Donovan Warren's play today
You know you had a great day as a corner if your name is said twice on television (give or take a few, obviously), and once was for an unbelievable, game winning interception (regardless of whether it was the proper call or not).
Brian was right about this guy. Now healthy, he is absolutely a shut-down, big-time corner. IU's quarterback barely even looked to his side of the field.
I am willing to say that he is now on par with Brandom Graham as far as pure dominance.
So, I guess my question for the MGoCommunity is, whether or not you think Brandon Graham has some serious competition for the title of "Best player on the defense"?
I certainly don't think it is clear-cut anymore.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:29 PM ^
Indiana barely looked his way because Floyd and Cissoko played so poorly.
I think it's still clear-cut that Graham is the best player on the defense.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:01 PM ^
how anyone could neg your comment. The point system is getting so erratic, it's almost laughable.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:39 PM ^
A select few people will neg any negative comment about a Michigan player but in general the system works in that the real idiots get neg bombed for huge totals almost immediately.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:35 PM ^
Our defense is going to need a few sacks if Graham wants to keep that title throughout the year as well as DW is playing. Opposing teams are playing away from them as much as possible though, so it's tough to tell.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:41 PM ^
I feel as though this is a complement.
Just like teams doubling Graham with a TE or a RB on pass plays, teams avoiding his side of the field completely is a sign that whatever they see on film tells them that he is too good to be tested.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:51 PM ^
It definitely is. The same thing happened with Woodson when he was here... his numbers weren't mindblowing because he shut down half the field.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:56 PM ^
Which makes his junior year slightly more insane. He had 8 INTs on like 50 throws in his direction all year.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:42 PM ^
could command some double teams to free BG up. Warren is playing well though too.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:44 PM ^
but Graham has a much better resume. He gets more attention from the opponent's coaching staff and he is also saddled with a pretty thin group up front, meaning no one else on the defensive line is making consistent plays to draw more attention.
Warren is the best player in the secondary for sure. But he is also helped by the fact that the offense knows that Cissoko and Floyd have been pretty easy targets, too.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:47 PM ^
I loved Warren's comment that when both he and the receiver had the ball, he knew he'd come up with it -- thanks to Barwis!
September 26th, 2009 at 6:08 PM ^
Saying Warren is the best defensive back on the team isn't much of a compliment. He's very good, but everybody else is pretty ungood.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:15 PM ^
but we just gave up 33 to Indiana. There are no silver linings. if Warren is a lock down corner he'll prove it in the NFL. Until then, I have to interpret it as he's not Cissoko/Floyd.
That said, readying myself for the inevitable negbang, I will also say that it doesn't matter. I'm a Northwestern alum, folks, and therefore accustomed to defensive ineptitude and heart attack inducing shootouts.
The good news is that UM at this moment has a better offense than NU did in their Kustok/Damien Anderson heyday. The sky is the limit for this team, but the foreseeable future depends entirely on the offense.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:33 PM ^
Yeah, way too many mistakes today. We shot ourselves in the foot...and badly, at that. Two turnovers cost us six points, not to mention the numerous penalties and mishandled snaps.
A lot of teaching to do this week, but I don't know if that will subsequently make up for the talent deficiency.
We really need to recruit some linebackers, so many poor gap reads and some crucial missed tackles.