Does the departure of Cissoko open new doors?
Let me start by saying I wish the best for Cissoko and hope he can get his priorities straight. I was wondering though if his departure would open the doors for some of the secondary recruits that where on the fence about Michigan such as Dior and others. Do you think they will possibly reconsider now that there could possibly be two starting opportunities next year. It is very possible with the unknown rookie salary cap in the future that Warren could choose to leave after this season. I was just wanting to know what others thought and who this turn of events could possibly swing towards a Michigan lean. Maybe Tom could shed some insight on this.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:11 AM ^
Apparently Cissoko was having some issues with adjusting to the social structure of U of M which is what caused him to go down the path he did. Being a U of M alum myself, I can understand how being in Ann Arbor and among the types of students there from all different parts of the country and even the world might be daunting to someone growing up in inner city Detroit. The fact that he went to Cass Tech and had these issues might lead to Dior looking on U of M poorly if he has spoken to Cissoko at all. While he could talk to Big Will and the other Cass Tech kids as well, Cissoko might be one that he identifies with more. Maybe not. It's hard to speculate, but I could see this backfiring. On the other hand, with Cissoko gone that REALLY opens up the depth chart and could be attractive to some prospects. The only problem there is that the depth was already thin, and I think that this doesn't change recruits' feelings towards the situation much. The fact remains that any time a recruit transfers or is kicked off the team it makes us look bad.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:32 AM ^
For me, it doesn't look bad if someone gets kicked off the team. I don't see it as a negative for any school. It looks like a responsible program. However, i'm sure that's different for other people.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:33 AM ^
But you know that when a recruit hears about this, they're probably first hearing about it in the media which always is going to spin it in a negative light. This is particularly true of Michigan. When Feagin was kicked off the team the media had a field day and always seems to spin it in the light that Rich Rod can't control his team or keep it disciplined. Furthermore, they would say that it gave creedence to the statements by players like Wermers and Boren who said that it's not a "family" atmosphere any longer and the types of players there aren't like they used to be.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:13 PM ^
Most likely, it won't be an issue one way or the other. All schools have rules that need to be upheld, and those who violate them are pretty much all treated the same way.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:18 AM ^
There have been many times where I thought we could easily lock up some high profile recruits because of our lack of depth and the instant chance for those recruits to start. But, it doesn't always seem to work out like that. Take for example our D-Line recruiting right now or our safety/corner recruiting. It just doesn't always seem to come down to playing time, although that would make the most sense...
October 28th, 2009 at 10:26 AM ^
I wouldn't worry too much about safety/corner recruiting. Talbott and Avery are both solid, nothing spectacular yet but you never know. And when it's all said and done this class will probably have at least 4-5 DB's.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^
I have to wonder if this opens the door to Justin Turner playing. I understand they hoped to redshrit him this year, but that seems very unlikely with the depth in the secondary. Now IF Turner could play and be at least decent, they could move Wolfolk back to safety. IMO, that might be a much-improved secondary. Still doesn't fix everything when the LBers can't seem to cover anyone much, but it helps.
Gotta admit, I've been kinda down this week. First the magnitude of the loss, which I was not expecting. Then the NCAA, then Molk, now Cissoko. I know it's always darkest before the dawn, but it's been hard to be upbeat.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
Cissoko missed a couple games already and Turner didn't play. He's going to redshirt. End of story.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:25 AM ^
Cissoko was a questionable qualifier in 2008. He did get in though, although it wasn't cut and dry. The supposed "social structure" he had a problem dealing with at Michigan, which led to his dismissal, included study hall, classes and practices. Read Wilcher's quote on the front page.
If other Cass Tech kids, hell, if any other high school juniors / seniors in this country have that problem, they won't last much longer at Michigan than Cissoko did.
As it is, look at the 2009 class. This is an ongoing problem. It's not easy to get into Michigan. Justin Turner, Adrian Witty, Touissant and Gallon are but more examples. In that sense, it's good that they redshirt if they can, so they can used to school before taking on the responsibility of playing time.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:31 AM ^
Per WTKA this morning, Cullen Christian and Tony Grimes are priorities, Dior Mathis, not so much.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:46 AM ^
Christian and Grimes seem better suited to what Michigan is looking for - physical corners (or in Christian's case, possibly a safety). Rashad Knight definitely fits that mold as a safety, that guy can lay the wood.
That doesn't mean I won't be happy if Mathis chooses Michigan.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:34 PM ^
I think we have all seen to a small degree why having a 5'7-5'8 corner that plays physical but lacks top end speed may not be the best route to take. Mathias looks like a Cissoko clone IME. I know he got booted for violation of team rules but his play was far less than stellar as well. All things being equal I will take the taller guy to play corner every time. In the case of Mathis/Christian/Grimes it doesn't appear that all things are equal either (Grimes and Christian look better as well as taller IME). That said, there are a lot of spots that need to be filled in the secondary.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:02 PM ^
I don’t really have a problem with short corners b/c some of the best receivers last year in college were under 6’ like Alphonso Smith (5’9) Darius Butler (5’10) Jairus Byrd (5’10) as long as they can keep up with the wr. However, now it seems like receivers are getting bigger and I think it is now necessary for Michigan to get guys over 6’. We are seeing receivers kill us with jump balls ala Mike Floyd. I’m not saying 5’9 guys can’t play but trying to get a 5’9 fast DB's to out-jump 6’3 WR's is asking for it.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^
When Cissoko was here, I hoped that Mathis would go to Oregon or Miami. Now that depth is even thinner, I guess I wouldn't mind him. But I'd prefer Christian, Mathis, and Grimes (and Fulton and Shaw...).
October 28th, 2009 at 12:18 PM ^
It's kind of getting to the point where if you have a pulse you are probably being recruiting to play corner for Michigan.