defensive backs improve (which, gosh, I hope they do), I think the defense should be better in 2015 than it was last year.
February 10th, 2015 at 1:46 PM ^
Not only informative, but also encouraging. I, and I suspect others would agree, appreciate the insight.
February 10th, 2015 at 5:17 PM ^
Magnus, quick q: It sounds like you believe that Jake Ryan as an MLB > Desmond Morgan as an MLB. Could you elaborate? It always seemed like Jake was a fish out of water at MLB (compared to when he was at SLB), whereas Morgan seems a natural at MLB and is seemingly much better at play recognition and pass coverage from that spot than Jake was. I defer to you on this, though, and would love to hear your thoughts.
February 10th, 2015 at 5:25 PM ^
I annoyed the powers that be here at MGoBlog by questioning their interpretations on Jake Ryan during the second half of the season when he started playing better. He was slow to make reads in the first half of the year, but then he got quicker in the second half of the year. He's also really tough to block and disruptive as a blitzer. Ryan was in the top three or four tacklers in the Big Ten, was named all-conference, and was a Butkus Award finalist.
Desmond Morgan is a little bit limited athletically (although he obviously made that amazing one-handed INT against UConn in 2013). He won't make plays from sideline to sideline, and he's not an effective blitzer. What he can do is blast offensive guards and fullbacks in the chest and either knock them backward or stop them in their tracks, which is something that Jake Ryan didn't really do, because Ryan used quickness to sidestep blockers.
Morgan is more consistent and Ryan is flashier, but if we erase the memories of the first half of 2014 when Ryan was adjusting to the position, Ryan's occasional inconsistences are made up for by his instinct and athleticism.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:25 PM ^
Jake Ryan was really pretty good last year considering he switched to a new position. Morgan is good, but he's a run-stopper and, I guess, an okay defender in coverage, but Ryan brought athleticism and range to the position that Morgan can't replicate.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:32 PM ^
I love me some Desmond Morgan. Just a solid player and a wonderful tackler.
But, on no planet is he a step up from JMFR.
February 10th, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^
It was reported after Hoke was fired that Hoke asked Desmond to help keep the team together.
February 10th, 2015 at 4:39 PM ^
That beyond the 5th year being good for him, his worth as a mentor for the younger kids would be a bonus for the team as well.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^
Are they looking into a Jabrill medical redshirt yet? Or is that something you don't do until needed?
February 10th, 2015 at 12:05 PM ^
Has anyone heard about Gardner's?
February 10th, 2015 at 1:13 PM ^
February 10th, 2015 at 7:32 PM ^
I'm hoping he has a DPoY AND decides to stick around for a 5th year.
February 10th, 2015 at 9:15 PM ^
February 10th, 2015 at 12:07 PM ^
We had one of the best run defenses in the country last year and we are looking to be even better this year. Weaker at defensive end, but coming back with alot of experience.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
Yeah, I don't know about that DE position. I'm really hoping a guy like Taco Charlton can break out. If someone can assert themselves at that DE position, I think the D will be very, very good.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^
With Michigan likely going to a little more of a 3-4 look, I like Desmond Morgan as an inside linebacker. He's pretty good at taking on blocks, and he doesn't have great range for a 4-3 Over middle linebacker.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
If this is true, who do you see being best suited for the OLBs and DEs?
February 10th, 2015 at 1:04 PM ^
I would expect something like this:
OLB: Ojemudia
DT: Henry
NT: Glasgow
DE: Charlton
ILB: Morgan
ILB: Bolden
OLB: Ross
February 10th, 2015 at 1:52 PM ^
February 10th, 2015 at 2:08 PM ^
I think Wormley could back up Charlton at DE or Henry at DT. I just don't think you're going to get much of a pass rush from Wormely on the outside, so he's better off playing in a 5-tech or 3-tech spot. He might be more valuable on running downs than Ojemudia, who's smaller/quicker, but I don't expect Wormley to be a starter this year either way.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^
Did Harbaugh have to give his mom a job?
February 10th, 2015 at 2:55 PM ^
February 10th, 2015 at 3:23 PM ^
Your mom gave me a job.
February 10th, 2015 at 3:57 PM ^
I had sex with your wife!
February 10th, 2015 at 4:21 PM ^
your wife. They both PAID me!
February 10th, 2015 at 8:05 PM ^
February 10th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
Cant wait to watch this defense!
February 10th, 2015 at 12:27 PM ^
It's our offense on the field more. Looking forward to wanting to see our offense on the field versus waiting until the pain is over to hope our defense creates a turn over in field position to score a field goal.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
Yeah, not a surprise but glad he's back. Should really help the run game, and seems like a LB that will work in Durkin's defense.
February 10th, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^
This kid can be outstanding if healthy.
February 10th, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^
Edit: Looks like he has some range to me and also a nice set of mitts
February 10th, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^
Hellz to the yisses
February 10th, 2015 at 1:25 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 10th, 2015 at 1:41 PM ^
Is this the first time the words "Thanks NCAA" have ever been used without sarcasm?
February 10th, 2015 at 1:47 PM ^
I think lots of people are appreciative of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
February 10th, 2015 at 2:00 PM ^
They just sent me an email saying I'm the inheritor of a planeload of diamonds and all I need to do is send them my bank account # and the diamonds are mine.
Changing gears, Magnus: Roquan Smith is listed on Rivals as being 6-0 and 203. This strikes me as being a bit on the small side for a LB. Is he projected to get much bigger?